Red Squirrels and 3 Year Ticks

Jayne was off work today, so we drove across the Pennines to visit the National Trust site, Formby Point, in the hope of seeing some Red Squirrels.

On arrival we had a walk around the "Squirrel Walk", where, after about 10 minutes, we spotted our first squirrel. Since out last visit in 2007 several feeding stations have been set up, and the 3 squirrels we saw were all feeding in and around them.

Squirrel Walk and the aerial feeder

 

Unfortunately, the squirrels didn't come close enough for photos today, so here's one from our last visit.

 

Red Squirrel

 

A few birds seen in the woodlands were: Jay, Siskin, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Sparrowhawk, Great and Coal Tit.

 

After seeing the squirrels we headed up the coast to the RSPB's Marshside Reserve where we added 3 species to the Year List, namely

 

101: Avocet (30+ birds, including many pairs calling and displaying)

102: Black-tailed Godwit (1 winter-plumaged bird)

103: Little Egret

Avocets from Sandgrounder's Hide