Weather: SE froce 2 good visibility
A fine morning starting with another first species for Hilbre this year, a Lesser Whitethroat. A typical date for this scarce species at Hilbre (about one a year.)
Here it is for comparison with a Common Whitethroat that was caught at the same time.
A steady trickle of Willow Warblers (18), were accompanied by a Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcaps,, 2 Whitethroats and a Sedge Warbler. A Yellow Wagtail flew south near to midday, Five Greenland Wheatears came through and 4 Starlings and a Redpoll arrived. Incidently one of the Blackcaps we controlled earlier this spring had been ringed 4 days previously at Portland Bill (Dorset). It was not until late in the afternoon that a male Whinchat was found on Middle island. Lots of Gannets are still feeding in the irish sea, 65 were counted from Hilbre with just a few Sandwich and Common Terns. There were 18 Whimbrel on the shore and 10 Bar-tailed Godwits, some of which were in partial summer plumage.
A few hundred Knot and Dunlin in view of the islands at the tide but just single Grey Plover, Redshank and Sanderling. Four Eiders were here again, the 3 that have been here for a while now, plus the adult male which seemed to have joined them a few days ago. The Common Seal that has made Hilbre its home recently is still about the islands.
Eight Silver Y moths were recorded, also 2 Small Tortoiseshell butterflies and a Green-veined White. Another productive day at the observatory.
Ringed: 11 Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Whitethroats, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Blackbird, 4 Linnets.
Photos CJW, SRW
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