8th May 2015

Weather: ESE 2, 4/8 cloud, good vis

A Greenland Wheatear was at WKML and another on Little Eye at 530am and with the light east south east breeze observers were hopeful of a good morning despite the good visibility.

A flock of five Goosanders flew north passed Little Eye early on a good record for this time of year of this increasing species at Hilbre.

A single Greylag Goose was on the gutter edge and a couple of Willow Warblers greeted observers at the South End of the main island.

A couple of Swifts bombed through heading east over the islands as the clouds darkened and a couple of Whitethroats were caught and ringed during the morning.

However, again the main focus was on the waders and as the tide began to flood Whimbrels could be seen and heard around the gutter with a couple of their older cousins the Curlew still in evidence.

Whimbrel - in the gutter on the flood (AEH)

Large numbers of Dunlin whirled around and Ringed Plovers could be found by the ridge were a fine summer plumaged Grey Plover was seen as observers left the island before high tide.  A single Bar-tailed Godwit and small groups of Sanderling added to the wader species total.

Grey Plover - near 'the Ridge' south of Middle (AEH)

With all these waders around it was hardly surprising that a Peregrine made a brief appearance - something of a scarcity recently.  This bird flew down the gutter and plucked a Dunlin out the air.

It was a good day for Little Egrets with at least six seen including up to four in the gutter with a Grey Heron and a single bird flew out of the Dee around the North End and landed on the North shore.

Little Egret and Grey Heron - in the gutter (AEH)

Flowers on top of Niffy Bay (AEH)

(JE+JP, AEH, CJW et al) [311-32]