Sunday, July 7, 2013

Sunday Shanks

First off and for all my blogging pals especially Wally in Florida who knows a good British pub when he sees one, here's a picture of The Stork at Conder Green with their sign depicting a heron. Confused? - Read the last post on Another Bird Blog or click the pics below for close-up views of The Stork and this morning's first Grey Heron spotted just yards away from the inn. 

The Stork at Conder Green

Grey Heron

Yes I was there again this morning hoping for pictures and more than a few birds in the bright sunshine. That dusky stunner Spotted Redshank was still in the creek, the naked eye all that was needed to pick it out from the centre of a gaggle of 20+ Redshanks. At least 8 Common Sandpipers noted today as the birds moved up and down the creek according to pedestrian traffic over the bridge or vehicles heading to the car park. Oystercatchers still have two young, the chicks now very mobile in exploring all parts of the pool edges. 

Less obvious was a single Greenshank hiding away at the back of the pool, sometimes in view, mostly not. 

Greenshank

The Canada Geese have quite big youngsters now, the goslings looking for all the world like tiny versions of their parents. The young Shelducks are getting there and it is obvious who they belong to especially when the female is so attentive because dad has done a runner. The drake Goldeneye still there with 8 Tufted Duck, 2 Wigeon and now 1 Little Grebe 

Canada Goose

Shelduck

The warm sun definitely helped but there appeared to be more passerines about this morning with small groups of calling finches, mainly long the old railway line. Into the notebook went 15 Linnet, 12 Goldfinch and 10 Greenfinch as a clear improvement on recent counts and hopefully the start of larger flocks of each. Good numbers of Whitethroats too with 3 singing males, a couple of family parties and additional churring adults lifting the morning count to 15. Others – 3 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Tree Sparrow, 3 Stock Dove. 

Greenfinch

Linnet

Also along the railway path, 2 Pied Wagtails and a Grey Wagtail flying over. It was from the old railway line that I saw a Roe Deer out on the marsh, the animal crossing from north of Conder and heading all the time to Glasson until it bounded up the embankment and disappeared from view; it's quite normal to see cattle out on the marsh or river mud at low tide, but not wild deer. 

Roe Deer - River Lune

Cattle - River Lune

I made it to Glasson where as I shaped to photograph another Grey Heron a Kingfisher flew up and landed on the jetty beyond the heron. It was good to see a Kingfisher after such a hard and prolonged winter even though the tiny bird was too distant for a photo. I settled for yet another heron shot, a Black-headed Gull and a juvenile Starling. 

Grey Heron
Black-headed Gull

 Starling

A blog reader asked where my bird ringing has been lately. The explanation is that after ringing over 25,000 birds home and away during 20+ years I decided to wind down a little from general mist netting to concentrate on smaller ringing objectives, bird watching and photography.

So stay tuned to Another Bird Blog for the same mix as before with perhaps less frequent ringing news and views.

8 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Great outing, Phil! You deserve a break from ringing and to just enjoy watching the birds. Your photos are awesome and great bird sightings. My favorites are the Shelducks and the Greenfinch. Happy Birding!

Ana Mínguez Corella said...

Beautiful place and pictures.. Well done.. Cheers!!!..

Mary Howell Cromer said...

Hmm...Hi Phil...wonder why the Roe Deer was out on the marsh wondering about all alone...next time, you must pay it a visit and ask what is going on... I really like your Heron, so much like our own, but wow you did get close. The pub looks really nice, and I can imagine a great place for gathering. I hope that you have been well. I feel lost this whole week shot, but I shall try and do better at catching up. Happy week~

Wally Jones said...

What a splendid collection of birds you observed!
Not to mention the Roe Deer.
Looks like raising young is in full swing, those young Shelduck are way too cute.

Nice report and wonderful photos!

(Since I in no way resemble a "proper" birder, I look forward to an ale at the Stork one day.)

Carole M. said...

fabulous post Phil and I'm loving the Greenshank and the Canada Geese

Stuart Price said...

Less time ringing can mean more quality time in the pub Phil.......

Christian Perrin said...

I'm not normally one to go gaga over baby animals, but those Shelducks are awfully cute. I love the deer photo too - it looks small in the landscape but exposed and somehow a little mysterious. Good job!

Hootin Anni said...

Wow....wishing I coulda been there with you. Such great sightings and photos.

I think I got my computer fixed now...no more suspicious activity...and Phil, from your last comment over the weekend...I LOVE being kidded. Your sense of humor makes me smile.

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