All this hot weather means the Sand Lizards on the dunes are showing pretty well at the moment, but you have to get your eye in, otherwise your closest encounter is likely to be hearing a rustle in the marram (or at least in the marram that idiots haven't burnt), as one of the miniature Komodos scarpers ahead of you.
Many thanks then to Dave Pennington for sending me his shots taken earlier in the week - as ever, the frontal dunes around Shore Road at Ainsdale are a good area to check, and the Queens Jubilee Trail opposite Weld Rd ain't bad either.
Dave's shots are of a fine male, plus female and juv Sand Lizards - great blunt nosed critters....
Really must get out for a rummage while the good weather lasts - Common Lizards are basking as well now, and Natterjack spawn strands are hatching already.
Quick look at the Sands Lake today produced singing Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat, with cuckooflower blooming and a Reed Warbler chuntering away - can't remember the last time I heard the latter at this site, if ever, so that was good.
Thanks again for the pix Dave.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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RSPB Marshside nature reserve is full of the joys of spring at the moment, but they are in need of some new volunteers to help introduce visitors to their amazing avocets.
Alex Pigott, reserve warden said, âAt this time of year itâs definitely our avocets nesting and rearing their young that are in the limelight. These black and white coastal birds with their distinctly upturned bills may look elegant and timid, but they can put on quite a show as they fiercely defend their offspring from any possible danger.â
She continued: âItâs an amazing sight, which we love to share with our visitors. Weâre inviting everyone to come on down to see them and have their own âDate with Natureâ here.â
This popular nature reserve currently has a fantastic team of dedicated volunteers. They carry out a wide variety of jobs, from surveying wildlife, doing practical wardening work to leading guided walks. This spring, Alex would especially like to hear from anyone who has a cheerful personality and enjoys talking to other people, as volunteers are needed to show off their fantastic avocets and other wildlife that can be seen.
âVolunteering is great fun; you meet new people and learn new skills. And you definitely donât have to be a bird expert to help out.â she said.
Over the coming years, the RSPB will be encouraging everyone to take small steps for nature and volunteering is one of the great ways of doing this. If millions of small steps are taken, it will add up and make a big difference. So, why not get in touch with Marshside about volunteering and take the first of your small steps towards helping create a world richer in wildlife tomorrow than it is today?
Anyone interested in volunteering at Marshside reserve should contact Alex Pigott on tel: 07793902622 or email: alex.pigott@rspb.org.uk
Hordes of hirundines streaming north along the coast today - mainly Swallows, but a few Sand Martins too.
Six Dotterel - 4 females, two males, Gorsey Lane, Hightown late afternoon today. In deeply ploughed field opposite the barn with the boat next to it, late afternoon. However no sign later at 7.45pm.
While surveying hybrid willows on Ainsdale NNR this afternoon, we bumped into two spectacular male Ring Ouzels. Also 10 Wheatears, probably Greenlands, and a Grass Eggar caterpillar. The willows were nice too!
After reading about Moore nature reserve on your blog we visited it this afternoon and, for the first time in years, heard a Cuckoo. So, many thanks! Love the blog, by the way.
Do you have shares in the Costa Rica tourist board?
Half the birders in the north west now want to go!