Black and white and shades of grey

Some images from out  'n about. Sanderling, wonderful litle birds at Rossall, a Grey Plover along with a flagged Turnstone (look forward to seeing the results) and an all-alone Black-tailed Godwit from Newton March where the water has been too high in the roadside pools for much to be seen.

There were two Canada Geese (not shown) on the marine lake and I did wonder, but no doubt locals – if not do let me know.

The Sanderling made me smile as they stood on one leg and turned like a weather vane into the prevailing and severely, bitterly cold easterly wind. The Grey Plover was a nice surprise before some mutt decided to take a dislike to me and harassed me around the beach having sent everything skyward of course. It wouldn't come quite close enough to get a monopod stuck where the sun doesn't shine. Of course it isn't the dogs fault but the owners. I had word.

Why Councils bother with 'keep your dogs on a lead' signs I have absolutley no idea... more waste of public funds (without enforcement). Which reminds me... 

(last image)... one from my archives (professionally I am something of an expert on signing [somebody has to do it, well when they don't is when it goes pear-shaped] ... Royal Mail and Manchester Airport were all my fault... mind you we reduced complaints at Ringway by 60% in the first few months with new signing).

Sanderling

Grey Plover, one of three

other photos confirmed it as 'BD'

which I could scratch my back...

5 species in one photo, I'll let you name them

More from Rossall

and in reverse order... Grey Plover, Sanderling, Dunlin, Turnstone

Bigger images at sacrifice of layout!

Out at Rossall

Don't ask me why, but like many a place on the Fylde, I simply have never 'birded' there – Rossall being one of them, so it was time for a recce, and hopefully a Purple Sandpiper – no joy. Instead a small flock of Sanderling, Ringed Plover and Dunlin. And just as I left a surprising lone Grey Plover. (images enlarge by simply double clicking)

Turnstone on Groyne

Turnstone

Ringed Plover, Dunlin

Ringed Plover

Dunlin, Ringed Plover

Dunlin, Sanderling

Sanderling

Grey Plover

Thanks to Peter Guy who was on-site at the same time.

(Aaarrgghhh done this post twice already... don't know what is going on!)

Dead Seal and Cretacean – Squeamish move on

Many of you will know I am a frequent visitor to Knott End and consequently always try to get out 'on the front'. Today was just one of those days when all seemed quiet...

It started off with two Red-Legged Partridge on the esplanade near the beach, clearly trying to avoid being cannon fodder. Even diving into the sea wall rocks looking for cover!

I walked down to Cockers Dyke and there was the Juvenile Cuckoo that had been well reported and covered extensively elsewhere. You will see I couldn't even get close, other than a borwn blodge in the distance. Some good views in the bins nevertheless. Bumped into the lovely Mr M Jones and a few folk I've not met before. A few Golden Plover on the sands, before walkin back. A Norhern Wheatear saw me long before I could get close enough for a decent photo.

About to depart the esplanande and 'that doesn't look like a log' methinks out there on the beach... way out there on the beach. Too intrigued... off I set across the beach heading for the horizon. Getting even closer I could see it wasn't moving but it didn't look like a log or tree trunk, but then again. Furthermore the accompanying gulls suggested something else might be afoot. I was somewhat taken aback as I approached to come across a smaller 'log' about twenty metres before the bigger lump, a dead cetaecean and on to the big lump, a dead common seal. I reported both sightings. Surprising what is out there off the coast.

I have always wanted to have a go at that micro-light thingie, but still saving up... so anyone out there with cheap training flights, let me know! I have noticed they do not appear to be using the beach area quite as much as they used to, so perhaps a quiet ear in your shell-like may have worked.

The images are not much use other than a record of the day. And finally on the way home, a juvenile Pied Wagtail wouldn't get out of the road over on Pilling Moss!

These numpties are lost

Northern Wheatear

Lapwing with Golden Plover (Cockers Dyke)

Golden Plover

Juvenile Cuckoo, Cockers Dyke

Mixed group of gulls

Dead Seal with Guards

Dead cetacean, male!

Our friends in a microlight

GET OFF THE ROAD YOU IDIOT!