Spent an hour or two on Plex Moss this afternoon, predictably January-quiet, but still a few things to look at.
Approx 5,000 Pink Feet feeding in several loose flocks between Ainsdale and Halsall, and about 150 Jackdaws, with smaller numbers of Carrion Crows.
A nice Barn Owl was hunting over set aside at about 3.15pm, good views but distant, and the Red Legged Partridges were going BE-serk, calling all over the place. No sign of any Greys tho'.
Few small finch flocks, Goldfinches and Linnets mainly.
Nearer the eastern end of Plex, a flock of more than 70 Fieldfares were feeding in a pasture, rattling and bounding about - the most I have seen this winter I think, so good to see that some have bothered coming south despite the mild weather.
Our Finnish cousins' name for Fieldfare translates roughly as "snotbird" because they think their call sounds like someone clearing their tubes.
Nice. Just thought I'd share that with you.
The thrushes joined Starling in a few tall trees and as I was trying to take pix of 'em a pre-roost flock of 21 Yellowhammers came bombing over the lane calling, where a Greater 'Pecker was also swooping about.
Best count of Yellowhammers I've had on Plex in a while.
Corn Bunting and Blackbird singing out here today, but the light went shortly after 3.45pm, so I headed off into the sunset.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies....
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I keep hearing about birding on Plex Moss but without actually knowing where it is or where one can park when one gets there. Have you any suggestions?
I've just lashed out megabucks on a new (secondhand) scope so I'm hoping to do a bit of birding this year
Plex Moss is the farmland between Ainsdale and Halsall.
To get to Plex Moss turn RIGHT off the Formby By-pass (heading inland) at Woodvale Lights.
The road is in worse condition than Basra Boulevard, so if you don't like driving very narrow, bumpy tracks, your best bet is to park by the nice modern bungalows on the left and walk on inland along the road.
You can get onto the moss by going west down Plex Moss Lane from Halsall too.
Thanks John
I'll try to get out there next week