3rd January 2026

 Weather: NNW then N force 5

An extremely cold day with significant wind chill with a bright Jupiter shining at dawn alongside a bright full moon. 

 The most notable birds of the day were the thousands of Herring Gulls congregating east of the islands on the ebb tide on a wreck of Clam shells. No less than nearly 16,000 were seen later moving west, several other species of gull were also present around the islands. The female Eider was here with 45 Brent and 65 Shelduck. In the afternoon a pair of Goldeneye were seen on the sea which on the whole was quiet apart from 280 Common Scoter, a single Great Crested Grebe and a Shag. Waders at the high tide were 6,500 Oystercatchers, 85 Curlew, 1,350 Knot, 3,200 Dunlin, 20 Sanderling, 92 Turnstone and 17 Purple Sandpipers.

Among the residents survivng the weather were 2 male Blackbirds, 2 Rock Pipits and a Robin.

 

 The light looked pleasent before the sun went down but the sea was rough. 

Plenty of water was lying on the north end of the island 

Photos SRW,  and with thanks to Pierre Montieth for some records

 

1st January 2026

 Weather: NNW force , later  5 NW 6 with showers 

The force 5 wind early morning increasing to 6 later along with (sometimes quite heavy) showers made for difficult birdwatching.

 Nine Purple Sandpiper sheltered on the east side of the island.

 

The Kestrel spent a considerable time sheltering by the buildings

Seventy Brent were around the island, while Shelduck east of Little Eye after tide numbered 54 along with 166 Curlew, a few more of which were also feeding  around the main island. 

 

Other waders encounted were 58 Redshank, 75 Turnstone and 170 Dunlin. Amongst the gardens and paddocks a few of the wintering species showed despite the weather; 2 Blackbirds, 2 Robins, 5 Wrens and a Rock Pipit. 

 Photos AS

27th December 2025

 Weather: ENE force 2    frost early morning

 

 A Raven was heard and then spotted flying low along the east side heading north. It was otherwise a quiet morning visit. The only small 'visitors' were 3 unexpected Meadow PIpits which only stayed briefly. There were more Brent showing around the island this morning, 276, and a pair of Red-breasted Merganser fed out in the swash which seems to be their preferred habitat. Regulars recorded today were 60 Common Scoter, 3 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Little Egrets.

Photo AS

26th December 2025

 Weather: ENE force 3,     E 3/4 after midday

The highlight of the day was a Marsh harrier which seemed to have been flushed from the tussocky grass between the light and toilets, in which case it hadn't been there long as there were lots of visitors who had not long left because of the tide. 

 It departed towards Wales while being mobbed by gulls.

 

Earlier 6 Pinkfooted Geese had left the estuary over Red Rocks and meanwhile, a male with 2 female Goosander were off the north end early morning and strayed around all day. 

 

Noted preening on the far side of the gutter was the female Eider .

Shelduck were scarce this morning.

 On the tide edge east of the gutter were 240 Dunlin and 34 Grey Plover. Sixty Sanderling flew east passed the north end and 1300 Knot flew over the sands when moved by the incoming tide. Best of the sea were 56 Common Scoter, 5 Great Crested Grebes and a Guillemot. There was evidence today of the fox being present.

Photos AS

25th December 2025

 Weather:  ENE force 4/5 

Six Common Scoter were close in to the island this morning. 

 

A Guillemot was the sole other sighting on the sea. There were 52 Brent Geese and 15 Pinkfeet Geese flew north in the morning. Among the waders 170 Sanderling flew east, still 9 Purple Sandpipers were seen, also 60 Turnstone,

 

 and  3,500 Oystercatchers

 

 One each of Little Egret, Grey Heron and Kestrel also made the list.

 Photos AS
 

24th December 2025

 Weather:  E force 3/4     slight mist

 

On the ebb tide 11 wild swans flew out of the estuary across the West Kirby marsh  but could not be identified due to the distance from the island but later when the pictures were examined they were confirmed as Whoopers.

 

 The other scarce sighting occurred earlier when a Lapwing was logged. On the sea a single Red-throated Diver was recorded, also 3 Great Crested Grebes, 125 Common Scoter 

 and a Red-breasted Merganser which was fishing off the whaleback as the tide rose.

 

 Brent totalled 186 although more would be in the estuary, and 4 Shelduck were by Little Eye. Local feeders were 4 Grey Herons and 2 Little Egrets while good counts of waders included 255 Curlew, 115 Turnstone, 80 Redshank, 75 Grey Plover, 65 Sanderling and 4 Purple Sandpipers. The massive numbers belonged to 6,500 Oystercatchers, 4,750 Dunlin and 1,540 Knot. Just a few of the resident species were seen, including 3 Rock Pipits which are now all the year round regulars.  

Photos AS, SRW

22nd December 2025

 Weather: E force 3, some mist near midday. 

A female Merlin was recorded and was the sole raptor today. There were some good records on the sea this morning, 9 Red-throated Divers, 13 Great Crested Grebes and 160 Common Scoter, also numbers of waders included 158 Grey Plover, 146 Curlew, 95 Turnstone, 75 Redshank, 20 Dunlin, a single Ringed Plover and of course the ubiquitous Oystercatcher, 7,200 today.

  The 9 Purple Sandpipers today were, as always, one of our favourites. 

 

   As often the 131 pale-bellied Brent mixed with the small wdaers in between the islands.

 

 

 A single dark-bellied Brent was also present today. Records of Pinkfooted Geese are now regular during late autumn, winter and early spring as they move backwards and forwards from Wirral and today was no exception with 4 seen flying west, but in addition a single bird was down on West Kirby saltmarsh and was then flushed by a dog and flew between Hilbre and Red Rocks. Records of Pinfeet Geese on the shore are relatively scarce . 

Photos AS