Great start to the first of our free “Vis Mig” walks at Ainsdale with Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership (facebook.com/seftoncoast) this morning – an Osprey flapped south over the surf while we were watching the Sarnie Terns at 0940.
Bingo.
I’m setting off each morning at 0900 each day till Friday for an hour or two to see what we can find – all welcome, we meet at Ainsdale Discovery Centre (PR8 2QB)
Cue blurry zoom shots of the morning’s buzz bird…
About 12 Common Terns with a small (70+) group of Sandwich Terns on the sands, singing Chiffchaff and skulking Blackcap at Sands Lake.
Mipits, Grey and alba wags over too.
John Dempsey Birdblog 
No Ospreys on the “Vis Mig Walk” at Ainsdale this morning but here’s what we saw/heard today: Stonechat (1); Grey Wagtail (2); Pied Wagtail (3); Chiffchaff (2); Whitethroat (1); Reed Bunting (17); Meadow Pipit (70+); Swallow (52); House Martin (2); Grey Heron (1); Goldfinch (25); Common Scoter (1,500+); Gannet (3); Razorbill (1); Sandwich Tern (60+); Oystercatcher (20); Bar Tailed Godwit (3); Dunlin (12); Ringed Plover (1); Linnet (8); Sanderling (5); Great Tit (2); Long Tailed Tit (3); Shelduck (18); Dunnock (2); Cormorant (4).
Plus Two Grey Seals offshore, Red Admiral and Speckled Woods and a Migrant Hawker dragonfly.
The walk sets off at 9am each morning this week from Ainsdale Discovery Centre (PR8 2QB).
All welcome, don’t forget your bins…
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Hot work for the “Vis Mig” Walk today – not a cloud in sight, and pretty quiet birdwise…
Here’s what we saw/heard: Wheatear (4); Chiffchaff (1); Pied Wagtail (7); Meadow Pipit (45+); Skylark (8); Little Egret (1-2); Greylag Goose (1); Sparrowhawk (1); Kestrel (1); Sandwich Tern (100+); Common Tern (1); Gannet (2); Common Scoter (40+); Dunlin (3); Sanderling (37); Bar Tailed Godwit (70); Cormorant (14); Reed Bunting (3); Robin (1); Great Black Backed Gull (3); Linnet (27); Black Headed Gull (67); Lesser Black Backed Gull (15); Herring Gull (50+).
Garden Tiger and Fox Moth caterpillars crossed our path as we paused to admire the last wildflowers of summer – Seaside Centaury, Grass of Parnassus and Harebells.
There were however STACKS of Red Admirals on the move this morning, with many Migrant Hawkers active in the heat too.
I’m leading two more free “Vis Mig” Walks tomorrow and on Friday, leaving Ainsdale Discovery Centre (PR8 2QB) at 9am each day.
All welcome….
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Low cloud, mist, barely any wind this morning – much better for our “Vis Mig” walk at Ainsdale.
Last of the five walks is tomorrow, setting off from Ainsdale Discovery Centre at 9am – be there, or be somewhere else…
Today we heard/saw: Wheatear (14); Meadow Pipit (300+); Pied Wagtail (55); Grey Wagtail (8); Yellow Wagtail (2); Whinchat (1); Sparrowhawk (1); Linnet (18); Skylark (9); House Sparrow (23); Sparrowhawk (1); Grey Heron (4); Little Egret (1); Curlew (1); Bar Tailed Godwit (120+); Dunlin (30ish); Sanderling (50+); Swallow (10); Sandwich Tern (65); Common Tern (4); Starling (2); Carrion Crow (3); Robin (1).
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A good strong north westerly was not the best conditions for our last “Vis Mig” walk this morning (we’d have been better seawatching), so thanks for everyone who turned out – great to see so many people.
Today we heard/saw: Gannet (15+); Razorbill (1); Sanderling (20); Dunlin (12); Meadow Pipit (17); Reed Bunting (3); Common Scoter (55); Long Tailed Tit (9); Blue Tit (2); Great Tit (1); Chiffchaff (1); Robin (1); Black Headed Gull; Great Black Backed Gull; Herring Gull; Lesser Black Backed Gull; Cormorant.
Highlight was 12 Natterjack Toads pre-hibernation.
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Thank you so much for the ‘Vis Mig’ walks John. Sadly was only able to attend the Thursday and Friday walks but really enjoyed both. Sarnie roost fab to see on Thursday, along with a shed full of stunning wheatears. Highlight today has to be the amazing Natterjacks.
Your knowledge and information about our coastline and its wildlife is second to none and much appreciated.
Once again thank you John, hope to do it all again very soon.
Janet Grant.
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Glad you enjoyed the walks Janet – hope to see you again soon.
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My first Pink Feet of the autumn over Dempsey Towers in Ainsdale this morning. About 20 birds, heading south west.
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