26th May 2012

The wind remained in the east but soon picked up to brisk force 5 which seemed to put a stop to grounded migrants but the ‘vis mig’ was very impressive. It started early with 50 Swifts passing low over the island before 6am. It soon became apparent that this was not a one off and Swifts continued to "bat in" over the island traveling low battling against the wind in waves until around 10am when the larger numbers started to tail off. An impressive count of 2,100 was supplemented by 310 Swallow, 72 House Martin and 9 late Sand Martins.

A single Yellow Wagtail down and a Tree Pipit over were also noted. Later during the morning the same, or another, Short-eared Owl was found high over Little Eye it was watched struggling into the wind towards the English mainland whereupon it dropped into the saltmarsh between West Kirby and Red Rocks (where there have been two reported over the last few days).

A single Willow Warbler was caught and there were also two Chiffchaffs present (one singing in the paddocks early on and another arrived at the North End late morning feeding around the sheltered west side of sea-watching hide).

Insects were much in evidence despite the wind with a Cockchaffer (or May-bug) found, at least 20 Seven-spot Ladybirds, 2 Peacock and single Painted Lady and Holly Blue butterflies (the first of the year).

(PSW, SRW (from over) + CLW, TGW, CJW(f), GIW) [656-29]