9th November 2020

 Weather: SE force 3/4

 Early morning there were 8 Wigeon and a Shoveler on the north shore tide edge, with another 11 Wigeon arrving as the tide flooded. 

 

Shoveler is still scarce at Hilbre although increasing in recent years. Not to be outdone 8 Teal had flown between the islands at low tide while the Brent count was 333 birds. Four Blackbirds flew south, another 4 were down on the island with 4 Song Thrushes, 5 Chaffinches and 3 Robins. 

Three Rock Pipits were present and Wrens were numerous enough to just make double figures, evidence of local passage. Groups of 13 then 5 Starlings passed over. A Peregrine hunted the gutter pre-dawn, but surving were 3 Purple Sandpipers, 49 Turnstones, 62 Redshank, 80 Dunlin, 3 Grey Plover and 3 Knot. Talking about surviving, the Fox still gives evidence of its presence.

photos AS