Sunday, 4 May 2014

Ribble Estuary

An hour along the estuary three hours after high tide.  Walking from Windmill to 'Cocklers Cobbles'.

Linnet -  Feeding on the green amongst the Sparrows
Grey Heron - 8 seen in total but 5 within a couple of hundred yards of each other
House Sparrow - Female next to RNLI station
Turnstone - C60 by 'Cockers Cobbles'
Dunlin - C250
Ringed Plover - C60 mixed with Dunlin and Turnstone
Eider - 8 pairs passed along the estuary with many more on the Southport shore
Meadow Pipit - 1 at Jetty
Cormorant - 2
Great Black-backed Gull - 1

Earlier in the day I saw what I thought was a flock of C60 Golden Plover at Granny's Bay.  The scope was maxed out and light not 100% but I got a relatively good view for a couple of seconds before the flock flew.  This one bird amongst the flock had the contrasting black and grey / golden parts separated by a distinct white 'S' shape.  My view was so brief that I started to think I may have just see a Dunlin in a funny light at a distance but when the flock flew it was clear to see that these were much larger waders.  I looked for a back axilla but saw none, there also didn't seem to much of a distinct wing bar.  The conditions weren't ideal and of course my inexperience didn't help.  It may be just a wader but I like these moments - always an opportunity to improve.  

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