2nd March 2021

 Weather:  SE force 3/4

 A male Eider was near the north end early, but later 2 were together between Middle and Hilbre as the tide flooded.

The frist Chiffchaff of the spring was found in the new obs garden which was a dull individual, later another much brighter bird was near the old obs. These were quite early for us, even by Chiffchaff standards.

 . A pair of Wigeon were seen and 5 Pintail flew down the estuary.

A Woodpigeon was the only 'migrant' apart from the Chiffchaffs. Three Rock Pipits stayed about and a Dunnock was singing. Thirteen Purple Sandpipers as usual were the main attraction but also seen were 44 Sanderling on the north shore on the ebb tide, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 103 Curlew and 65 Redshank.

 

 Turnstone numbered 250

Two Harbour Porpoises were in the swash to the west of the island. The sea was not very productive otherwise but noted were a Red-throated Diver and 9 Great Crested Grebes.