18th July 2017

Weather: SE force 2   warm

Sandwich Terns were much in evidence as the tide ebbed this morning, 700 were gathered at several places between West Kirby marine lake and Middle Eye with about 40 Common Terns and about 1,000 Black-headed Gulls.

Initially it was thought there were no migrants and then the song of a Whitethroat came from one of the bungalow gardens, it later gave a song flight from the south end bracken. At least 10 Swallows flew around the island. Waders are more obvious now, 750 Dunlin fed in a flock on the west side between the islands and 25 Redshanks flew together at the north end, only 2 Whimbrel were noted but there may be more. A Hummingbird Hawk Moth was seen briefly at the Valerian flowers above Niffy bay and an Emperor Dragonfly was in the SK trap for a while (the first this year?).

Ringed: 1 Linnet       [ 403-32 ]                   photos CJ