Thanks to John Gramauskas for the pic of the ringed Med on Ainsdale above - didn't see any there today, despite the good tide and about 400 gulls roosting off Shore Road, but both Glaucs were off Weld Road late morning - the 1st winter bird on the mud just past the car park barriers and the mean second winter floating about at the end of the track.
Two Jack Snipes pushed up into the air by the tide there was just groovy - but please don't try to flush 'em by walking through the marsh, these secretive winter visitors get enough hassle as it is.
Best bet is to watch from Weld Rd car park on a tide like today's and hope one flies up and over the track into the southern end side.
A few Common Snipe and Skylarks there, and I believe a pair of Stonechats were further down the Green Beach (didn't get down there meself).
Merlin, Peregrine and Kestrel through.
Over 100 Twite on the strandline off Fairways at the top of the Marine Lake too.
Late afternoon a Common Buzzard was mewing away in the dunes.
Anyway, back to the ringing returns and this gen from John G, which came with the pix:
"Recent colour ringed Black Headed Gull on Ainsdale beach, "THLP" on a white ring was ringed on 29.05.2011 as a 2cy at Przykona Reservoir, Radyczyny, Turek in Poland.
The one pictured below, also seen on Ainsdale beach (Blue 2C21) not yet received but likely to be a northwest England bird.
"The Med Gull info hasn't come back yet but is likely to be from Poland too".
All interesting stuff. Ta John.
And while in the mood for thanking folk, regards to Ron Jackson, who sent me a link to his video footage of the second winter Glauc when it popped down to Ainsdale recently to feed on a pile of dumped shrimp waste, which you can watch on You Tube here.
"Quickly edited or rather cobbled together," says Ron. "Is it me or do the wings of the "Weld Road Original" seem broader at the tips?
ps Common Seal adult seen by WeBS counters off the mouth of Crossens Sluice a couple or three years ago"
Right that's yer lot for today.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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The BHG is one of Kane Brides's by the look of that ring http://birdringing.blogspot.com/
Cheers
Davo
Formby Point seawatch, 1020-1230
Common Scoter 55
Red-throated Diver 23
Great Crested Grebe 10
Shag 1 non-breeding adult on sea
Kittiwake 3
Razorbill 2
Choppy sea and visibility like jelly made for a fairly unproductive session
First winter Glauc, Weld Rd, over the tide today; SEO in the dunes at Birkdale in the afternoon.
The 1st winter Glauc over the tide in a good size Gull roost at Weld Rd. There was a Common Gull which looked very like the eastern race heinei. I tried to get a digiscope shot but lost it. As I was I heading away a trio of birders arrived and began throwing bread out and bringing in the black headeds. Oddly, they then proceeded to walk out and flush the roosting Gulls!