22nd April 2023

  Weather:  ESE  force 0/1,   NW2 with showers in the afternoon.

A small fall on the island today with a number of Blackcaps ringed early in the day and a steady trickle of Willow Warblers all day. One of the 5 Blackcaps caught was a control (not ringed at Hilbre) and we’ll be interested to hear where it was originally ringed.

There were however 6 other Blackcaps,

......also 3 Grasshopper Warblers, this one was caught and ringed (with two others ‘reeling’ on the main island during the morning). 

 

  and the expected phylloscopus warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 21 Willow Warblers, plus 2 Goldcrests. Three Redpoll, 3 Siskin and 5 Goldfinches were among the finches,

 

 and there were 2 Pied and 6 White Wagtails, while hirundines featrured 12 Swallows, 9 House and 10 Sand Martins, with 3 pairs of Swallows appearing to be settling down to breed. Wheatears were also present in good numbers with 11 Greenland Wheatears and 1 Northern Wheatear. One Greenland and one Northern were ringed. 

 

A surprise capture was a new Song Thrush.

 Lots of overhead passage today as well with Tree Pipit, White Wagtail, Redpoll and Goldfinches moving overhead and firsts for the year in the form of Yellow Wagtail and Whinchat.

 

 Wader numbers have dropped off as the birds move north to breed but Whimbrel numbers are increasing with 27 being recorded today. 

Linnet numbers are increasing as birds return to breed and it seemed every bramble and blackthorn bush hosted a singing male.

 

 At least 60 birds were logged of which 11 were caught and ringed. A Peregrine and another Sparrowhawk completed the raptor sightings. Over 2,000 Dunlin were seen on the tide and 60 Sanderling logged, but no Purple Sandpipers were seen today. Twenty Sandwich and 4 Common Terns, 3 Gannets and 3 Common Scoter were the only birds noticed on the calm sea. Two Grey Herons and a Peregrine where also around the islands. An Orange Tip butterfly enjoyed the sunshine. A nice day and a high tide meant sea kayakers were out in force and unfortunately several decided to land on Middle Eye and disturb the wader roost there. From the light trap last night was this Early Grey moth.

 Ringed: 14 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap (another was controlled from elsewhere), 1 Goldcrest, 1 Wren, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Greenland Wheatear, 1 Northern Wheatear, 1 Robin, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Goldfinch, 11 Linnets,

 Photos CJW, PSW, SRW