Got down to Hesketh Road to hammer Marshside at 7.45am this morning - mist was still thick, but the sun soon started to burn it off.
30-40 Redpolls heading north overhead and one Siskin going the same way between 8am and 9am, with at least three Chiffchaffs singing.
Quite a few Chaffinches passing thro'.
Greater 'peckers (see above) showing very well early doors, and 4 Redwing in the treetops, before they too headed off north.
16 Whooper Swans headed west through the mist, presumably out onto the estuary.
Mammals excellent today, with great views of Brown Hare, Rabbit, Water Vole (2), Weasel and Short Tailed Vole - the latter bumbling about on the cropped grass on the corner of Marshside Road and Hesketh Road.
Plenty of Lapwing sitting and at least three Avocets doing the same on Marshside One, where there was at least 1,500 Goldies, 1,000 Blackwits, Dunlin and three Little Stints.
Counted 51 Avocets on M1 today before I confess I lost interest.
Four Wheatears around the Sandplant - three males and a female, plus a few Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipits bleeping overhead.
Ruddy Ducks were on the Sandplant Pool still and the Green Winged Teal was asleep as per usual.
Three Goldcrest at various points around the site this morning.
On the outer marsh, at least 3,000 Pink Feet were grazing still, and three Little Egrets were in the usual place.
Spent lunchtime drinking fine, fine, fine Theakston's outside the Sands at Ainsdale, where Chiffies were singing, but no hirundines....(and no White Tailed Eagles either).
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies....
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Great photos John particularly like the one with the wheatear and the blurred grass in the background ,was this one taken after your theakstons?
Er, sadly not Gary.
I was as sober as a magistrate at the time.
one brimstone butterfly on marshside road. this flew onto marshside two at 12.45.
mike bird.
Hi John
Any joy later this morning? Where did you see the Water Voles? If anyone else out there sees water Voles at Marshside (or anything else interesting in/around the reserve!), please could you enter the records in the log at Sandgrouders' Hide. Ta
Water Vole location on the way Graham, latest blog update should appear any minute now....