I'm all for a bit of brisk, crisp easterlies - I like a winter cold snap as much as the next birder, but I'm getting a bit bored with it now...
Yes, yes, snow dusting the Pennines was okay a week or so back, but not all the bloody time - Marshside was colder than a bad day in Stalingrad this afternoon, and correspondingly bleak in the birding stakes.
Oycs around Sandgrounders hide were a tad more active than 20+ shivering Avocets, but the only things with any energy were the clamouring BHGs getting ready to breed again.
The Sandplant and outer marsh were just brutally cold, with a thousand odd Pinkies and not much else, apart from Little Egrets.
Tried texting Bazzo for a bit of encouragement.
"Due to stay unseasonably cold into early April", was the distinctly unmotivational response.
I decided to give up on Spring and headed down to Weld Road to try a bit of winter birding, which wasn't too bad - 15-20 Twite still feeding along the track north with Mipits, Redshank and a few alba wags.
While trying to check for colour rings (hopeless), a male Wheatear bobbed up in the back of my scope, looking about as short-changed as you can be with Spring.
And they say it's gonna snow tomorrow.
Best thing to do is stock up the feeders, fill the fridge with beer and get a good fire going - I'm hibernating.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Can you be a little more specific about where the Twite can be found please John? Which track from Weld Road are you referring to?
Cheers
Tony
JD: From the parking area at Weld Road walk north along the track under the seawall towards Southport Beach.
The Twite often feed in the tidal debris on the right hand side of this track, but can be flighty.
I don't know if you've bumped into them John, but there has been a flock of Crossbills knocking about at Birkdale LNR now for a while. I've yet to catch up with them myself, I tried again today.
They seem to come from the pines on Hillside and drink on Royal Birkdale and also feed in pines along the main path.
There is at least 10 and has been up to 15 I believe.
Of course given the time of year and Crossbills being early breeders, could they have already, or be about to breed, perhaps in the large pine copse on Hillside?
If and when I catch up with them I'll have a look for juvs among them.
Today there was lot's of tit activity, Goldcrests, Buzzard soaring up in the wind along with Sparrowhawk but no Crossbills.
They were seen this morning though.
Thanks John. Might give these and those Crossbills a go over the weekend...
Spotted a Red Kite whilst driving though Scarisbrick late yesterday (Friday) afternoon. Just west of "The Elephant" restaurant, and heading towards Scarisbrick Hall School. Thought it was a Buzzard at first glance, but as it rose from flying at ground level to clear the road and trees right over my car the forked tail and distinctive wing shape were very obvious. First I've seen in this area.
Tony
Long Tailed Tits braving the Siberian conditions to visit our feeders today.
The female RC Pochard was still on the Marine Lake this afternoon with lots of gulls including several Scandinavian Herrings.
Thanks John!
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