Wednesday 27 January 2016

27th January 2016

Weather: Force 8, gusting 9-10 (waves coming over the top of the old lifeboat station at times!) regular squalls but brightening up after the tide.


A tough day weather wise for the single brave observer but 157 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were counted (146 off Middle and 11 on Little Eye around high tide) and 3 Purple Sandpipers were noted.

Seawatching was difficult in the circumstances but records included c220 Common Scoter moving (including two on the water off  the Obs garden for the majority of the day) and a single Greater Scaup (with three Common Scoter).

A single Fulmar was a great winter record for recent years. Other species recorded included Red-throated Diver (2), Kittiwake (5), singles of Gannet and Guillemot.

Highlight of the seawatching was a mixed flock of duck including 21 Pintail, 3 Wigeon and a single Shovelor (always a good record for Hilbre more often recorded in spring or autumn).

It was too windy for counting the waders however a flock of 24 Ringed Plover spent the majority of the high tide on the rocks/grass towards the North End.

(SRR) Photo SRR

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