Despite the strong winds, I spent an hour or two on the mosses this afternoon, trying, and largely failing to get close to some of the big raptors out and about these days.
At least one juv Marsh Harrier on the Withins, and another one, plus a big adult female on Altcar Moss.
Several pairs of Buzzards up and wheeling around, but a few were confined to loafing about at the top of bushes waiting for the wind to drop (what I wouldn't have given for a decent tide today).
Large groups of hirundines moving through, but I didn't see any Hobbies attempting to cash in. One of the juv Marsh Harriers made a try for a Red Legged Partridge, which whirred away in panic.
Otherwise all was quiet apart from the usual Stock Doves and Red Legs, and a single Peregrine tanking low across Great Altcar as the clouds darkened and the rain moved in.
Tomorrow is another day.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Think I drove past you on Downholland today John...about half 11.
Missed the Harriers there again, but chanced upon an adult female Marsh Harrier drifting slowly south across the fields off Renacres Lane near Shirdley Hill just after 12.
Picked up the Wood Sand at the Mere and ended up at Ainsdale for the tide, or lack of.
Distantly got 7 Manxies and 5 Gannets. Good numbers of Terns on the beach, 182 Sandwich in the first roost, with 20+ Common, then a second roost further North with 100+Sandwich and 30 Common add to that plenty of Terns offshore.
Just a shame they got flushed a lot by the day trippers.