Decided to go and have a look for the Pec Sand at Nels after work this evening, and once I'd negotiated the traffic hell of a closed Coast Road along the seawall, I got to the hide at about 1800 and was delighted to see the Yankee was still there.
Mooching around as they do in the lush grasses, but after awhile it emerged on the side of the water - too far off for anything but poor digiscoped record shots, but lovely 'scope views as it crept along and fed in the evening sun.
Spooked once or twice by a Sprawk, but then so were the large nos of Snipe (40+ rose up in one dread), Blackwits, 5-6 Ruff and Lapwing.
Great to see a Pec at Marshside again (nice one Clarko), they seem to be becoming more regular the last few years.
Working in the dunes earlier, and it wasn't bad before it got baking hot - large numbers of Willow Warblers on the move with many yellowy juvs, especially at Lifeboat Road, Formby at 0900 - where a Tree Pipit flew south calling too.
More lemon sherbets in the dunes around Ainsdale, which were bursting with butterflies - Grayling, Common Blue, Meadow Browns, Gatekeepers and large numbers of Common Darters.
Two Common Sands on the Sands Lake.
Also had two Migrant Hawkers today, which was nice, and possibly a Southern Hawker, but the weasel didn't sit still long enough to pin down.
Many Peacocks on the wing today too, with butterflies heading along the beach, and at Dempsey Towers, at least 12 feeding on buddleia (good to see butterflies making use of it at last).
Golden Plover calling over the Green Beach, and some healthily-sized Natterjack toadlets at several locations, most over an inch long.
Feels like things are getting moving again.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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John,
I noticed a short item in today's local paper referring to a planning application for a wind-farm of 24 large turbines on Altcar Withins.
See:
https://pa.westlancs.gov.uk/online-applications/
Reference no. 2012/0873/SCO
As the site is a major Pink-footed Goose feeding area and supports a number of raptors, such as Buzzards and Marsh Harriers, etc, some of your blog-readers might have a view on the proposal and wish to comment to West Lancs District Council.
Phil.
Hi John, Had the first of the Liverbird Wildlife cruises out in the Liverpool Bay using one of the Mersey ferries. 181 brave souls got to see a pale and a dark phase arctic skua plus the regular terns and gulls off the coast. As we headed back in at the Mersey narrows we saw 2 Harbour porpoises.
2 more cruises to come Sat 8th Sept and Sat 15th Oct.
Chris
Pec Sand still present at Marshside this morning.