3rd to 6th October 2011

A brief visit on 3rd found a Chiffchaff in the trapping area, an excellent count of 102 Bar-tailed Godwits and A female Shoveler (rare at hilbre) in the pool between the islands (DB). The 4th produced a late passage of Swallows (67) and House Martins (9), surprising for a westerly wind, a Merlin went through the gardens, others present included 2 Goldcrests, a Wheatear, 5 Goldfinches and a Pale-bellied Brent that flew in from the north west and slept on the east hoyle for 3 hours (DB). The Brent was still present on 5th when a westerly wind blew in a few sea birds, including 6 Gannets, 4 Kittiwakes and 8 Razorbills, while a Golden Plover flew south. The wind increased to force 8/9 on 6th and a dedicated sea watch was made and was rewarded with 2 Long-tailed Skuas, one juvenile and an adult complete with tails streamers, over 20 Arctic Skuas, also 4 Bonxies, 7 Manx Shearwaters, and 2 Leach's Petrels, plus all the regular species on the sea including 6 Red-throated Divers. Six Golden Plover flew south over the east hoyle bank (DB,CJW, et al)