 Highlights from another trip to the coast – the RSPB reserve at Marshside just north of Southport. Plenty of Avocets and Black-tailed Godwits with circa 150 Wigeon hanging on for a change in the weather before moving north. Also a Spoonbill and several Snipe around. However the real stars of the show were the Skylarks in full song all the way along the marshes. |
 Extinct in the UK until after World War II the Avocet’s recolonisation has been a huge success. |
 Unfortunately the Black tailed Godwit hasn’t shared in the success of the Avocets with it now being classed as near threatened. |
 Twite – another red listed bird that has suffered a rapid decine Surprisingly flighty – probably something to do with an idiot with a scope who spent half an hour chasing them up and down the saltmarsh, followed by the dog walkers, and then a young family with prams and children running around. Eventually the birds settled down and returned to feed on the tide line about 30 yards away. Just as they began to move a bit closer along came Bouncer and that was it. |
 Just one of those days at Burton Marsh. On a good day Hen Harriers, Hobbies, Spoonbills or even a Lesser Scaup. On a quiet spring morning with a strong easterly wind there was not a lot to see. Still frustrating that there are no windows or openings in the main hide. |
 The Brown Rat – the 2nd most successful mammal on the planet |
 Coltsfoot – the raw ingredient to the well known Lancashire delicacy of Coltsfoot rock. |
 A Grey Heron sculpture by a Cheshre based artist Paul Bearman at Burton Mere Wetlands. The piece was only possible thanks to a generous donation by the National Exhibition of Wildlife Art . Note: to RSPB please encourage more donations. It’d be great to see an artist in residence at one of the larger reserves eg. Leighton Moss. |