Calidris Corker 


Weather, warm mainly cloudy, wind SSE 3mph,

A mid morning Outing slightly off the normal patch to West Kirby in search of a Grey Phalarope that has been seen on the marine lake in recent days  and any other birds blown off course by the recent gales proved to be quite fruitless with very calm conditions for the high tide not being ideal, 

An unfortunate Common Gull GC

Further along West Kirby marsh A Grey Plover stood out in fading summer plumage , A handful of soon to be gone Sandwich Tern  were gathering in amongst Common , Black Headed, Herring and Lesser Black Backed Gulls, 3 Little Egret , 2 Bar Tailed Godwit, a scattering of Dunlin and a very impressive 5-6000 Oystercatchers made up the high tide gathering

Little Stint , GC
 

With little to be seen further round at red rocks apart from an unfortunate Common Gull on the tide edge with a razor shell stuck to its leg it was time to call it a day and put the binos away , 

As I was approaching the Hoylake lifeboat station I noticed  a very small wader in with the Dunlin a heart stopping couple of seconds thinking I might have a rare peep  after a few record shots  I was sure I had a Little Stint but a bit of self doubt crept in I sent a pic to Steve Williams of Hilbre fame and he confirmed I had a Little Stint ,

Little Stints are mainly Autumn birds with spring birds being rare because of easterly routes taken on the way to arctic tundra breeding grounds , 

They can be identified by a white v on its wings when not in flight and black legs , they also stand out by running fast in wader groups, 

Other birds in the area, 4000 Common Scoter out by the wind farm  to really appreciate them you need a scope 

And last but not least a Kingfisher on the pond west of the lighthouse

The Little Stint hopefully has wet some appetites and with a bit of luck a rare peep might follow suit in the next week or two . 

Observers ken Davies, GC And thanks to Steve Williams