4th September 2017

Weather: SE force 2, mist at first, clearing as the wind turned west later.

Observers were full of expectations this morning with a south easterly and mist around the coast. The reality was less exciting with 3 Goldcrests, 2 Willow Warblers and a Chiffchaff on the ground. A Song Thrush hung around the obs garden area this morning and became the first to be ringed this autumn.

A Merlin was flushed from the old obs garden and flew off towards the mainland, while at c1250hrs yet another Marsh Harrier passed through Hilbre, making the tally three for the autumn and four for the year, this time arriving at  Middle from the north west and departing to the south down the Dee via the east of Little Eye.

A Wheatear arrived at the north end briefly and a quiet sea produced only 2 Gannets and 6 Great Crested Grebes. No large numbers of waders or terns were around at the high tide apart from the 3,000 or so Oystercatchers. A count of 98 Shelduck was the most so far this autumn.

Ringed: 2 Goldcrests, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Song Thrush.    [ 473-32 ]

photos SRW