19th April 2014

Weather:- SE force 3, sunny, cool wind

Dawn following a clear night (SRW)

Osprey (picture from 16th April)

Just after 06.30hrs information was received from a member (JET) at Red Rocks marsh that a Marsh harrier had lifted off and was heading north. It was duly scoped and its progress followed from the island, becoming the second Marsh harrier of the spring. Amazingly at 08.30hrs an Osprey was seen soaring over the west hoyle bank with gulls and waders giving it plenty of attention. It drifted north and gained height and was lost to view before its final direction could be ascertained. This was no less than the 4th of the spring and still time for more yet. 

Rook (CJ)

A Raven croaked from the west side of the island and later a Rook made a close inspection before departing west. Rooks are quite rare at Hilbre, certainly more so than Ospreys this year ! 
Small bird passage may be described as moderate today, with a fair number of Redpolls (35), Goldfinches (16), and White Wagtails (15) and warblers numbered 8 Willow Warblers and a Chiffchaff. Four Wheatears were around quite early but again did not linger. Hirundines comprised 9 Swallows and a Sand Martin, while House Martins are still scarce with none today. Flocks of 100 and 130 Knot flew north, while 2 Little Egrets and a Whimbrel were noted. very little on the sea, just a single Gannet noted and no Sandwich Terns.
Ringed:- 6 Willow Warblers, 4 Lesser Redpolls,1 Chiffchaff, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Linnet.  [ 239-23 ]
(DB,CJ,SRW,TGW, later KMc+2)