Just stunning in Ainsdale and Birkdale dunes early this morning - I pretty much had the place to myself for a change, and paused to enjoy the songs of at least seven Chiffchaffs at the southern end.
The warm sun made the busy phylloscs more frantic than a garage forecourt full of petrol-thirsty motorists, and further into the site they were joined by at least two singing Willow Warblers, and a single Blackcap - bizarre to hear 'em all tootling away in March.
Redpoll and Siskin still moving north overhead, although in perhaps smaller numbers than the last few days.
As much as I tried to will a northward-bound Rouzel out of the blue skies, it didn't happen.
Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and a species of white that was too far off to pin down, all on the wing in the dunes, and up to three Red Eared Terrapin basking for the last few days at Sands Lake.
Despite the cool breeze the temperature continued to build during the day, so it was no surprise to see my earliest-ever Northern Dune Tiger Beetle scurrying over the hot sand near the Ainsdale Discovery Centre.
Doing a bit of survey work in the southern dunes in the afternoon, but the area was quiet birdwise, apart from a single Wheatear, a few parties of Mipits and the odd pair of Linnet and Skylark.
Two colonies of Vernal Mining Bee out and active though - which was great to see, and again, an early record date for me, mind you there's enough Creeping Willow starting to flower to keep the little fellas fed and happy.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Ner, Ner, I had a Rousel in my back garden on Sunday in Banks !!!!! Couldn't believe it !!! And my camera in my hand to boot !! It has to happen once in a lifetime I suppose. Keep up the good work JD.
With eggs being laid and incubated by birds in gardens, the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) is reminding the public to keep feeders topped up as the weather turns colder.
Warm weather over recent weeks has seen a flurry of nesting activity in gardens, with eggs being laid and incubated, and chicks being reared.
Breeding so early in the year, however, runs the risk that cold weather can suddenly strike – as is happening now.