Reappeared

The leucistic/albino Starling was back amongst the horde on the Ainsdale Discovery Centre roof again today – the first time I have seen it in over a month.

I’d assumed it had gone for good after Paul Richardson told us about an albino he’d seen at Leasowe on August 11th, but the bird was sticking out like a rather classy sore thumb again today.

YouTube video here.

How it has avoided predation I do not know.

I scampered out of the office onto a high dune when Tony Baker picked up a Honey Buzzard over Marshside (excellent Tony) in the hope it would drift down the coast past me despite the mist and heat, but as with the previous three Honey Buzzards I’ve had the good fortune to see at Marshside over the years, this one was another cowardy custard – one glimpse of the mighty Ribble estuary, Mersey and Liverpool Bay and it circled back inland like they usually do.

They really don’t like open water – you can’t see ’em all!

While I waited in vain for the Honey Buzzard I watched as the hirundine gathering swelled to over 100 birds around the office, mainly Swallows, but a few House Martins too – Hobby bait for sure, just a matter of time…

Lurvve the House Martin’s feathery troosers, and the theory it has them to keep warm as it spends its winter feeding high above the Congo in the cool altitudes beloved of our Swifts too (ain’t satellite tagging marvellous???)

House Martin vid here.

Yellow Wagtail still about early doors and what sounded like a Tree Pipit going through in the misty conditions before the day went mad hot, but no sign of the bird, just call as is often the way on a blue sky morning.