Weather: ESE force 3
The day started with a trio of Pinkfeet Geese flying over the obs garden, they usually move in larger numbers than this.
Four Goldcrests were in the paddocks,
and Chiffchaffs continue to arrive, another half dozen today.
There were not too many Meadow Pipit passing, but 9 White Wagtails and 2 Grey Wagtails flew in and finches seen were 8 Goldfinchs and 4 Siskins. Two Skylarks and a single Reed Bunting called as they passed over. Three male Wheatears were found at the north end but they did not stay long enough to be ringed.
A bit of a surprise came in the form of a Woodpigeon which flew into one of the traps, there have been many records this last week or so but only infrequently do we get to ring them. Two others later flew high over the island.
A Collared Dove landed on the island, the first we have seen this year. It sat atop the telegraph station for a short while before disappearing.
Two single Jackdaws called as they passed over at great height and a Magpie made a similarly brief overhead visit.
Six Mallard were around the pond area on occasions, Common Scoter numbered 70, some near to the island. Four Red-throated Divers were seen, also 3 Great Crested Grebes and 4 Guillemots. Eighteen Red-breasted Mergansers were swimming out towards the west hoyle bank, in the same area 16 Little Gulls hung about as the tide flooded. The 4 Eiders did not appear until after the tide as often happens. About 4,000 knot were estimated, some roosting on the east side of the island and one individual sported a colour flag and rings dating from October last year in the Liverpool bay area.
As ever keep your eyes open for any colour marked waders including Hilbre Turnstones which have a blue ring on their right tibia and white flag with alpha numeric on their left. The rest of the waders were here of course, including 250 Sanderling, 450 Dunlin and 30 Bar-tailed Godwits. Three Little Egrets and a Grey Heron were noted.
A Peacock butterfly was out in the sunshine today.
Spring is in the air for the flowers also,
and the Linnets know it.
A long day but a good one.
Ringed: 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Robins, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Wren, 1 Turnstone.
Photos AEH, CJW, SRW
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