Sunday 10 December 2017

10th December 2017

Weather:  ESE 0-1 (2-3 later), snow!



Observers arrived on the island pre-dawn during a heavy snowfall - the occasional Song Thrush and Blackbird could be heard in the Obs garden.  Later at least 8 Wrens were noted and 3 Robins.



A lovely winter's morning produced the five Eider between the east side gutter and the North End and 2 Purple Sandpipers.


A Snipe was flushed from the south end of the main island and a single Kestrel was feeding in the same area before it took shelter on one of the chimney stacks as the easterly wind increased.


A single Greylag appeared on the shore before touring the North End and flying off west.



Meanwhile, the Brent flocks (numbering approximately 280) flew in from the south west but did not stay long either other than a couple of small flocks, one of which on the whaleback contained this year's Icelandic ringed bird (which first appeared at Hilbre on 9 October 2017).


A single Goosander flew between the islands and as observers arrived back on the mainland two Whooper Swans flew north between West Kirby Marine Lake and Little Eye; a wonderful end to a lovely, but cold, morning on the islands.



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