Parkgate & Sandbach

We headed to Parkgate this morning for the High water around noon. Not a lot to report, the easterly wind held the 32 foot tide out somewhat, the only birds to note were a Marsh Harrier, Greenshank & Egrets every where. Bill saw a Short Eared Owl but it dropped before i could get on it. On the way back home we popped into Sandbach flashes, water levels were very high compared to my last visit. Very busy bird wise but nothing out of the ordinary 6 Shoveler 100s of Wigeon and plenty of Teal. 4 Barnacle Geese fed with the numerous Canada's & on the wader front 2 Ruff and 4 Snipe and countless Lapwings. I did notice a strange billed gull but after close inspection it was a LBB Gull with a crossed bill it seemed to be feeding well despite its rather strange bill. Bet he or she doesn't pull when its older