Formby and Martin Mere

Today was more of a family day but the locations picked by my daughter Gem still allowed for a spot of birding on the side.

The day began at Formby aka Squirrel Beach to Gem, a few Red Squirrel were on show as we drove down to the beach.
As should be expected for this time of year it was rather bracing but wrapped up we were fine, a few Sandling were feeding in the surf (including a single colour ringed bird) and the odd Oystercatcher flew past, the local Crows had the odd go at the poor Sandling if they thought they had found something worth nicking.

Been lucky enough to get a shot taken of the Sanderling published in the readers section of the May Birdwatch magazine issue 287.

After lucn we headed for Martin Mere mainly to paint a toy duck and play in the park but we did visit the new hide to see what we could spy, a quick scan around produced Black Tailed Godwit, Ruff, Avocet, Lapwing, and the usual wild fowl.

On a garden note we are now getting more Redpoll then we have had all winter in total 4 birds now visit along with the usual finch.