Weather: SE force 3
Despite the view of snow on the Carnedds a calm and dry morning made being on the island early very pleasent. The best sighting of the day however was made just before departing for the mainland when a Short-eared Owl was spotted from the obs flying north up the east side of the island.
It then came in to the north end where the local Kestrel harried it before it left from whence it came, eventually heading towards the south end of the golf course.
Earlier 8 Pinkfooted Geese flew north out of the estuary destination unknown, however in a week or two large skeins will start flying out heading north to the breeding grounds. Goosanders have been regular at Hilbre lately but not normally as many as the 13 seen today which included a group of ten.
Rock Pipits are now displaying but an individual unexpectedly turned up in the SK trap and enrolled itself in our island colour ringed project.
Meadow Pipits were also displaying around the islands.
A single Dark-bellied was again seen amongst the Brent,
A Great Crested Grebe was on the sea off the north end, and 4 Common Scoter floated around the island. Waders were hard to find at the low tides today, although another Turnstone chanced feeding on top of the island despite the fate of the last to do this. A few Curlews called about the rocks.
Three Little Egrets fed in the gutter and a Grey Heron stood on the west side.
Migrants were identified in small numbers: 6 Pied Wagtails, a Chaffinch, the odd Linnet but surprisingly no Skylarks, although a Starling landed on the Telegraph house chimney.
The regulars still here are a Song Thrush and a Robin and at least 3 Blackbirds,
Photos AEH
No comments:
Post a Comment