I'd been wanting to take another look at the Ross's Goose and this morning seemed like a good opportunity given the promising weather forecast. So I set off for Staynall (the goose had moved from Stalmine where we saw it a week ago) and on my arrival a large flock of geese took off.
The Ross's Goose was amongst them but they landed out of view so I drove back to the main road where a few Pink-feet could be seen near the road. After a short wait the Ross's Goose wandered into view and fed with the "Pinks" for 20 minutes or so before flying off out of view again. Satisfied I headed towards Pilling.
As I drove towards the village only a few flocks of geese were noted, all landing out of view behind hedges. Before stopping at Lane Ends I took a trip around Cockerham where there were no geese but a spectacular "swirl" of Starlings near a gliding Buzzard. The feeding stations were in good form with plenty of birds including Tree Sparrows, Yellowhammers, Corn Buntings and a couple of Bramblings (a nice year tick).
I'd timed my arrival at Pilling to coincide with the high tide in hope that yesterday's Lapland Bunting would reappear from the saltmarsh. I checked the stubble fields from the seawall for Skylark flocks but very few appeared even when the tide covered the saltmarsh.
At least 14 Whooper Swans were on the pool and on the saltmarsh with the tide pushing Great-crested Grebes, Mergs, Teal, Wigeon, Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew and thousands of Lapwings closer to the seawall. A couple of Rock Pipits flew around calling too.
At least 3 Little Egrets were out there too and I walked as far as Lane Ends where I met Mrs. B. A quick spot of lunch and a quick look at Fluke Hall Lane (Red-legged Partridges, 200+ Pinks, Little Egret and 8 Tree Sparrows) before heading back out on the seawall again.
By now the tide had dropped but there were still plenty of birds so that Mrs. B. could practice using her 'scope.
A considerable improvement from our last outing as tripod legs were only entwined once and I only received one prod during the whole afternoon.
Bewick's Swans at Fluke Hall Lane, Pilling 9 February 2008.
Next stop was the Conder Estuary where our targets quickly fell in the form of Greenshank and Spotted Redshank.
Two Spotshanks were on view plus a couple of Curlew, loads of Redshanks, a Grey Plovers and 20+ Teal. The 'shanks were both well-received year ticks.
Two drakes and a female Scaup were present on Conder Pool with the Tufties, a Pochard and a couple of Little Grebes. Let's hope the weather continues - Solway next weekend.
