Good views of the Bittern in the dunes at Birkdale again this afternoon when it took flight from the flooded area north of Slack 19 and dropped down very close to the area we are clearing of Sea Buckthorn this winter.
Been around since Monday at least and while it isn't as exciting as Colin Bushell's Dick's Pipit up at HoM today (nice work), it's still good to see one in the dunes, especially in an area cleared of choking scrub over the last few years.
Tufted Ducks with the Mallard, Snipe and Jack Snipe on the floods.
John G managed this flight shot in the fading light today as the Bittern/Flying Carpetbag went over our heads.
Redwings and Fieldfares in the slacks still in small numbers, with ever present (and largely invisible) Water Rails in the undergrowth and a Redpoll overhead today.
Best place to look for the Bittern is the path along the Coast Road, just past the coned off flooded areas, looking inland.
Find a high point along the path and scan the flooded areas and Creeping Willow.
It can be mighty elusive (quelle surprise).
The increasing periods of sunshine (when it ain't snowing or chucking it down) are provoking Chaffinch and Dunnock into song, and a Stonechat was zipping about with the Reed Bunts this morning.
Thought it'd make a change from Thailand trip reports, more of which are imminent.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Hi John - What a trip you've all had, fabulous birds.
Just letting you know that there are now two Peregrines roosting on Holy Trinity again.
Last week I came past the church at about midnight and heard a Peregrine calling in the night!
Looks like they will nest again, I will keep a regular look out.
Two Goldcrests in my garden last Tuesday.
Adult Med Gull, almost in full summer plumage on the beach off the Boardwalk at Birkdale (just south of the Boardwalk) this afternoon.
Water Rail showing well, scavenging under the feeding station viewed from the bridge outside the visitor center at Mere Sands Wood.
I had a scout around the Withins area on Saturday.
Two very large flocks of Pink-feet out in the fields near Burgess Lane, one of which contained a single Canada Goose. Difficult to be certain as typically the flocks were at the limit of my bins.
Heard then saw about a dozen Lapwings in the same area plus Pied Wag on the silage heaps and three Red Legged Partridges.
Kestrel and Coot were out and about plus a flock of 25+ Fieldfare amongst the feeding crows and Pheasants in fields near Lydiate.
They were still there on Sunday.