With a good healthy westerly whipping up the sea off Ainsdale I popped onto the beach at lunchtime to have a look at the tide.
The water pushed right into the parking area, meaning the remaining Sandwich Terns (about 20 birds today) were having to roost almost on the Shore Road entrance, but they didn't seem happy about it, frequently taking flight.
Nowt offshore apart from Scoter strings, but you couldn't have seen much anyway from the beach given the height of the swell.
Plenty of Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Dunlin etc at the south end of the Green Beach, and a few parties of Swallows heroically pushing south in the gale.
Before the sea covered the sand, Grey Wag and Golden Plover over, with gangs of Mipits and the odd Chaffinch calling overhead.
I'd heard the Blue Winged Teal had been reported from Marshside again today, and as I had such pants views on Sunday, I nipped up after work.
No sign of Neill's bird, but Swallows still moving through, with 2 Little Egret and 4 Grey Herons cowering behind the lush vegetation at the back of the Junction Pool as the westerly continued unabated.
Shoveler, Teal and Little Grebe with the Coot on the pool.
Hordes of Blackwits, and Pinkies starting to come in for the evening roost on the estuary - which means they'll be up in the air again, honking in the night sky when the high tide forces them off in an hour or two.
Compound was windswept, quiet and darn nippy.
Seawatch tomorrow.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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For those who love the outdoors, autumn is a great time to be out and about. Very occasionally, however, you need a reason to stay indoors, and on Monday 24 September, you will have just that excuse.
The Lancaster and District Birdwatching Society invite you to attend a very special evening talk on bird migration, presented by popular guest speaker Ian Newton, Chairman of the British Trust for Ornithology.
Robin Horner, Treasurer of LDBWS said “Ian Newton is one of the most well respected ornithologists of the past 40 years. A published author, he is incredibly knowledgeable and inspirational. We are privileged to have such a renowned speaker to come and talk to us.”
The event is open to all, so if you would like to attend, simply go along to Skerton Community School Hall, Owen Road, Lancaster, LA1 2BL at 7.30pm on Monday 24 September. The talk is free to members of LDBWS and there is a small admission charge of £3 for non members.
For details of other indoor meetings and field trips being held by Lancaster and District Birdwatching Society visit www.lancasterbirdwatching.org.uk
RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, on the Dee Estuary, is inviting people to help celebrate its first birthday by offering free entry this weekend (Saturday 22 - Sunday 23 September).
Over the past 12 months almost 30,000 people have visited the nature reserve, which was opened last year by BBC wildlife presenter Iolo Williams, and visitors have enjoyed the many wonderful sights and sounds the reserve has to offer, including regular sightings of kingfishers, common lizards and dragonflies.
During the celebration weekend there will be a number of free family activities, including guided walks (from 11am), mini-beast hunts and pond dipping. A local wood art workshop has also donated wildlife-inspired items for sale over the weekend.
RSPB staff and volunteers will be on hand to provide advice on the many different kinds of wildlife, pointing out birds, dragonflies, butterflies and much more. Special homemade birthday cakes will also be on offer for visitors.
Burton Mere Wetlands is open daily, with the reception building open from 9.30am until 5pm. The reserve is just 10 minutes from the M56, off the A540 (Chester High Road). Entry is normally £4 for adults (concessions £2), £6 for a family and £1 for children.
Please phone 0151 353 8478 for times, details and a full programme of activities and times alternatively email deeestuary@rspb.org.uk or www.rspb.org.uk/burtonmerewetlands.