9th November 2010

The highlight of the day was a winter plumaged Red-necked Grebe found off the Whaleback which then drifted round the North end before disappearing before the high tide. Ninety three Great Crested Grebe were counted during a 5 hour seawatch with force 6 NE winds, most moving towards Hoylake. Eighty three Common Scoter were noted, together with 15 Guillemot, 34 Gannet & 4 Red-throated Diver. Twenty two Pinkfooted Geese flew towards Formby Point. A drake Scaup, a drake Goldeneye, 7 Wigeon and a male Red-breasted Merganser kept the interest up. Brent Geese numbers remained high with 92 counted, including the return of colour ringed bird (white left 4; white right A) which first appeared on the island in October 2009 but had not previously been noted this winter.Thirty two Lapwing flew east in three groups, possibly disturbed from the Welsh side of the Dee by the rising tide as did a number of smaller waders, mostly Dunlin but including one Snipe. Two Purple Sandpiper were noted. The windy conditions were not condusive to passerines but those seen included 4 Blackbirds, 3 Song Thrush and 2 Rock Pipits
(DB,CS+RB+GS)