Picked up Bazzo and we checked Marshside today, at the embarrassingly late time of, er, midday.
Still the sun was shining, the Kestrels were hovering (especially round the southern Sandplant bank), and all was well with the world.
A few Blackwits, Teal, Wigeon, Moorhen etc around the southern end of Marshside One, but only a small gull roost of mainly Black Headed Gulls.
All four Scaup, including the adult male were on the Sandplant Lagoons, where there were also 37 Pochard, and the yikkering Little Grebe (three seedy looking Cormorants too).
At least 2,800 Golden Plover on Marshside Two, with 20+ Ruff and three Dunlin feeding on the wet grass right at the back behind Polly's Creek.
Walked up onto Mount Baker and was surprised to see how much of the Sandplant itself has gone now - hopefully we'll hear what's going to happen to this potentially great migrant trap soon?
On the outer marsh at least two Little Egrets were feeding quite close to the road, so I attempted another foolishly optimistic photo-shoot; they're big and white - how can I fail????
(see pix below for the answer to that one).
About 1,000 Pink Feet out in the spartina, with a single Barnacle Goose.
Dropped Bazzo off so he could watch Irish rugby and drink Peroni (a pleasing proposition if ever there was one), and headed home via Plex Moss, which wasn't too bad.
Good numbers of Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails in the sprout fields off Station Lane.
A Common Buzzard was up over the fields, and about 40 Fieldfares were feeding with Mistle Thrushes and Starlings in pasture beside Station Lane.
Some Fieldfares were more obliging than others.
But it was the Grey Partirdges further down the track that really won the day - they were going BESERK!!!
At least 17 in a ploughed field and stubble next to it were calling like crazy, males chasing each other all over the place, or croaking from the top of any mounds they could find.
It was like a Black Grouse lek - excellent value!
The introduced Red Legs further over the moss by Gettens Farm, were a tad more restrained, despite their gaudy plumage.
Small flock of Pink Feet on the western edge of the Moss, with at least 51 Curlews, and hordes of Carrion Crows and Jackdaws. Corn Buntings and Skylarks singing.....
Ah, the first Wheatear is only a month or so away.....
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies.....
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Not an uncommon bird or unusual sighting but unusual location and circumstances I think.
Seen 08.00 hours Saturday 10.2.07 apparently pecking at the remaining snow on the low brick wall of the petrol station at the junction of Bennison Drive and Aigburth Road L19 - a very handsome male grey wagtail.
I watched him for several minutes before he flew off towards the river.
Soon afterwards whilst walking the dog in Calderstones Park heard 2 or 3 very loud territorial drumming Greater Spotted Woodpeckers ( 1 seen ). Spring is on its way ?
Sorry not been able to report much John, I think I've got hungarian bird flu, but after looking at your brill pictures felt I must congratulate you.
Keep improving at this rate and you'll be able to open your own studio.
Thanks Gary, glad you like the pix - it's amazing what a bit of sunshine will do for sharpening up the images........
Bit of Marshside fresh air is what you need to clear the bird 'flu