A Pink-foot counter was out early this morning. Between 6.40-11.15am. about 15,500 were present on the reserve and at Crossens.
The reward for this effort was a Rough-legged Buzzard seen at 10am. heading off towards Banks. Also a Common Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, 2 Peregrines, 3 Merlins, 2 Kestrels and 3 Sparrow-hawks. 21 Ruff, 1650 Black-tailed Godwits, 18 Whooper Swans, 1060 Shelducks (on the foreshore), 41 Redwings, 15 Fieldfares. There were 45,000 Wigeon mooching about in huge flocks off Crossens/Banks but Black Swan flying out to sea was weird. Could be the one that has been consorting on The Marine Lake for a while now.
The saltmarsh was a busy place yesterday. A Barnacle Goose was with the Pink-feet.
Raptors included 2 Peregrines, 3 Merlins, a Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, and a juvenile Marsh Harrier.
Other sightings included a Stonechat, 70 Linnets, 90 House Sparrows, 6 Ruff & Goldcrest.
Species in 4 figure flocks included - Pink-feet, Teal, Black-tailed Godwit, Lapwing, and Golden Plover.
There were smaller numbers of Curlew, Redshank, Little Egret, Gadwall, Shoveler, Pintail, Mallard and Pochard also on the reserve.
If you are in the area, Southport Pier is worth taking a look from. At high tide yesterday a Great Northern Diver was spotted along with 3 Red-breasted Mergansers and 9 Goldeneye and Eiders offshore.