Went for a short stroll with Mrs D today - south down Ainsdale beach from Shore Road to Fisherman's Path, then inland to the Pinfold Path, back up to Ainsdale and onto the beach through the slacks and dunes again.
Phew!
Cracking day though, plenty of sunshine and a good high tide.
The sea was a bit disappointing, despite the calm conditions there wasn't that much out there - about 35 Common Scoter, 7 Red Breasted Mergansers, 3 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Red Throated Divers were the pick of the bunch.
A few small gull roosts on the swell too, and parties of waders (Grey Plover, Oycs etc) flying past.
The pine woods around Fisherman's Path were simply heaving with singing Coal Tits, one or two Goldcrests and Treecreeper, and finches, but no Crossbills unfortunately.
A singleton Common Buzzard was circling over the alder wood, and later two were over the Pinfold Path.
Singing Mistle Thrush, Meadow Pipits, Skylarks and an obliging male Stonechat were the highlights in the dunes.
Marshside tomorrow I think.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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9/2 - Seawatch, Formby Point, 10.50-13.20:
Very quiet.
Red Throated Diver 24
Great Crested Grebes 9
Red Breasted Mergs 13
Goldeneye 1
Common Scoter 85
Razorbill 2
plus 3 Meadow Pipits in off the sea!
Hi John, after 60 years of lepidoptera observations I was surprised to see my 'earliest ever' Red Admiral today at Ness Gardens feeding at rhododendron flowers.
Ruby Tiger caterpillars were also on the move in the sunshine today at Burton and Leasowe.
Frogs have been active and croaking in my garden pond since 5th of February.
John ,
Could you please confirm that the godwits on the beach at Birkdale at the moment are in fact Bar tailed and not Black tailed,as I was told by someone at Marshside that only the latter spend the winter here.
Cheers Simon
Black Tails are the godwits you'll see on the inland side of the road at Marshside Simon (with a very occasional Bar Tailed with them), while out on the shoreline and mudflats, Bar Tailed are generally the commoner species, especially south of Southport Pier.
Thanks John, thought that was the case, but had started to doubt myself after what I'd been told.
Love reading the blog by the way.