to the west

 first trip out of yorkshire this year 

the day got off to a great start on the way to mytholmroyd with a female type hen harrier between baitings and blackstone edge obviously dodging the fog 

into the bright yellow vw camper and off west to sutton manor just outside st helens 

colette likes art installations so "The Dream" was a must for her, very nice for an old coal mine not much bird wise but still a stunning piece of art 

The Dream

then we headed to southport with a brief stop at ainsdale sands 

stonechat

common scoter 11

jessie had a good run and roll on the vast beach had a brew courtesy of the van and off to hesketh bank,

nice spot had a look from the viewing area south of the carpark 

merlin 1

white fronted goose 1

pink footed goose 200+

wigeon

teal

black tailed godwit 3

little egret 3

yellowhammer 1 

snipe 

water rail 1

curlew 

kestrel 

little egret

at the carpark we were having a brew when a birder approached me asked were is best so told him about the viewpoint which he was grateful then i got the 'do i know you?' yes i said your mike stead from my old coach trips days as a teenager we had a brief chat nice guy