Rfacing OSSALL POINT’S LOCATION
sees migration heading past, the open water of the bay, and, at low tide, miles of mud and sand. Local birders watch passerines drop down, from their own observatory. As you would expect, seabirds do play a big part here, with skuas often searched for, particularly in spring. Arctic Terns often pass by in their hundreds, along with Little, Arctic, and Sandwich Terns and even a Caspian Tern and a possible Gullbilled Tern could be seen. Black Terns (right) are annual with Little Gulls sometimes making double figures. Wintering Glaucous and Iceland Gulls are also found. With Martin Mere not too far away, geese are a spectacle with large numbers of Pink-footed Geese often seen. Passage ducks include Velvet and Common Scoters, Long-tailed Duck and Scaup often associating with the Tufted on the boating lakes. Grey Phalarope is often a storm driven bird and has been found on the boating lakes, but the thousands of feeding waders can leave these in the shade with Knot, Dunlin, Oystercatcher, with smaller numbers of Sanderling and Ringed Plover. Shore Lark was seen here in winter.
Two freshwater areas by the sea often means good birds with two boating lakes – one used for seamanship training and the other for model yachting – but many of the wildfowl don’t mind.
23Check the channels for feeding waders especially as the higher tides pushes them close to shore.
4An observation tower is open to the public with one level for displays and two levels for sea watching or just enjoying the view. This is a great place if the weather is bad for watching passage as well as wintering geese moving through the area. See website for opening times.
5The golf course offers a chance of larks, pipits, wagtails and even waders. Please watch from the dunes rather than on the playing surface.