Couldn't put off a trip to Marshside any longer so nipped up there for an hour or so at 4pm this afternoon.
It was absolutely freezing, with the meanest easterly wind this side of Minsk ripping across the site.
Hordes of Avocets about, with several on nests already, good numbers of Blackwits coming into full breeding plumage and a Ruff up by Polly's Creek.
I know I've just come back from the scorching heat of the desert, but I don't think the middle of April is meant to be as cold as this.
The Ross's Gull on the Fylde must be loving it. I wasn't.
4 Swallows hawking for insects at the Junction Pool, 4 off Nels and a further 11 at the Hesketh Road end.
A single Common Sandpiper in front of the Sandgrounders hide.
I believe the Forest of Bale and Sandplant walls now have a reprieve till the autumn, so we may get a few migrants in there this year after all, but I wish someone would tell us what exactly the plans for the site's future are. Anybody?
Walked round the point with John Bannon and we had a few Meadow Pipits and a single male Wheatear looking very miserable.
Called in at the Sands Lake on the way home, where two Swallows were whizzing about amongst Lesser Black Backs, Herring and Black Headed Gulls.
A few pairs of Tufties still on the water.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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102 Curlew and 10 Whimbrel, at least 40 White Wagtails, 4 Wheatears and 21 Stock Doves - Formby Moss/Plex Moss area on Friday afternoon, 18/4/08.
There has also been up to 82 Curlew on fields on Churchtown Moss this week - so quite a passage of this species it seems. Awful weather though.
Nice blog John, I was at Marshside yesterday afternoon myself and agree it was freezing, great pic of the Avocet, think I was photographing the same bird, but it wasn't easy with the weather being so dull.
Latest from Haskayne, April 4th - 11th:
Willow Warbler; Jay; Chiffchaff; Swallow; Osprey (Apr 7th); Med Gull (2 on Plex Moss; ringtail Hen Harrier.
Large passage of Swallows and Sand Martins at Marshside this evening. Green-winged Teal and 4 Ruff, 28 Gadwall and 2 Wheatear.
Several hundred Pinkfeet still out around the Sluice.
Good numbers of swallows and martins on North Wirral coast today and arrival of local swallow pairs here in Walton and at friend's stable in Banks this morning.
Male Emperor Moths careering around in the sunshine at Leasowe today together with Peacock Butterflies in courtship flight.
Unusual sight of 3 Willow Warblers bathing together in puddle under leaking tap in Liverpool's Kirkdale Cemetery at lunchtime.