Woodpecker, a belated FOY!

Strong SE winds. Rain for most of the day, easing off by "evening"

South shore mid to late morning

Rock Pipits 1 on saltmarsh, 1 on Red Nab, 3 along the sea wall.

Nothing of note on the sea

A walk past the saltmarsh when it was about 75% covered

Jack Snipe at least 4

Common Snipe - none lifted from the marsh, but a flock of 12 came from the north tried to land on the marsh, before eventually heading towards Middleton Nature Reserve.

Reed Bunting 4

Heliport area

Knot ring reading - from Pete - Four Sefton coast birds (one new one), two Icelandic (one new) and two Dutch Knot flags/crs read today

Middleton Nature Reserve 

A decent walk around, in what turned out to be the best part of the day, weather wise.

Mute 2 adult plus 3+1 juvenile 

Coot 6

Moorhen 10

Gadwalls 26

Shoveller 2

Tufted 1

Mallard 2

Water Rail 1 squealing 

Common Snipe - surprisingly none flushed despite trudging through some likely terrain. But as darkness decended (16:10!) a flock of 22 circled several times over the central marsh before decending.

Green Woodpecker 1 flew south from the golf course area. This is the first record in the recording area since 30/04/19, so a very belated first of year (FOY)

It had not been a good day for photography, I managed some Jack snipe shots, but nothing like the quality of David's yesterday. So as the clouds started to clear, just as the sun was setting, I went all arty! (MD)

Sunset over Middleton Nature Reserve - 16:00!