4th April 2023

 Weather:  SE force 4     sunny

 The weather was similar to yesterday but slightly less cold, and the small migrants were also similar but with less variety in the larger species. Four Chiffchaffs and 3 Goldcrests were in the paddocks, 8 Goldfinches and 2 Siskins represented the migrant finches and 4 Pied Wagtails were here. A single female Wheatear, the bird from yesterday? was present but again could not be caught for ringing, and a few dozen Meadow Pipits moved through the island. The Red-legged Partridge was a sort of highlight to those than had not yet seen it. The sea was reasonably calm to enable a decent sea watch: 23 Gannets, 4 Red-throated Divers, 4 Guillemots, 6 Great Crested Grebes and 37 Common Scoter were logged, 3 of them chose to shelter close in to the north west of the island in the fresh south easterly.

 The regular 7 Eider turned up late as usual, likewise 4 Goosanders (1 male), a pair of Wigeon showed up, while the Brent still gather at well over 200 birds. A Peregrine was the sole raptor today. Wader numbers did not stand out, 217 Curlew are still here and 1,200  hung around the island with  8 Purple Sandpipers. A Rock Pipit was trapped showing a brood patch, a sure sign it will breed again this year,

 The Robin that was ringed was the only one seen on the island, a repeat of yesterday.

Most of the Linnets about the island now will be breeding birds, even this male second year bird could possibly be joining the Hilbre breeders.

  Ringed: 2 Wrens, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Linnets, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Robin, 1 Rock Pipit.

 Photos JE