Gale force at Marshside.

Barnacle, Pink-footed and Eurasian White-fronted Goose on Crossens Inner Marsh, Lancs 28 December 2011.

 Very, very windy today with gale force westerly winds making birding difficult on the estuary. Plenty of geese to look through at Marshside once again; the Whitefronts were in their usual spot (21 counted) with a single Barnacle in the Pinks.

Eurasian White-fronted Geese with Pink-footed Geese on Marshside today.

 Nel's Hide was a welcome refuge today as the wind gained strength around midday, with the 9+ metre tide flooding the saltmarsh. Some birders were struggling against the wind and virtually breathless as they entered the hide!

Eurasian White-fronted Goose at Marshside, Lancs 28 December 2011.

 Thousands of Wigeon and Teal mingling with Shovelers, Pintails and Gadwall and at least 5000+ Black-tailed Godwits on Rimmer's Marsh. The small gull roost held nothing of interest, at least while I was there.

Pink-footed Goose, Marshside 28 December 2011.

 Another Barnacle Goose out on the partially flooded Crossens Outer Marsh with a few hundred Pink-feet. Two Peregrines on half-submerged logs, 200+ Golden Plover and a few Ruff dotted amongst a couple of hundred Dunlin pushed off the estuary by the wind-swollen tide.

Not often you get the opportunity to photograph Barnacle, Whitefronts and Pinks on the Ribble.