There’s been a lot to do Rawcliffe way so it has been weeks since I went in the direction of Pilling, especially since the road was closed and the sea wall out of bounds from Boxing Day until the end of the shooting season. This morning was too breezy for ringing so with a couple of hours to spare I turned left at the main road, Pilling bound.
The berry-laden bush at the Fordstone Road junction has lain untouched by birds most of the winter. The hawthorn is smack bang on the corner of the busy junction, where pedestrians and/or cars are virtually non-stop, enough to scare off the local Blackbirds, and now into March the berries have nearly all dropped to the ground with any that remain turned now to a dark red colour. There must be some goodness left in the berries because there were two Waxwings there this morning, even as the local kids trooped noisily past on their way to school; the children could almost have reached out and touched the birds had they noticed them. I grabbed a couple of shots of the Waxwings as they moved around the other side of the hawthorn, intent on staying near their breakfast.
Bohemian Waxwing
Bohemian Waxwing
Lambs Lane had 2 Kestrels, so more pictures to add to my recent run of Kestrel shots. The local population of Kestrels seems very high this winter and things are looking good for the breeding season.
Kestrel
From Backsands Lane I walked up to the sea wall, just to check it was still there after my enforced absence. Out of sheer habit I peered down at the Wheatear rocks where in two or three weeks the Wheatears will be; none today and no passerines either but there was a Greenshank, a Redshank and an Oystercatcher on the wildfowlers pool. There was a Greenshank in December, and I’m guessing it’s the same one wintering here.
Greenshank
The flood at Backsands held a good number of geese and waders: 900 Golden Plover, 350 + Lapwing, 40 Curlew, 45 Dunlin, 14 Redshank, 5 Teal, 1500+ Pink-footed Goose and 10 Greylag. Overflying or in the United Utilities compound I noted 4 Goldfinch, 4 Chaffinch, 2 Mistle Thrush and 2 Pied Wagtail.
Pink-footed Goose
Synchronised Landing - Pink-footed Goose
Greylag Goose
Not a bad result for a couple of hours work. Log in soon to Another Bird Blog for more news and views of birds and birding.
Today the blog is linking to Stewart's Photo Gallery .
Today the blog is linking to Stewart's Photo Gallery .
Superb pictures.. I love Waxwings... A regard
ReplyDeleteEstupendas capturas,las del Ampelis me gustan mucho.Un abrazo
ReplyDeleteExcellent shots. I love the kestral photo :)
ReplyDeleteI noticed one of the swans on the canal had a ring/tag around its leg. I couldn't see one on the other swan, so was wondering if the RSPCA could have tagged the swan if it had been previously injured (we called them out last year when we found an injured swan down there).
Extremely cool finds. That's amazing stuff in two hours:) Pink-footed goose....and the mysterious Waxwings. I have yet to find them this year:)
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos, as always! We have the cedar waxwings, so the bohemians are a treat to see. What a great day!
ReplyDeleteI'm still waiting for this winter's Bohemian Waxwings..............if they bother turning up at all.........
ReplyDeleteWonderful waxwing pictures, Phil. I'm so excited as I just got my first ever pictures of one last Thursday and I've found him in the same tree every afternoon until yesterday when I found three. Marvelous birds of the Northern Hemisphere, I'm so happy to see them. I think your pictures are much better than mine as it has been dull and late in the day when I found mine. Like the Kes too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful walk Phil! Thanks for sharing your birds. The kestrel is the only one I've seen. Although I know Bohemian waxwings are in the states, I've only seen Cedar waxwings (and they are one of my favorite birds ever!)....I loved this post. Virtual birding is better than no birding at all!
ReplyDeleteHi Phil: The fields at Back Sand Lanehave been quite productive lately.All the best.JWB.
ReplyDeleteTerrific captures! That Waxwing is such a handsome bird.
ReplyDeletePhil, wonderful outing. The Waxwings are beautiful and the Kestrel is cool. And the geese are cute. It is cool seeing the large counts of PLovers and geese! Awesome photos!
ReplyDeleteGreat serie of photos of this great bird. We call him "sidensvans"!
ReplyDeleteHey Phil...Great group of birdie's here for WBW ..you pulled out some good one for the day ; )!!
ReplyDeleteThe Waxwings are always a thrill to see no matter how many times..they look like they just came from the groomers : ) all licked down and shiny !!
Those geese look like they are in one of those air shows in perfect formation doing a fly over!!
You always manage to entertain Phil!!
I'm going to try to get my WBW post in.. way behind as usual!!
Your WBW buddy
Grace
A great series of photos. It's surprising just how much passing traffic birds will put up with. Of course, the Greenshank is my favorite!
ReplyDeleteenjoyed your two hours of work and play here Phil; great photographs to share with us, thanks.
ReplyDeletelove the waxwings! get a glimpse of the cedar waxwing here if i'm lucky. great geese, too!
ReplyDeleteI'd have to agree - not a bad result at all and actually was wonderful results.
ReplyDeleteThe Greenshank made me smile.
Your waxwings shots are lovely. I liked the view of the Greylag Goose - lovely feather pattern.
Wonderful post Phil!
the bohemians look very similar to the cedar waxwings we have in our area, they are a beautiful bird and such a treat to see!
ReplyDeleteWe are having a good run on the Kestrels too Phil and your image is splendid! Oh My Goodness and you got some amazing images of your glorious Bohemian Waxwings. I am so jealous;') We have a Crabapple tree next to our drive and it still has rotten fruit, but is protected by only one bird, which I think will have eaten a ton of fruit by Winter's ending...a single Mockingbird;')
ReplyDeleteNice pictures you show. I can be really good like greylag geese :) Hanne Bente
ReplyDeleteGreat set of pictures. I do like the Greylag looking over its shoulder.
ReplyDeleteCheers and thanks for linking to WBW.
Stewart M - Melbourne