Found 20 minutes for a quick look at Marshside ton Sunday evening, just after a short sharp rain-shower - fairly quiet, apart from a few encouraging signs, including two or three parties of Mipits heading south, and small numbers of Swallows hawking low over the road.
Grey Herons beginning to lurk around the water under the Hesketh Road platform, coldly weyeing up the 15+ Moorhens there, and occasionally throwing the odd interesting shape.
Seven Teal on the Junction Pool, with a groups of Blackwits winging in high from the south.
Pretty quiet down at Ainsdale today - a few Painted Ladies and Peacock about, with Gatekeepers and Speckled Woods, Gannets and Sarnie Terns offshore.
The first Pink Feet will be back any day now.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Just had a call that the Wilson's Phalarope was seen from Sandgrounders Hide at Marshside at 3pm today by Messrs Nickeas, Swinyard et al. Bird flew off to the north east, but may reappear!
Refound the Wilson's Phalarope on a pool on Crossens Outer Marsh. Bird still there at 4.45pm. Visible from the coast road down from the sewage works.
Just a few (mainly entomological) observations this August. The highlight was a Humming-bird Hawkmoth in my garden several times between 6 and 8 this evening feeding at purple/mauve Buddleia and Verbena Bonariensis but ignoring scarlet Geraniums, pink Oleander and orange Lantana blooms. Yesterday at Crosby during a sunny interval over the high tide at lunch time there was a steady southward trickle of Peacocks and Painted Ladies and lots of small groups of Swallows. Lime Hawk, Poplar Hawk and Herald Moth caterpillars are in my garden. I came across half a dozen fully grown White Ermine caterpillars galloping along Leasowe sea wall last week with Grayling butterfly and male Northern Eggar moth on the wing at Crosby Coastguard. Delicate 'cut glass' migratory Balteatus hoverflies suddenly appeared in my garden with unusual numbers of Large Cabbage Whites last Sunday at 8am.
Sorry, correction to recent obs. Large Whites and Balteatus appeared on Saturday 22 August.
Had soaring Hobby near Whams Farm on mosses track to Martin Mere yesterday (Monday) afternoon and another much closer on pylons, just east of Rufford Station this evening at 6 pm.
It was almost invisible, perched right next to upright stanchion and then launched a surprise attack into feeding hirundines and easily caught a young Swallow - packed lunch for the journey south. Reportedly at least six pairs in southwest Lancs this year and Cheshire over 30 pairs.
Thanks to Neill caught up with the Wilson's Phalarope on Crossens outer last evening - in his scope it was a Wilson's Phal in mine could have been a turnip.
You still owe me your FinNorway photos on a CD - so eyes to your BURN button. Go Well. JKB