Wheatears and a Cuckoo

Recently just up the road at Pilling an uncommon wheatear was discovered by a local birder. It was showing very well along the sea wall at Fluke Hall.It was showing daily and was observed by many birders from far and near.It was thought to be either a pied or eastern black eared wheatear the latter being an extremely rare bird and hence much attention from the twitcher brigade.I am not a twitcher but as it was so close I was persuaded by Mike to go and have a look.

My first visit coincided with some gale force winds and it was difficult to stand up on the sea wall.The bird didn't show whilst we were there but I did manage some images of a juvenile cuckoo sheltering in a nearby hedge.Days later the bird was still showing well and Mike and I called in on our way to Leighton Moss.It was a lovely sunny and calm day and the wheatear posed for the assembled birders and photographers.

I have shown below some images from the visit.The first image is of a Northern Wheatear,three or four of which were present.Seven images of the rare wheatear follow and the last three images are again of northern wheatears.Also shown the juvenile cuckoo,the gathering of local birders,ferries passing Black Combe in the Lake District and a smart green veined white butterfly.Mike and I went on to Leighton Moss where we enjoyed more excellent views of birds from the Eric Morecambe hide.These will be the subject of a later post.The rare wheatear has now departed and is being claimed as an eastern black eared wheatear although I understand this will require much scrutiny before it can be accepted.Thanks for looking in and enjoy the continuing warm and sunny weather.