Garston Shore - 15 February 2013

This morning I had a stroll along Garston Shore, from the east side of Garston Dock to the gantry marking the end of the runway at Liverpool (LJL). Well worth a visit, this one mile long stretch of rich Mersey mud will always give you a few waders and can throw up a surprise or two.

I started well with a pair of Song Thrush hopping around the path down from the car-park and - from the higher path - a look at the area in front of the dock found a good huddle of Oystercatchers.

The lower path here has been cut and laid along the rising bank of Common Reed, leaving a good metre or so of reeds separating the path from the shore below. This area always contains Redshank happily feeding in the mud, oblivious to any barking dogs along the path or the stream of air traffic overhead. Yet stop and pop a camouflaged scope through a gap in the reeds and they are off in a flash... maybe I should bark as I am doing it!

The tide was quite low, leaving the birds well spread and a little more patience was required to pick them out. Also, a small digger was being used to clear part of the slipway, so the often prolific area in front of the sailing club was rather quiet today.

Nonetheless, here is the list; Song Thrush 2, Blackbird 2, Oystercatcher 136, Cormorant 3, Redshank 113, Curlew 12, Shelduck 28, Herring Gull 12, Black-headed Gull 30, Teal 16, Dunlin 311, Ringed Plover 12, Mallard 5, Wren 1.

Strange thing is, so far this year I have only met one other birder here. Ah well - more for me!

 Muddy Shelduck feeding at Garston Shore

One of the resident Reds.