Weather: SE force 4 slight mist along welsh coast.
An early start for members hoping for a good migration day at this peak time of spring but it turned out to be no busier than over the last few days. The highlight of the day for many came late morning with information of a Red Kite at north Wirral that was moving south. A search through a telescope from Hilbre managed to see it tracking down the Wirral mainland towards West Kirby and Caldy. It was even visible through binoculars although an Iphone digiscope video was obtained as it passed the familiar features of north west Wirral. See link pic.twitter.com/kgUHFdp1G4
This is only the 8th record at Hilbre and the first since 2017. Information was passed to a member at home that the Kite was approaching his house and he duly managed to get good views as it cruised over head. Earlier in the morning the main migrants were about 5 Willow Warblers, a calling Yellow Wagtail, a few Goldfinches, a Greenfinch (very scarce lately), 5 Redpoll and 8 Greenland Wheatears, of which 2 females were ringed, both carrying considerable weight in the form of storage fat. Swallows that were flying about the island seem to be all prospective local breeders but there were 4 Sand Martins passing through. Swifts at last appear to be arriving in numbers, a couple over flew the island and several were sighted over Hoylake during the Kite watch. No Sandwich Terns were sighted today although a dedicated sea watch was not made, 18 Common Terns however were feeding around the island. The drake Scoter showed up again today as did the Eider and there were mostly ordinary numbers of other species for example 12 Whimbrel, 300 Dunlin, 7 Little Egrets and 10 Shelduck. The Bluebells are now flowering near the obs at the south end, and together with others give a welcome splash of colour to the island.
Ringed: 4 Willow Warblers, 2 Linnets, 2 Greenland Wheatears.
Photos BT, SRW.
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