Got down to Formby Point for a seawatch with Bazzo today, from 9.40am to 12.30pm, and we were joined by the ever convivial Neill H and Mr Mike Stocker (fresh from River Warbler duties at Applecross) at about 11am.
Great morning - visibility steadily improved from downright dire (too many warm patches and shimmer to focus properly) early on, to not at all bad by 11am.
Nice stiff north westerly, force 5 or so, which began to strengthen, and may still be worth a try tomorrow.
A clear and almost constant passage of Manxies today, but it was hard to guage exactly how many birds were going through, as they were moving in a broad band from specks rollercoastering out on the horizon, to superb brown and white beauties sliding effortlessly through the troughs behind the surf.
Neill even managed to get a shot of a party of 6 going through - no mean feat from the Point when the wind is blowing and the birds are shifting faster than Michael Jackson compilation CDs.
The vast majority were heading south.
First summer Mediterranean Gull came flapping by too, heading south over the surf, and looking most striking - such an unmistakeable wing pattern.
Manx Shearwater c350
Gannet c100
Sandwich Tern 8
Common Tern 18
Arctic Tern 2
Little Tern 1
Common Scoter 55
Great Crested Grebe 1
Guillemot 3
Mediterranean Gull 1
Kittiwake 2
Numbers of Common Scoters seem to be picking up again - failed breeders perhaps, coming back into the bay early?
LBBs, Common Gulls the usual waders and Cormorant offshore too.
On the walk back through the old Tobacco Dump, the place was dripping with Painted Lady caterpillars - they were everywhere, shimmying over the sand, crawling over thistles and nettle heads, hundreds, possibly thousands of the things - which should be nice come emergence time!
Gatekeeper and Red Admiral there as well, and a Chiffchaff still singing away at the National Trust entrance on Victoria Road.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Phil Smith wrote...
Still four Red-veined Darters at Sands Lake, Ainsdale, early afternoon. Also four Common Sandpipers.
Posted by: Phil Smith | July 7, 2009 7:44 PM