When I arrived at Fluke Hall this morning it became obvious that some overnight rain had dropped in a few migrants.
The trees and hedgerows fairly dripped Willow Warblers and there was a Sedge Warbler in loud and steady song from a very un-Sedge Warbler like spot. It is mornings like this when you wonder as much about the birds you are not seeing as the ones you are.
Willow Warbler
Willow Warbler
“Bush bashing” revealed at least 12 Willow Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Greenfinch, 1 Sedge Warbler and 15 Linnet. On the nearby ploughed field were 2 Wheatears, and on the local circuit 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, and 24 + Blackbird.
Blackbird
Blackbird
The Willow Warbler theme continued at Conder Green with birds present at the pool hedgerow, the car park and then at Glasson Dock, with total sightings of 8+ more. Also at Glasson Dock, a Wheatear on the towpath plus 2 Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaff in song.
A Lesser Black-backed Gull was also in good voice with its territorial song of sorts.
Lesser Black-backed Gull
The stop at Conder Pool gave 200+ Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 18 Tufted Duck and 8 Oystercatcher. Non-waterbirds included 1 Raven, 2 Reed Bunting and 2 Whitethroat.
Common Sandpiper
I stopped at Cockerham and found 2 Buzzards near the sea wall. The pair of Buzzards were together and fence-hopping, feeding along a path, a rough area of grass and in a midden. (midden - a word used by farmers in Britain to describe the place where farm yard manure from cows or other animals is collected).
The Buzzards remained unmolested by other birds until one of them decided to fly off, prompting Carrion Crows, Lapwings and six or seven Swallows in turn to give them a good send off.
Buzzards
Buzzard and Lapwings
Carrion Crow and Buzzard
Although the wind had picked up yet again I thought to give Lane Ends a try for Wheatears. It was no good as although there were 2 Wheatears they weren’t interested in stopping for a meal worm and I quickly gave up.
Out on the marsh were still 160+ Pink-footed Geese, birds destined for Iceland, as were the 4 newly arrived Whimbrel I saw feeding quietly and not too far out from the sea wall. A cursory glance from a local Pilling person might invite the identification of “Curlew” but birders know that the Whimbrel is a rather special member of the curlew family.
Whimbrel
In the plantation/pools here, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap 2 Jay, 1 Reed Bunting and 2 Little Grebe.
Willow Warbler
It was a very enjoyable morning of birding again, and new pictures for blog readers to enjoy.
Don’t forget to “click the pics” for close up views, and log in to Another Bird Blog soon.
Linking today to The Run "A" Round Ranch's Good Fences.
Linking today to The Run "A" Round Ranch's Good Fences.
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13 comments:
Some nice birds and excellent action shots of the buzzards. That little Willow Warbler is a real darling and you got some splendid lighting to capture those brilliant poses.
Great, the Whimbel is my favourite, and the reast of them, superb.
Well done.. Nice captures..
Love the last Willy, Phil.
Those Buzzard images are all wonderful and those little Warblers, just beautiful. Warblers seem to be the thing around here. I know not that much about them, other than they are all quite delightful. There are some 50 species in the states and many either live here most of the year, or migrate through. I love when birders can ID them from a long distance away, usually by listening to their songs... That does not all come so easy for me~
Willets move through Ontario in a fairly predictable fashion with a spot at Colonel Samuel Smith Park in Toronto where you can see them. Birders in New Jersey let us know when they depart from there so we can pretty much guarantee when they will show up at Col. Sam.
Now - I note that you suggest that I take my family in Ottawa out for an expensive dinner. Just give me your credit card number and your PIN number and I'll be happy to oblige. I will spare no expense. I know you wouldn't want to be seen as a piker! Yours in delectable dining, David.
...what is the gull doing when opening the beak up so wide Phil? I've seen that too and figure it's maybe shifting something in the digestive tract? I think of Little Red Riding Hood and 'oh what a big mouth you have Grandma'. A midden here is often significant to an historic Aboriginal site (lots of shells). I love the warbler, and the Buzzards on the fence were a great find; what a lovely rustic fence too.
Phil, your Willow Warbler is adorable.. I love the buzzard and lapwing shot.. Wonderful outing and post. Happy Birding!
It's true, isn't it? You don't know how many you've missed.
You've captured quite a few!
(ツ) from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!
love all of your sweet birds! and love your feathered-friend fence, too! thank you for linking up, phil!
Oh my...what fabulous photos of all these birds. That buzzard fence is very cool.
HI Phil I have never seen 2 Buzzards sitting so close together and I love the rustic fence they are sitting on. great shots of the W Warblers and the Wimbrel.
Lots of wonderful bird shots. I like the post fence with the bird on it. Looks more like a "hawk" to me then a buzzard.
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