Shore larks are arriving in Britain from their breeding grounds in the Arctic. They are mostly seen on beaches along the East Coast, but one has been around muddy pools near the pier at Southport, Lancashire, for most of this week. They are slightly smaller than skylarks, but more colourful. The male has a yellow face, with a black band through the eye and a black bib. It also has two tiny black horns at the back of its head, which give the species its other name, horned lark. Males are generally more like the duller females in autumn, but some of the birds seen this week have been bright birds.
There is quite often a small flock of snow buntings on the beach with shore larks. This is another small bird, with mainly white plumage, that comes here from the north in winter. A few waxwings from Scandinavia, with their dainty pink crests, have also been reported, but there is no sign yet of a large invasion.