When the rain stopped late morning I was working on Ainsdale beach, and took my lunch hour just after the high tide.
Nice wader roost of the commoner species at the top end of the beach - Knot, Sanderling, Dunlin, Grey Plover, Barwit etc and a respectable count of 187 Ringed Plover made it worthwhile.
Just a few parties of Mipits moving otherwise, and a single White Wagtail on the embryo dunes.
Offshore the lack of a decent wind meant that 6 RB Mergs, 3 Red Throated Divers and 2 Common Scoter amongst the gulls and Cormorants was all I could reasonably expect, and it was all I got.
Thanks to Austin Thomas for sending me this fine shot of two Great Crested Grebes getting it on at Mere Sands on Saturday.
Few Skylarks singing at Formby Point this afternoon, Robins, finches etc tonsil wobbling too, but that was about it.
And as for that thunderstormy deluge this afternoon - you have got to be joking.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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All this lovely rain is just what the doctor ordered. The Natterjack season will soon be upon us and the dune water-table is way below average, following a dry winter and a three-week March drought.
1.4.10: Formby Point seawatch, 1050-1315:
Red Throated Diver 1
Great Crested Grebe 2
Gannet 5
Common Scoter 45
RB Merg 1
Great Skua 1
Kittiwake 6
Plus a pair of Crossbills in pines at the entrance to the National Trust Victoria Rd site.