Thursday, October 31, 2013

Rainbow Time

I played at dodging the showers today, even managing a bit of birding during the few brief but welcome sunny spells. 

As usual I started at Conder Green with a momentary spot of sunshine and time to take stock. There were the usual Little Grebes whereby I’d counted 10 or more until a Kingfisher flew through the binoculars to divert my attention towards the creek, the direction it went. I didn’t see the Kingfisher again but found 2 Spotted Redshanks at the junction of the creeks with 10 or so Redshanks. 

Meanwhile on the pool/creek were 95 + Teal, 6 Cormorant, 3 Wigeon, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret and a single Pied Wagtail. Two Ravens flew overhead, with their loud and unmistakable calls heading west again. As I stood on the bridge a male Sparrowhawk flew past no more than a split second after alarm calls of Robin and Reed Bunting made me look around. 

 Conder Green

Cormorant

Very little to report from Glasson with the “highlights” being a flight over of 45 Pink-footed Goose, 3 Pied Wagtails and a feeding flock of 35+ Goldfinch. 

I checked the Whooper Swans on the marsh at Fluke Hall and then counted 18 of them plus 8 Mute Swans, 70+ Shelduck and 3 Snipe. I had good reason to thank the shooters when their maize crop on the other side of the sea wall became the only shelter from a particularly heavy downpour. As I stood against the tall, thick stems Whooper Swans were flying from the marsh roost and overhead towards the stubble with my camera set to black & white. Less than a minute later I was on the sea wall to take a snap of the rainbow against the black sky over Lancaster.
 
Whooper Swans

Pilling Marsh

When the sun appeared there was a procession of Pintail flying in from the outer marsh and dropping onto the wildfowler’s pool. In all there were in excess of 95 Pintail. The Pintail is certainly one of the UK’s most elegant and beautiful ducks. More about ducks in next week’s blog with another look at The Crossley ID Guide: Britain and Ireland and a chance to win a copy- stay tuned. 

Pintail

Pintail

There’s a good number of Lapwings starting to use the flooded field now, probably in excess of 300 although they are rather difficult to see amongst the black soil, the stubble itself and having to look through the still quite thick hawthorn hedge. Also on the stubble 30+ Skylarks and one or two more Snipe. 

In the trees at Fluke Hall, 1 Buzzard and at least 3 raucous Jays. 

More soon from Another Bird Blog. Linking today to Anni's Blog and Camera Critters.

16 comments:

  1. Sounds like a nice outing, Phil! A great variety of birds. The rainbow is a beautiful treat! Awesome photos! Have a great weekend!

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  2. I think Northern Pintail males are very elegant, and really enjoyed having good looks at them in Japan earlier this year.

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  3. Hey Phil... Love seeing those country side photos especially with a rainbow
    for you to chase down!! : )
    I didn't stop by to see if you was alive, because I see yo everywhere just commenting away you social butterfly : ) I needed to see if you was keeping the count and how the storm was your way!!
    I see it is past midnight so I can go to bed now without those ghost and goblins bothering me!!

    I,m off to bed !!
    You take care out there!!
    Keep up the count!!
    Your sleepy friend
    Grace

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  4. HI Phil That was a good number of Lapwing seen. Great B&W shot of geese and lovely shots of Pintail.

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  5. Great birds in flight images, Phil. Well done.

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  6. Not a bad day really if I do say so myself!

    Pintails are a great looking duck!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  7. You had a good mix of birds!

    Appreciate the pictures of Condor Green and Piling Marsh. Gives some perspective. Those are lovely looking areas for birds!

    Great photographs, Phil!

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  8. Looks like a great day, nic serie!

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  9. Pintails are so elegantly dressed in the formal wear if you ask me. They are VERY pretty.

    Loved your rainbow image, and I must say you saw quite a bit of 'good' birds in between the rainstorms!!

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  10. I don't know if you found the treasure at the end of the rainbow, but it looks like you had a lovely outing.

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  11. just love the pintails. such refined looking ducks...

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  12. I would say you say quite a few on this day...and a nice variety at that. You counters definitely do the bird world a great service. The rainbow shot was a lively way to end the post.

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  13. These are wonderful! I love the shots in flight. Beautiful rainbow.

    http://edenhills.wordpress.com

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  14. Wonderfull , the Sunset also. have a nice day!

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  15. Lovely lighting! The cormorant photo is superb!

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