An early start for observers this morning was rewarded with a Short-eared Owl which was accidentally flushed from by 'Wheatear Wall' opposite the end of the Old Obs garden.
There was not a significant arrival of grounded migrants but both Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler could be heard singing on and off through the morning with two of the former and one of the latter caught and ringed.
Around 10am a stunning flock of at least ten summer plumaged Black Terns was noted dipping above the flat calm incoming tide off the East Hoyle sandbank. Observers on the mainland were alerted and two members (who were already present) managed to see them from Red Rocks.
They meandered their way past the North End and then disappeared off towards the West Hoyle. Not long after a further five birds arrived from the East swept into the bay off the East Hoyle of the incoming tide before briskly heading off West; 15+ Black Terns is an impressive count for Hilbre at any time of year but it is nice to be part of the ongoing national influx, perhaps there are more to look forward to.
Good numbers of Great Crested Grebes (65) were counted on the sea and a drake Eider flew around the North End.
As the tide rose the large numbers of Dunlin gathered at the South End along with Ringed Plovers, five summer plumaged Grey Plovers had been seen just after dawn on the shore by the ridge between Little and Middle.
[273-24]
No comments:
Post a Comment