Okay, maybe that's a bit over the top (moi?) altho' while Chris Tynan and I were working on the beach down near Cabin Hill this afternoon, we did count a minimum of seven Common Buzzards thermalling thro' and possibly as many as 13 different birds drifting about on the hot air.
Three Sprawks and a single Kestrel over the dunes too, and most pleasing of all, a fine Red Kite that appeared to come in from the west over the bay to circle above the Alt Estuary at about 3.40pm, putting the fear of God up gulls and waders, before drifting off south.
Plenty of hirundines along the coast too today, with a scattering of Wheatears, and the moulty adult Med Gull still in the roost off Albert Road.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Two buzzards high over Birkdale going south just before midday, probable Honey Buzzards. Also Swallows and a few Sandies movin' through.
Hi John , There's a high tide on Tuesday morning . Can you suggest a good spot between Formby and Marshside where we are likely to see waders close to the high tide or a lot of raptor activity ? Cheers .
Hi Colin - if waders are what you want, try the shore off the "Green Beach" between Ainsdale and Birkdale.
Get there good and early and let the birds be pushed up the beach towards you...plenty of Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Knot, Godwits, Grey Plover, Oycs etc etc...
Don't walk out to the flocks - you'll only flush 'em, and they don't like that. The tide will push them close enough to you if you set up in the low dune frontals.
Good chance of Peregrine and Kestrel there, even Hobby if you're ultra-lucky.
Failing that, try the shore off Hesketh Road south of Marshside.
Enjoy.
PS The tides are better still later in the week.