15th August 2014

Reed Warbler (CJW)

Weather :- WNW force 4/5, showers early, later NW 3/4 

The day started off with another fairly strong westerly wind, expectation was not high, however by late morning another trip around the traps produced some Willow Warblers, and a Redstart! A small trickle of willows continued (10 in all) and later a Pied Wagtail was caught in the potter. The 4 Wheatears today were the most so far this autumn. The sea was quieter than it has been all week with no Manx Shearwaters for the first time, but still the ever present wader and tern flocks were buzzing around the islands, including 11 Whimbrels. Not long before high water a Reed Warbler was caught in the Newton  heligoland, a very scarce bird for Hilbre, only the ninth to be ringed, most have occurred during the last 15 years.

Above are 2 Willow Warblers, the left hand bird in both cases is a juvenile after completing post juvenile moult, the right hand bird is an adult.   (left photo JE, right PSW)

Ringed:- 5 Willow Warbler, 1 Wren, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Redstart (left), 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Dunnock, 2 Blackbirds [ 633-34 ]

(JE,CJW & family,NDW,PSW)