Lovely sunny afternoon for a walk with Mrs D down on Ainsdale beach today, and luckily we bumped into John G as he headed off to trap two Stonechats in the dunes by the Discovery Centre.
John told us about four Snow Buntings which have been on the beach since Friday, when Duncan Rothwell found 'em (way to stay in the loop there, Mr Dempsey).
We bumped into the birds about half a mile south of the Discovery Centre (around the wrecked boat), but as is normal at this time of year, they were pretty flighty, feeding away and scurrying around at the base of the dunes.
Unfortunately I didn't have my 'scope with me, so decent shots were out of the question, but these zoomed in shots with a point and press show what they are anyway (just).
Otherwise the shoreline was quiet - plenty of gulls at the water's edge (which was a long way away), Carrion Crows and Grey Plovers and a Reed Bunting round the Discovery Centre.
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Sandgrounders hide at RSPB Marshside will be closed all day on Monday November 24th.
Nels hide, the toilet and reserve path network will be open as normal.
Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
At this time of year, Starlings can provide us with one of natureâÂÂs best wildlife spectacles.
During the Winter our UK breeding population is boosted by birds from the Continent.
They live in small flocks during the day, traveling between feeding sites and gathering in daytime roosts, normally a place with good all-round visibility.
Then in the late afternoon all these feeding flocks, roughly within a 20 mile radius, join up to form progressively larger flocks before becoming a âÂÂmurmurationâ of tens of thousands of birds in a winter roost site.
You might have seen the jaw-dropping, swirling cloud-like formations on the television in the âÂÂCarlingâ advert or on Autumnwatch, before being brave enough to drop in waves into their roost site.
The vast reedbeds at RSPB Leighton Moss nature reserve in Silverdale are an ideal spot to see this starling display and visitors can often experience this amazing sight before dusk throughout the winter.
This year staff and volunteers at this popular local attraction are running a âÂÂStarling Watchâ from Monday 17 to Friday 21 November from 3 pm to dusk and are inviting people to come down and join them to look out for the starlings coming in to roost.
They roost every night in the reedbed but to see the spectacle it is best to watch out on a fine afternoon.
Just turn up at the visitor centre before 2.45 pm to be directed to the hide where the starling watch is taking place. It is a free event for all. Please Tel: 01524 701601 or see www.rspb.org.uk for more information.