27th May 2012

The wind had dropped overnight and was slightly south of east and slight mist had observers once again dreaming of ‘the big one’.  However, the big one turned out to be a rather unwanted visitor at this time of year (breeding season) with a single Magpie harassing the local Meadow Pipits and Linnets on the West Side, however, it was soon seen off the North End by the local breeding birds.


A Chiffchaff was caught and ringed along with five new adult Linnets, like most species on the island they have been late arriving at breeding this year.  A Cuckoo was heard mid-morning from the east (no doubt at Red Rocks) and this prompted the usual debate about whether such records count for Hilbre...

Late morning a female Blackcap appeared in the Obs garden mist net, but things went very quiet during the middle of the day with no wind and temperatures rising to 27 degrees C, which brought the 'grockles' out in force.

The nets were re-opened mid afternoon and soon after a Sedge Warbler appeared again the Obs garden net followed by another in the Old Obs net; clearly both arriving as the tide pushed in this afternoon.

Seven-spotted Ladybird numbers increased to at least 100.

Ringing:  Chiffchaff, Blackcap, 2 Sedge Warblers and 5 Linnets

(SRW, CLW, TGW, CJW(f), GIW (from over), JE) [664-29]