Tuesday 12 April 2016

12th April 2016

Weather: calm with mist around coasts
A great day of migration started with a male Ring Ouzel which was found on the east side and moved towards Middle Eye, and continued during the morning with a large arrival of Wheatears (57 logged) and passage of Meadow Pipits (330), also many hirundines, including 125 Swallows and 69 Sand Martins, but no House Martins. Warblers were less impressive today, with just 3 Chiffchaffs and 2 Goldcrests on the ground. Other small migrants today were 5 White and 4 Pied Wagtails, 3 Goldfinches and 4 Siskins, while a Woodpigeon was less expected.  Also visiting today were 2 Canada and 3 Greylag geese.
Wheatear
 The rarest bird of the day was undoubtedly a Little Ringed Plover that flew north to the east of the island at 10.30hrs, a species that is possibly increasing at Hilbre but is far from an annual occurrence. The first Whimbrel this year appeared this morning on a typical date for Hilbre and another came in to the island later. Sea birds noted today were 11 Common Scoter, 1 Red-throated Diver and 1 Gannet, the best sighting being a Harbour Porpoise swimming off the west side.
Sand MartinPhotos AEH
Swallow




Ringed: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Wren, 1 Linnet.      [ 89-15 ]



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