Spring is well and truely here but the lack of rain has made it difficult for the birds getting worms from lawns, they are back in the garden looking for food. The sunflower hearts are going like hot cakes and the Nijer seed is also being taken by Goldfiches, Greenfinches and Siskins. Underneath the feeders are a lot of seedlings should I leave them and see where Nijer seeds actually come from.
The Dunnocks are quietly feeding a the back of the borders and a single Robin comes to the tables...

I had arranged to meet up with Bassist on Thursday at Marshside near Southport. There has been recent sightings of Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint and a drake Garganey we were both keen to see.

Due to a prior appointment with my dentist and then good old British Rail, it was 12.30pm by the time I got there. Bassist had called me while I was on the train to say that the Curlew Sandpipers were right outside Nels hide and I should go straight there.

I jumped in a taxi at...

I met up with Bassist in Preston for an early morning trek around Leighton Moss this morning. We arrived at about 8am and set off to the public hide to begin with.

We hung around by the grit trays for a while, but no sign of the Bearded tits. Plenty of Sedge Warblers though and loads of Swift and Swallows. Bassist spotted a male and female Bullfinch in the lower branches of a tree.

The public hide had all the usual suspects; Coots & Tufties etc. I was eager to see...

Is anyone else having problems with tide times?

After work on Monday morning I had planned to do a bit of sea-watching at Starr Gate, South Blackpool.

High tide was supposed to be 07.41, according to the BBC tide tables. That's GMT, so allowing for BST, high tide would be 08.41

My boss allowed me to take some time accrued, so I was able to leave work early and arrived at Starr Gate for 7am - 1 hour 40 minutes before high tide - GREAT!

The trouble...

Will continue the Holiday blog

Part Two: Preparation/ Planning/ Birding/Holiday/ Scotland 2010 in due course

The following research deals with the East Nuek of Fife
This was explaned and layed out in Part one but was saved and therefore lost being too long for the Blog so I will repeat the Information

Guide to the East Neuk of Fife:

Elie/Earlsferry:

Elie occupies the Eastern half of the mile long South facing Sandy Bay ...