Clear increase in the size of the gull roosts between Ainsdale and Birkdale today in the strong SWly, as sure a sign of autumn deepening as a drop in Sandwich Tern numbers - only 28 on the beach today.
Common Gull numbers growing, while as Chris F points out (see comment on previous entry), very quiet offshore, bar long strings of Common Scoters.
Little Egret over the sands early on, and the usual waders, but not in large numbers.
Despite the freshening winds of the last day or two, the direction hasn't really suited a classic Leach's wreck on Ainsdale - we need a prolonged North Westerly for that, and while it looks promising for tomorrow, the forecasts I've seen shows the wind swinging back into the SW from Saturday.
Still you never know, a few birds have been off Wirral, so we might score yet.
Regardless of the Leach's, conditions look good for seawatching over the tide tomorrow, I'm working but it'll interesting to see what passes the Tobacco Dump.
Angle Shades moths in the garden at Dempsey Towers, with a Migrant Hawker yesterday evening and still a few Peacocks and Small Torts.
Whitethroat, Mipits and alba wags on the move today, with a few Wheatears flashing their backsides over the last day or so in the frontal dunes, and during a bleary-eyed drive back from Manchester Airport at 0545 today, a fine Barn Owl floating over the road near Hurlston Hall Golf Course.
After a lousy waterlogged breeding season, they seem to be scarcer than comments on the Birdblog, apart from the regular stalwarts - thanks guys, it's just enough to keep me going.
Just.
For now.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Formby Point seawatch, 0910-1240
Very enjoyable session in 6-7 westerly, Trops and myself. Almost all movement southward.
Common Scoter c.120 to-and-fro
Fulmar 11, a good total these days
Manx Shearwater 22
Leach's Petrel 14 south, all flying strongly
Gannet 26
Arctic Skua 1
Great Skua 3
Kittiwake 48
Sandwich Tern 11
Arctic Tern 12
Guillemot 1
Razorbill 6
Good to see large numbers of P F geese back. 1000+ heading toward the coast over Halsall Moss yesterday evening