Quarry Wader Passage.

We might not have much mud, but given the right weather conditions the quarry pulls in the birds. After a bit of a lull things picked up on 8th with Hobby and fly-through Wood Sand' and Turnstone in the evening with south-westerly winds. Despite favourable wind direction the following day was fine and nothing of note dropped in. This all changed on 10th however with the onset of squally showers and stronger winds. The 0530 start overlooking the Main Pool began with fly-through Turnstone and a couple of Dunlin and a search of the No 1 Pit produced these cracking summer plum' Turnstones (different to the Main Pool bird) with Dunlin. With Dunlin and Ringed Plovers calling as they whizzed through it was obvious that something was going on. Local birders reported a scattering of waders (including Sanderling) on E. Lancs reservoirs and a further visit to the quarry produced grounded Sanderling, Ringed Plovers and several parties of Dunlin. At least 25 Dunlin had gone through by midday and birds continued to be detected later too. Subsequent days with clearer skies produced fewer birds, but still a trickle of Dunlin and Ringed Plovers.

Apart from the waders it's been up to 3 Wheatears (appearing to be "Greenland types"), White Wag' and the RCP's still knocking around. Insects have included Large Red, Common Blue and Blue-tailed Damselflies and the first Small Coppers.