Thursday, July 30, 2015

A Quiet Day

There wasn’t much doing at Fluke Hall. A flock of 25+ Linnets indicated at least some partial local breeding success, the group being near enough the most I’ve seen all year. The woodland seemed devoid of anything out of the ordinary with just Blackbirds, Wrens, Tree Sparrows, Goldfinches, and the usual mix of Blue and Great Tit. No warblers again and this is a very strange and apparently unproductive year for many of our “little brown jobs”. 

Although there was a stiff breeze from the North West I decided to walk the sea wall so as to check the ditches, the shore and a couple of other spots which occasionally produce a bird or two. Two Whimbrel were feeding along the shore but quickly departed south with their customary rippling whistles when they spotted yours truly coming along. Near the end of the 19th century hunting on the Whimbrel migration routes took a heavy toll on numbers and although the population has since recovered, they retain their fear of man.

These migrant Whimbrels are done with breeding now and heading back to the coast of Africa where they spend the winter. 

Whimbrel

There was a Green Sandpiper along the ditch plus a couple of Little Egrets and just 2 Lapwings on a muddy stretch. 

Driving past Gulf Lane I spotted a distant Buzzard on a fence post but the road too busy to stop. When I pulled into the gateway at Braides Farm there was another Buzzard on a yet another distant post. Buzzards live in a nearby wood where the farmer doesn’t mind me taking a look occasionally as long as I don’t damage his fences. A young Buzzard was calling for food from high in the trees as the adults circled above and protested about me being around. I took a few shots and departed the trees before heading for the stillness of a Glasson Dock morning. 

Buzzard

Buzzard

Three Tufted Ducks have made it back to the deep waters of Glasson. They are young birds, their appearance a  sign of more tufties to follow in the months ahead when their numbers build to 40 or 50 or maybe 70 or 80 in a colder but unfreezing winter when they can dive for food. A handful of Coots, a few Moorhen and a family party of 9 Mute Swans completed the waterbirds. 

Glasson Dock

Tufted Duck

Three Pied Wagtails commuted between the bowling green and the towpath while across the water a lone Grey Heron stalked along the old jetty as it watched the water below for signs of a meal. Swifts have mainly departed these shores and it’s just ones and twos I see now especially here at Glasson which has tall old buildings where Swifts can enter. A handful of Swallows lined the rails of the lock gates but I think and hope that the adults are on with a second brood on the ledges below. 

Grey Heron

juvenile Swallow

A walk along the canal towpath produced little more than a solitary Blackcap, a Song Thrush, and several Tree Sparrows. But my birding pass had expired with not even enough time for Conder Green. 

Not to worry, there’s always tomorrow or another day on Another Bird Blog.

Linking today to Weekend Reflections and Theresa's Run A Round Ranch .

13 comments:

  1. i always enjoy what you share. beautiful water scene and great bird shots! thanks, phil!

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  2. All are beautiful, Phil! That tufted duck makes me want to jump in the water as well! LOL! It is so hot and humid here in Montreal. Thanks so much for sharing. :)

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  3. Hello Phil, wonderful collection of birds and images. I love the buzzard flights shots. And a beautiful shot of the Tufted Duck! And the swallow is a cute capture. Happy birding, have a great weekend ahead!

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  4. I wonder what that Buzzard's saying? Quiet days seem to happen when expectations exceed reality.It seems like you captured a great variety of quality bird photos!

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  5. Such a cute little swallow perched on the iron fencing. - The Wimbrel is a neat looking bird, love it's long beak.

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  6. love the Swallow image andall the reflections

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  7. Jealous that you have an easily accessible foreshore and such varied habitat to go with it. Still, did have a Sedge, a Chiff and a Willy today in the orchard ... so a few young migrants are finally to be seen. Agree with you that it's been a 'bum' year for many species.

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  8. Hi Phil Can't remember if I told you this.
    HI
    Just to let you know that I will be on BBC Radio Ulster this Sunday 2 August between 2.00pm -3.00pm in a programme called “Time of our Lives”. I recorded it yesterday. If you miss it on Sunday, you can hear it on IPlayer Radio at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06447zw

    If you wish to hear my Irish voice!

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  9. What a beautiful photo of the boats' mast reflected in the water.

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  10. I'd like to sit on a boat! So nice there!

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  11. The wimbrel is my new friend I think

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  12. Beautiful shot with the boats, like the softness of the image

    Mollyxxx

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