Always nice to get an unexpected bird at Marshside and at 11.50am today, that's just what I got.
I'd settled down in Sandgrounders Hide, when a Coot flushed two crakes out from the bank on the left - first was a Water Rail, but the second, which dropped into the vegetation on the other side of the channel was a cross-looking young Spotted Crake when I got my bins on it.
Saw it well enough to eliminate Sora - bill colour, little white spots, head pattern etc
Managed a few record shots before it melted away into the reedstems.
Sneaky little weasel.
A few hundred of Pinkies about and Kestrel and Merlin on the outer marsh.
The Sandplant compound had plenty of Robins and Blackbirds, with Mipits and Skylarks overhead.
Graham Moreton had the Arctic Skua in front of Nels, so I checked to see if it had floated down to Hesketh Road again - it hadn't.
Couldn't stay long - boats to book and adventures to be had for Marshside's finest.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Oops, forgot to mention the 4 Little Egrets on the beach at Weld Road, and two on Marshside Two!
A handful of Swallows moving south too.
3 Peregrines at Marshside on Saturday along with 1 Kestrel and 1 Sparrowhawk.
Fantastic male Hen Harrier over the saltmarsh this afternoon at Marshside.
Unfortunately no sign of the Crake.
Also Little Egret from Sandgrounders.
Caught up with the Ross's Goose, viewed it from Curlew Lane as the main Pink Foot flock was over the brow from the reserve car park, there was also a Barnacle visible from the car park.
At one point there were 10,000+ Pinks in the air, fantastic sight and sound.
Love the Blog John.
Cheers.
Had a look for the Spotted Crake this afternoon, but no joy. Did see the Ross's Goose at the Mere.