At last the wind dropped and turned to the east, although the direction lacked any south first thing.
Observers were greeted with the calls of flava and alba Wagtails first thing and Greenland Wheatears were already evident early morning along the West Side of the island and by the end of the day five birds had been caught with many more moving through.
Willow Warblers trickled through from early on and a Whitethroat was found on rocks at the South End and it or another was later caught in the Obs garden.
A male Redstart appeared mid morning in bushes at the South End and spent some time around the wildlife garden before being found late morning in the Heli trap.
A male Sparrowhawk hunted the island constantly harassing the breeding Meadow Pipits with unusual behaviour (for Hilbre) including flopping on the ground from grassy tussock to grassy tussock north of the Old Obs garden and also being extremely approachable.
Our first Hobby of the year flew in from Wales and quickly off South and another Sparrowhawk drifted low over the sands between Little Eye and West Kirby early afternoon.
The Dunlin flocks continue to increase with at least 3,000 birds today showing well on and off down mainly below the Obs along with at least 80 Ringed Plovers.
On the sea a drake Eider was the highlight and other sightings included 2 Greylag Geese calling as they flew West over the island.
A great day on the islands included the flora and fauna also showing that May had arrived.
(DCT, PT, NDW (from over), JE+JP, AEH, CJ, KMc+SD, CJW et al) photos AEH, CJW et al [298-31]
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