Plenty of birds on the move this morning in the bright conditions, with three Jays swooping and flopping about thro' the garden at Dempsey Towers, and a further four over the Coast Road between Ainsdale and Birkdale later in the morning.
A Wheatear was at the beach entrance at Southport, and Mipits and Skylarks called overhead in the big blue.
Chris Tynan had Grey Wagtail and Greater 'Pecker through the dunes at Formby, and I had a Blackcap at the end of Lifeboat Road (the bushes there look so promising at the moment), with Robins and titmice.
A cracking male Stonechat was in the buckthorn scrub behind the Ranger skipyard at Ainsdale in the afternoon, but by the time I could take a break, the skies had clouded over and things were quietening down - the regular Starlings and Reed Bunting were the only things showing, save a Dunnock (always a good bet to get the pulse racing when seen badly at this time of year).
Took a few shots of the Starlings - they look so good in autumn (no I haven't been drinking sea water again) - especially when there's nowt else to concentrate on.
And thanks to Phil Boardman for this pic of one of the Water Rails at Marshside, taken on Sunday morning from Nels Hide.
You can see more of his pix on his flickr stream here
As every birder south of Inverness is doubtless scanning the skies at present in case the Sandhill Crane reappears (fat chance), I think I'll get my seawatching troosers back on - it's looking good for Saturday...
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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2 Stonechats on Plex Moss this afternoon also plenty of Mipits and Skylark over too
A great experience watching the Sandhill Crane kickstart its re-orientation, first of all SSE towards Pentland Skerries, then SW towards & over Duncansby Head and then 'watching' the follow-up on the pager as it trundled along the A9 at 37mph for about 55 miles before turning SW and inland at Brora. I suspect today had to be the day for re-engaging with it -I suspect its out of the country now but would like to be proved wrong - its certainly not a boy racer
Now then John. c.8,000 Pinks along Crabtree Lane, Burscough, either side of the railway line, today and the last couple of days. Plenty of Corn Buntings and Tree Sparrows - makes for pleasant hide free birding.
I've been following the GWE posts; I've seen a GWE at several sites on the Ribble recently, but only once close-up - that was at Hesketh Out Marsh and it was unringed. So, we've deffo had two visiting the Ribble. I read a Little Egret ring combos at Hesketh Out Marsh last week, it'll be interesting to see where it was ringed. RSPB will be having an open day on Saturday October 10th at Hesketh Out Marsh 10am - 5pm, guided walks etc, everyone welcome.
A great experience as well watching the LB Dowitcher particularly as all it cost was the diesel to get me from Churchtown to Marshside and if I hadn't got my video gear to lug I should have walked it.
I've seen Sandhills (hasn't everyone?) albeit in the USA. If it/one does turn up in SW Lancs certainly worth burning a mite more fuel, otherwise, bon voyage. Unlikely it'll make it back across the Atlantic so hope it meets up with some Commons.
Ron
The ringed GWE details:
Ringed:
Metal CA 69229 & CRs at Besné (in BriÃÅ¡re, Loire Atlantique, France) on 6/5/2009
This bird was at Banks Marsh on 24th September, Brockholes Quarry on 25th, Hesketh Out Marsh and Crossens Marsh on 26th and Banks Marsh on 27th, before being seen at Leighton Moss on 30th September-2nd October
I'm assuming ringed as pullus.
The Little Egret details could be interesting; one from Kent and one from SW England (full details not yet through) in N Lancs but none seen recently, despite big increase in LE.