Off for a few days, I walked the coast from Ainsdale to Birkdale on a frosty morning this week.
The area's wintering Jack Snipe were annoying elusive _ 18 Common Snipe blew raspberries and towered zigzagging into the air as I walked the "green beach" area, but only one Jack rose silently in front of me, before dropping into reeds a few yards ahead.
Skylark, Stonechat, Linnet, Greenfinch and two buzzing Redpolls competed for my attention with Song Thrush, Carrion Crows and the gulls further out on the beach.
Sanderling, Dunlin and Grey Plover were out on the tideline, but I failed to find any Snow Buntings _ they'll be around somewhere along the coast by now but didn't do the business for me.
Goldeneye joined Tufted Duck at the Sands Lake, Ainsdale, and I watched a Black Headed Gull in full summer plumage there as I savoured a rather fine pint of Theakston's bitter in the Sands pub overlooking the water.
The Richard's Pipits were still on Wirral yesterday, but they can be elusive, and Mistle Thrushes are beginning to sing as befits such early nesters.
Ringers blagged a Garden Warbler and ringed it in the Sefton dunes last week, but another Garden Warbler was reported to me this morning coming to apples in a garden in Ainsdale.
This bird is unringed, and has been around the suburban garden for a day now...perhaps more of these unobtrusive Sylvia warblers are wintering in the region than we think....all of a sudden wintering Blackcaps don't seem so exciting!
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies.
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