Friday, September 21, 2012

Friday News

There aren’t many new pictures on offer with this post but there’s a good list of birds following an afternoon out Pilling way. Yes, the wind and rain finally gave way to a half-decent few hours of bright weather for a  circuit of Lane Ends/Pilling Water. 

Less Pink-footed Goose in evidence than of recent days with a count of just over 2100, but the birds were reluctant to fly into the maize and wheat fields due to the steady stream of human activity, me included, along the sea wall. I had a good count of Teal and Pintail today with 750 and 110 respectively, together with just 90 Wigeon, although in most years the Wigeon do tend to appear in higher numbers during the depths of winter. 

Shelduck numbers may be building after a count of 60+ today as birds return from their moult migration. Many UK and Irish Shelduck fly east to the Helgoland Bight in the Waddensea, an intertidal zone in the south eastern part of the North Sea, where they join birds from Scandinavia and the Baltic, and there complete their moult before returning to the UK and form the large winter concentrations we expect. 

Shelduck

Two Peregrines were active today, both out on the marsh and over Hi-Fly fields, one in particular actively hunting any Red-legged Partridge foolish enough to take to the air, and while I didn’t see the raptor catch a partridge, it came very close. Peregrine was the only raptor seen, with seemingly the recent Buzzards and Marsh Harriers having moved elsewhere. An expected count of 7 Little Egret and 2 Grey Heron. 

Peregrine

Passerines etc: 120+ Swallow in the area but none specifically engaged in visible migration, although it was afternoon time. Also, 5 Skylark, 8 Meadow Pipit, 15 Goldfinch, 20 Linnet, 1 Pied Wagtail and 2 Wheatear. 

Wheatear

The BBC say the wind is dropping overnight with probably a morning frost after a clear night. So there’s signs of  a ringing session tomorrow if the early morning alarm call does the trick. If so, log in tomorrow for more news and pictures on Another Bird Blog.

12 comments:

grammie g said...

Hey Phil..That sounds dang cold.. you best be getting those long johns out your going to need them!!
no frost here yet...but I know it is near! It has been very still here today in and out sunshine just kind of weird, like the other shoe is going to fall.. "Fall"that's it..it starts tomorrow..aren't i clever!!
Okay...the Shelduck is a handsome fella, also seen here in Maine at certain times of the year..not by me though!
Thanks for the info on the netting,
process..glad to hear the little birdie's don't stress out like
me ; }!!
Stay warm my buddy!!
Grace

Gail Dixon said...

You are so dedicated! These are wonderful shots. Hope you have a successful day tomorrow.

Unknown said...

Will be out there with you, Phil, in spirit anyway. Hope to catch some more of those northern Linnets, Haha!

Rohrerbot said...

Love the Peregine....such a beautiful bird in the wild. I finally saw the Prairie falcon out in the wild. What a treat! Such beautiful birds.

eileeninmd said...

Hi Phil, sounds like a great day of birding. Great shot of the Shelduck and I love the Wheatear. Do you have a Hawk watch too? It is neat to see so many different species on the move at the same time. I am seeing migrating birds passing thru and some winter birds showing up early? Great post, Happy Birding!

Kay L. Davies said...

The Shelduck is gorgeous, Phil, and I always love the wheatear.
Is the peregrine the falcon most usually used in falconry?
K

Russell Jenkins said...

Lovely list of birds, Phil and mighty Shelduck photo. You often get pretty good shots of peregrines in the air too which means your pretty fast at getting to the holster! I mostly get the 'going away' shots.

Isidro Ortiz said...

Estupendas capturas Phil,la del Tarro blanco me gusta mucho.Saludos

Noushka said...

Wonderful shots of all 3 birds!
Well done, congrats!

Adam Jones said...

Lovely shots Phil. I think the Wheatear is my favourite.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Love that last shot.


Visiting from a little late from camera critters.
Our Furr Babies
Have a blessed Sunday.
Rose

Pia said...

Nice bird shots as ever. I love the falcon shot! What a beautiful bird!

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