It's oh so quiet!

Digiscoped Redshank at Pennington Flash

Drake Shoveler at Pennington Flash

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Sunday I woke up in can't be bothered mode. I scanned a flock of gulls in the field behind the garden - 82 BHG's with 12 Common, 4 LBBG's and 3 Herring. The field has just been harrowed, hence the attraction. I then went for a wander round Moore but I wasn't really in the mood for finding anything, so I didn't. For a nice morning it was unusually quiet. I walked down Lapwing and the Lesser Pecker was damned inconsiderate in not perching on the end of my scope. The Tawny Owl was keeping his head down and the only birds of note were 2 Buzzards, a male Bullfinch and 3 Redwings.

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I then went for a wander with Billy around Pennington Flash. Horrocks Hide was predictably windy and cold and the only bird of note was the female Brambling at the feeding station. Late afternoon after a spell of gardening I took Bill for a wander round HGF. It was very, very windy and very, very cold. Only 2 Black-necked Grebes were present - looks like the others have gone for a wander to Wigan Flashes! Incidentally Jimmy Meadows had seven birds on Saturday evening. I did get a count of seven on Sat lunch (based on where the birds were diving) but couldn't repeat it which I always do with diving birds.

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Nothing else much of note with the Ruddy Duck pair having gone walkabout and the Teal pair back. Sunday evening before dusk I drove round Waterworks Lane (on my way to a family bun fight for Mother's Day) and clocked 5 pairs of Grey Partridges in various fields.

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This morning 2 male Reed Buntings were in the garden early doors. At home time a male Sparrowhawk dashed through the car park at work. At HGF this evening six Black-necked Grebes were present (the birds back from Wigan Flashes?) and the Wigeon flock was down to 54 - almost certainly the start of their migration back to Iceland or wherever they come from. 5 Linnets were in the south field and 6 pairs of Grey Partridges were in the fields off Waterworks and Highfield Lanes this evening. 15 Sand Martins and a Buzzard were also present at HGF with the usual cast.

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It's well worth checking out Jonathan'sblog - I love the photo of a Little Owl in it's tree hole - cracker! One of the Peregrine shots from Warton Crag is a bit good too!