Marshside Avocets — a la Gene Kelly

I couldn't help but think of Paul Simon's song 'Mother and Child Reunion', but just showing my age.

Yes another fine summers day on the coast in North West England.

With a half hour lunch managed a few bandits in the rain (I'm a laugh in, I'm a sing in... in the rain, hence the title! Nevermind).

A family of young Avocets (3) growing up and feeding for themselves while mum and dad went ballistic with aerial gymnastics if any gull dared to approach. So Avocets in the rain, sedge warbler singing his head off, Swifts bombing the footpath (looking for insects in a sheltered location), Linnet and Meadow Pipit, (near the car park) while a Grey Heron took on an eel for lunch. Eventually being pursued by another. Godwits, Redshank and a lone Wigeon. Swallows and of course Black-Headed Gulls et al. There was a Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint apparently, but I couldn't really see it, even through the RSPB scope in the grey, sodden, overcast conditions. There was a smudge on the horizon... does that count?

Another trip to the Dentist!

Believe it or not as there were no NHS dentists available in the city where I live I have to travel 20 odd miles to another town... as if it wasn't bad enough... the added bonus means calling in/driving by RSPB Marshside if I can make time.

Down by the golf course this whitethroat was flitting around... with another.

Remember, don't accept 'humbugs' from kind relatives... they play havoc with any filling!

Marshide – Sedge

On a passing visit, from the road.

While this article is primarily about the Sedge Warbler, these Godwits seem to capture the nature of the environment.

Singing from a high point — this is MY patch.

Defending territory from all-comers.

It was his singing that gave the game away and allowed me to focus on this individual.

While it may appear these are all consecutive images, the sedge was up and away, here and there defending his patch, but returning to a favourite site to sing — a waiting game until he returned.

Unfortunately a leaf was casting a shadow over his head and face.

A constant song – no complaints.

Dentist so it's Marshside

Fly by on the way to the dentist.

A male Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler singing their hearts out, 3 Wheatears on the 'sand dunes tip', 17 Avocets, Linnet (male) while down by the marine lake two Pied Wagtails and a Black Swan. I keep seeing reports of Black Swan sightings along the River Ribble and can only assume this is the same bird that goes 'walkabout' from time to time.

RSPB Marshside

The sun was out! It seemed rude not to stop!

Avocet, Godwit, Redshank, Gulls... see the photos.