Once you get into November, obviously any Wheatear is worth close scrutiny, so when Ralph Jones found this one today in the Coast and Countryside skipyard at Ainsdale, I popped back at lunchtime to have a look.
Ralph got these shots, and was right to id the bird as a first winter Northern Wheatear.
It was a big bird, with long primaries, and my initial thoughts were of Greenland Wheatear - albeit a bit late, and a scarce bird in autumn.
It could also be one from the Scandinavian or Russian populations, which can be quite large too.
Guess we'd need to have it in the hand to be sure.
Nice to watch as it hunted insects around the fenceline and frontal dunes - wonder if it's the last one I'll see this year?
Working on a bit of scrub clearance today on the inland side of Shore Road at Ainsdale - two Sparrowhawks, Kestrel, Greater 'Pecker, Redwing and Skylark moving through and a female Blackcap with one of the tit flocks.
A few parties of Long Tailed Tits bouncing about like flying lollipops, and Robin, Wren and Great Tit singing.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Hi John,
The Spoonbill is still on the mouth of the Alt estuary. Short Eared Owl over there today also.
First time I have seen either of them in this area.
Eric
John,
4 Short Eared Owl present Sefton Meadows along with 2 Barn Owl and a ring tailed Hen Harrier. Also present 2 Woodcock and Red Kite and a Merlin, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk seen from wooden bridge. A male Hen Harrier was present 3 days ago seen from the wooden bridge hunting out over toward Lydiate Station
Neil R
Talking Wheatears here are a couple of pics from last year on Plex Moss which I rather like.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8923368@N07/6323514618/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8923368@N07/6322990411/in/photostream