12th September 2016

Weather: SSE force 4 increasing 5
A breezy morning with few small migrants but with autumn ducks to mark the coming season. A Wigeon flew south down the west side followed by 4 Teal and then 3 Pintail south down the Dee off the west side.

Teal (AEH)

Wigeon (AEH)

 A single Chiffchaff was ringed, also a new Rock Pipit and a Robin, and later a Goldcrest was in the old obs garden. A Wheatear was on the island for a while and a Grey Wagtail called overhead.

 At about 10.45hrs an Osprey was seen from the mainland at West Kirby to fly out over the Hilbre recording area, but could not be found looking from the island. Three Razorbills were off the north end, earlier 3 Gannets had flown south off the west side, and 30 Common Scoter added to the duck list.
 About the shore at low tide were 11 Little Egrets (following 13 yesterday and 16 the day before), 11 Bar-tailed Godwits and a Whimbrel.

Little Egrets (AEH)

Oystercatcher (AEH)

A welcome visitor today was ex-custodian of the island Tim Cleeves (right,CJ) and companion, Tim was here from 1977 to 1981 and noticed many changes on the island from that time.
Ringed: 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Robin       [ 361- 27 ]