North West

Bill phoned did I fancy going to Martin Mere for the pair of Black Winged Stilts that were there all the previous day. With good old Sammy the last one Id seen I jumped at the chance. Arrived nice and early as did many others only for the pair not to show all day. As always there was a bit to look at whilst waiting, plenty of Avocet, Black Tailed Godwit, Ringed plover as well as the normal showing of Duck. Only raptor seen was a female Marsh Harrier hunting the channels. Common warblers were very vocal along the tracks. We gave up and shot over to Pennington Flash for a couple of Black Necked Grebes that were in full breeding plumage. Dam handsom birds and without any wait great result. With a few hours to kill we headed to Crosby in the hope a few Little Gulls on arriving the place was crawling with folk so we had a walk up the fence to scan Seaforth Nature res. A good number of Goldeneye were still there as well as other duck, White Wagtail was evident on the close cropped grass but no Little Gulls. Not the best days twitching but plenty of commoner species to while away the hours