There were the usual Curlew, Redshank, Snipe and Oystercatcher moving around as the tide came in. A ringtail Hen Harrier was the first raptor to be seen shortly followed by a female Marsh Harrier.
The water came right up to the wall, covering the last 50m at an incredible speed!
A Peregrine spent over an hour perched on a distant post and two Merlins were busy chasing the pipits. There was obviously a lack of rodents for the raptors after the high tides of the previous few days as we didn't see any Short-eared Owls at all.
Seeing the speed the water covered the marsh was perhaps the highlight?! Although just before we left, a Water Pipit was spotted with three Rock Pipits feeding not far in front of us. Also nice to see a pair of Little Owls nearby, perched in an ivy covered tree enjoying the afternoon sun.
We then headed off to Wallasley where close views of waders are possible at high tide. Peering over the wall down to the rocks just below, there was the wonderful sight of around two hundred small waders sleeping.
There were Dunlin, Turnstone, Sanderling, Redshank and at least five Purple Sandpiper. I've never seen any of these species so close!
The tide was retreating fast and after just fifteen minutes or so of watching them, they all left to resume feeding on the newly exposed mud.
An hour west along the coast, in Llandudno, some Twite had recently been coming to feed on seed put out by locals. We arrived to find them doing just that...
On the cliffs of the Little Orme there were many Fulmar, Guillemots and Cormorants. A Shag flew off the cliff onto the sea, where there were also some Red-breasted Merganser.
Water Pipit, Purple Sandpiper and Twite added to my life list today!
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