Fine weather movements of a few species along the coast yesterday and today - considerable numbers (150+ an hour) of Meadow Pipits went south over Albert Rd (Formby) yesterday morning, with parties of Siskins and Skylarks and a single calling Brambling.
A lone Wheatear stuffed itself with midges around the coastal defence paling I was putting up.
Five Whooper Swans came in off the sea and headed north east there yesterday too, and Linnets and Goldfinch bounded through.
More Mipits and Skylarks going through today, and 18 Redwing south over the Alt Centre in Hightown, plus four Buzzards there, Siskin, Redwing, Blackbird, titmice and 2 Greater 'Peckers through Formby Point.
One Red Throated Diver on the gentle swell of the incoming tide there, and a Peregrine buzzing the wader roost, prompting mucho panicko.
Still two Sarnie Terns in the gull roost at Albert Rd today too.
Three Red Squirrels together near Lifeboat Rd was nice - been awhile since I've seen that many at once.
Stonechats at Formby Point and the Alt Centre.
Red Admirals aplenty and what appeared to be several Small White Butterflies - but I thought October is too late for that species?
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Hi John,
Regarding the late Small Whites, If the weather is favourable you may get a small third brood of this species.This also happens with the Green-veined White and Large White. Mike.
hello all - a Cetti's Warbler was calling next to the Visitors Centre at Mere Sands Wood today at 1500hr, also a Common Tern
Short-eared Owl this morning (14th) in dunes at the Velvet Trail 9.20am. Also last thurs 7th, 13 Sand Lizard hatchlings in frontal dunes at Ainsdale!
Had half hour on the main path at Birkdale LNR around lunch time, 80+ Fieldfare, 10 Redwing, 4 Repoll, 3 Goldcrests (seem incredibly thin on the ground this autumn so that was nice) couple of Jays and tonnes of common birds. I wish I'd had longer to see if there was owt else. Sadly it seems the threatened slash and burn of the reserve has started further out near the road ready for the sheep pens - very disappointing.
On an intersting note, I don't know if people know but this Red Breasted Goose knocking about at the Mere seems quite promising it arrived with Pinks and there has been no sign of the usual feral Barnacle flock so far (according to the Martin Mere website) so could this be a Lancashire first?
Hi John , Whenever I read people's blogs this time of year I always see mention of Fieldfares and Redwings passing over . I've never seen a Fieldfare or Redwing in my life and would like to rectify the situation so could you possibly tell me where I'm most likely to see them in this area ? Cheers , Colin .
JD: Both relatively common Colin, the trick is to learn the flight calls and the birds'll find you. Failing that, check pasture and set aside on the mosses - usually a few flocks knocking around, or Birkdale LNR (see Chris F's previous comment).
On Saturday afternoon, I bumped into a male Black Darter (Sympetrum danae) on a scrape in slack 169 at Ainsdale Sandhills LNR. My first on the coast this year.
A quick note to say that the Little Egret roost on the Marine Lake island is very active again. I counted 43 birds in on Friday 15th. (20 today before 5.00pm)
Juv; Gt Crested grebe still there.
Will keep monitoring on return from Marshside.
On duty at Sandgrounders hide today, we had good views of Water Rail, Merlin on fence and hunting. Plus a Jack Snipe which was feeding in the reeds with 8 Common Snipe to the right of Sandgrounders hide.
Three cows trudged towards the hide at about 4.30 and flushed all the local snipe, total 70.
Beautiful light at Nels on way home, technicolour views of Shoveler and Wigeon