12th March 2012

Early morning migration was similar to yesterday in many respects, today 4 Goldcrests, 2 Chaffinches, 3 Pied Wagtails and the odd Skylark overhead (with one grounded later), but in addition 2 Fieldfares flew through early in the morning and 2 new Blackbirds, one being ringed. The Merlin was seen on the cliff on Middle and 5 Canada Geese flew west between Little Eye and Middle. A large flock of Eider, one of the biggest ever seen at Hilbre of 22 birds, including 12 drakes, rested on the sea north west of bird rock after high tide. The only other duck was a pair of Wigeon seen several times flying around the islands, although about a thousand Common Scoter were noted through telescopes way out towards the wind farm.The sea watching was again poor with 2 Red-throated Divers the highlight but with a bonus of brief glimpses of a Harbour porpoise out to the west.The Pale-bellied Brent were well scattered again, the best count available was 135 in addition to 2 dark-bellied individuals.
Ringed:-3 Goldcrests, 2 Chaffinches, 1 Blackbird
(BSB,DB,CJ,KMc,AO,MGT+KD,CJW,AW)          [29-9]