Our weekend began with super-close views of a Water Rail at Pennington Flash, while Martin Mere lived up to expectations with a stunning Marsh Harrier, a fabulous herd of hundreds of Whoopers and a spectacular finale by thousands of Starlings piling in to roost. 

At Marshside, high tide brought nice views of loads of Pinkfeet, a handful of Whitefronts, and even a Glossy Ibis, while the tame Red Fox and Squirrels of Formby Point were an irresistible distraction from the birding.