South westerly hooley force 5-6 (nuns unstable, vicars defrocked) meant I couldn't not check Ainsdale beach this afternoon between 4 and 5pm.
The surf was still easily 'scopable on the receding tide and conditions were overcast and grey.
That didn't stop two Leach's Petrels going through though - one north and one south, about 20 minutes apart, so conceivably they could have been the same bird.
The first went through like a rocket with the wind up it, before arcing over the wet sand, spooking a few loafing gulls as it did so - classic.
The second was heading effortlessly south through the surf as if there was no wind at all.
Probably among my favourite birds - if they're in the bay now, we could well be on for a big wreck by the end of the week.
Not much else - the ladyboy terns of summer tend to disappear when the wind gets to blowing.
Leach's Petrels 2
Gannet 1 adult
Med Gull 1 sub-adult
Common Scoter 14
I know where I'll be tomorrow afternoon if the wind keeps up.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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29.09.08 Marshside: c 16,000 Pink Feet (inc 1 leucistic bird), 1 Barnacle Goose, Ruddy Shelduck, male Hen Harrier.
In the weekend sunshine a pair of Magpies were doing a bit of nest building in one of my garden birches, meanwhile a striking looking Miller Moth caterpillar was seeking a pupation site at the base of the same tree.
For the past week an elegant Grey Wagtail has taken up residence, running around on the garden pond's lily pads, hovering to take gnats and coming to the bird table.