Well it’s been mostly shine for three or four weeks now so a bit of a bummer on waking up today with 100% cloud and grey skies. Then bang on cue at about 10am, rain with a strengthening breeze.
Not before I’d done the rounds of Glasson and Conder though, a circuit which found little change from Monday or Wednesday. The highlight of a common enough Greenshank might give some clue as to the other birds seen.
The Greenshank was in the tidal creeks with 150+ Redshank, 9 Common Sandpiper, 3 Curlew, 12 Oystercatcher, 2 Grey Heron and 2 Little Egret.
A Greenshank Tringa nebularia is somewhat larger than the related Common Redshank Tringa totanus, and perhaps surprisingly, the Greenshank’s closest relative is the Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca, its North American cousin. Greenshanks are beginning to appear on their return journeys from their breeding sites of sub-Arctic Europe, although a number of pairs do breed in northernmost Scotland, a country which can be quite Arctic like.
The Greater Yellowlegs does turn up in Britain occasionally but not yet at Conder Green.
Greenshank
Redshank
Common Sandpiper
On the pool, and this beginning to sound more than a little monotonous, 2 Little Grebe, 14 Tufted Duck, 4 Shelduck, 3 Little Egret, another 20+ Lapwings and a Grey Heron.
Grey Heron
Quiet and breezy at Glasson where a walk along the canal towpath and the yacht basin produced a tiny flock of 14 Goldfinch, 5 Reed Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap and 1 Grey Wagtail.
In the cool of the morning Swallows were restricted to 10+ and Swifts to just two.
Let’s hope for shine tomorrow when Another Bird Blog goes birding again.
Linking today to Anni's Blog and Eileen's Saturday Blog.
The Lancaster Canal at Glasson
Glasson Dock
Let’s hope for shine tomorrow when Another Bird Blog goes birding again.
Linking today to Anni's Blog and Eileen's Saturday Blog.
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17 comments:
Phil, the weather does not always cooperate. Your Greenshank and Redshank are pretty birds. I love the towpath scene. Great post, happy birding!
Once in a while we all have to put up with a little rain. Seems to me you had some great birds anyway. Last week I saw my first southbound Lesser Yellowlegs (2). Greater Yelllowlegs won't be too far behind.
you must've made a run for it Phil; lucky you 'scraped in' before the not-so-nice change came in. You have all the shore-birds happening, and I wondered what the Grey Heron had picked up; it' looks like a little snake! I'm sure it's not though....?? The view through the bridge over the Lancaster Canal makes for a great photo too. Thanks for sharing from your part of the world Phil, always enjoyable.
Hi Phil Now if we hadn't the weather to complain about what would we do!! All great birds shots and I do hope you get the Yellow Legs someday on your patch. I love the bridge shot.It is lovely to walk along tow paths. Have a great weekend.
In spite of the less favourable weather you made some very nice shots!
Phil, just stopping back to say thank you for linking up to my critter party.. Have a happy weekend!
Wonderful shots. I hope the weather is good for your birding adventure. Love seeing the gray heron.
i've been able to see the greater yellowlegs here at our pond a couple of times. love the 'shanks' too!
A beautiful bird blog with a variation of different birds. Wonderful to see. Greetings, Helma
Love the shorebirds ...nothing sounds monotonous at all. Are you saying you saw ALL those birds before the ten AM rainstorm? I am in awe! I thought of you and your counts when we saw all those Murres that I posted last We'd. I'm not used to seeing so many of any bird at once, the way you do regularly! I loved it!
Great series of photos and observations.
Beautiful photos! I hope the weather co-operates the next time you're going birding.
I love those redshanks and yellow legs! What a great place to go and observe the birds. Really nice photos.
You've definitely hit pay dirt with all the different species spotted!! I wish my days were that fruitful. [by the way, I'll take your rain any ol' time!!!]
To see 150 plus redshank [of any bird for that matter] in one area would be so wonderful...I envy you.
Thanks so much for sharing the link this weekend. And looking forward to more in time.
The Greenshank, Greater Yellowlegs all the way to the cut, thanks Phil for your photos.
Really like that Greenshank and the Common Sand. Lovely shots all round though.
I'm with you, Phil; I think shanks are ace waders. Pity I don't get chance to see (or catch) them very often these days. I'm relying on you stunning pics instead!
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