14th July 2012

There were 7 Arctic Skuas harassing the terns all this morning showing extremely well down the east side. also 40 Gannets and 5 Kittiwake loafing off the Whale Back.
Highlight of the morning by far were 5 Common Crossbill (1male and 4 female/imm) low between little and middle eye at 5.30am calling as they passed overhead. Records of Crossbills at Hilbre are very rare indeed.
John Ball the coastal ranger found a Redstart on top of the Newton trap but it evaded capture.
Other birds of interest included 7 Whimbrel, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, a single Turnstone and Peregrine, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 250 Sandwich terns.
The sea was like a mill pond.
Ringed - 1 Wren.
(AEH)      [685-29]