Natural Selection

It was fogbound Tuesday morning so I aborted a planned seawatch. When it lifted I headed to the go kart track where shorebirds wait out the tide. There were about 30 Turnstone and twice as many Redshank. Rock Pipits skitted about, they seem to be more conspicuous in winter now they breed here.

I was hoping for an early Purple Sandpiper and had given up on that when one popped up on the sea wall in front of me south of the roost. I grabbed the phone picture above then left it in peace, but it was good to know that at least one has returned for another winter.

I’ve probably mentioned in previous blogs these birds used to roost on North Pier. I found them after a gap at North Shore, but they had clearly been in the area in winter throughout. Numbers have fluctuated, they bounced back to half a dozen not too long ago there only appear to be up to two now.

With climate change it’s probably only a matter of time before they stop visiting Blackpool. In the meantime they are an under-appreciated gem in the resort’s birdlife. Over high tide they can be watched without disturbing them among commoner congeners. Everyone local should visit once in a winter.

Turnstones at the North Shore roost on a sunnier day