The rest of the photos from the Wirral coastline ..... Redshank brigade, Cormorant who thought he was the group leader ! and a Turnstone that joined the Snow buntings on the foreshore at Wallasey ......
We got there before 9am driving in torrential rain, strong gusty winds and bitterly cold conditions so after not spotting the American Gull on the pontoon we dived into the nearest coffee shop for a hot chocolate and bacon butty lol then it was outside onto the walkway around marine lake and the pontoon area ....
First a view of the marine lake and pontoon area on a bitterly cold grey, dank day ........
next the Cormorant trying to keep the Redhshanks in order lol
and a first for us ......... purple sandpipers (4 in total)
and at Wallasey beach either BBG or GBBG or similar ? in distance ........
Turnstone ....
wind surfers who didn't stay long in the arctic and extremely windy weather .....
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Regards, Hazel
I think we've got a new collective noun .... a pontoon of Redshanks. LOL Funny how they seem to like it there. Nice to see the P Sandpipers too. Turnstones are always good value aren't they.
It does look grey and cold there, no wonder the wind surfers didn't stay long.
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Tony
My Flickr Photostream
lol Tony !! I like the sound of that one. It was so windy, I could hardly hold the camera steady; got Mike to lug the 5D for me ;)
I don't think they were paying attention to the Cormorant! Worth braving the conditions to get those new species. Hot choccy and a bacon butty do help though... lol
Unicum arbustum haud alit duos erithacos
(One bush does not shelter two Robins)
Zenodotus (3rd Century B.C.)
lol Paul, it was funny seeing this cormorant displaying and the Redshanks ignoring him, opting to continue snoozing ! and yes, the hot choccy and butty did the trick - it was bitterly cold and awful conditions outside until 1pm when the sun came out.
Another lovely collection Hazel. I admire you and Mike for braving the cold and wind. The Cormorant looks like he is conducting the chorus but the singers are all ignoring him. The Redshanks are staying just out of reach. I love Turnstones, too--gorgeous birds.
Kind regards, Ann
We keep believing the weather forecast and they are always a day wrong lol !! It was brass monkeys out there but just goes to show you can still see some nice species on a bad weather day. I agree Turnstones are one of my favourite birds and at least it was more interesting than the Redshanks with their heads tucked back snoozing lol
Hi aitch, have been reading all your recent posts but not a great deal of time to comment for past few days (too many peregrines setting up nests around the country!) plus 'boy' sleepovers ha ha!
Many great pics from all your recent travels, very enjoyable to catch up on for bedtime viewing ... thanks!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Thanks so much Wendy, Peregrine watching sounds fascinating .. lots of activity building up nicely for the springtime :) hoping to get out to The Wirral again on Wednesday if weather permits ! Snowing this morning although not enough to stick and now blowing an absolute gale and freezing cold despite blue sky and sunshine ! Was in dentist chair this morning for the 3rd time this year - now got 2 more appointments for a Crown lol !! with dental and physio I'm having to juggle the birding trips rofl !!!