2nd May 2013

A most beautiful summer like day was slightly tinged with disappointment at the lack of migrants first thing this morning until spirits were raised greatly when an Osprey appeared at about 9:35hrs being mobbed over the north shore. At one point it dived and caught a fish, after which it sat for a while on the East Hoyle sandbank off Hoylake to eat its prey before disappearing off to the north; all this taking place too distantly for photographs. This was the first Osprey seen from Hilbre this spring (the previous record was seen over the recording area from the mainland). Two Sand Martins passed during the day with a small number of Swallows, while 3 White Wagtails flew over, also two unseasonable Starlings. Two female Wheatears were ringed, probably the only ones showing today, but there were no warblers at all, nor migrant finches apart from a single Lesser Redpoll that appeared in the Obs garden mist net. Early on 2 Canada Geese flew west and a Little Egret was between the islands (they have been scarce lately). Over two thousand Dunlin fed in the east gutter on the ebbing tide, creating quite a noise as they communicated amongst themselves and 9 Whimbrel called from the shore. Thirty Gannets fed out to sea and about 90 Sandwich Terns were also feeding but no Common or Little Terns could be found despite good viewing conditions.
Ringed: 2 Wheatears, 2 Linnets, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Meadow Pipit.   [ 357-25 ]
(AAB,DB,CJ,AS,DCT,PT,AW,NDW,CJW,et al)