It was a bright and sunny day for our last Sunday walk of the year. From New Brighton Station we walked south to Vale Park, then northwards along the prom, with the wind and sun behind us. The tide was near the top, and a few Oystercatchers were idling on the breakwater.
Some kids were playing on the remains of the Black Pearl, but it hasn’t been rebuilt since the storm washed most of it away a few years ago.
Along the edge if the prom a few tattered weeds were clinging to life. Amazingly, both Sea Mayweed and Ragwort were still in flower. What tough plants they are. A small flock of Turnstones and Redshank had taken up their usual roost on the pontoons.
But what were the two or three smaller ones with their heads tucked in? Not Dunlin, because their legs were orangey, not the Dunlin’s black. Not Sanderlings, which are whiter than that. Nothing rarer like Stints had been reported, so I think they were Purple Sandpipers, which are said to hang around with Turnstones.
We went for a cuppa in the Floral Pavilion café, then set off home. No more Sunday walks now until 21st January. Happy Christmas to all, and here are Santa and Thomas the Tank Engine from Grosvenor Park Chester last week.
Public transport details: Train from Central at 10.20, arriving New Brighton station at 10.42. Returned on bus 432 from Morrison’s at 2.35, arriving Liverpool 3.00.