15th August 2010

A big team assembled this morning in anticipation of the fine weather and the migrants that may arrive on the north easterly breeze; they were not disappointed with about 10 Willow Warblers on the ground and a Tree Pipit (left) in the garden mist net first thing. Tree Pipits are heard calling overhead occasionally in spring and autumn but this is the first ringed for 5 years. Even in the hand they are very similar to Meadow Pipits and to check the species measurements are needed such as the wing formula (right) and the length of the hind claw. Later in the morning a Grasshopper Warbler (left) was trapped in the 'SK' heli, a species that is more often ringed in spring than autumn.










Although the date is typical for Greenshank on Hilbre the sight of 7 calling as they flew across the island (right) is certainly however the event of the day in terms of there being a group as large as this of this scarce Hilbre bird.

Other birds moving this morning were 3 Collared Doves (left), 2 Grey Wagtails 34 Swallows, 2 more Tree Pipits and 2 Wheatears.




Two Peregrines flew about, one was an adult in heavy moult (right) which landed on the radar mast for a while, and the other was a juvenile bird.

The sea was remarkably quiet and no Gannets, Shearwaters, Skuas or Scoters to be seen this morning, just 4 Great Crested Grebes and a small number of terns, perhaps observers staying for the afternoon high tide will fare better.



When the warmth of the sun really brought out the visitors to the island, it also encouraged many varied species of butterfly to fly including the Painted Lady (left) which has been very hard to find this year.

Moths from the light trap last night are, left to right, Rosy Minor, Willow Beauty, Lime Brindled Pug












Ringed:- 6 Willow Warblers, 3 Linnets, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Grasshopper Warbler.
(GB +1,JE,CJ,SPL,CJW,NDW,PSW,SRW,TGW) [390] photos CJ , JE (moths)