19.10.2014
Sand Point Road delivers!
Barry and I headed north to try to see the olive-backed pipit which would be a lifer for us both.
When we arrived the lesser whitethroat or putative [lovely word!] siberian lesser whitethroat f. blythi had been seen but no sign of the pipit.Time passed and we wandered around up and down the steps until the lesser whitethroat was located.
Lovely little bird as you can see....first view...
Siberian Lesser Whitethroat
A very busy little bird, often the views were masked by hawthorn leaves but nonetheless there were some nice shots...
Siberian Lesser Whitethroat
Siberian Lesser Whitethroat
Siberian Lesser Whitethroat
Siberian Lesser Whitethroat
Siberian Lesser Whitethroat
Siberian Lesser Whitethroat
Siberian Lesser Whitethroat
We did see the olive-backed pipit but not well enough for me to photograph. Others did very well a little later and I enjoyed their images: smart little bird! Meanwhile we headed south calling at Ward Jackson Park [parakeets heard only] and at Newburn Bridge. High tide and an excellent selection of waders. Here's a few shots...
Curlew
Ringed Plover
Ringed Plover
Medusa was having 40 winks. Here's one of them!
Mediterranean Gull
We finished our day in the Saltholme area but saw nothing exceptional apart from a little stint at Dorman's Pool. From magpie to golden plover we saw 60 species of bird - an excellent day!
Some greylags flew past the pool by Phil Stead hide.
Greylag Geese