I did the usual circuit this morning and it looked like being a repeat of Thursday’s effort, bright early on with the threat of rain for later. It was a rerun - its 2pm and the rain arrived as promised.
There were a few Chaffinches on the move again at Fluke Hall but my few hours were to be dominated by Skylarks. From Fluke I could hear the Whooper Swans going noisily about their family squabbles. When I looked from the sea wall I could make out 20 beyond the sea wall, this time with 5 Mute Swan and 15 or more Shelduck. Later I was to see 300+ Shelduck on the incoming tide.
Whooper Swans
After 15 minutes I’d had just two parties of a total of 18 Chaffinches coming from the west, a few Greenfinches, 2 Reed Buntings, 2 Goldfinch, 8 Tree Sparrows and 15 or more Skylarks. I decided to walk to Pilling Water and circuit back via Fluke Hall Lane.
There was a Grey Wagtail feeding in the ditch behind the sea wall, the autumn something of a “grey wag” one whereby I’ve had almost daily sightings. Skylarks were constant, either rising from the stubble as I passed by or arriving from the North and North West as the tide came in. My notebook totalled 80+ from Skylarks from Fluke Hall to Fluke Hall via the sea wall, Pilling Water and Fluke Hall Lane. There was a flock of 40+ Linnets along the wall too - a good number in respect of recent counts here and elsewhere.
Skylark
Eight Little Egrets on the marsh, 400+ Teal, 1200 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 80 Golden Plover, 800 Knot, 300 Dunlin, 340 Curlew and 40+ Redshank.
It was too grey for pictures today so here are some new ones I gathered of Curlew and Redshank on Thursday, a day when the sun shone all too briefly. They may both be common species in this part of the world but they are as wild as hell and oh so difficult to approach for a photograph.
Don't forget to "click the pics" for a close up view.
Curlew
Redshank
Redshank
Redshank
Curlew
Curlew
Curlew
Curlew
Fantastic images Phil... lovely birds to see.
ReplyDeleteHI Phil You saw a great selection and took wonderful shots of the Curlew and Redshank.
ReplyDeleteGreat variety, Phil! I love them all! Beautiful shots, happy birding!
ReplyDeleteTerrific shots, Phil!
ReplyDeleteLove the skylark, Phil, and you got great shots of the curlew and redshank 'stepping out'!
ReplyDeleteK
great shorebirds! i like that spunky skylark. :)
ReplyDeleteAlways excellent bird photography ~ love the skylark ~ reminds of the song 'skylark' that I used to play on the piano ~ happy weekend to you ~ carol, xx
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots of the bird.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos of the birds. This time of the year the lack of light is becoming a problem. There usually isn't much light even during the few hours of daylight.
ReplyDeleteI do like the "dance move" the R/shank is pulling! Looks like a 80s through back!
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Greats bird shots as ever Phil. I especially love the Skylark. He has a super hairdu :-)
ReplyDeleteThe 'usual' day again? Deja vu, huh? Lordy, if I saw THOSE numbers you describe, I'd be in birding heaven.
ReplyDeleteAmazing images too!! As always.
OH! I love your photos of the redshanks and curlews! Wonderful!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful series!
ReplyDeleteYou have make beautiful birds photos!
ReplyDeleteGreetings, RW & SK