Failed spectacularly to read the ring sequence on not one, but two colour ringed BHGs on the beach at Ainsdale yesterday - one had a white ring with black lettering (last three digits, "HLP"), the other was blue with white lettering and off like a rat up a drainpipe.
Hopefully I'll get a closer look at 'em soon.
Things were better today, with a nice big gull roost over the tide at Weld Road, which I didn't have time to check through, and this morning a calling Crossbill overhead, plus Redpoll, Bullfinch and male Sprawk in Birkdale LNR.
Shame the Crossbill showed no inclination to land.
A few Short Eared Owls down around Cabin Hill still apparently, and the Glauc was doing its thang at dusk, hunting low over the Green Beach like a demented Barn Owl.
Pleasingly it is not quite as approachable now, and no longer limping, so maybe it is recovering from whatever ailed it.
The bird even managed an angry Glauc face when it got hassled by some Carrion Crows, before having to go out for a rest on the strandline as a "hole in the cloud" sunset briefly illuminated the murky beach.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Hi John,
I was just wondering if you knew much about the threat to Rimrose Valley? Am I right in thinking it is managed by your team? If so, how much power (if any) do your bosses have to withstand the threat? It's not somewhere I've been much, but would be a terrible shame if it was to happen, indeed it'd be shicking especially with Seaforth under serious threat as well. I have fond memories of the 1996 Red Rumped Swallow there!!
Cheers
Chris.
Hi Chris - yes, Rimrose Valley is looked after by members of the Coast and Countryside team, most notably Eugene McCann and Dave Brady, who have worked tirelessly to improve and protect the habitat there for quite some time.
For those who aren't aware of the threat to Rimrose, resurrected plans for a £200m road from Switch Island to the Port of Liverpool would go right through the site.
I don't think I need to spell out my views on that one, although seeing as how you've asked, I often wish feckless, myopic politicians of all hues would stop blaming the dire economic situation on previous administrations, while doing bugger all about the problem, apart from happily sacrificing what little we have left of wild spaces to the maw of development for development's sake.
(Sorry, ahem, purely my personal view that.)
I remember the "World Cup" Red Rump of '96 too, seems a long, long time ago now.
On a happier note, saw a nice Yellow Legged Gull at Weld Rd today.
Formby Point seawatch, 1150-1440:
Common Scoter 500+
Red-breasted Merganser 13
Goldeneye 2
Red-throated Diver 42
Great Crested Grebe 48
Slavonian Grebe 1
Harbour Porpoise north, well offshore
Several Purple Sandpipers coming and going at New Brighton this morning.
Fingers crossed it doesn't go ahead then. It certainly seems the Seaforth development will go ahead, let's hope the new site is suitable for terns nesting and they relocate.
Hi John
It wasn't the World Cup, it was the European Championship.
I spent the evening looking for the bird when England played Germany in the semi, lost on both counts. Seen the Red Rump the next day though. Let's hope Rimrose and Seaforth are still here next time England win a major tournament.
JD: You're quite right John - I'll stick to birdin', n' leave the footy to the experts!