Eurasian Whimbrel, Alston Wetland.
A FLOCK OF 36 EURASIAN WHIMBREL AT ALSTON WETLAND was the highlight of a gorgeous sunny spring day in East Lancs. Pendle was glorious but no dotties… yet. At least six Ring Ouzels were on the slopes around the landslide but there was not sign of yesterday's Black Redstart - they do not usually stay for more than one day in spring. Four wheatears were also here and a raven was patrolling the hillside. Stocks was similarly quiet with only a couple of Common Sandpipers and a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers of note (and no sound or sight of Margaret's cuckoo, it is still a little early for them here). A pair of Red-legged Partridges that ran across the road between Whitewell and Cow Ark was the only new species for the little year on a day when I expected a few more, there a still loads of easy gaps to fill, although some birds seem to be harder to come by this year, like kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Grey Partridge etc.
ELOC year list: 115. Red-legged Partridge