They don't all go sailing along majestically over the waves in a big blow like this - casualties on Ainsdale beach today included Common Gull, juv Kittiwake, Cormorant, and this Guillemot, which was a damn sight healthier than the rest of 'em.
Appealing to my better nature I bundled it into a fish box and took it to the RSPCA shelter for a bit of r'n'r, unfortunately I decided to call it Pope John Paul II (it was the first thing that came into my head, honest), which caused no end of confusion at the reception desk.
"Why have you got Pope John Paul II in a fishbox?" etc etc...
Beating a hasty retreat back to the beach, I managed 40 minutes of seawatching from Ainsdale over the tide, but the sand blow was nothing short of ferocious.
One Leach's Petrel whizzing along south just behind the surf made the pain worthwhile, but the only other birds of note that went past were a Little Tern and another Guillemot, plus 7 Common Scoter.
Sarnies and LBBs out there too as usual. If we're lucky, there should be more Leach's tomorrow.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
- Post to:
del.icio.us
Digg
Newsvine
Nowpublic
Reddit
« Previous | Home | Next »
Juv Sabs south past Formby Point at 9.40 today, but no Leach's yet. Totals later.
11 Pink Footed Geese at Marshside this afternoon, along with 4 Little Egret, 2 Kestrel. Plenty of Godwits, Redshank, Curlew, Lapwing and Golden Plover. Also had 7 Snipe all from Sandgrounders Hide.
Good numbers of Swallows with a few less House Martins.
Also 1 Wheatear on the old sand plant site.
Hi John 11 Pink Feet on Marshside Two at 7.30 this evening 5.8.09. Mike Bird.
Wilson's Petrel reported in Mersey mouth today!
Formby Point seawatch, 5.9.09, 0920-1330:
Manx Shearwater 5
Fulmar 2
Gannet 1
Shag 1
Common Scoter 350+
Juv Sabine's Gull 1
Kittiwake 13
Sandwich Tern 52
Common Tern 4
Arctic Tern 4
Guillemot 1
Sesh saved by our friend from the north!