Ain't managed to get much birding done today - work does sometimes get in the way (well, occasionally), although two Greater 'Peckers bounding south through the dunes at Hightown was odd.
Do they use invisible Space Hoppers I wonder?
Luckily Chris Bridge sent me this selection of shots from some of his recent birding trips in the north west, so what better way to update the blog?
The Black Red and Purple Sand were taken from the Prom at Rhos-On-Sea - always a good spot to look for the sandpiper in winter.
While the Great White Egret and Bittern were bagged by Chris up at Leighton Moss.
Thanks Chris.
Anyone seen owt else today?
Nice late dragonfly date from Tropical (see comment on previous entry), and I presume the Shorelark is still about, given the large crowd of birders Mrs D saw on the sea wall as she drove to work today.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Kingfisher flying down the ditch opposite Gettern Farm on Plex this lunchtime.
Hi John, Shorelark still about - north end of grass today at 3.30 pm, also up to 4 Cetti's at Leighton - shots on my flickr
Interesting morning at HOM and later Crossens Outer and the mosses.
Superb full male Hen Harrier in front of viewing platform at HOM, with huge female Merlin and Sprawk. Lots of passerine activity with big flocks of Skylarks, Mipits, Linnets plus small parties of Fieldfares and Redwings and many Snipe.
Crossens Outer even better with 20 plus Little Egret, distant Great White, another or same male Hen Harrier, 1000 plus Golden Plover, female/immature Marsh Harrier - but no Short-eared Owls.
Green Sandpiper flushed from main ditch on back road across to Martin Mere from Three Lanes End. Seen Green Sand in this same general area for last two winters - later very distant soaring raptor over Holmeswood, could well have been Red Kite.
Glad so many people been having fun larking about - anyone fancy joining me on Weds to help override my recent birding ineptitude? Could also head up to Marton after proposed Shorelark venture and see if their Cetti's are still around.
Marshside/Crossens at the weekend; Great White Egret, 3 Merlin, 2 Peregrine, 2 Kestrel, male Hen Harrier, female Marsh Harrier, 700 Skylark, 404 Cormorant, 3 Barnacle Geese,20,000+ Wigeon, 2000 Black-tailed Godwits, 3000 Teal, 28,000 Pink-feet roosted on the Ribble Saturday night. Little Stint from Old Hollow farm. Highlight of the weekend for me was two Porpoises swimming up river at high tide on Sunday. Nice
300+ Pied Wags roosting in the trees by the big TV screen in Liverpool daily now (from about 4:30 onwards). Quite a few greys down at the old docks too, which have also got a medium-sized roost of Starlings at the moment. This hasn't gone unnoticed by the gulls and resident Peregrines either!