I reckon I've got the experience for it now, having stared at loads more empty soil again on Plex this afternoon, in the hope a trip of Dotterel would drop in.
They didn't, but all this field scouring will pay off if they come winging in while I'm sitting there one day...shame it's such a big if.
I'm now on first name terms with every Lapwing, Oystercatcher and Stock Dove out there after the last few weeks.
A female Merlin was hunting over the ploughed fields today, effectively scotching any chance of the beauties coming calling.
Dotterels may have a reputation for being stupid, but they're not that stupid.
Plex was a bit quieter this afternoon, the wind was blowing across the landscape and the cloud kept a few songsters quiet.
Still Whimbrel opposite the Cheshire Lines cycle path, and a smaller group further out onto the moss, but Wheatears were few and far between in comparison to the last week.
Buzzard, Corn Bunting etc as usual, but the Haskayne Cutting wasn't bad, with three singing Whitethroat, a single rattling Lesser Whitethroat at the south end and a fly-over Yellow Wagtail.
Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings singing away there too.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
- Post to:
del.icio.us
Digg
Newsvine
Nowpublic
Reddit
« Previous | Home | Next »
Quick look off Ainsdale between 5 and 6pm tonight:
12 Sandwich Tern; 7 Gannet; 2 Red Throated Diver; 3 Great Crested Grebe; 20+ Manx Shearwater; 10 Common Scoter and a Kittiwake on the beach.
A pair of Garganeys at Marshside this p.m.
Seen from the viewing slats between Nels and Junction Pool, looking towards the Pool.
Solitary Dunlin from Nels, joined on top of tide by Little Stint otherwise bereft of "peeps".
Ron
1 Common Sand from viewing slots next to Sandgrounders and several singing Sedge Warblers from bramble up to corner of Marshside Rd. this evening
Curlew Sand showing well this morning and plenty of Whitethroats singing around unfortunately no sign of the Garganey.
Am sure you'll get lucky soon John, your persistence will pay off...
JD, do you have the credentials ?? You'll need to be a bad tempered, moaning, arrogant egotist with the ability to drive a huge tractor and trailer at 60mph through Holmeswood with one hand whilst on the phone, and plaster the ground with agrochemicals whilst claiming to be 'organic'. It's not easy you know, I deal with them everyday.
(name and address withheld!)
30.4: Formby Point seawatch, 13.45-15.15:
Black Throated Diver 1
Red Throated Diver 10
(all divers in summer plumage)
Great Crested Grebe 4
Manx Shearwater 6
Gannet 3
Kittiwake 4
Sandwich Tern 33
Common Tern 23
Guillemot 6
Razorbill 11.