I've been wetter than an Otter's pocket working the coast for the last two days, so when Ralph Jones texted me early this evening to say there was a Little Stint on Ainsdale beach, it seemed no great hardship to go back and get wet all over again.
Nipped down and the juv Little Stint was feeding just behind the embryo dunes immediately south of the Green Beach, with Sanderling, Dunlin, Ringed Plover and a single Turnstone.
One quickly became two as a second crisp juv Little Stint came scurrying in, all split supercilium and white braces.
Lovely little birds, although the Turnstone didn't seem to like them, running at 'em whenever they came close.
Despite the rain it was good to watch 'em in the fading light, in this cracking bit of developing habitat, although digiscoping was just about impossible.
Phil Smith has now recorded 60 species of plant in this embryo dune area, but with all the rain, it looks tasty as wader habitat too.
Who knows, time still for something scarcer than Little Stint perhaps?
12+ GBBs together on the beach earlier today, feasting on the bodies of two Conger Eels, and as evening seeped in, hordes of Pink Feet overhead, skeining off to the sandbanks to roost.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Clouded Yellow flying south down the Green Beach at 1545 today, also a few Small Tortoiseshell and a Painted Lady. At least one Little Stint still on Ainsdale Beach.
Visitors to the RSPB’s Parkgate reserve on the Dee Estuary are being given the chance to see England’s rarest breeding bird of prey, the hen harrier.
Over the next six months the reserve is hosting In Search of Skydancers, a series of seven events, offering nature lovers the opportunity to experience these amazing birds at their winter roost site.
Hen harriers breed in the uplands and are famous for the male’s spectacular courtship display of swoops, twists and somersaults known as skydancing. Sadly though, skydancing has become all too rare a sight in England. This year, there was only one successful hen harrier nest in the whole of England, despite a government commissioned report suggesting there is sufficient habitat for more than 320 pairs.
Independent research has shown that ongoing illegal killing and disturbance associated with the grouse moor industry is to blame.
Besides hen harriers, visitors to the Dee will have a chance of seeing other birds of prey including peregrines, merlins and short-eared owls. There will be plenty of activities for children enabling them to learn more about these magnificent birds.
The opening events of the In Search of Skydancers season are on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 October at 12pm until dusk. All events will be held at the “Donkey Stand” on The Parade.
Paul Brady, RSPB Visitor Development Officer for the Dee, said: “These events will give visitors the opportunity learn about the importance of the Dee estuary with an expert guide revealing the fascinating wildlife and heritage that live within this vast and dramatic landscape.”
In Search of Skydancers will be on the following dates: 6 & 7 October; 4 November, 2 December, 6 January, 3 February and 3 March. All events are free and you can pop along any time until dusk.
For more information on the Dee Estuary visit www.rspb.org.uk/deeestuary. Find out more about Skydancer at www.rspb.org.uk/skydancer.
I know this comment is a little naive but seriously something should be done about the disgusting state of affairs re England's Hen Harrier persecution it makes me mad!
You don't say..what about the Golden Eagles poisoned north of the border every year.....