15th April 2014

Weather :- SE 3/4 slight mist

Redpoll showing some features of Common Redpoll

male Lesser Redpoll

Spring sprung into top gear this morning with 57 bird species recorded and 36 birds ringed by the end of the day. The first small fall of Willow Warblers (12), and Chiffchaffs (5), were backed up by good finch numbers (22 Lesser Redpolls, 21 Goldfinches, 2 Siskins and one each of Greenfinch and Chaffinch) a House Sparrow. Other small bird entries on the log were 5  alba wagtails and a single Goldcrest.and a wide variety of other goodies including no less than 5 firsts for the year:- 1 Arctic Tern, 3 Whimbrel, 2 female and 2 male Blackcaps (the female first caught still had pollen adhering above the bill), 2 Tree Pipits and a Yellow Wagtail passing. One of the Redpolls appeared to be a Common Redpoll type (long winged, big billed, pale undertail coverts but otherwise like lesser, however biometrics could not decide the issue). The hirundine total reached 8 Swallows, 3 Sand Martins and 2 House Martins, and while 12 Wheatears were counted it didn't seem so to observers as none stayed long enough to be much noticed (or ringed).

House Sparrow

Goldfinch

Blackcap

Unexpected records today included 5 Canada and 2 Greylag geese, a Raven, a Jackdaw, 2 Woodpigeons, and 2 Buzzards over Hoylake. On the sea were 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Guillemots, 2 Razorbills, and 19 Sandwich Terns in addition to the Arctic. Five thousand Common Scoters lifted off from the north west sea for no perceptible reason. Wader numbers are naturally down from the winter with 1,100 Oystercatchers, 18 Ringed Plovers,12 Sanderling, 10 Turnstone and 45 Curlew logged.

Ringed :- 10 Willow Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs,1 Goldcrest, 1 Wren, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Goldfinches, 8 Lesser Redpolls, 5 Linnets, 1 Meadow Pipit.        [ 194-22 ]
(DB,MSC +2,CJW et al )