Thanks to Andy Bate for sending me these pics of the high tide roost at Weld Road, taken by him yesterday - you beat me to it Andy!
Nice shots of gulls, and the wader roost held Dunlin, Turnstone and Knot.
Can't really tell from the pic, but that looks a little like a winter plumage Med Gull in the upper centre of the gulls in flight shot?
But I especially like Andy's pix of Skylarks, the lovely portrait shot above is a belter, but the odd flight angle one really tickles my fancy!
For anyone wanting to visit Weld Road, Birkdale, but not familiar with the site it's easy - just turn off onto the beach at the roundabout at the top of the Coast Road between Ainsdale and Southport.
Obviously high tide is best.
Sometimes it's better staying in your car here though, because the birds do spook easily, and there are plenty of dogwalkers, joggers etc to contend with.
Taggs Island to the south of the beach entrance doubtless holds good numbers of Snipe and Jack Snipe by now.
And Bazzo texted me today with the results of his morning seawatch at Formby Point:
Kittiwake 23
RB Mergansers 13
Common Scoter 450
Velvet Scoter 1
Goldeneye 1
Great Crested Grebe 1
Red Throated Diver 1
plus a Harbour Porpoise close in.
Way to catch pneumonia Mr McCarthy! But the chill is always worth it for a Velvet Scoter off Formby Point.
Thanks guys.
Best I could manage today was a nice Barn Owl flying across the Formby bypass and perching on the parapet of the Alt Bridge just north of the "Lighthouse" roundabout at 5.30am this morning, and a few Redwings calling in the nightsky five minutes ago.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies.....
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Graham Clarkson wrote...
Hi John
Out on Rimmer's Marsh this morning rounding-up cattle, flushed 55 Snipe and a single Jack Snipe. Also a Buzzard hunting along the bank between Nel's and Wheatear corner. Two ringtail Hen Harriers have been showing well all week on the saltmarsh along with up to four Merlins and a couple of Peregines.
Cheers.
Graham Clarkson
Warden, Marshside RSPB
Posted by: Graham Clarkson | November 9, 2006 11:24 AM