Formby

August is the best time of year for a visit to Formby Point in my opinion. It's still summer and there are some good flowers to see, but there's a distinct hint of autumn in the air, and the wader passage has begun, with many birds still in full summer plumage, and there are plenty of terns and the chance of a passing skua.


The dune slacks hold many great flowers, including Round-leaved Wintergreeen Pyrola rotundifolia (right).

Grass-of-Parnassus Parnassia palustris is locallly abundant and in full flower at this time of year.


Sanderling (left) and Sandwich and Common Terns (right).

Meanwhile on the beach there are large numbers of waders. I didn't have time for accurate counts today, but as a rough guide I estimate 3000 Knot, 2000 Dunlin, 500 Bar-tailed Godwits, 200 Sanderling, 50 Ringed Plover and 50 Grey Plover, many in summer plumage. Also at least 100 each of Sandwich and Common Terns.