Decided to take the train from Birkdale to Waterloo today and have a look at Crosby Marine Lake and the beach . Saw this gull ( is it a Common Gull ? ) dancing up and down on the grass , presumably to attract worms to the surface . The beach was very windy with quite a few waders on the shoreline (this Sanderling was sheltering from the wind - obviously not as foolhardy as its compatriots ! ). I headed back to the station and reached it just as the heavens opened so boarded the train for Hightown . Wandered down to the mouth of the River Alt where a number of ducks , Curlews , Redshanks and a Cormorant were sighted . Decided to head in the direction of Formby , alongside Altcar Rifle Range . The gunfire was horrendous , though it didn't seem to faze the birds even if some of the local residents were less impressed .Saw a Buzzard being mobbed by a few Crows and a Kestrel ! A number of Curlews were in the fields so had a look at them and then headed for home . Mission completed .