Working in the dunes for the last few weeks meant I haven't had a chance to see what's happening on the shoreline, so it was a pleasant surprise to bump into the first winter Glauc south of Weld Road early this morning for the first time in a while.
The bird was still limping a bit, but looked otherwise healthy and bulkier, as it had a wash and brush up in a small roost about 200m south of the boardwalk.
Didn't hang about for too long though and after a few minutes it headed north, circling over Southport beach's tideline in the hope of finding a good bit of carrion, before drifting off over the pier and towards Marshside.
Digi-binned it before it flapped off, but not too many gulls on the coast today.
Only 2-300 birds resting on Ainsdale beach, but at least a nice adult Med Gull was dozing with 'em, moulting into summer plumage.
Digi-binned that too.
A fine male Stonechat in the dunes and at least 50 Twite at Weld Road in the morning, with a few Skylarks in full voice and one or two parties of Pied Wags about.
Finally thanks to Ron Jackson for sending me the link to his footage of one of the two Bitterns at Mere Sands Wood scoffing a great big fat Rudd yesterday.
You can watch the footage here.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Hi John, 7 Hares on Crossens Inner this morning. Mike
Hi John,
I had a look this afternoon down at Birkdale. I didn't see the Glauc, however I did see a possible 1st winter Caspian Gull. It was with a small group of gulls, mainly Black Heads and a handful of Common and Herrings about 200 yards south of the boardwalk. It had a noticeable pale head with a long thin all dark bill. I tried to get closer to get a digiscope shot but it spooked and flew right out onto the beach. It did appear to have a small hole in the upper mandible so is quite distinctive. If you're out and about keep an eye out. I'm not experienced with Caspians so I will place this as nothing more than 'possible' but it did look quite good for one.
Lovely big, mean female Goshawk through Birkdale dunes this morning at 1120.
Scared the pants off the local female Sprawk, before drifting off south at tree level on long, deep, very powerful wings with a superbly languid flight action.
Great bird.
Barn Owl hunting along the footpath next to Altcar at 9.30am today also Skylarks singing and Snowdrops out. Later sitting in the garden somebody's Cockatiel was flying around the rooftops calling loudly.