It is well-known that the Marshside regulars NEVER bird beyond Hesketh Road to the south and the Plough roundabout to the north, because anywhere past these points (according to Bazzo at least), has been proven scientifically to be the realm of leprechauns, trolls and assorted bogeymen.
So ten out of ten to Neill and Tropical who bravely ventured into the uncharted territory of the willows along the side of Fleetwood Road today (there be dragons here, or at the very least, golfers with a truly flawed sense of aim, if the number of times I heard "fore" from the Muni is anything to go by), and almost immediately got onto a male Redstart.
I quickly joined them, but although the bird called a few times, it remained frustratingly elusive.
Plenty of Willow Warblers, Orange-tips, Small Tortoiseshell too - nice habitat.
From the Hesketh Road platform, a male Garganey was feeding on the pool, but a bit distant for good digi-scoping.
Two Whimbrel came through low, heading south, and at least two Reed Warblers were singing in the SSSI ditch. Male Wheatear here too.
Earlier, I checked the golf course from about 8am - 5 Whitethroats, 4 Blackcap and numerous Willow Warblers singing, with 3 Chiffies and a few Lesser Redpolls feeding along the public footpath.
Swallows going through early on, although a fair few were heading south, and a Sedge Warbler was singing by the Marshside Road junction.
Two Grey Partridge around the Sandplant compound.
Graham Clarkson had Curlew Sand, Little Stint and 16 Dunlin from Nels, but I never got round to getting down to the hide.
A quick foray up to Banks Marsh (leprechaun/troll/bogeyman threat off the scale here) with Ron Jackson and Phil Collins late morning produced a flyover Tree Pipit and Grey Partridge.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Hay John, beautiful Garganey today, I've been trying to catch up with one for ages but with no luck... I can't wait to see one for myself...
Garganey still on pool by Hesketh Road at 6pm.
Hi John, Found a superb Cream Spotted Ladybird at Marshside this afternoon.This was on the old sea wall by Marshside Two.
Mike.
Another day, another hill. Moel Famau this time with wife and daughter in tow... Raven acrobatically flying by the Tower was to be expected. Swallow, mipets,etc. But as we sat admiring the (hazy) view and nibbled crisps and chocolate eggs the last thing I expected to see was a Red Legged Partridge. It hopped up the steps then wandered around the circle at the top picking at crumbs and one of our dropped crisps. Fishing some left over duck food from Thursday's trip to 'Greenacres' we clucked at the bird and tossed it some.
Amazingly, 'clucking' it came quite close but not quite hand fed.
We left it eyeing up someone else's snack and contemplating that it's only 25 miles to Runcorn or Crosby as the Raven flies. Or the RL Partrige trying the realms of the grouse.
Typically the one day I left the camera at home - I'm hoping someone else can confirm this bird coz otherwise I don't expect to be believed !
Expect the unexpected folks!!!
20.4.09: Spotted Redshank (mainly summer plumage), Curlew Sand, Little Stint, Whimbrel and Garganey on Marshside One.
Plus a Common Swift over the saltmarsh later.