My first local outing of 2016 after braving the floods of Lancashire over the new year proved quite enjoyable, despite the rain.
On a falling tide at Castle Point, 15 Ringed Plover, four Turnstones and two Purple Sandpipers.
A Peregrine was perched on the usual spot on Constitution Hill and a Raven flew low over the castle. Quiet offshore until a Red-throated Diver and a party of 24 Common Scoter flew south, followed by another scoter.
The local Mute Swan family of two adults, two young and a Canada Goose were on the sea off Castle Point.
I'm now building up my year list the easy way, having had a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a couple of Jays on the feeders as I write this.