21.07.15. Birdlog
A little blustery this evening but the low cloud and wind combined to bring the Common Swifts to feed low over the banks of No.6 tank.
My heart missed a beat when a square tailed bird flew low overhead and disappeared out into a mass of 700 other swifts…A moment to reflect and process what I’d just seen…realisation dawned…reflect, take note…yes it had a square ended tail! Moments later it reappeared and gave some excellent views above the track…A Common Swift without outer tail feathers…Phew!! It can happen just like that. Maybe one day?
800 Black-tailed Godwit were back on the tank for the duration of the tide before peeling off in loose flocks out to the River Mersey as the tide turned and ebbed. Dunlin numbers have been increasing over the last week and 174 birds included a couple of juvenile birds.
A Green Sandpiper was confidingly perched on a plant base above the flood water and a link to a video of the sandpiper here: https://vimeo.com/134143558.
There were numerous Redshank and they contained several juvenile birds. A couple of Ringed Plover joined the crowd and Lapwing flocks are also beginning to increase.
The male Marsh Harrier flew through and with five hungry beaks to feed he was kept busy. The Peregrine was sat on top of the blue-topped chimney at Ineos Chlor at Weston Point.
Observers: Sparky, WSM (and images).
