A bit grey, but brighter intervals and hesitantly tumbling Lapwings suggested Spring is getting closer out on Plex this afternoon.
Good flock of 37 Fieldfares with Corn Buntings and Starlings, and a few Buzzards, Kestrel and Sprawk. About 200 Common Gulls in one of the flooded fields, but a grazing gang of about 700 Pinkies always kept a field too far away to check accurately.
The Woodpigeons seemed jittery, although I couldn't work out why until a gorgeous young male Merlin swept into a bush in front of my car - fantastic views of it, but digiscoping through a car windscreen, especially a dirty one, is never gonna give the best results...
Stubble field near Haskayne Cutting provided a feeding area for no fewer than 11 Yellowhammers - probably the best count I've had on Plex for a few years, and seven Reed Buntings, all of which were freaked out by the Merlin.
The warm weather in the week saw a big emergence of Common Toads in the dunes, with many on the move, a couple of Stonechat and a Red Tailed Bumblebee yesterday.
Thanks to Ron Jackson for sending me his latest link to YouTube video footage - this time of the Willow Tit at Martin Mere, which you can watch here. Ron even got a bit of the call on at the end of the clip!
And Phil Smith sent me this shot of a Cormorant from the Sands Lake in the week. "This bird indicated its opinion of my presence!", Phil explains.
To which there is no answer.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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6 Scaup, 1 Eider off Formby Point yesterday. Otherwise quiet.
Ringtail Hen Harrier and Marsh Harrier on Plex; Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher and Lapwing back on the Green Beach earlier.