Sunday 10 September 2017

10th September 2017



Weather: SW force 2/3, backing SE 4 later
A small trickle of migrants this morning included 6 Goldcrests, 5 Pied and a Grey Wagtail, a few Swallows and a male Blackcap. Two Wigeon were unexpected and 2 Kestrels were on the island, also a Sparrowhawk flew over to the west. A Gannet was seen as were 2 Bar-tailed Godwits.
During the morning observers thought they heard a Greenshank and then found the bird in question with other waders including Redshank below the Obs so fired off a couple of record shots before all the birds took flight when they observed a square white rump, sadly it was never seen again.  Reviewing their photos later in the day they realised the bird in question also had yellow/orangey legs and they concluded that it was in fact a Greater Yellowlegs which, if accepted by BBRC, would not only be a first for Hilbre but a first for Cheshire & Wirral. When news came out later several observers returned to the island after the tide to search for it but it could not be found; consolation for one visitor was the first Leach's Petrel of the year.
Ringed: 1 Goldcrest, 1 Blackcap                   [ 475-32 ]

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