With the wind still blowing from the west it looks good for a seawatch again tomorrow, but even at low tide late this afternoon I couldn't resist a quick walk on the beach at Ainsdale after work.
And it was pretty fine.
At least 100 Sandwich Terns roosting on the beach around the channels, with perhaps 40+ Common and three Arctic terns too - the latter were two adults apparently teaching a youngster to feed, encouraging it to swoop down and pick morsels from the grey, shallow water.
Good numbers of waders too - Bar Tailed Godwits, Sanderling and Dunlin in summer plumage, with Knot, Grey Plover, Oycs, Ringed Plover and Curlews - a nice mix.
All common stuff I know, but it showed birds are on the move again.
While I was scanning through the gulls down at the water's edge, a Storm Petrel came through from the north, low to the sand, not surprising really, because every time it got any height, a gull went for it.
I scoped the poor thing for about five minutes as it attempted to move south - they always seem to struggle more than the more powerful Leach's, and while occasionally its wings looked long and pointed, its square tail and flustered behaviour gave it away.
But a low tide Stormie is not to be sniffed at!
Offshore there were plenty of terns, and a few Gannets cruising over the swell - it really could be good seawatching tomorrow.
Thought I'd bring Mrs D home a nice (dog)fish supper, but I don't think she'd have fancied the salad.
The dunes were predictably quiet, with Meadow Pipits and Whitethroats flitting about, but plenty of Wintergreen, Grass of Parnassus and Sea Holly is still flowering.
Most of the marsh orchids have gone over now, lots of Marsh Helleborine still in flower, but Bee Orchids all gone to seed.
Sands Lake quiet apart from gull feeders, Little Grebe, Coot, Mute Swan etc.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Bazzo wrote...
18/7: Formby Point seawatch, 9.40am to 12.30pm:
Storm Petrel 5
Gannet 120
Arctic Skua 3
Great Skua 1
Sandwich Tern 60
Common Tern 85
Posted by: Bazzo | July 18, 2008 1:44 PM