7th April 2015

Weather: variable wind direction force 0/1, thick fog most of the morning

Distant pair of Shoveler

Very few small migrants arrived this morning in the thick fog, only a single Wheatear (on middle) and Chiffchaff were new, with the Goldcrest remaining from yesterday although later 6 Goldfinches flew down the west side. The Meadow Pipit passage however continues apace, around 500 being through by late morning, all moving south along the spine of the island chain. The most unusual visitors were a pair of Shoveler that sat at the tide edge of the east hoyle in the late morning, this species is quite rare at Hilbre and not recorded in some years. A Woodpigeon again put in an appearance, as did Canada Geese with 2 first thing at Little Eye in the fog and 7 more flying up the east side later. The visibility on the sea was mostly non-existent, but during a brief improved spell 7 Red-breasted Mergansers were seen on the west hoyle and  the massive Scoter flock could be glimpsed out to the north.
Ringed: 3 Linnets, 1 Robin       [ 90-17 ]
(DB,CJ,KMc+SD et al)                   photo  CJ