Tuesday 2 March 2010

Parkgate - High tide flood

Never go back, it's never as good?? Following the February high tide spectacular, a predicted 10.2 metre monster for today had been pencilled in as a 'must do' - with Yvonne keen to get amongst the local Owls etc!

Hopes of a Raptor fest were scuppered by a complete coverage of the saltmarsh the previous day. Small mammals were by now temporarily 'unavailable' and the Short-eared Owls were hunting elsewhere!

Nevertheless, Common Buzzards, Kestrels, 2 Hen Harriers, female Marsh Harrier, Peregrine plus male and female Merlin hunting meant it wasn't an entirely wasted visit.

It really was quite exciting to see the tide, slowly at first, eventually rush in a cover the entire saltmarsh, completely wind unassisted. Almost like watching a kettle boil.....










As the last areas of vegetation got covered, a large mixed flock of Skylark, Rock Pipit plus a lone Water Pipit were seen for a short while in front of us....






Lookin seawards.....










The tide was about to turn (literally) with a secretive nearby Little Owl and short drive over to Wallasey.....