Weather: NNE force 3, NW force 3 in the afternoon.
The rain was much less heavy than foreecast which enabled the observatory work scheduled to take place without too much interruption. Meanwhile the sort after first for the year appeared on the path to the north end, just beyond the lighthouse. Yes, our first Wheatear, a splendid male.
Early thrushes were noted, a Fieldfare and 4 Redwing and a fall of 15 Goldcrests and 6 Chiffchaff.
Two of the Chiffchaffs were ringed this morning and 5 of the Goldcrests likewise.
A fine Reed Bunting was a welcome visitor.
A Starling in moult showed how colourful these birds can be.
A couple of Pied Wagtails, 2 Goldfinches, a Chaffinch and some new Robins (1 was ringed) were other small visitors to the islands. Nineteen Great Crested Grebes, 8 Guillemots and a couple of dozen Common Scoter were noted on the calm sea. Chief among the wader sightings were 100 Black-tailed Godwits seen distantly in flight, also 5 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1,200 Knot, 400 Dunlin, 145 Sanderling, 6 Purple Sandpiper and 68 Redshank. Among the 8 Rock Pipits recorded was 'CAB', a member of the colour ringing scheme at Hilbre.
Brent numbered 385 and there was a pair of Eiders, 6 Little Egrets and a Grey Heron.
Ringed : 5 Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Robin
Photos: SRW
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