16th October 2014

Weather : SE force 3, later SSW force 2, drizzle early sunny later

One of two late Greenland Wheatears on the island today

A few Blackbirds were down in the paddocks again this morning but unlike yesterday only a single Redwing was to be found. Two Wheatears (possibly the same ones as yesterday) were at the north end but this time a fresh supply of live meal worms did the trick and they were ringed. Only one Wheatear has ever been ringed at Hilbre on a later date, that was 21st October 2006. The Brents did not show at all on the low tide, and single Wigeon and Teal were the only ducks. Passage birds were fairly scarce, though again Skylarks went through regularly, as did Meadow Pipits, also 6 Starlings, about 6 Pied Wagtails, a Goldfinch and a Reed Bunting down in the gardens mid-morning. Looking out to sea only produced 12 Great Crested Grebes, a single Guillemot and 130 Sanderlings flying south west passed the north end. Cormorants exiting the estuary after dawn numbered 423, while waders on the shore included 12 Bar-tailed Godwits, 64 Redshank and 45 Ringed Plovers. Earlier observers had noticed a Mediterranean Gull on the marine lake at West Kirby mid-morning. A Red Admiral and a Small White butterfly enjoyed the late morning warm and sunny weather.
Ringed : 2 Blackbirds, 2 Greenland Wheatears, 1 Meadow Pipit      [ 922-36 ]
(DB,AEH,CJ,KMc+SD,CJW et al)              photo  CJ