20th November 2022

Weather:  WSW force 4

A Great White Egret was by Little Eye today. It landed briefly at the south end of the reef before flying around to the east and then north out of the estuary between Hilbre and Red Rocks. Although now a regular in the Dee marshes these egrets are still a rare sight this far to the north.

The five Eiders were still present.

  

A Lapwing made an appearance following a run of such records over the last week or so. Brents numbered over 300 today and the bright light showed them to good effect.

Watching the sea was productive, there were 5 Red-throated Divers, 35 Gannets, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Guillemots and 2 Red-breasted Mergansers.

A few hundred Common Scoters were well out to sea, but a pair came close to the island. The female seemed to be rejecting the attentions of the male.

 

  Just 8 Purple Sandpipers could be found this morning.

Photos AEH, SRW