On a day with 32mph winds, we set off for a quick roundup of some of the interesting birds that can currently been seen on the Wirral at the moment, with a certain degree of over-confidence.

Arriving at West Kirby, we swiftly became aware that we would have had to get up somewhat earlier to see any of the birds that had been roosting on the beach or enjoying the relative shelter of the marine lake, as both were submerged under thrashing, windlashed waves that were sending spray right across the road. A couple of Great Crested Grebes were diving at the top corner of the lake, otherwise the spectacle was provided by the elements rather than the wildlife.

At Hoylake, a sliver of exposed beach was present, and waders were resting there for the brief moments permitted by dog walkers. One group we were able to park right next to included Oystercatchers, Dunlin, Sanderlings and Knot, and was soon joined by a trio of Bar-tailed Godwits. Behind, a steady stream of gulls, Cormorants and waders was heading into the Dee estuary.

The final stop was New Brighton, where the waves were at their most spectacular, and on the Marine Lake – a sheltered spot today - a roost of Redshank, Turnstone, Dunlin and Purple Sandpiper was huddled on the pontoons waiting for it all to stop.

So: after missing all but one of our target species, we still felt we’d had an exhilarating day in the teeth of the gale and saw some lovely waders.