Cold mist rolling over Marshside when I got down there this morning, with almost all the water still frozen, meaning what was around was congregating beside Sandgrounders Hide - Wigeon, Pintail, Teal, Shoveler, Mallard and Blackwits were the order of the day.
Not sure many birds can match Shoveler for looking grumpy on a freezing morning.
GBB spooking the ducks occasionally as it cruised through the mist looking for the sick, weak or unwary to pick off.
Didn't score while I was there, but the Wigeons were all keeping a weather eye on it.
The Little Grebe was diving away in what open patches there were and the Water Rail was squealing and flicking about in the reeds to the north of the hide.
Took a walk out and around the Sandplant compound, but it was iced up and quiet - about 1,000 Pinkies out on the marsh, but impossible to work through in the fuzzy viewing conditions.
Annoyingly as I left, the sun began to break through and a large raptor began circling south of Marshside Road - presumably a Common Buzzard, but I couldn't stop as another car was right up my backside.
Mebbe someone else got a better view?
Bird was just north of Nels on the outer marsh at about 1.10pm.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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A Black Headed Gull in stunning summer plumage at Formby today also a Fox running through the dunes .
The drake Mandarin was still present last Thursday on the Hospital Lake with about a 100 Mallard. Willow Tit was showing well at Martin Mere today.