The DTs (dotterel tremens) were really playing up this morning, as a consequence of a brisk south westerly and rain.
I know it's early for 'em to turn up on Plex, but if they can make it as far as Fife in the last few days, I don't see why the little darlings couldn't flout convention this one time, especially as conditions looked so good.
Several grounded Wheatears scattered about here and there this morning, and Willow Warbler and Blackcap singing as I came on from Ainsdale, with Swallows hawking insects aorund the cattle.
But no Dotterel.
This is of course perfectly normal - the odds of 'em turning up are a gazillion to one usually, and even given the right weather, they only shorten to a billion to one.
But they keep dragging me back to stare at the vastness of Plex's ploughed fields on the off-chance something more than Lapwings, Woodpigeons, Stock Dove and gamebirds lurk therein.
Been almost three years since I saw 'em here last (the pic below helps the fading memory), but they're worth the wait...
Today's fruitless search was enlivened by an approach from the Lancashire Constabulary, who felt I looked a bit suspicious.
Once I'd identified myself and explained the nature of Dotterel obsession, any looks of suspicion on the PC's face quickly changed to abject pity, and he left me to my fate.
As a sucker for punishment, I left the moss around midday, but returned at 1530 for another session of pain.
Plenty of Common Buzzards on the wing and Wheatears and Swallows, but little else apart from the usual.
God, I hope they turn up again this year - I've got it bad again.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Marvin the Medical Mandarin is still cavorting around the hospital lake with his Mallard 'mate'. Tufted Ducks are back where they bred last summer on Fine Janes Brook, Kew, so that looks promising. Certainly don't give up the blog John, it's a great read.
Long time reader, first time commenter.
Just dropping a quick line to ask you to step back from the retirement brink - this blog is a hugely enjoyable mix of holidays, great patch work (and it's quite a patch!) and the occasional twitch.
I'll probably go to Marshside this weekend to try to see the Little Stint you mentioned, and I bet I'm far from the first person to be inspired to take such a trip based on your columns.
More of the same please!
Marshside-Crossens, 1050-1450
Another woeful session on the Beloved Patch: Sum total of passerine migrants/new arrivals 2 Willow Warblers,1 Chiffchaff, 2 Wheatears, 2 House Martins, 1 Swallow. Great White Egret flew over Compound at 1315 and on over the saltmarsh towards Banks.
Love the blog John, but where is Plex Moss?
I am not from Southport.
JD: Plex Moss is where men's spirits are broken.
It is also an area of low lying peat rich farmland just south east of Ainsdale, which provides breeding habitat for Corn Bunting, Skylark, Grey Partridge, Lapwing etc and is good for geese and raptors in winter.
Dotterels hardly ever go there.
With the Seaforth wind turbines and Liverpool waterfront visible through the murk: Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and a brief reel of Reed Warbler at Bidston Moss today. Swallow, Sand and House Martin hawking over the old "dock pool" where there were at least 6 pairs of Tufted Duck and 1 pair of Mute Swans.
Unfortunately no chance of doing a proper 'recording' session. Oxslip in flower and it looks like the Kestrel has at least sat [sic!] on the box put up on the side of Veolia recycling for it.
Bidston ~ only under the tunnel for us, but a couple of minutes bird flight to you!!! Must keep Mrs D happy ;-D
Hi John,
I echo everyone's requests that you never discontinue your blog.
Your sightings around the area are essential (and often amusing) reading.
Pleased to hear that the police believed your unlikely story.
Sorry to report that I don't have a lot to offer your blog on this occasion other than to say that there were a number of Mistle Thrushes with youngsters in the gardens on Southport's Lord Street earlier in the week (opposite the Ribble Buildings).
Thanks for constantly entertaining and educating us!