Marshside - 8 March 2012

News that Avocets had arrived at Marshside in Southport, had me hot-footing up there (well on the accelerator at least). OK confession time, I've never been before although it's only 25 miles from home (never really got past the fair or pubs I guess!). Well I have now and it's a real gem of a place.

The Avocets were there and I counted 19, my first ever but I'm going to get a lot of 'firsts' this year I hope.

There were over a hundred Black Headed Gulls and the noise from them was almost unbearable at times. There were more Wigeon than I've ever seen in one place and a very well fed looking Cormorant that looked incapable of flight for some time!

Marshside viewed from Sandgrounders Hide

My first Avocet - 2 of 19 on the day

A Black Headed Gull (2cy) looking for somewhere to scream from