11th November 2020

Weather: SE   breezy 

Today was WeBs low tide count day so a concerted effort was made to count all the birds using the rocky shore, intertidal areas and sandbanks off Little Eye, Middle Eye and Hilbre. Luckily the weather was kind to us with no rain but a stiffening breeze. 382 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose were logged including the two regular colour ringed birds. 

A good early count of 10 Purple Sandpipers was made before the low tide count but we could only find 6 during the count! 

Most of the regular waders were present in good numbers and 4 Grey Herons were hunting in  rock pools along the west side. Of interest a semi leucistic Oystercatcher was seen which might have been the same bird as recorded in previous years.

Two Wigeon were seen in the east side gutter as observers drove onto the island earlier in the morning and these relocated to the north end to be included in the count.

 Several Red-throated Divers were seen on the sea along with a single Guillemot and a 23 Razorbills. 

 

There wasn’t much in the way of passerines seen today but there were several Robins and Blackbirds around the island although none were caught. A Rock Pipit was seen at the north end of Hilbre and another on Middle Eye.

photos AS, PSW