7th April 2011

Not quite the weather that was forecast, it was cool and blustery from the west and north west with a soaking drizzle for much of the morning. The weakening cold weather front passing through from the north overnight did little to produce migrants at Hilbre, although with a different wind direction it may have been a lot more exciting. Three Chiffchaffs and a Willow Warbler were in the paddocks but little else but after the rain eased a Chaffinch arrived and 3 others flew over and a single Wheatear flew down the sheltered east side low over the rocks. A few Swallows went through early and later a group of 25 went over but there was just 1 Sand Martin and no House Martins. Three Goldfinches were heard during the morning and at 11.00hrs a couple of Redpolls called over the obs. A count was possible of the Brents as the tide flooded and there were 67, slightly more than was thought to be still present a few days ago, they are all expected to leave within the next 10 days. Ringed:- 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Wren (BSB,DB,CJ,CJW+3,PSW) [131-26] too dark and wet for pictures!