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..