Seems churlish I know, to complain about the sunshine after a week of grey and wet, but the bright conditions made checking through the Pink Feet just about impossible on the Withins this afternoon.
A shame as there were at least 2,000 birds in the fields, with more coming and going.
Couldn't get round behind them so I had to scan through them looking into the sun - not the best way to look for a Bean!
Mike Stocker had a taiga bird out there last Sunday, so I was hoping to score today - but they were pretty much silhouettes, albeit close and settled.
On the up side, there were plenty of Buzzards soaring about - I saw 5 together, and earlier Phil Smith had seen 8.
Phil had 10 Crossbills over Freshfield Dune Heath yesterday too.
Otherwise the fields were kinda "January-quiet", with Carrion Crows, Mistle Thrushes etc.
A hunting Peregrine brought a few minutes of excitement...
No gulls in the field beside Worrall House Farm today.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Eight Buzzards soaring over the Withins and another four on Altcar Moss, evidently enjoying the sun.
There were a lot of geese around Halsall Moss today, it was reminiscent of late Autumn.
I reckon there were at least 3000 in all, including 1700 off Segars Lane, better viewed from behind Heathfield Road, but a little distant, 300 with 250+ Whooper Swans and 20 Greylags near New Cut Lane bridge, and another 300 plus in the field opposite, though viewing of these was very difficult due to a lack of anywhere really to pull in.
Several small and medium sized flocks were in the air almost constantly, 3000 in all is probably quite conservative.
Later on I had another 1000 off Moss Road at the back of Birkdale, but by then the light was beginning to fade and made checking them difficult.
I also had at least one male Blackcap and 26+ Fieldfare around the Round Hill area adjacent to Royal Birkdale Golf Club today, mostly gorging on Buckthorn berries.
The area at the north end of Birkdale Common being as always the best place to look for them.
Howdeydoodee.
Whilst eyeing the skies, tetrading on the mosses this week, have come across the following of interest:
Sollom Moss - 150% White Wagtail, right out on the moss by a flooded field, which in the parky weather, no doubt reminded it greatly of the Icelandic tundra.
River Alt by Baines Bridge, nr Sefton Meadows - overwintering Common Sandpiper when looking for a Green. Apparently been about since before Xmas. Methinks should have checked it closer for Spotted, but only seen flushed.
Halsall Moss - two Little Egrets, Long eared Owl, two Woodcock and zillions of Pinkies.
31 Bewick's Swan at Marsh Farm, Hundred End at dawn this morning, also four Barn Owls in the area, two adult Peregrines roosting on logs on the NNR and c. 25,000 Wigeon wheeling about.