Wednesday, August 20, 2014

One Of These Days

Conder Green was pretty good this morning by way of an excellent selection of waders which included another Wood Sandpiper to follow the one I found here on August 7th, the day after one at Pilling on 6th August. Three Wood Sandpipers is a mighty big August count in this neck of the woods. 

I started at Lane Ends, Pilling with a look for the Little Egret roost which breaks up soon after dawn as the birds head off in all directions from the tall trees on the island. The egrets were there with some already leaving the roost but none daring to fly over the car as it headed into the car park. There was a count of 23 and less than thirty seconds later a big zero as the egrets flew mainly west and north. Later I was to walk to Pilling Water where I counted just 2 Little Egret! 

Little Egret

Conder Green looked and felt pretty bleak this morning, hat and coat for me, an autumnal nip in the air and apparently not much doing on the birding front. Thankfully and with the usual perseverance both the temperature and the birding picked up somewhat. 

There’s a Kingfisher here which isn’t too obliging as it flies off at the first hint of a human being. Today it appeared at the edge of the nearest island, flew to the sluice gate, took a look around and then promptly flew off over the pool towards the canal - its behavioural pattern of late. One of these days….. 

Kingfisher

At the back of the pool below the dividing bank was the head of a sandpiper, clearly a Green or a Wood, and when it came into full view the scope confirmed it as a Wood Sandpiper. It fed around the margins for 10 or 15 minutes, even surviving the close appearance of three loudly calling Greenshank before it flew off in a south easterly direction. I did get a shot of sorts of the 3 Greenshank but the smaller sandpiper was even more distant and partially hidden too. One of these days…. 

Greenshanks

Five Little Grebe and 7 Teal continues their respective autumnal build-up, unlike the 2 Wigeon which have been resident all summer. Just 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Cormorant this morning. There were a good number of wagtails about the margins of the pool and the islands with a count of 12+ Pied Wagtails, a few distant and hidden ones becoming “albas”. 

The tide was on the run and moving a number of birds around the creek with an impressive party of 7 Goosander fishing the slight bore of the incoming tide. In the wader stakes I saw 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Snipe, 6 Common Sandpiper, 4 Curlew, 24 Redshank, 2 Dunlin and 2 Oystercatcher. 

The Common Terns are now busy feeding their unseen but clearly hungry young with both parents arriving with food in quick succession. One of the adults made several trips to the marsh just beyond the railway bridge, returning to the island with small fish and then mercilessly chasing off a nearby Black-headed Gull; all the signs of good parenting. 

Glasson Dock was pretty uneventful unless you count the usual early morning gathering of 130 Swallows. Otherwise - 1 Swift, 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 2 Grey Wagtail, 6 Pied Wagtail. As usual a few Swallows sat along the fence rail of the dock gates, a quick launch point towards the many insects feeding over the water.

Barn Swallow

There was time for a look at Pilling where there might be new Wheatears to catch. No such luck as when I found three together none were interested in my meal worms and then I spotted a ring on the right leg of one - a bird I ringed on Monday. Birds are quick learners. 

 Wheatear

 Just another day on Another Bird Blog. There will be more soon if you log in and look.

Linking today to Theresa's Texas Ranch.


19 comments:

Germán Ibarra Zorrilla said...

Good entry, as always, here have begun to enter the gray Collalbas. I love the picture of Kingfisher. I use the Google translator, not such'll read the comment, my English is very basic, sorry. Greetings from Spain.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I love the picture of the Greenshanks with their reflection in the water. Great job, Phil.

Carole M. said...

Hi Phil - I get really excited to see a Kingfisher and there it was out in the open, no encumberances - twigs, branches. The Greenshanks would be a super pickup for me!! Your Wheatear photo; what lens are you using for a snap like this? I loved that you have totalled out any background. Great photos and commentary as always ...love visiting your blog, you've got what it takes, stepping out and searching, and coming back and putting it all into a lovely
'story' for your readers to enjoy.

Rohrerbot said...

Lots of good shorebirds! I hate how Kingfishers know when you're close. They love to take off and make lots of noise just to let me know that I was oh so darn close:)! The Wood Sandpiper sounds interesting. Also could you send some of those autumnal temps our way? All my best. Chris

eileeninmd said...

Awesome post and report,Phil! Wonderful shot of the Egret and the Kingfisher is awesome..Cool reflection shot.. Enjoy the rest of your week and happy birding..

A Colorful World said...

The Kingfisher has such an iridescent blue-green on it's back. Lovely! The light is great in these shots too. They are all awesome!

A Colorful World said...

I meant to thank you for helping me ID that fledgling bird as a cowbird. Others agreed with that ID. Perhaps I will be able to figure it out if I see one again. I'm learning...slowly but surely! :-)I always appreciate you & other seasoned birders' expertise.

Choy Wai Mun said...

You may have to change your "offerings" from now on. Nice post.

Ana Mínguez Corella said...

Lovely birds and nice pictures.. Congrats..

Stewart M said...

Splendid set of pictures. Do most UK birder add the "barn" in front of swallow these days?

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

Roan said...

Amazing! I especially love the kingfisher.

Hootin Anni said...

As I tend to say each time I visit with you and view your fabulous images...I too like reading your commentary. You definitely paint a picture with your words also!!

That kingfisher...oh so colorful. I'm jealous.

TexWisGirl said...

just beautiful! love the reflection shot, the beautiful kingfisher, the sweet swallow! thanks, phil!

Cranberry Morning said...

Wow! That kingfisher is gorgeous!

Cranberry Morning said...

Thanks for your comment. We loved Hawes! - especially the free cheese samples at the creamery. :-)

bj said...

Love your photos and your words. :)

Santiago Domínguez Martín said...

Kingfisher image is very nice. I have never seen any picture of this bird with so clear back metalcolour. Congratulation.

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

You never lack a nice variety of birds. The quest for photos of the elusive Woodie adds to the excitement. Love the kingfisher.

21 Wits said...

What lovely captures.

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