Young country diary: What's this hiding on the coastline? | Aisha

Morecambe Bay, Lancashire: After skimming stones into the sea, we saw a rock pipit - but it was so well camouflaged we nearly missed itOne bright September morning, my family and I headed down to the tranquil coast of Morecambe for a vintage festival. As we arrived, the salubrious autumn breeze washed over us, and the squawking seagulls welcomed us with greedy eyes. The cloudless sky was filled with birds, pirouetting above the waves. We threw smooth, small pebbles into the jaws of the sea as the waves crashed against the rocks, leaving a trail of wet sticky sand.As we crossed the promenade, something caught my attention. Camouflaged against a seaweed-splattered rock was a petite bird - it appeared to be a rock pipit. This distinctive, dainty creature, with legs gripped on to a boulder, had a mixture of taupe feathers, giving it a soft and sleek look. As I continued along the promenade, I wondered how many other "invisible" birds were around the coast, that I hadn't acknowledged because of their ability to blend in with nature. Continue reading...