This nice old Stock Dove at Martin Mere was much better behaved than the bloody Quail out on Plex yesterday afternoon - it was really pulling my chain.
Still calling occasionally, but only one brief view as the tiny tubster zipped across a vegetation filled ditch and into the carrot field from hell.
I knew the sensible thing to do would be to drive on, and return in the evening when the thing would be calling more, and occasionally ventures out into view, but I couldn't resist checking the lines of carrots from the track - absolutely no chance of seeing it in there!
Probably stopped calling 'cos it was too busy sniggering at me from the cover.
Otherwise the mosses belonged to the wind and the Woodpigeons, although a family party of five Kestrels on the Withins on Saturday was nice, and a Yellow Wag came up out of a potato crop there too.
Good numbers of hirundines and Swifts hawking in the blue sky, but after the Quail humiliation best thing to do was to return to Dempsey Towers and admire the Holly Blues in the back garden.
Not had much chance to go birding on the coast at present - the last time I saw the Black Red was on Friday, and I don't know of anyone who has seen it since (unless anyone out there knows different)...it may still be around I suppose, in a quieter area as the airshow and fine weather saw visitor numbers really build on Saturday, and the whole area it fed in was much busier.
Good showing of Broomrape in the Birkdale dunes at present though - counted 23 spikes in one small area last week, and there are plenty of Graylings about.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Mersey Ferries, National Museums Liverpool and the RSPB have joined forces to once again host the hugely popular Liverbird Discovery Cruises on the River Mersey and out into the bay. The cruises are perfect for all the family and to those whom are both new and experienced watchers. Previous sightings have included long-tailed skuas, peregrine falcons, osprey and Atlantic grey seals. The RSPB will provide a running commentary and experts will be on hand to answer your questions.
Thursday 18th August & Saturday 3rd September 2011 - picking up at Seacombe 11.00am, Liverpool Cruise Liner Terminal at 11.10am and Woodside at 11.20am.
Thursday 15th September 2011 pick up at Seacombe 11.00am and Woodside 11.10am ONLY - this cruise is part of the Mersey River Festival and is on the day that vessel Queen Mary 2 is visiting. Please note we are NOT able to use the Cruise Liner Terminal on this day, hence only Seacombe and Woodside pick up/drop off.
Cruise duration approximately 3 hours.
For booking information and further details visit:
http://www.merseyferries.co.uk/detail/Liverbird_Watching_and_Nature_Discovery_Cruises_/28/85.aspx
Booking essential
Hi John,
I also found some Broomrape recently in the northern end of Birkdale Dunes; but I am unsure of the species......any idea? Also the pale form of Marsh Helleborine Epipactis Palustris Var. Ochroleuca in the area too.
Hiya Danny - it's Common Broomrape up there, loves feeding off the clover. 50+ Sarnie Terns on Ainsdale beach this afternoon.