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The sun came out for us on this lovely walk around the area of Cockersands Abbey. Overlooking Cockerham Sands and the River Lune estuary, we were treated to some fabulous waders such as Oystercatcher, Curlew and Whimbrel.
The walk started off from the carpark at "Bank Houses" and we followed a narrow road up towards the Abbey Lighthouse. Along this road we arrived at a large barn, known to host a Little Owl, however it had decided to stay hidden on this day. Scanning the fields and hedgerows along the road, a pair of Red-legged Partridges briefly wandered out into the open before making a hasty retreat. One exciting sighting for many was their first singing Sedge Warbler of the year. Despite not being shy in voice, the warbler showcased it's classic elusive behavior by staying deep within the shrubby bush, before very briefly showing itself to some of our members. With the sun on it's plumage, it looked fantastic singing away before hiding back away deep within the bush.
Shortly after came the highlight of the walk for many, a Barn Owl hunting low around the field edges, looking perhaps for a tasty meal of Field Vole (their favoured source of prey). After quartering the edges of several fields it flew into one of the old farm barns, potentially to a nest site.
After a brief stop for lunch we reached the lighthouse overlooking the estuary where some Eiders were seen out on the water. Here we followed the Lancashire Coastal Way past Cockersands Abbey and back to the cars.
One field in particular here caught our attention, as we noticed that beside the nesting Lapwing, was a pair of Ringed Plover. Then, suddenly another Ringed Plover appeared, and another and another until at least 12 could be seen camouflaged into the habitat perfectly. If we hadn't been lucky enough to see the first pair then the others way well have gone unnoticed, showcasing just how well they blend into the land around them. A pair of Wheatears was also seen in this same field.
One final treat was seeing two Lapwing chicks hiding under some vegetation, and whilst calling them "cute little fluffballs" may not have been entirely scientific, it was undoubtably an accurate description of what was hopefully the first of many Lapwings to be born in the area this year.
Shortly after we were back at the cars, having enjoyed a lovely Spring walk in the sunshine. A full list of all the bird species seen on the walk can be found below:
Canada Goose 1
Mallard 10+
Shelduck 10+
Wigeon 1
Eider 10+
Red Legged Partridge 2
Pheasant h
Cormorant 1
Little Egret 2
Moorhen
Oystercatcher 30+
Ringed Plover 10+
Common Sandpiper 3?
Redshank 10+
Lapwing 30+
Curlew 2
Whimbrel 4+
Swallow 5+
Black Headed Gull 50+
Herring Gull 15+
Lesser Black Backed Gull 2
Common Gull?
Collared Dove
Stock Dove/Feral Pigeon
Wood Pigeon 5+
Barn Owl 1
Carrion Crow 30+
Jackdaw 10+
Magpie 2
Great Tit h
Blue Tit 2
Skylark h
Chiff Chaff h
Sedge Warbler h
Wren h
Starling 10+
Robin h
Blackbird 4
Wheatear 3
Dunnock h
House Sparrow 2
Tree Sparrow 2
Pied Wagtail 1
Meadow Pipit 1?
Goldfinch 5+
Chaffinch pair
Linnet 2
Brown Hare 4
Large White
Green Veined White
Orange Tip
h=heard only
The walk started off from the carpark at "Bank Houses" and we followed a narrow road up towards the Abbey Lighthouse. Along this road we arrived at a large barn, known to host a Little Owl, however it had decided to stay hidden on this day. Scanning the fields and hedgerows along the road, a pair of Red-legged Partridges briefly wandered out into the open before making a hasty retreat. One exciting sighting for many was their first singing Sedge Warbler of the year. Despite not being shy in voice, the warbler showcased it's classic elusive behavior by staying deep within the shrubby bush, before very briefly showing itself to some of our members. With the sun on it's plumage, it looked fantastic singing away before hiding back away deep within the bush.
Shortly after came the highlight of the walk for many, a Barn Owl hunting low around the field edges, looking perhaps for a tasty meal of Field Vole (their favoured source of prey). After quartering the edges of several fields it flew into one of the old farm barns, potentially to a nest site.
After a brief stop for lunch we reached the lighthouse overlooking the estuary where some Eiders were seen out on the water. Here we followed the Lancashire Coastal Way past Cockersands Abbey and back to the cars.
One field in particular here caught our attention, as we noticed that beside the nesting Lapwing, was a pair of Ringed Plover. Then, suddenly another Ringed Plover appeared, and another and another until at least 12 could be seen camouflaged into the habitat perfectly. If we hadn't been lucky enough to see the first pair then the others way well have gone unnoticed, showcasing just how well they blend into the land around them. A pair of Wheatears was also seen in this same field.
One final treat was seeing two Lapwing chicks hiding under some vegetation, and whilst calling them "cute little fluffballs" may not have been entirely scientific, it was undoubtably an accurate description of what was hopefully the first of many Lapwings to be born in the area this year.
Shortly after we were back at the cars, having enjoyed a lovely Spring walk in the sunshine. A full list of all the bird species seen on the walk can be found below:
Canada Goose 1
Mallard 10+
Shelduck 10+
Wigeon 1
Eider 10+
Red Legged Partridge 2
Pheasant h
Cormorant 1
Little Egret 2
Moorhen
Oystercatcher 30+
Ringed Plover 10+
Common Sandpiper 3?
Redshank 10+
Lapwing 30+
Curlew 2
Whimbrel 4+
Swallow 5+
Black Headed Gull 50+
Herring Gull 15+
Lesser Black Backed Gull 2
Common Gull?
Collared Dove
Stock Dove/Feral Pigeon
Wood Pigeon 5+
Barn Owl 1
Carrion Crow 30+
Jackdaw 10+
Magpie 2
Great Tit h
Blue Tit 2
Skylark h
Chiff Chaff h
Sedge Warbler h
Wren h
Starling 10+
Robin h
Blackbird 4
Wheatear 3
Dunnock h
House Sparrow 2
Tree Sparrow 2
Pied Wagtail 1
Meadow Pipit 1?
Goldfinch 5+
Chaffinch pair
Linnet 2
Brown Hare 4
Large White
Green Veined White
Orange Tip
h=heard only