Took a visit to Speke/Garston Coastal Reserve this morning and found a few goodies in before the threat of dodging doting dads taking their loved ones on their first Quad Bike ride of the year and the threat of marauding Pit-Bulls became to great (as usual when birding in urban areas an early morning visit is preferable). On the shore near Garston Docks I found a flock of roosting Redshanks complete with 3 Spotted Redshanks, my first in the South Liverpool area, see the photo below - one on the far left, one on the far right, and one crammed in to the main flock.
Other birds on the shore included a flock of 60 Linnets which contained at least 3 Twite, these could easily be found feeding on the salt-marsh. Male Pochard, male Shoveler, 3 Grey Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 7 Canada Geese, and a Raven. 
On the reserve proper there was very little in the way of passerines, 13 Reed Bunting only, this is very unusual as at this time of year the site can usually boast Stonechats, large numbers of Skylarks, Mipits and Skylarks; maybe the cold snap has moved them on or finished them off! 13 Grey Partridge and a Weasel where a nice surprise however.
After the Coastal Reserve I headed into Speke Hall Estate, again only small numbers of passerines with hardly any Tits, Finches e.t.c. Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Goldcrest amongst the highlights. Some nice fungi in the woods though with loads of Birch Polypore present amongst others, and a Blackthorn on the moat bearing the first leaves of the Spring, surely a bit early!
Cant believe it no Waxwings today!Oh and dont let the Blog post title deter you, this really is a great site.
