Things started well enough today with a Ring Ouzel heading south at Formby Point while I was working down there mid-morning, and a trickle of Mipits that all seemed to be going south too.
Always suspected Rouzels around the Point and Cabin Hill of being spring overshoots from North Wales back in the days when they were slightly more regular early morning along the coast - I figured they may have flown too far over Liverpool Bay, and reorientated back towards Snowdonia once they realised their mistake in daylight...they invariably seemed to take off and head strongly to the south west, and this morning's bird fitted that pattern quite nicely.
Male Peregrine hunting around the beach south of Ainsdale.
When the day brightened in the early afternoon the Swallows started to come through - with a party of four birds and two singletons tazzing north over the dunes, while Duncan Rothwell had two Sand Martins over the Sands Lake.
So far, so good, so after work I took a turn around the Sands Lake, just as the evening rain set in.
It was very, very quiet - one bedraggled Chiffchaff gamely hunting insects on the west side, and that was about it, apart from the regulars - nesting Mute Swan, yikkering Little Grebes etc.
Better weather over the next few days should finally see the migrants moving in earnest (I hope).
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Willow Warbler singing at Dempsey Towers this a.m.
The RSPB and landowners United Utilities are organising a programme of guided walks exploring the special wildlife of LancashireâÂÂs Forest of Bowland.
There are 11 events planned as part of the year-round Festival Bowland, starting in April and running until the beginning of July. Each event offers an ideal opportunity to see BowlandâÂÂs iconic bird of prey, the hen harrier, one of EnglandâÂÂs rarest birds, along with other upland birds including peregrines and ring ouzels.
RSPB Bowland Project Officer Pete Wilson said: âÂÂThe aim of each event is to give people a chance to explore Bowland with a local expert, who can reveal the fascinating wildlife and heritage that is hidden within this rugged and spectacular landscape.
âÂÂBowlandâÂÂs uplands really come to life during the spring, with the arrival of thousands of migrant birds, some from as far away as Africa. I hope people will take the opportunity to go walking and find out what makes Bowland such a special place for wildlife.âÂÂ
For many people the highlight will be the chance to see hen harriers. Known as âÂÂsky dancersâ because of the spectacular aerobatics of their display flights, the Forest of Bowland is the English stronghold for hen harriers. Of only six successful harriers nests in England last year, five were in Bowland.
Pete added: âÂÂA sighting of this rare bird is always a highlight on a walk. Sometimes itâÂÂs a fleeting view of a hunting harrier, but we often have close views of displaying birds as well.âÂÂ
The programme is:
Hen Harrier Safaris: April 9, 17, 23; May 1, 21; June 4, 5, 11, 19; July 2 (4-5 hours, ã5)
Discover the wildside of Bowland on a Moorland Safari. A five-mile walk to look for special moorland birds including hen harriers, curlews and ring ouzels.
Whimbrel Watch: April 30 (1 ́ hours, ̣5)
Large numbers of whimbrels (a small relative of the curlew) take a break in Bowland on their long-distant flight from Africa to their breeding grounds in Iceland. This is a rare opportunity to see these intercontinental travellers in Lancashire.
The walks are expected to be very popular and advance booking is essential. To book a place, phone Pamela Bradley on 01524 581001. Each event costs ã5.
For more information on Festival Bowland visit www.forestofbowland.com