The biting wind meant it felt more like February than April over the tide at Ainsdale today, but a quick seawatch made a change from the futility of willing migrants through the arctic-chilled dune system.
My first Manx Shearwater of the year (a single bird heading south at range) was the only thing of note offshore, while Willow Warblers, Whitethroats, Swallow, Sand Martin and Greenland Wheatears continued to look baffled by the low temperatures at my back – and in my face as the wind picked up….
Ainsdale, 1230-1330, 26.4.24, NWly f3, tide high 1303, 8.9m:
Common Scoter 47
Red Breasted Merganser 3 males
Red Throated Diver 9
Great Crested Grebe 13
Sandwich Tern 2
Manx Shearwater 1 south
(Grey Seal 5; Harbour Porpoise 1)
John Dempsey Birdblog 
watched a female Marsh Harrier quartering the field edges and being mobbed by a pair of Oystercatchers near Altcar this morning.
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100+ hirundines at Ainsdale LNR at lunchtime, mainly Swallows but a few House and Sand Martins too. Sedge Warblers joining singing Willow Warblers, Whitethroat and Chiffies. Wheatears and Mipits. Still too windy!!!!
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