"..Here comes the sun"

Horray the sunshine!. For the first time in ages, we have a dry weekend.

I set of to Leighton Moss, but hearing of congestion J28 M6 area, I made the decission to go to Southport instead.

Martin Mere WFWT L40 oTA. I was hoping to see some beaver!!!. Four Beavers where released two weeks ago. This is the first time they have been resident in Lancashire for 500 years. Sadly, today the didn't show up for a photo, but I could see recent film of them on a laptop.(I will have another go later).

Marshide RSPB. Situated on the coast road of Southport. Marshside has some of the best lowland wet grassland in the north-west of England, including the habitats of swamp, salt marsh and scrub with 11 km of ditches.It is also a favourite haunt for fellow digiscoper John Dempsey, follow the links to his great site. Plenty water, meant that some of the birds chose elsewhere to be. I did see Little Egret, Black Tailed Godwits - Hundreds, And the same Glossy Ibis I saw back in May on the other side of the Ribble.

Formby Point, L37 1LJ. Red squirrels can frequently be seen in the pine trees. To attract the squirrels, buy a bag of nuts - 30p, at the entrance. Follow the well marked routes, and you will surley see a few squirrels. They come very close. Today we was fortunate to see a Fox, a great bonus. There is miles of sand dunes to walk if you have the time. The shoreline attracts many waders, and if the wind is right, a good sea watching can be had.

A fantastic day out in the sun.

Lytham St. Annes

After a long drive yesterday to Bempton. I am in need of something more relaxing. Lytham St. Annes, North shore of the Ribble estuary is a perfect place to wind down. whether it's looking at the sea, watching the colourful wildfowl on Fairhaven lake, or just a gentle shop through the Victorian town. Pace of life hear is much at an easier pace than what you find at Blackpool just up the coast. So before some shopping, there was a small matter of some Continental birds to see. In resent years, one can't help but notice that the once rare Little Egrets, each year have increased in numbers up and down the North West coast. Today, upto 10 birds could be seen through the heat haze, and a strange dark wading bird, that just shone in the sunshine. It was in fact an Immature Glossy Ibis. Common on the Mediterranean, and below, this bird turned up here earlier this year, and probably finds the weather and pace of things to it's liking, to stay here so long. Do visit the RSPB hut at Fairhaven Lake. cracking displays, and enjoy a gentle cruise around the lake on one of the many putt-putt boats.

New: Glossy Ibis and Little Egret.

Total 108.