31st December 2013

Three Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Robins, 1 Linnet.
(DB+ESCA, Brian Henshaw, Kim Baker and Simon)- all seeing in the new year at Hilbre

28th December 2013

A quick visit to the island before the tide to check on any storm damage thankfully revealed the island & Obs had survived virtually intact. The Brent Geese flock totalled 173 birds including one Dark-bellied Brent. Both recent colour ringed birds were still present as was the obligingly photogenic Snow Bunting. The only other passerines seen were the resident Dunnocks, Robins, Wrens & Blackbirds. Despite the recent false there were no rare alcids - not even a common guillemot! However, two Great-crested Grebes & a Red-throated Diver were recorded.
(PSW)   photos PSW

25th December 2013

The Snow Bunting still present for Christmas, 197 pale bellied Brent and a single dark bellied.
(DB,AAB,SRW)

Winter on the Dee estuary

Please see link to a short film 'Winter on the Dee estuary' made for the RSPB by budding wildlife photographer and filmmaker Scott Reid including footage taken at Hilbre.

http://vimeo.com/m/77881908

20th December 2013

Female Kestrel, female Peregrine, 6 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Little Egrets, and the Snow Bunting at Little Eye.
(DB)

19th December 2013

Male and female Red-breasted Merganser, 140 Grey Plover (east hoyle), 270 Curlew (Little Eye), 4 Robins, 2 male and a female Blackbird.
(DB)

17th December 2013

Weather:- SSE 2/3 sun

Snow Bunting (CJ)

Two male and 1 female Pintail, the Snow Bunting still at Little Eye (a brief video of the Snow Bunting can be found here http://youtu.be/kQxJmiwTKnI).  A distant flying diver, probably Great Northern, 9 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Purple Sandpiper ( numbers low so far this winter) 1 Starling, 8 Linnets (the first for a month).

Purple Sandpiper (CJ)

(DB,CJ)

14th December 2013

Weather:- SW 5/6, reaching force 8 with squalls
Snow Bunting still at Little Eye, 1 Canada Goose, 1 Song Thrush.
(DB) RSPB party

12th December 2013

Weather E then S 1, mild
310 Curlew Little Eye, 2,000 Knot at tanskeys, the Snow Bunting still at Little Eye, 1 Song Thrush.
(DB)

11th December 2013

Weather:- SSE 5, later 6/7 with mist, severe wind chill, visibily 1 mile
A male Snow Bunting present, a flock comprising 2 male Gadwalls, a male Shoveler, and a pair of Mallard landed below the obs on the ebb tide. There were 4 other Mallard (unusual at this time) and a Goldeneye was on the sea. 1,200 Cormorants flew out to sea after dawn.
(DB)

10th December 2013

Weather:- SE 2/3 then S 3/4
A Short-eared Owl, a Snow Bunting on Little Eye all day, 4 Common Scoter, 2 female Goldeneye, a Rock Pipit at the north end, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 2 Song Thrushes and a Goldfinch.
(DB,CJW+PL, et al)

9th December 2013

Weather:- W 2, very mild
120 Black-tailed Godwits flew north east at Tanskeys, 1 Song Thrush, 5 Robins, 5 Wrens, 3 Dunnocks,  and on Middle Eye 8 Meadow Pipits.
(DB)

8th December 2013

Weather:- WNW 3/4 drizzle
1 Rock Pipit at the north end of Middle Eye, fresh Fox faeces found at the south end of the main island. 120 Ringed Plover, 52 Sanderling.
(DB)

7th December 2013

Weather:- NW 4/5
Brent at new high of 198 including 1 dark-bellied, 2 male Common Scoter, 110 Bar-tailed Godwits flew north east, 3 Little Egret and 1 Song Thrush.
(AAB,DB)

6th December 2013

Weather:- WNW 6
Obs members inspected the damage after yesterdays severe storm and tidal surge. There was damage to the walls above the light boat house and the slipway with the door of the tide gauge completely blown out. There was some damage also to the sea hide, and some shattering of the sandstone in various areas at the north end of the island including the steps down the west side. Little Eye was particularly badly affected by the tide. The bungalows and other structures seem to be mostly unaffected.
(DB,CJW)

4th December 2013

Weather:- NNW 3/4
High counts this winter of 300 Bar-tailed Godwits, 200+ Redshank, and 250 Grey Plover. A female Peregrine, and a Little Egret.
(DB) .

3rd December 2013

Weather:- SW 2/3
A male Wigeon, 3 female Goosanders flew past, a Lapwing flew west, 1 Merlin and 8 Redwings. Counts of 210 Grey Plover and 250 Bar-tailed Godwits.
(DB)

2nd December 2013

Weather:- S 2
1,500 Cormorants out of the estuary at dawn, 100+ Shelduck, 2 female Goldeneye, 1 Little Egret.
(DB)

1st December 2013

Weather:- NW 0/1 slight drizzle
On a brief visit ,65 Ringed Plover, 140 Redshank on the east side
(DB)