Surprisingly, given the wind direction, there were a few grounded birds on Hilbre this morning but these soon dispersed before a slight mist rolled in. The first round of the Heligoland traps resulted in 3 Goldcrests (below right) and a female Greenfinch (right) being ringed and there were 20 -30 Meadow Pipits present. A Skylark flew over and tried to land before continuing on towards Middle Eye. Highlight of the morning was a male Eider that drifted rapidly down the east side as the tide flooded (below left). It, or another, was found as the tide ebbed on the west side where it was joined by a female before they both flew off towards Point of Ayr. A Chiffchaff was seen on Middle Eye and later heard in the Obs garden but couldn't be relocated. A Rock Pipit was briefly seen at the north end at high tide before flying out to sea directly north.
Apart from the Eider the sea was remarkable quiet with only 2 Great-crested Grebes being seen although a Puffin was seen by one observer flying up the West Hoyle from between Little & Middle Eye as he drove off.
Wader numbers were good with a maximum of 14 Purple Sandpipers being seen.
(DB+ESCA, JE, PSW, AW) [23-8] photos PSW
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