Sunday 9 August 2020

9th August 2020

Weather: ENE force 0/1 clear overnight

The day started with up to 3 Willow Warblers and a Chiffchaff, but frustratingly only a single Willow Warbler in the trapping area.  Two parties of Swift totalling 18 arrived with some approaching cloud and 2 Wheatears showed on the west side and on the obs fence..

 Other migrants were 2 Collared Doves flying south.

As the tide approached focus came on the shore with the finding of a Green Sandpiper flying in with a few Dunlin near the south end just before the tide and best of all was an immature Little Gull resting on the beach where it was found by a member walking between Hilbre and Red Rocks.

Yesterdays Black Tern in the area could not be found in the roost but there were 74 Little Terns to compensate.A Peregrine was flying about and the sub adult male Kestrel of the pair present over the last few days showed to good effect.

 In the afternoon a Spotted Flycatcher appeared in the 'heli' trap area, the first of the autumn. Butterflies and other insects were much in evidence including Grayling, and less scarce species like Green-veined White, Small Tortoiseshell, and Common Blue.

 Highlight from a good overnight catch in the moth trap was this Orange Swift.

Not to be outdone, this splendid Migrant Hawker posed for the camera.

Ringed: 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Robin
BT ( Little Gull & Kestrel) CJW (rest)

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