Sunday dawned clear and sunny with a light northerly wind, probably less than ideal conditions for realising major migration, either visible movement or fresh-in grounded birds. So it proved, with notebook entries suggesting I’d maybe used carbon paper below Thursday’s and Friday’s pages, the one exception being a line noting my first Wheatear of the year.
The Wheatear was at the expected spot near Pilling Water. I set two tent traps with a meal worm in each and then retreated to a safe distance. The odds are better when there are several Wheatears and also when a warming sun makes the meal worm wriggle to attract sharp eyed chats. No luck today, the Wheatear took a close look but wasn’t tempted by cold, motionless worms and within ten minutes the bird had flown off across the salt marsh and then north towards Heysham.
There wasn’t a lot doing at Pilling Water – 1 Cormorant, 4 Teal, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel and 1 Sparrowhawk, but 450 Pink-footed Geese an improvement on recent counts. There was perhaps a little more at Fluke Hall today with 26 Lapwing, 47 Redshank, 14 Oystercatcher, 2 Grey Plover, 8 Pied Wagtail, 5 Reed Bunting, 4 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch, 1 Buzzard and an additional Kestrel.
Lane Ends fare was fairly predictable with 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Goldeneye, 2 Teal, a singing Reed Bunting, 4 Meadow Pipit, 1 Kestrel and 3 Jay.
At home there were a few chores to complete, with the garden net open because there seemed to be Goldfinches about; I hoped there might be new ones, plus there was a Goldcrest flitting through a neighbouring garden. I caught the Goldcrest and a new Dunnock within minutes but the resident, probably already ringed Goldfinches stayed clear.
It was lovely if uneventful morning to be out, the couple of bright spots the Wheatear and then after, the belated Goldcrest.
Lovely to see the tiny goldcrest, Linda
ReplyDeleteThe Wheatear is a very elegant creature, and the little gold fella is adorable.
ReplyDeleteDid you see the redpolls I finally posted this weekend?
K
I am glad that you had a sunny day anyway Phil. Just getting out and about following winter months, is always such a welcome thing! The image of the Wheatear is really pretty, and that sweet face of the Goldcrest so charming! I hope your week continues to go very well for you and your daily outings~
ReplyDeleteHey Phil...Your Goldcrest is a cutie-putie...,but I have a question for you that popped into my head while reading your post...How many times have you got pooped on holding those birds??? ; }
ReplyDeleteWhen did all the migration happen last year..are the birds of schedule??? I'm starting to worry about you getting stressed over this ; ]
The Grackles flew into my backyard last week ...I stood in the window with the camera straight out and kept clicking as they flew by so I could down load and count them ...found that there was a fair amount of Red Winged Black Birds with them...it wasn't as easy after all, but managed to count 250 for sure and 52 Red wing!! See I am good at this lol!!!
Coughing away
Grace
Great photos Phil! The Goldcrest is a beauty!
ReplyDeleteHi Phil
ReplyDeleteThe migrations are certainly taking effect now - Blackcap in my garden today...eating fat balls! Didn't know they did that!