A beautiful sunny day but with minimal migration began with a Starling being ringed (the first this year) (left), also a Goldfinch, but later little overhead apart from a few Meadow Pipits in off the sea, 3 Skylarks, 2 Pied Wagtails, a Reed Bunting and the odd Chaffinch and Goldfinch passing 
through. The Coal Tit still stayed in the trapping area (above right), a Blue Tit briefly visited the obs garden and 4 Blackbirds were about. A large arrival of Brent happened when about 40 flew in from the north and joined the existing flock, making 84 in total. Amongst this group was an old friend, a colour ringed bird (blue'D' left leg and red 'H' right leg) that has been seen now for the last 3 winter seasons at Hilbre. Also building up were Purple Sandpipers now numbering 4 seen at the north end. A single Wigeon was at the tide edge on the flood, and later at high tide a drake Eider flew west (right). Also at high tide 2 Porpoises swan off the north end and were seen several times in a half hour period. Seabirds noted included 8 Red-throated Divers, 11 Great Crested Grebes,17 Guillemots and a Razorbill, and saving the best till last a 
exceptionally late Common Tern flew over the observers heads (below) , 
thought about landing on the island, and then made off towards Red Rocks. This is the latest date some of us can remember seeing this species at Hilbre. Ringed:- 1 Starling, 1 Goldfinch. (DB,CJ,KMc,NDW,CJW,DGW+1,) + party from Liverpool Ornithologists Club [937-46] Photos CJ
through. The Coal Tit still stayed in the trapping area (above right), a Blue Tit briefly visited the obs garden and 4 Blackbirds were about. A large arrival of Brent happened when about 40 flew in from the north and joined the existing flock, making 84 in total. Amongst this group was an old friend, a colour ringed bird (blue'D' left leg and red 'H' right leg) that has been seen now for the last 3 winter seasons at Hilbre. Also building up were Purple Sandpipers now numbering 4 seen at the north end. A single Wigeon was at the tide edge on the flood, and later at high tide a drake Eider flew west (right). Also at high tide 2 Porpoises swan off the north end and were seen several times in a half hour period. Seabirds noted included 8 Red-throated Divers, 11 Great Crested Grebes,17 Guillemots and a Razorbill, and saving the best till last a 
exceptionally late Common Tern flew over the observers heads (below) , 
thought about landing on the island, and then made off towards Red Rocks. This is the latest date some of us can remember seeing this species at Hilbre. Ringed:- 1 Starling, 1 Goldfinch. (DB,CJ,KMc,NDW,CJW,DGW+1,) + party from Liverpool Ornithologists Club [937-46] Photos CJ
No comments:
Post a Comment