In reply to Bottom Clinger:
> Red breasted mergansers. Cracking birds.
Can't argue with that - one of my favourites.
I've been taking advantage of the current very high tides to get a last few pics of the wintering waders and wildfowl before they head north, as well as the first arrivals of breeding birds from further south. Our wintering Dunlins will soon be heading for the far north, to be replaced by summer breeders arriving from Africa.
Some recent highlights have included up to 6000 Eiders around the shores of the Furness Peninsular, 500+ Brent Geese, 400+ Golden Plovers all in breeding plumage, large flocks of winter plumaged Knot getting ready to leave, breeding plumaged Black-tailed Godwits arriving, wintering Goldeneyes still present in moderate numbers, the usual pre breeding build up of Red-breasted Mergansers, and the first few hundred Sandwich Terns arriving. More Sandwich Terns will soon follow along with Common, Arctic and Little. Gannets are starting to appear off Walney Island although I've yet to see my first Manx Shearwaters of the year, whilst Red-throated Diver numbers seem to be building, some already in breeding plumage, before they too head north.
Soon it will be time to head off to the seabird colonies, starting with my local (ish) one at St Bees. Everything happens so quickly at this time of year.
Post edited at 14:31