Weather: SW force 3
An interesting looking acrocephalus warbler was seen in the Obs garden briefly and photographed (only a couple of decent photos obtained). Long-winged, pale primary tips, P3 appearing to fall midway along primary projection, pale legs and feet. Bill did not appear stout and no call was heard. Sadly only two photos and the bird did not enter the Obs mist net. However, we think it is likely to be a long winged Reed Warbler. Still a scarce bird for the island although becoming annual, with most records at this time of year..
The possibility of a rare bird will always get the blood racing but the obs continues with the routine work. A Chiffchaff and 3 Willow Warblers were in the paddocks and gardens and 2 Wheatears on the west side. Swallows were certainly in double figures today and 8 House Martins and a Sand Martin visited while passing through. After the amazing sightings of Black Tern yesterday, there was just one seen at the low tide this morning and that was distantly identified resting on the west hoyle sandbank Counts of other terns were 2 Little, 40 Common and 230 Sandwich. Best of the waders were 2 Whimbrel and 3 Bar-tailed Godwits. As the tide approached the male Eider assumed its position at the tip of the whaleback, while the Kestrel was still about. No sign of the Squirrel, although it could be lying low today. Two species of dragonfly were recognised this morning, there were 2 Migrant Hawkers and a Common Darter. At least 30 Red Admiral butterflies were flying this morning, and 2 Commas, which is scarce at Hilbre. The moth trap was again in operation last night and produced abundant numbers (about 130) of Large Yellow Underwing. Of the many species Dusky Thorn was probably the scarcest in a Hilbre context.
Photo CJW
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