Wednesday 24th February 2016

Weather;  Cool and sunny except for brief mid-morning squall. Wind N.W. F1-2 



12 Purple Sandpipers were on the pontoon at New Brighton before high tide and an adult Mediterranean Gull flew west over Morrison's.
Several thousand Scoter were seen far offshore from the Meols lifeboat station over the high tide. Numbers could not even be guessed at as they seemed to be flying in different directions. Smaller numbers, around 80, were on the sea a bit closer with a drake Velvet Scoter among them. Around 200 Great crested Grebe's were also noted together with 3 Scaup. A separate drake Scaup flew east.

Purple Sandpipers with Dunlin and Turnstone on the pontoon, New Brighton.   EW

Inland at the lighthouse it was quiet as expected at this time of year. There were none of the usual high counts of Linnet with only 8 being present in the paddocks with 2 Meadow Pipits and 2 Song Thrushes. 6 Reed Buntings, a Bullfinch and 4 Goldcrests were along Lingham Lane. EW.

Sinensis race ('Continental') Cormorant. New Brighton.   EW