Managed to crawl out of the pit for 07:30 this morning to be picked up by PBR (the Loveclough Globe Trotters) for a jaunt out to the Lancs coast. Picked up Jim R. on the way and off we tootled! First port of call was Ainsdale Sands with an incoming high tide. Lots of cloud cover initially but the weather cleared during late morning. Small numbers of linnet, meadow pipit and pied wagtail were amongst the tidal wrack but the main event was out on the sea.
Lots of common scoter (largest numbers I've seen on the Ribble in 30+ years) some distance out, but veiwable with scopes, they were well spread over a considerable distance and must have numbered a good few thousand. Two red-breasted merganser and a red- throated diver were also seen along with 6+ G.C.grebe, several cormorant and 2 guillemots which are unusual this close inshore - Jim's birds of the day. Along the tide-line good numbers of Sanderling were moving through and feeding along with two decent flocks of bar-tailed godwit and an odd grey plover, all the usual gull species were noted.
Just up the coast road back towards Southport and a pull-in to check a known wader roost, lots of skylarks here amongst the marsh, one bird was singing reviving memories of springtime on the moors. More bar-tailed godwit flocks on the move as the tide pushed in as well as flocks of grey plover and dunlin with odd curlews and redshanks.
Marshside - Huge numbers of wigeon and lapwing - well into the thousands with golden plover, teal, black-tailed godwit, all well represented. Little egret numbers still continue to impress with possibly c20 in the area along with 2 Grt white egret standing tall and erect in the far distance out on the marsh. Raptors were much in evidence with marsh harrier, buzzard, merlin, peregrine and kestrel all out on the marsh periodically flushing the flocks of wigeon, lapwings and starlings. Distant flocks of oystercatchers were too far out into the river to be counted but must have numbered into the hundreds and pink feet were continually moving overhead.
Martin Mere - an outstanding display during the afternoon until dusk with huge numbers of pink feet coming to roost in the fields. If somebody said there were 20,000 birds I wouldn't argue! They were still coming in as we left on dark. Good flocks of starlings moving through to roost as well with flocks in excess of 500.
Big numbers of teal, wigeon and lapwing with several snipe, redshank and a c20 flock of ruff all adding to the mix. Raptors were again well represented with 3 very showy marsh harriers contending with crows, a well sated peregrine sat on a hummock adjacent to the geese who appeared oblivious to it plus a sparrowhawk and a kestrel both put in an appearance. Whooper swan numbers (200+) were concentrated on the main "lake" where the grain was being scattered, no bewicks were seen, apparently these are scarce birds here now.
All in all a great day, the sheer volume of birds made it more than memorable.
