Despite my railing against swlys yesterday (okay, okay, I take it back), the hooley was still raging when I got into work this morning, the sea was still boiling, but clearly far more birds were moving offshore at Ainsdale on the rising tide.
Most obvious were Gannets - a steady stream of them were moving south all day, some over the sand at first, almost as if large numbers had sheltered from the storm up the Ribble estuary last night.
At least 200 went past Ainsdale in the course of the day, but a quick look early doors also revealed a few Manxies battling through and at 09.40am, a fine juv Sabine's Gull heading south amongst the Sarnie Terns and scattering of Kittiwakes.
Great bird to start the day with.
As I had been asked to show the High Sheriff of Merseyside the birds on the coast with Chris Tynan, it boded well for a good session.
The sheriff duly arrived, and while I was disappointed to note a bewildering absence of six guns or even a stetson, Prof Helen Carty was obviously interested in her birds, and the work of Coast and Countryside in general.
Gulls were building up on the beach by 11am, and the roost at the top end of Ainsdale held an adult winter plumage Little Gull, a passing Black Tern, adult Yellow Legged Gull and a few Common and Sarnie Terns.
As the tide peaked, a young Razorbill steamed thro' the shallows, smugly avoiding my attempts at centring the bird in camera.
Didn't look quite so clever a short while later as it beached, completely exhausted.
It was taken in for the day, fed a nice bit of fish and successfully released this evening.
A run up to Marshside revealed at least 11 Little Egrets in the marsh off Fairways, and a small group of Pink Feet on Crossens Outer.
Blackwits, Dunlin, Ruff and Redshank sheltering in front of Nels Hide.
Back on Ainsdale beach the hooley was still rampaging across the wet sand, and even on a falling tide, John Gramauskas had picked up 9 Leach's Petrels moving through the surf in half an hour from 2pm.
We saw two or three more, and another juv Sabines Gull amongst the Gannets heading south in good light at 2.45pm - a fine bird.
But it was later in the day when things got really interesting, and the Leach's, knackered after a day trying to force through the gale, started to move over the beach, pattering along just metres away from me.
I had four Leach's Petrels in ten minutes after 4pm, and I know other observers saw more later.
Marvellous things these storm bats (phrase copyright Rich Steel), I love 'em.
One or two of the petrels looked particularly tired, while others were powering along strongly, but all the ones I saw managed to evade the attentions of the gulls, despite several LBBs and BHGs taking sweeping exploratory runs at the prospective snackettes.
Strange to see so many ashore in a south westerly - I suppose it shows just how tiring a blow like this one can be to seabirds, whatever direction it comes from.
Sorry about the slightly blurry nature of the Leach's shots by the way - my scope blew over into a channel, and is still drying out at Dempsey Towers as we speak....shouldn't do it much harm.
Wonder if there'll be more birds offshore tomorrow.
With the wind forecast to drop away, it could be a whole lot easier to watch 'em if they're out there.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Dear John,
Seems I left a tad too early!
Many thanks for a memorable day with you and Chris. What a lot of birds there are out there. I wish I had the eagle eyes of you both. It wasn't just the birding. I was fascinated by the insight into the coastal development and conservation. I knew nothing of this and it was wonderful to see and feel the passion you have for this heritage.
Thank you and the team for all the hard work.
Until the next time.
Best wishes
Helen, High Sheriff!
Hi John,
This takes me back to seawatching off Ainsdale in the late 70s and early 80s with Er...Neill. A good blow, raging seas and the pitter patter of tiny black feet dancing across the wet sands. Also managed stranded auks (Guillemots for me) and, one time, a sleepy Manxie which woke with a start and flew off southwards.
Memories!
Keep up the good work!
Barrie
I had four Leach's yesterday evening.
Hi,
I would love to send the results from a bird survey commissioned by Wilkinson to you, I think it would make a great news feature on your site or similarly I could send you some products to you to review?
It focuses on how to encourage birds and wildlife into your garden and methods of doing so.
The results were really interesting and would give some great tips to your fans on how to encourage wildlife.
Looking forward to speaking to you,
Louise
Thanks Louise, don't usually do product reviews (unless Leica or Nikon come calling, in which case all bets are off), but I'll happily forward you contact details in the eventuality the products in question need a bottle opener to operate...