You'd think it'd be straightforward enough to find a feeding flock of Pink Feet on the mosses, even with the shorter winter hours - yet I failed spectacularly this afternoon.
Annoying, as I wanted to look for the two fabalis (Donald Duck-type) Bean Geese that have been around for the last week or two.
But first you have to find your geese, and there weren't any on Downholland Moss, in fact only Pheasants, Kestrels and small pockets of Fieldfares were about as the temperatures fell away.
No gulls around Worrall House Farm either, but things looked up a bit with a fine hunting Barn Owl on the Withins, behind the farm buildings from Engine Lane, and a few skeins of Pinkies, which seemed to be heading off towards Lydiate Moss.
Red Legged Partridge calling away there too, but the owl was a cracker - switching one way and another as it quartered the ditches, hovering and plunging into the grass, before it headed off towards Altcar Moss.
As I left the mosses and drove towards Formby By-Pass, the sky was filled with about 1,700 Pinkies heading out to roost on the Alt estuary at Hightown (I bet they were all out on Plex earlier in the afternoon).
Some days are like that.
At least the sunset was nice.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Mosses - Dec 16-23rd:
Segars Lane area: 268 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing.
Carr Moss Lane, Halsall: c 250 Whooper Swans.
Haskayne: 53 Corn Bunting, 3 Barn Owl, 23 Pied Wagtail, 4 Teal, 2 Great Crested Grebe, c6 Common Buzzard, Kingfisher, Med Gull (adult with black hood appearing, sheep field next to Worrall House Farm), 100+ Mallard, 6 Cormorant, 3-4 Sparrowhawk, 50+ Fieldfare, Redwing, 2 Stonechat, 10 Corn Bunting.
John, some of your missing Pinkfeet came to Liverpool for a spot of culture today. About a thousand passed over my house at first light from the direction of Crosby heading towards Croxteth. They made the return journey at twilight a bit further north from here over Fazakerley Hospital.
John, Tawny Owl calling in Liverpool city centre 6.30 am just before Christmas, behind the old Exchange Station in the bit of green space next to the NCP car park.
Also Kingfisher on the River Alt Croxteth Park New Year's Eve, first one I've ever seen there.
Hi John
I have some digi photos which may amuse you and readers how do I send them to you?
Thanks Philip - how can I refuse an offer like that? Email address on the way to you.
John