A day off and I decided to head off to Southport area as there were some good birds around the area.  First stop the Marine lake, at Southport for the Smew.  As I drove down the Marine Drive, a flock of abt 7 Golden Plovers flew over towards the estuary.  On arrival at the Marine Lake, I was directed to the right  side which was the North side by a fellow birder.  The Smew was close in but then moved away.  It was probably a female.  We watched it dive, sometimes for quite a while, often popping up a bit of a distance away.   A Kingfisher flew over as did a flock of Linnets and Skylarks.  A Shag and a pair of Red Breasted Mergansers were present some days back but sadly had moved on.  

I moved onto Martin Mere and on a roundabout very close to the Marine lake, I saw an Oystercatcher probing the mud.  They will start moving inland in the next couple of weeks.  Back on the Marine Drive a female Merlin flew over!  A Green Winged Teal was present at Marshside but I had managed to see this species which is now back to subspecies level again. The very thought of searching for a vertical white stripe in hundreds and thousands of Teal was off putting!  One of the most tedious tasks I have ever undertaken.  A Snow Goose present wasn't worth the visit either.  It's association with Feral Greylag wasn't strengthening it's credentials as a vagrant.  

Once at Martin Mere I headed straight over to the Discovery Hide, the big main hide, to see the Ring Necked Duck.  I scanned but didn't see it which was really strange because it was supposed to be right in front.  Anyway within a few minutes it did appear, it's pale grey sides giving it away.  It started diving right in front of the hide, what it was eating I have no idea.    It was  with Pochard and Tufted Duck.  It was probably the same bird that had wintered in St Helens the last 2 years.  Ring Necked Ducks frequently cross over form North America.  They aren't considered Rarities but Scarcities as there are definitely more than 10 records per year.  Some of them are returning birds.  They must breed somewhere in Northern Europe in pure pairs.  Pairs are recorded in Britain and Ireland, occasionally small flocks too.

I went off for a walk to the Reedbed and the newer hides.   I managed to see Five birds of prey Kestrel, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Peregrine.  Waders included Lapwing in their hundreds including a Golden Plover with them, Black Tailed Godwits, Ruff and Snipe.  Whooper Swan numbers were lower maybe because of bird flu?  A Cetti's Warbler move around in a bush calling, showing itself but never stopping.  It was the only 1 I had noted and the same could have been said for the 1 Water Rail which called.  Willows were being removed from the reedbed so better habitat for Bitterns!   1 Great Egret and 7 Cattle Egrets were present.  Back in the autumn a record count of 71 Cattle Egrets were recorded at Martin mere, probably the highest count for Northern England yet.  

I waited at a spot for Short Eared Owl and the Glossy Ibis flew across but dropped out of view again.  Apparently it was showing well at the Tomlinson Hide in the morning but now seems to have become shy again.  Could it be the same bird I saw in September here?  The Short Eared Owl came out about 2.30pm and quartered over the grassland.  

It was time to go home and without having a hot drink and cake!  Wise move as when I stopped off at the coop I got cinnamon buns at a much reduced price!  

-- Edited by sarfraz on Friday 2nd of January 2026 11:37:10 PM