Nothing like a good hooley to get things going - and this morning the south westerly was fairly tearing into the coast, squalls, low cloud etc.
The sea was wilder than a Saturday night on the town with The Cramps in Sodom's red light district.
Spent a bit of time looking offshore from Ainsdale, but the weather was too rough - scoters, cormorants etc.
Tomorrow will be better for seawatching - Leach's anyone?
Met John Gramauskas, Chris Tynan et al on the beach - they'd had a female Snow Bunting and four Twite at the end of the lorry road at Marshside, and three Snow Buntings are still knocking about a mile north of the Ainsdale beach entrance apparently.
Headed up the road to the marsh, where a few hundred Pink Feet were feeding in the vegetation south of the Sandplant.
At least three Greenland White Fronts were with them, occasionally lifting their heads clear of the grasses, in pretty atrocious conditions.
The white fronts popped over the road to feed in front of Nels for a time, but soon flapped back onto the outer marsh.
Pintail numbers building up around Nels now.
Graham Clarkson reported a Short Eared Owl earlier on in the same area - he tells me he and Tony had 10 Twite at the end of the lorry road yesterday - good to have them back on the marsh.
A few hundred Lapwing and Goldies at the top of Marshside Two, and an exhausted Red Throated Diver close in and later on the beach over the tide.
With rain closing in again I sought shelter at the Sandgrounders Hide.
The Glossy Ibis was in the channels in front of Polly's Creek, and 31 Pochard were joined by 3 Ruddy Ducks on the Sandplant Pool.
The Water Rail was showing occasionally north of the hide, and walking out onto the little raft against the reeds at times.
The Green Winged Teal was about earlier, but was sheltering out of view by the time I got to the hide.
From Marshside I headed over the mosses for a quick look at Plex, but the light was fading rapidly by the time I got there.
Corn Buntings were gathering before going to roost, and a flock of several thousand Pink Feet were feeding between Plex and Carr Moss.
About 30 Whooper Swans were still in the same area, but with the light almost gone it was impossible to check through the geese properly.
Impressive when they all got up en masse when a microlite thingy went over though.
Why is there never a Howitzer round when you need one?
Looking forward to a good seawatch tomorrow.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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WWT Martin Mere has a variety of events planned throughout December and January, offering the community the unique chance to experience the haunting sound and the thrill and enjoyment of watching over 1,000 Whooper Swans on the Mere.
You to can get an Autumnwatch experience and enjoy the unique wildlife spectacle: Wild Swans by floodlight by coming along to the Centre to watch up to 1000 wild swans in the moonlight. The wild swans by floodlight events will take place every Tuesday night from 20 November to Tuesday 29 January (excluding Christmas day and New Years day). You will see beautiful wild swans and ducks at close quarters from the comfort of a heated observatory whilst the wardens provide a fascinating live commentary and answer any questions you may have, making this event a once in a lifetime opportunity to see huge numbers of wild swans in their natural habitat.àThis event is ideal for families and groups and starts promptly at 6.30pm. Booking is essential for this event and it costs ã6 adult, ã5 concession and ã3.45 children.ÃÂ
There are also early morning events at dawn next year.àDawn Flight includes an early morning hide visit with a warden and the opportunity to watch the swans on Saturday 12 January at 7.15am or Saturday 9 February at 7am. Breakfast is included on these events and each one costs ã14.00 for adults.
To book onto any of these events call 01704 891220.
Records from Haskayne area, November 13th to 18th:
Six daily visits to Carr Moss Lane, Halsall - Whooper Swans increased to 300 on Nov 14th, then dropped to 181 on Nov 18th.
Haskayne and nearby had Tundra Bean Goose (17th); 2 Wigeon; Barn Owl; 5 Buzzard; 2 Merlin; 230 Mallard.