Knowsley Safari Park

5 Blackcaps 5 singing males

1 House Martin north over Ranch at 07:55 followed by 2 Swallows

1 Curlew bubbling call heard over Singleton's Hill

1 Green Woodpecker Hag Delph

Kirkby Moss

4 Wheatears

1 Pintail [f]

3 Shovelers [2m/1f] these along with the Pintail and everything else were all flushed off by some cretin who allowed his dogs to run right round the pool as I watched from the nearest public right of way. To make matters worse he was carrying bins and would probably call himself a birdwatcher. I suppose a quiet word would have been in order but then I would have been jumped on by 3 large muddy dogs and would he have taken any notice anyway ? Probably not. Of course the problem isn't unique to this area: even in the remoter parts of Wales the [mainly] English I'm ashamed to say stuff their dogs into their 4x4s and take them on holidays and day trips with them, letting them run wild all over the countryside and anyone who happens to be passing, brazenly ignoring all the signs telling them to keep dogs on leads. Utterly disgraceful and selfish behaviour. I think I need a trip to a dog-free island or something and with that calming thought here ends today's rant.