Got down to Marshside for an hour or two late afternoon, tide high at 4.30pm, but hardly noticeable.
The Glossy Ibis was still around Polly's Creek - looked quite good as as it flapped around amongst a flock of spooked Blackwits, before they all settled down to roost and it became the dark blob on the left.
At the other end of Polly's, a young Little Egret flew in to preen on Marshside Two (the white blob in the middle).
Approximately 200 Black Tailed Godwits roosting on Polly's, but this one had the common decency to feed a bit closer to Sandgrounders Hide. Superb patterns on the upperparts at this time of year.
A Common Sandpiper flew past the hide, and later I had another in front of Nels - could have been the same bird.
Midges nice and bitey today, a few Cinnabar moth caterpillars on the ragwort, but not much else insect wise.
Two male Ruddy Ducks squabbling and a juv diving close by in the channel north of Sandgrounders, hordes of Canada Geese and Greylags as per usual.
At Nels the Common Sandpiper froze momentarily as a big female Sprawk went over, putting up the Lapwings and about 30 Black Tailed Godwits there.
Earlier it was getting hammered by two female Shovelers and some Coot on what's left of the island in front of the hide - could be that the water level is so high, the birds are getting territorial over what remains above water of this good feeding spot.
Young Shelducks flew in to preen and stretch their wings before another shower of rain.
The Little Owl was on Stanley School again - but on a lower flat roof, as the tower was occupied by two Magpies. Distant views as usual of "Mr Blobby".
Walked back to the car while hirundines and a few Swifts hawked low over the outer marsh.
Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler still singing (only just) and a few Linnets on the path down to Sandgrounders.
A young Kestrel looked pretty miserable perched up on a road sign south of the car park, but then, tomorrow is another day.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies....
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mike bird wrote...
Hi John, flock of 7 little egrets flew over Marshside 2 at 7pm this evening. they then flew high over the estuary towards St Annes.
Mike Bird.
Posted by: mike bird | July 21, 2007 7:15 PM