“Unfortunately, there is one thing about most of these Sea Ducks which does much to detract from their interest, and that is, they cannot readily be observed from the shore, and appear upon our seas at a season when the elements render the coast least attractive.” - Charles Dixon (1896) British Sea Birds

I started the day at a cold-but sunny and not too breezy Marshside, where the raptors were mostly distant with the exception of a Merlin and a Sparrowhawk close in, both providing lovely views. Further away, a big fat Peregrine was sat on the beach and not for moving, another Sparrowhawk was perched up, and a few of the ‘so far away you can only ID the birds when the visibility is perfect’ perches were occupied by mysterious blobs.

Eventually, a couple of Buzzards and a Marsh Harrier took to the air, and another Peregrine and a couple of Kestrels were seen distantly, but no Hen Harrier today. Pleasant enough though!

The afternoon shift took place at Ainsdale Beach, where 11 Snow Buntings had been seen but then flushed by dog people. With no luck on the bunting front, Ken and I turned our scopes seawards.

The one diver we saw was almost certainly Red-throated. There were plenty of Scoter bobbing about on the gentle swell, with one group of 9 or so close enough to shore to get a good look at - and one of those birds clearly shoed the white eye-markings of a Velvet Scoter! Further out, other, browner, ducks were bobbing out but just too far away to get a good look at. Wigeon, most likely.