Thursday, March 1, 2012

Pilling And A Swallow

This morning began with bright sun and a south westerly breeze, conditions which made me optimistic about a gentle walk at Pilling. Within an hour the solid grey clouds of late rolled back in and it was a fairly uneventful few hours although other signs of spring continue with birds in song and display.

The Hi-fly fields continue to hold good numbers of waders, mainly Lapwing, Redshank and Golden Plover, with sometimes Dunlin, so it’s always a good idea to stop and work through the flock for something different. Not today, just 120 Lapwing, 40+ Redshank, 90 Golden Plover and 8 Oystercatcher, although it was interesting that as the flock of Lapwings both fed and roosted on the well-muddied stubble, just away from the main gathering a few lone males performed their noisy, tumbling displays. In the distant stubble I could see several Skylarks, a few breaking off from searching through the mud-covered stalks to indulge in aerial chases.

Lapwing

Skylark

When I later walked the sea wall I saw both Redshanks and Oystercatchers in territorial mode, with 4 singing Skylarks at appropriate distances apart, spots remarkably close to last year’s eventual nests.

By the time I got to Lane Ends the 100% blue sky was replaced by full grey cloud but undeterred I checked the pools, listened for Chiffchaffs, and then walked the wall in search of Wheatears or Meadow Pipits.

The pools held 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Goldeneye, 2 Little Grebe and 2 Little Egret, with my money firmly on Tufted Ducks and Little Grebes for breeding success and a small side bet on Little Egret – eventually. Along the sea wall the 30 or so pipits of Monday had moved on, now all I found were 6 at Pilling Water with a lone Pied Wagtail and 2 more Little Egret. The Greenshank flushed noisily from the pool, closely followed by the now silent Green Sandpiper, and is it my imagination but are Green Sandpipers more vocal in the autumn?

Little Egret

And now news from Will’s garden where unlike this time last year, the bird count is virtually zero. However Will did receive news of a Swallow Y279264 he ringed in the garden shed last year, one of a nest of 3 youngsters ringed on 8th September 2011. On 12th October, this young bird was recaptured at Icklesham, East Sussex before heading rapidly south over the English Channel then through France and Spain towards its eventual destination somewhere in the south of the African continent.

Swallow

Will’s Garden to Icklesham

The ringing group had news of another bird recaptured at Icklesham, this a Lesser Redpoll L583835 ringed at Rossall School, Fleetwood on spring passage 10th April 2011 and later recaptured at Icklesham on 19th October 2011. Lesser Redpolls heading to southern UK may winter there, but equally many individuals fly on to Belgium, the Netherlands and France.

10 comments:

Millhouse Photography said...

Hi Phil

I heard a few Skylarks myself on the road to Cockerham Sands today - what a lovely sound of Spring and Summer.

Superb picture of the lapwing by the way. Great the fact that you have caught it calling like that.

Unknown said...

Love the shot of the lapwing. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Kay L. Davies said...

All your birds look happy except the swallow. The lapwing is smiling, I swear, and it made me smile right back.
K

Choy Wai Mun said...

The lapwing shot is certainly a keeper!

Russell Jenkins said...

Very interesting information about their travels and love the photo of the lapwing. Nice work.

eileeninmd said...

Love the shot of the Lapwing and the Skylark. Very pretty birds and photos. Happy birding and have a great weekend!

Ari said...

Love that Lapwing shot....very well done Phil..

Mary Howell Cromer said...

Phil, I am so glad that you had some nice weather for most of your day to take in a successful walk and some good numbers with the birding community.
Now then, would it not be a splendid thing to take upon flight with Swallow Y279264 and see all of the wonders that it surely saw. Of course it probably did not view everything that a human kind would, and yet, how wonderful a thought...yes;)
Just an old lady day dreaming of travels, when stuck until our next journey in September. Have a great balance to your day~

Tammy said...

Interesting info Phil! Great photos too, really like the Lapwing!!

Stuart Price said...

Wow Phil from the title I thought you'd got a really early Swallow...........

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