26th April 2023

 Weather: ESE force 2,   SSE 1 by noon

The Pink-footed Geese have not yet given up and 155 flew north soon after dawn, The highlight of the visit however came just before noon when a Red Kite flew east across the island and amazingly landed briefly on Bird Rock (by Red Rocks shore). It subsequently lifted off, circled and flew inland to Wirral across Hoylake. It is only the 9th Hilbre record, the first was in 1994.

Earlier a few Willow Wabrlers were in the paddocks,

 and 3 Greenland Wheatears were seen feeding ,

 

 

A single Pied Wagtail sat on the Lifeboat house

 and 5 White Wagtails were on the rocks

 

A Robin was a surprise candidate in the ringing room.

A Yellow Wagtail and a Tree Pipit were heard passing by, there were 2 Redpolls and 15 Goldfinches around, and Swallows (20), House Martins (10) and 6 Sand Martins came through mostly later in the morning when the sun peeped through for the first time. There was not much to see on the sea exept for about 80 Sandwich and 35 Common Terns. Wildfowl are still about despite the season, there wrere 3 Eiders (2 males), a pair of Canada Geese, and 4 Teal floating distantly off the north end.

Others seen today were a Raven flying not far from Middle, while among the waders were 18 Whimbrel, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit (one in splendid summer plumage) and 2 Purple Sandpiper. As the tide flooded many of the 600 or so Dunlin and Ringed Plover fed in the gutter in the sunshine.

 In the evening a Short-eared Owl was disturbed from light bracken near the lookout and flew around and in circles for a while before heading off to the east being persued by gulls.

 Ringed: 4 Willow Warblers, 1 Wren, 1 Robin, 4 Linnets.

Photos CJW