Thursday, July 5, 2012

Taking It Easy.

Three times in ten days the A588 to Pilling, infamous as one of the most dangerous roads in England, has been closed off by police. Once for the stolen car slewed across the road, the second time for a burning barn on the appropriately named Burned House Lane, and again this morning for what appeared a nasty smash near Lambs Lane junction. A roundabout route go me to Pilling where three hours later the police still manned the closed road entailing a second detour over Pilling Moss, Union Lane and Stalmine Moss; let’s hope no one was seriously hurt.

Hereabouts and from 7am onwards some drivers appear so desperate to get to work it’s a wonder there aren’t many more serious accidents on our narrow lanes. For goodness sake, chill out and slow down folks, especially the clown in the silver grey Honda Civic glued to my bumper through Scronkey.

At Lane Ends I have tried for weeks to make the cautious Jays play ball and pose for the camera. Finally today, and although a little distant I managed to grab a few shots in between them scooting back into the trees at the approach of every vehicle.

Jay

Jay

Jay

In the plantation and area of the car park and in addition to 2 Jays, were 3 Blackcap, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Kestrel and 1 Sparrowhawk.

A slow walk from Lane Ends to Fluke Hall via Pilling Water and then the return journey gave 15 Goldfinch, 15 Linnet, 5 Greenfinch, 8 Pied Wagtail, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Corn Bunting, 8 Swift and a minimum 18 Skylark. I’m still looking but there’s no evidence of second Skylark nests yet.

 Pied Wagtail

A number of hirundines at Pilling Water included a single Sand Martin with 10 Swallows and 8 House Martin.

Swallow

Sand Martin

Swallow

 Waders today: 230 Curlew, 60 Redshank, 20 Dunlin, 22 Oystercatcher, 90 Lapwing, 2 Ringed Plover and 1 Common Sandpiper.

Ringed Plover

Bang on time today was the first autumn Little Egret out on the marsh. 2 Grey Heron also.

Over Pilling Way even the sheep join in the roost to wait out the tide. There’s no sense in rushing about and ending up in deep water or worse is there?

 Pilling Marsh

10 comments:

Isidro Ortiz said...

Bonitas capturas.Saludos

Maude Lynn said...

Gorgeous shots!

Millhouse Photography said...

I love the jays mate - wonderfully difficult birds to approach - never got a good shot of one.

FAB said...

Rush hour madness ... I'm glad I don't have to get involved any more!

Nice shots of the Jays Phil .. a species that continues to elude my camera.

Gail Dixon said...

The 588 sounds like a dangerous place. Yikes!

You got some beautiful shots here. I've never seen a Jay like that in the States. Wow!

Stuart Price said...

Your summer birding is better than ours Phil!

Nice Sand Martin shot, I never see them on the ground or perched here...........

news said...

Hi Phil: The Jay,s are brilliant.JWB.

Ayuwat Jearwattanakanok said...

Really nice shots of the jays, Phil.
I've seen quite a lot in Japan but they never perched on poles like that. Never.

Choy Wai Mun said...

The Jays are very attractive indeed. Beautiful shots. Well done, Phil.

Mary Howell Cromer said...

From the Martins, Swallows, those lovely sheep and others that began with those glorious images of the Jay. Why those are mighty swell Phil.
I know exactly what you mean about the lanes and cars. I have been without my car, one month this Monday, and have a rental. A young man slammed into me, crossing a lane and got me good on Mother's Day.
I-71 is a stone's throw from our neighborhood and there are wrecks daily, one can count on it...very frightening too! Take care~

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