Earlier today I took a walk down to the marine lake at West Kirby, I had seen some male Goosander yesterday but didn't have my camera so went back today in the hope of getting some shots. Unfortunately I was short on time and missed out on that score however I did manage a few nice shots of some Turnstone and a flock of Redshanks roosting on a pontoon.
I was speaking to a guy who informed me of some other species I might be interested to see but they were further out on the lake and I didn't get to photograph them. He mentioned that a Shag had been spotted and I was fortunate enough to not only see it but to watch it fishing. The water was still and clear so each time it dived I could watch its progress under water and with my grandson along for the walk we enjoyed guessing whether it would come up with a shrimp or fish in its beak.
When asked what this bird was I had told someone it was a cormorant but I believe it is a Shag. The two birds are of course very similar and so although I am sorry for giving misleading info to that passer-by I am not really sorry because they are closely related and at the time we were chatting it was quite a way off, it was only when I saw it close up I realised my error.
I love the way they swim, almost half submerged and they dive so gracefully, barely breaking the surface. Then when the return to the surface their dark feathers have a beautiful glossy sheen.
Anyway here are a couple of the images I got of the Shag. I will share some photos of the other birds in due course and I will be back by the lake tomorrow to see what is about then, as long as the weather is as forecast.
