Spare a thought for the Shag - burdened with among the daftest names in the bird world, and possibly the craziest pair of feet.
I'd have suggested a good pair of socks to this windblown first year on Crosby Marina today, but I don't think anyone makes 'em that big!
The bird was clearly tired, allowing me to get close enough to gawp in awe and wonder at the bird's remarkable pale webby splitty-splatties.
If you're ever in doubt about the id of one of these things (although why, I don't know - head shape, beady red eye, thin bill, size etc are all usually obvious), it's handy to remember that they ALWAYS have pale feet the size of jumbo inflatable Calzone pizzas, whereas Cormorants boast dark, scaly feet.
Luckily today's bird was able to feed itself, and got busy snorkelling around the "mussel booms" and shallows at the southern edge of the lake.
Always nice to see one so close, I hope it makes it back out to sea.
A juv male Red Breasted Merg also dropped in onto the lake today, feeding and preening close to the regular pair of male Goldeneye and one of the Great Crested Grebes, which made for a fine scopeful.
Skylarks and ad winter Med Gull on the beach, plus the usual waders.
And a nice big female Sprawk hunting Rimrose Valley in the a.m.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Hi John, a Grey Phalarope was present on the freshwater pool at Seaforth Nature Reserve at 11.15am, but soon disappeared...worth keeping a close look on the marina which has a good track record for this species.
Hi John, Dusk this evening. 31 Little Egrets flying through Crossens inner and Marshside 2.
They were in small groups presumably heading to roost on the Marine Lake.
Mike