Sunday, 26 March 2023

26th March 2023

 Weather:   ENE force 3   backing NE 3/4  late morning

The first chance to experience the effect of a north easterly on migration this spring brought in a good passage of birds including 10 Chiffchaffs and 6 Goldcrest,

 

 also a White Wagtail, a Reed Bunting, 2 Greenfinch and 3 Goldfinch. Other species associated with Hilbre at times of passage were 5 Jackdaws, 3 Woodpigeons, a  Redwing, a Skylark (on Middle) and 3 Magpies which visited the obs before flying up and down the island.

 


The Daffodils made a lovely show when the sun was out.

 No Goosanders again today, this time a pair of Teal off the west hoyle was the compensation. Other duck were a pair of Wigeon off the east hoyle, and then a male Eider was in the gutter on the flood and 5 others were on the west hoyle, and 4 Red-breasted Merganser, plus the Mallard pair on the pond. Brent still totalled 244, many will depart north fairly soon. Additional birds to mention are 2 Great Crested Grebes, a Grey Heron and a Little Egret. Dunlin stayed around the island before the tide, 350 gathered at the north end and 3,500 elsewhere, also 12 Ringed Plover and a few Sanderling. Just before the tide 2 Stonechats were discovered on Middle.

 Ringed: 7 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Robins, 1 Blackbird.

Photos SRW 

No comments: