Another sunny morning for a walk at Pilling, and this is becoming a habit, but not necessarily a bad one when I catch up with Lapwing chicks.
I relocated some of the pairs near Fluke Hall today where I reckon 4 or 5 pairs have reared young to add to the 2 pairs near Lane Ends. That’s an improvement on last year when it proved a struggle to find any chicks belonging to a species hanging on by a thread. I found six chicks, two broods of three each and all much the same size, about 4 or 5 days old I reckon. The old baseball cap came in handy as a holding pen while I ringed the chicks with mum watching overhead.
Lapwing chick
Lapwing chicks
Lapwing
Not a lot else to report today: 1 Kestrel, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Jay, 8/10 Skylark territories, 4 Redshank pairs, 3 Oystercatcher pairs. Just one Wheatear today so it looks like the late gang got their act together and flew north.
Kestrel
One Buzzard over Fluke Hall again - look out mate you are about to become a victim of your own success.
Buzzard
I emailed my MP last night to complain about DEFRA’s plan to spend £375,000 of taxpayer’s money in looking how to reduce the impact of Buzzards on Pheasant shoots. I received a holding reply as follows:
“While I am a supporter of field sports (including shooting) your points seem very credible. I shall ask the Minister on your behalf and get back to you.
Ben Wallace MP
Member of Parliament for Wyre and Preston North
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA”
I suggest that each and every nature lover/bird watcher should be similarly contacting their Member of Parliament to complain about this ridiculous plan so as to pressurise DEFRA to change or drop it..
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8 comments:
Beautiful chicks and super flight shots. The buzzard is strikingly different to the ones classed as "Common Buzzard" in Japan...I think I always tell you...now I understand the ones here are better referred to as Eastern Buzzards. Gee, I'm having a quiet birding year when I see days like these.
Not much weight in Mr Wallace's support here then Phil.
Thanks Russell. Peter, yes I agree a lukewarm response as I expected. Since when did we expect politicians to do as the majority of the public wishes?
Cool, the lapwing and the chick are beautiful. Great sightings, Phil.
Beautiful chicks and adult lapwing. Nice find.
these are tinier than the one i saw on the other blog at camera critters. so cute!
Aww, those chicks look so sweet :)
Good on you for the email Phil - I'll be doing the same, of course. We need to monitor this situation closely over the coming months. A victim of his own success indeed.
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