7th May 2012

May continues to live up to past glory.  A south-easterly breeze (backing south and increasing significantly by lunchtime to force 5) produced more grounded migrants this morning including the first Tree Pipit to be trapped and ringed this year, along with probably 20 Willow Warblers, 3 Whitethroats, 2-3 Blackcaps and a few Greenland Wheatears.

Visible migration was excellent first thing but petered out mid morning - 5 Tree Pipits were heard overhead, at least 5 flava Wagtails could also be heard (and seen) passing over and finches were evident with Goldfinches and Redpolls noted.

Two Whitethroats were trapped and one was found to be a control (ringed elsewhere) as was one of three Lesser Redpolls caught.

A Short-eared Owl appeared over the Obs (unbeknown to the occupants) being mobbed by gulls it headed over the island and 'ditched in' somewhere north of Wheatear wall.  A quick search of the area located it and it promptly left the island towards Red Rocks it then turned and headed south.  Later on it, or another, was found again at the North End of Hilbre and headed east across the sea towards Hoylake Lifeboat Station.

A single Greenland Wheatear was trapped in a potter trap after lunch which weighed an incredible 45.5 grams (fat score '50') - surely preparing for its next mammoth migration 'leap'.

Ringing:  Willow Warbler (8), Lesser Redpoll (2), Tree Pipit, Whitethroat, Robin, Blackcap (2), Greenland Wheatear.
(AEH,DCT, PT, NDW, PSW, SRW, TGW +VT) [599-28] Photos to follow