I nearly didn't pop down to Weld Road this evening to see Ralph Jones' superb Shorelark, but when he texted me again at 4.05pm to say the bird was still there, I couldn't resist it.
It's been years since I've seen one of these beauties on the Sefton coast, so despite the fact it was nearly dark, I gave the bird a punt, and luckily found it pretty quick, right where Ralph had left it.
Shame the light had gone, so I couldn't get any decent pix, but these blurry images should give you the general idea.
The bird was feeding constantly, whizzing around over the muddy pools just to the north of the Weld Road car park, and as is often the way with this species, it was fairly unconcerned about my presence, coming to within 20 feet in the gathering gloom.
Then again, it was so dark and rainy, it probably couldn't see me - I could hardly see it sometimes!
If the bird is still there tomorrow, please don't crowd it - the last one on the beach stayed for a few weeks, and if this one isn't hassled too much, it may do the same.
Park at the Weld Road roundabout car park and walk north along the sandy upper shore towards the pier to look for it.
The Shorelark favoured the muddy, flooded area on the left.
It was only a few metres past the "No vehicles" sign when I pulled out at 5pm.
If the small car park is full, use the Park and Ride car park on Southport seafront and walk down.
Excellent find Ralph, very well done.
Mr Jones's Shorelark redeemed an otherwise uneventful day on the mosses, where Pheasants and Red Legs were playing "King of the Castle" on the hay bales on the Withins, and Buzzard and Merlin were hunting Plex.
A few Corn Buntings and a big big Starling flock were the only other birds of interest, apart from skeins of Pinkies overhead flapping towards favoured roosting sites.
A quick look off Hesketh Road at several hundred grazing Pinkies produced one Barnacle Goose, and a decent roost of Lapwings and Goldies, with Little Egrets heading in towards the Marine Lake roost.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Hello all. I had a juv Marsh Harrier on north altcar and the withins at midday today. I will try to get some photos of the Shorelark if still there t t f n .
Nice one Ralph! Four Barnacle Geese and the hybrid goose that resembles a Blue Snow Goose on Marshside saltmarsh today. Great White Egret reported there by several observers too. Jack Snipe on Suttons marsh recently.
Two other Red Kites reported to me this week - one at Eccleston, one at Altcar.
Hen Harrier, Merlin, Peregrine, Short-eared Owl all at Hesketh Out Marsh.
Cheers. Graham
Hi John,
Thought I'd cut and paste this. The WWT satellite tagged some Whooper Swans last year and this one has just arrived at Martin Mere.
"One of our favourite swans from Iceland, a bird ringed NA3 at Glaumbaer in Skagafjordur back in 2003, has migrated with the rest of his family to Martin Mere. Having remained in Skagafjordur until the evening of 2 November, he crossed Iceland overnight to reach the southwest coast by 07:00 h the following morning. Being a wily old bird, he then tracked east to the southernmost tip of Iceland to make the shortest possible crossing to Britain. Setting off from Iceland at around 15:00 h on 3 November he reached the Outer Hebrides by 09:00 on the morning of 4 November, but continued straight on to Islay where he rested for the rest of the day.
It will be another five days before we next receive data from NA3âÂÂs transmitter, but weâÂÂre already aware that heâÂÂs now at WWT Martin Mere! He was spotted by Kane Brides at 10:00 h this morning, apparently without his mate (ringed 4YU), but with all 5 cygnets ringed in Iceland still in tow (X6R, X6T, X6P, X6U and X6L). His mate is known to be quite old, having been ringed back in 1996, but we hope that further ring readings will show that sheâÂÂs also made it to Martin Mere. Alternatively, given that NA3 and 4YU tend to winter on the Ouse Washes, we may find that sheâÂÂs gone straight to Welney!"
You can follow the swan at http://whooper.wwt.org.uk/whooper
John a cracking bird thanks for posting it on your blog - we were over on the beach at 0715 and "refound" it a 0930 - what a delight, apart from the soaking that is.
Cheers Sid A
Thanks for the info John, managed to see the bird late morning today. Your directions were spot on.
Thanks to your website I had great views of the Shorelark today, also it was nice to meet you and have a chat