Couldn't find the Med Gull on the beach at Ainsdale this evening, but despite my poor digi-binned shots from last night, it's certainly worth keeping an eye out for as gull numbers start to slowly increase again.
Terns however were impressive tonight, with 120 Sandwich and 35 Common Terns commuting from a small roost just off the Shore Road beach entrance.
Sadly just one juvenile amongst the Sarnies, which three different adults attempted to feed at once.
Few Gannets offshore and about 250 Dunlin feeding along the beach, with a single Turnstone.
Came across this Natterjack earlier in the day in the pouring rain - grumpy as ever, but good to see nonetheless.
Imagine if a naked Winston Churchill was rubbed in baby oil and then rolled in wet sand - hey presto! - Natterjack Toad.
I know, I really should go for a lie down.
Before I do though, thanks to John Clews for sending me this cracking shot of a Forester Moth from the NNR.
John's recent gen in the comments section has spurred me to connect with this species, what a beauty!
Might wait till the rain stops though.
And finally, apologies to everyone waiting for Rich Steel's Hungary shots, I will get 'em on this weekend, I promise.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Adult Roseate Tern in the tern roost on Ainsdale Beach from 1655 to 1710, when it flew out to sea with Common Terns.
Did not return.
So cool.
Sex on wings and a tail that went on forever!
Also plenty of Small Coppers, Small Skipper, a few Dark Green Frits, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper and Forester Moth (thanx Mr Clews), plus a single Emperor Dragonfly during the sunny periods in the dunes today.
Burton Wetlands and Inner Marsh Farm visit on Saturday:-
Burton
3 Common Terns
Black Tailed Godwits
Lapwings
1 Black Swan
1 Reed Warbler
IMF
1 Common Sandpiper
12 Avocet
Little Egrets
Cuckoo still at Ravenmeols giving excellent views - the best I have ever had .
Having failed miserably to emulate Bradley Wiggins and co over the Col de Skem I took a breather around the New Lane station area. Right opposite were two Mistle Thrushes plucking what appeared to be crab apples from a tree yards away.
The usual collection of swifts, swallows, corn bunts and yellowhammer were buzzing and calling in the breeze as well, but generally quite quiet.
Had a nice hour or two at Marshside this afternoon, nothing out of the ordinary except the leucistic female Red Crested Pochard, but nice summer birding, lots of waders around including some cracking Black Tails and good numbers of Redshanks (83 at Nels) plus a couple of Dunlin and a very close Common Sand at Sandgrounders. Small numbers of a variety of ducks including 3 Tuftie ducklings diving away at Nells - great to watch. Good to see water on MS1 in July, maybe something good will turn up in the Autumn.
Also picked up Yellow Wagtail on Curlew Lane yesterday after being at Mere Sands where it was good watching the breeding Common Terns.
Huge roosts of Common and Sandwich Terns at Formby from Lifeboat Road last three days. On Friday 3 Little Terns and today 6 Little Gulls in the mix. Again, witnessed single juvenile Sandwich being fed.
In the dunes Meadow Brown and Grayling and Cinnabar caterpillars on the Ragwort.
On Friday a Green Sandpiper at Martin Mere showing well from the Swanlink Hide.