23rd March 2020

Weather: SE force 2/3   cold start then sunny
Coverage from early morning until the middle of the afternoon was justified by a lot of good spring records brought by the south easterly. Main highlight of the day was the ringing of a scandinavian Rock Pipit, not only the first of its type ringed on Hilbre but also in the whole of Cheshire and Wirral.

Twelve Chiffchaffs were grounded, one even arriving on the rocks,

Throughout the morning Meadow Pipits moved south, 280 or more, while early records were 3 Woodpigeons, a Fieldfare, a Redwing and a Reed Bunting and a Stonechat,

 also 5 Jackdaw, a Common Snipe and a House Sparrow.

 Three Shoveler seen were scarce birds,

  less so the drake Eider,

while a Goosander repeated the actions of one 2 days ago which swan up the west side and stood out on the whaleback. In addition to the numerous Meadow Pipits there were 11 Starlings, 11
Siskin, also 1 Grey, 8 Pied and 3 White Wagtails also 3 Goldcrests, 2 Blackbirds and a fine male Wheatear, which was the first to be ringed this year.

Three Purple Sandpipers are still about, as was a Peregrine.

Ringed: 4 Chiffchaffs, 1 Goldcrest, 1 scandinavian Rock Pipit. 1 Wheatear, 1 Robin, [ 40-10 ]
photos JE, SRW