Came across this cracking bit of Natterjack camouflage yesterday on the Green Beach, which was timely as my licence to handle/study etc Natterjacks, Sand Lizards and Newts has just been renewed.
Really are great little beasts - I lurve those yellow eyes, which do rather blow the whole camouflage thing, assuming the toad ain't asleep.
Percy Sledge singing away down there too, with big numbers of Dunlin, Sanderling, and Ringed Plover on the beach, joined by a few Grey Plovers and Turnstones. Equally nice was a good crop of Early Marsh Orchids, now blooming away, with a few Common Blue Damselflies flitting amongst the flower spikes.
A quick lunchtime seawatch was as busy as the "Comments" section on the blog - virtually dead, with one Manxie and a handful of Gannets south at eyewatering range.
Luckily Ron Jackson has sent me this stonking video he shot of a Bluethroat on Cyprus this spring - what a bird. Ta Ron.
And before I forget, apologies to Si Glinn for forgetting to blog something about the "Ghosts of Gone Birds" exhibition in Liverpool - it looks interesting, if you can get to it on its last day tomorrow.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies..
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I was at Birkdale over the tide today, 1000's of waders, Sanderling passage in full swing with large numbers. A couple of female Wheaters, probably one of each (Greenland and 'normal') lots of very low flying Swallows even enabling me to digiscope one sat on a log! A single Gannet offshore.
Of interest, a pair of Tufted Duck have been present on the sluice/brook which Birkdale Cop Road passes over on the way out to Shirdley Hill now for over a week so whether they are considering breeding there I don't know.
2 1st Summer Little Gulls still on Junction Pool this evening.