13th July 2021

Weather: WNW force 2  warm and mostly sunny

 A Grasshopper Warbler was trapped early this morning, continuing the run of single warblers appearing this month. It naturally needed to be checked for anything rarer, but as the photos show, a Grasshopper Warbler it was. Grasshopper Warblers are predominately spring birds at Hilbre but a July occurance was most welcome and is by no means unprecedented.

One of the breeding Rock Pipits (a female) was also ringed today, it was in full post breeding moult and it is useful that it is now ringed so we may track its progress if it returns in subsequent years. 

Another Linnet was also ringed, this is the best year for Linnets in the 20 years. Nine Bar-tailed Godwits were on the shore, the most here so far as the autumn progresses.

Two Whimbrel, 10 Curlew and 16 Redshank were also logged as well as 3 Gannets, 5 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron, a Kestrel and 370 Sandwich and 20 Common Terns.

  The Eider showed up and 300 Grey Seals hauled out on the west hoyle.

Ringed: 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Wren, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Linnet.

photos JE & AS