The ragin' hooley westerly from last night had decreased a bit, but it was still worth a seawatch from Formby Point today - I put in a session from 9.30am to 1.05pm, with the wind west/south west, perhaps force 6-7.
Nice and sunny tho' and unfortunately not too many birds, although I did score with a single Leach's Petrel - great scope views of the bird as it drifted north behind the surf - presumably it had been sheltering up the Mersey overnight and was now on its way again.
Magical bird.
The Shag which flew underneath me on the tide (the surf came right up under the dunes today) was my first from Formby Point.
Rarely recorded here, Bazzo has only had two in 30 years.
Anyway, here's what I got:
Leach's Petrel 1 north
Manx Shearwater 3 (2 south, 1 north)
Kittiwake 1 south
Common Scoter 1.5 squillion (using the "McCarthy Scoter
Guestimate Method", or 500+ using more
conventional means)
Shag 1 south
GBB 10+
LBB 40-50
Guillemot 1 north
Skua sp 1 south (too far out - Bonxie?)
Barnacle Geese 12 south
Good numbers of commoner waders passed by on the tide, and Jellyhead called me just now to say a Purple Sandpiper had been reported at Marshside - anyone know any more, it has been a few years since we had Purple Sand on the reserve!
Right off to get the sand out of my ears before a good night's kip and another seawatch tomorrow.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies.....
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John,
There was a Shag close in off Starr Gate today, possibly the same bird?
Stephen.
Thanks Stephen, the one I had on Saturday looked like a juv, what about the Blackpool bird?
John
John - another first year. Stephen.