Blackpool

Rachel and her SLS Allstars were competing in Blackpool in a cheerleading competition & so me & Patricia headed down with them for the weekend.

I was fortunately spared the ordeal of sitting through 10 hours of extreme tedium and buggered off birding to Marton Mere instead. I didn't even mind the rain and biting easterly.

Marton Mere's main claim to fame is probably the Long Eared Owl roost and after a bit of searching I located 2 birds obscured in the scrub. A flight view of a Bittern, Water Rail and a calling Chiffchaff were also notable.

On the Sunday we went up to Piling where Little Egret, Red Legged Partridge, Stock Dove & Chiffchaff were seen.

Some Local Year Ticks

I have been off work this week and have spent the last two days moving and potting up plants in the back garden in preparation for the sun room extension.

Whilst the last two days have been blessed with glorious sunshine, today was dull grey and cold with a biting easterly. At Cathkin I picked up year ticks in the form of Skylark & Water Rail but failed to find any Jack Snipe.

At Hogganfield I had a drake R**** D***.