Tootling down to Marshside late morning, I succumbed to temptation and stopped off for another ogle at the Shorelark on Southport beach - how can you not with a bird this good on your doorstep?
The lark was feeding away at the top end of the saltmarsh, three red flags north of Weld Road, and as usual showing off very well.
Superb little thing.
Good finch flock out on the marsh here too, but frustratingly they stayed right out on the seaward side, only flying in a tight bunch about 100 strong when a hunting Kestrel spooked them.
Few Twitey calls in there still - the flock does seem to go over the coast road sometimes and onto the northern end of the Jubilee Trail, so someone may have better luck than me pinning them down there.
Two Little Egrets on the shore here, and more up at Marshside.
The winter Pochard flock is building on the Sandplant lagoon and as I checked out the Sandplant I flushed a covey of at least seven Grey Partridges, which was encouraging.
Mipits, Blackbirds, Gringoes etc all in the site still.
Two Merlins on Marshside Two, and a pair of Stonechats on the outer marsh.
Scoping the Pinkies from the tip of the peninsula, I saw a Great White Egret far far away on Crossens Outer, strolling about in a stately fashion, dwarfing a nearby Grey Heron.
Simples, I thought, I'll just drive up there and get a few shots.
Typically the bird was nowhere to be seen when I got to the pull-in, and after counting 14 Little Egrets in the area, I was just beginning to doubt my sanity, when I picked it up again at a ridiculous distance, at satellite range on the outer marsh.
How far away was it?
That's it, the tiny white dot in the background behind the Pinkie flock!!! (I'd have got better views from the Fylde side)
Nice to have one around, but I wish it had stayed a bit closer - Great White Weasel indeed.
About 1,000 Golden Plover on Crossens Outer, with the Lapwings etc, another Merlin and a Peregrine and a flock of about 50 feeding finches, which definitely contained Linnets, and may just have held a few Twite.
Too far off to be sure though.
Four Whoopers grazing out on the estuary as well.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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2 Snow Buntings on the beach near Cabin Hill this afternoon.
The Shorelark was showing well early afternoon, between the third and fourth flags north of Weld Road. The finch (Linnet/Twite) flock was buzzing around and must number over 100 including over 40 Twite though it was difficult to get close enough and good enough views to count them properly.
Distinct lack of Snipe around Taggs today, but late insects included 1 aeshna dragonfly, probably Migrant Hawker and 2 Red Admirals.