Another cold day, but nowhere near as cold as preceding days with a southerly wind today. As the tide ebbed some excellent wader counts were made on the tide edge with the highlight being 550 Grey Plovers (see right).Later in the day records seemed to be coming thick and fast with a couple of Snipe present around the islands (including one flushed from right in front of the Newton trap), up to 9 Lapwing passed over the island (see below), a single Black-tailed Godwit was noticed heading towards Wirral and two flocks of Scaup were seen firstly seven birds and then 40 heading out of the estuary; a very good count for this species at Hilbre these days.
A winter plumaged Mediterranean Gull flew down the gutter watched from the Obs balcony (see below) and a Sparrowhawk was also spotted from here heading through the bungalow gardens, although the waders being spooked gave its presence away to observers.Over 120 Pale-bellied Brents were still present along with up to 18 Purple Sandpipers.
The chairman gave a talk to a visiting RSPB group who all enjoyed their day.
[DB, CJW et al]
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