There is an unwritten, yet incontrovertible law that states I will never get near to a resting Peregrine off the Green Beach when out birding, however, when I am working, and so unequipped for digiscoping, the weasels will always permit close approach.
So it was yesterday, when I came across this tiercel, hunkered down miserably in the driving rain on a tussock....I trundled toward it in the Land Rover and it refused to budge.
I fumbled for the "point and press" camera, and just as I thought I was gonna get a pic, a Carrion Crow came steaming in to mob the falcon, sending it off out onto the sands at low tide.
Sigh.
Still I do like the "invisible wings" trick the resultant blurry pants image produced.
With the strengthening wind today things weren't much better, although I noticed quite a few Pinkies nice and close to Hesketh Road when I passed, and the Glauc was still putting in intermittent appearances at Weld Road apparently, when it wasn't being flushed by dogwalkers.
Big Cormorant roost off Ainsdale, but although a few Shag have popped up in it in recent days, I couldn't pick any out today.
Up to 18 Goldeneye at the top of the Marine Lake, and nicest of all, the flock of Twite were back just north of the Weld Road car park late afternoon, with 120 birds shuffling around looking for food...time for another bad "point and press" shot.
Trust me, they looked a whole lot nicer than this in the late afternoon sun, positively glowing they were.
Sadly an oiled Sanderling running about there too, a legacy of the recent oil spill, but it was far too lively to get hold of.
Please don't forget to let me know what you're seeing via the "comments" thingy.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Hi John,
Red Kite & three Buzzards over Altcar Withens earlier on today, the Glaucous Gull appeared at Weld Road around 2.30 and showed well till flushed by dog walker. 29 Little Egrets came into the roost on the Marine Lake this evening but no sign of the G. W. Egret. It was in the roost this morning early doors. 16+ Euro W/Fronts mixing with Barnys at Marshside, 1 Pochard on sandwashing pool with the Wigeon. With the 120 Twite by the car park and a Grey Wag in my garden a good start to the year.
er...Neill
Hi John, just one male Blackcap in my garden this New Year after building up to three (2m 1f) in the week before Christmas. 4 Mistle Thrushes in my Birches today before feeding on all the black (ripe) Ivy berries, which in my garden don't normally turn black until February when Wood Pigeons usually gobble them up!.
Two Snow Buntings on Ainsdale beach late afternoon, just north of Shore Road entrance.
Glauc still in the gull roost off Weld Road this morning. Juv Kittiwake flying down the Green Beach in the hooley this afternoon.
Hi John, Liverpool RSPB had a big day out on the 2nd and found 60 species in the city parks. Highlights were Grey Partridge, Peregrine, Brambling, Stock Dove and Ring Necked Parakeet. Missed loads of easy birds as well but isn't that the way?
Chris
Hi John,
A bit of late news, a quick walk in Birkdale N.R. on 1st Jan produced a Garden Warbler and 2 Blackcaps in the persistent rain. This is the 2nd winter record for me of Garden Warbler at this site.
Cheers,
Tropical.
The drake Mandarin was on the Hospital lake again today, having been absent on Saturday. I have discovered there is a small pond on the other side of the wood in the Hospice grounds which is likely where it goes to.
Hi John Six Short Eared Owls present along with a Barn Owl Sefton Meadows, a ringtail Hen Harrier present on Altcar 6/1.