Formby

Although it was half term week decided to braved a visit to Formby, as this is where Gem had wanted to go aka Squirrel Beach to her.
But we all love this place so we didn't object and we had a pleasant time building sand castles and collecting shells on the beach.
There were the odd Sandling on the beach, not a huge number, but with quite a few dog walkers around I couldn't blame the wildlife giving the place a miss, but I still managed to grab a few shots.

Gem didn't fancy popping down to see these little waders so I just left her to play with Mum.

Then it was time to do the good old Squirrel walk, and we were quite lucky at seeing a fair few Squirrels around, although we did make sure we headed the opposite way to a gang of noisy kids.

We headed home via Martin Mere allowing Gem to burn off more energy and for us to just chill and enjoy a nice coffee and a few birds.

Morfa Madryn

Today was a venture out to a new location to allow Lesley to pick up a life tick and me a nice year tick in the shape of a Grey Phalarope that had taken up residence at Morfa Madryn which is near to Llanfairfechan a beach I have spent many a happy time at as a kid but I have never visited the wild life reserve although I have heard plenty of good things about the reserve.

Picking up a directions off the North Wales Bird forum we were off and found the spot quite easily and were in luck as there was one single parking space when we turned up.

The bird had just left the area where it feeds in when we had arrived but was visible on a bank next to a ringed Little Egret although of the rings all I could make out was N and W so nothing to report about that Egret.

The Phalarope though soon returned to area in which it feeds by the stream up flow and gave cracking views and allowed me to try out my new Tammy 150-600 lens.

Gem was happy collecting the shells that littered the floor we even took a few home so she could take them into nursery during her so and tell which was coming up.

Grey Phalarope at Morfa Madryn 

Also seen while we were there were Red Shank, Curlew, Oystercatcher, King Fisher a Grey Plover had been spotted but we didn't see it.

We did try for the RSPB Conwy Reserve but it had just started to rain and looked rather grey so we called it a day and headed for home.