Ross's Goose on Crossen's Outer Marsh, Southport

For my first time out birding in a very long time I decided to go to RSPB Marshside in Southport to see the Ross's Goose which had been mingling with the newly arrived Pink-footed Geese for a week or so now.  Unfortunately it was out on Crossen's Outer Marsh making it a touch distant for good photos - It had been on the Inner Marsh where you can get a little closer.

However, it was possible to see the distinctive bill and black wing tip feathers, so I'm happy enough with these shots. It's always difficult to know whether a goose like this is truly wild rather than an escaped bird, but after talking to several people about this, I'm happy enough to tick it.

Ross's Goose is a white goose with black wingtips and a relatively short neck. It's the smallest of the three white geese that breed in North America. It is similar in appearance to a white-phase snow goose, but about 40% smaller. Other differences from the snow goose are that the bill is smaller in proportion to its body and lacks "black lips". 

After spending some time photographing the goose from the wildfowler's pull-in just off Marine Drive, I decided to of round to Banks and walk along the sea wall to see if I could get a little closer.  I think I did.