Weather: SE force 2, SSE 1 in the afternoon
Another great day of migration on the islands for the middle of March. The star bird was first found on the wall of the Newton trap
It could look surprisingly pale under some light conditions.
The bird was heard to sing on and off, quite an unusual event. It stayed on the island all day despite being elusive at times, and visited most areas during its visit. Just as scarce in a Hilbre context were 2 Long-tailed Tits found near the 'heli' trap where they were caught for ringing.
A Redwing was heard calling in the obs garden and was eventually caught in the Newton trap. The odd Redwing is often ringed here in March.
Not to be left out, the remnants of the Stonechat influx yesterday was here in the form of 2 birds ringed out of 3 present.
An unusually large passage of 12 Robins this morning resulted in 7 being ringed. Several species this morning were first arrivals for this year including White Wagtail, Sand Martin, Little Gull (5) and 2 Chiffchaffs (both were ringed today).
A Goldcrest dropped in at the north end which was only the second for the year, more are expected shortly. There were 9 Wheatears logged and one became another of the 7 species ringed today.
Passing species making the list today included 12 Skylarks, 14 Pied Wagtails, 2 Grey Wagtails, 5 Woodpigeons, 4 Goldfinch and a Chaffinch. Wintering species still with us were 7 Eiders and 3 Goosanders, while on the sea 700 Scoter were logged, also 7 Red-throated Divers, 15 Great Crested Grebes and 5 Red-breasted Mergansers. Five Harbour Porpoise were noted, there have been numerous sightings recently. The Purple Sandpipers (only 5 seen today) have developed a recent habit of feeding in the east gutter below the obs where the Turnstones (65 today) often are, but unusually the one below was on the island.
Six Mallard around island are the most this year.
Ringed: 7 Robins, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Stonechats, 1 Wheatear, 1 Redwing, 1 Blackbird.
Photos AEH, SRW
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