10th July 2014

Weather: NW 3-4, 3/8 cloud, good visibility

A gloriously sunny day produced a quiet day bird wise on the islands although great news that the Swallows that nested appear to have fledged four young with two adults and four young feeding around the island for the last few days.  Swallows struggle on Hilbre, mainly due to the exposure to the elements but they have been successful for the last two years now.

Other successful breeding birds included the Dunnocks with at least two recently fledged young around the Obs garden today and 3 adults also seen around the main island.

Meanwhile at West Kirby shore good numbers of Black-headed Gulls were present (including several juveniles) as well as a dozen Common Gulls joining the party! Sandwich Tern numbers had increased to 118 roosting birds including a juvenile being fed by adults.  But there was no sign of any Med Gulls this morning,  however, three stunning summer plumaged Bar-tailed Godwits fed on the tide edge by Little Eye until, along with all the gulls, terns and Oystercatchers, they were disturbed by a dog walker.

(DB, SRW (WKML))