19th March 2023

 Weather:  WNW 5, backing W5    drizzle early then dry

After the excitement of yesterday, today with a north westerly wind was bound to be a disappointment to some extent. It was also cool and breezy and it was obvious right away there were no migrants passing through. Brent massed around the island as the tide approached and the resulting count was 340, obviously few have decided to depart yet. No Goosander were seen this morning but 8 Eider floated out of the estuary on the ebb tide. Two were adult males but some of the rest were immature males.

There was little that could be describes as passage birds, perhaps the new Robin ringed, a Pied Wagtail and possibly a few of the 18 Meadow Pipits about.

An adult Kittiwake sat near the light, possibly resting as the sea had quite a large swell.

 It was difficult also for a sea watch although found were 4 Red-throated Divers and 26 Great Crested Grebes, some in summer plumage,

....also 600 Common Scoter, a Guillemot and amongst the gulls were 2 Common, 4 Lesser Black-backs and 8 Great Black-backs.

Waders included 1,200 Black-tailed Godwits flying south down the West Kirby shore, 3,000 Knot, 250 Dunlin, 90 Curlew, 65 Turnstone, 60 Sanderling and 10 Purple Sandpiper. A Wren braved the weather on the island and sang.

 

 Only a Robin and a Blackbird ringed today.

 

 

Ringed: 1 Blackbird, 1 Robin

Photos CJW, SRW