7th December 2008

A stunning morning weather-wise, with bright blue skies, crisp frost underfoot but a mild light southerly wind. Wader numbers were good with large numbers of Curlew, Oystercatcher, Redshank and Turnstone seen and smaller numbers of Knot, Bar-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover and Purple Sandpipers (11).

The two Little Egrets were around still providing great views (see opposite) in the rock pools and gutter - even being seen in flight over the Obs garden at one point. The Brents had increased to 133, which presumably included the two dark-bellied birds although these could not be found amongst the roosting birds at the North End.

A female Pintail flew in off the sea and landed on the rocks at the North End and landed amongst the Brents. An unusual record 'down' on the island (see below).

A ringed Rock Pipit was also around the North End having been ringed previously at Hilbre. Other passerines around the island included 5 Song Thrushes (excluding the partial albino bird of which there was no sign), Blackbird flushed from the Obs garden but no sign of the Snow Buntings at Little Eye or elsewhere.

Several colour-ringed Turnstones were seen around the main island - ringed as many as five years ago on Hilbre. This bird (red left and BTO metal ring above the knee and white right - which was ringed in the winter of 2006-07) lived up to its name by turning numerous small stones looking for invertebrates...

(CJW, PGW & SRW) Photos by SRW