21st June 2024

 Weather: SE force 2, SW 4 in the afternoon

 Two broods of Wren have fledged and a total of 12 were noted today.

 

Two Swift plus singles of Starling and Goldfinch flying south down the island were the 'migrants' of the day. Two Gannets and 8 Sandwich Terns were the sea birds on the log. Roosting Turnstone numbered 14 and 4 Dunlin were with them.

 Just a single Shelduck was noted,

 But there were 7 Eider today.

Eight Little Egret fed in the gutter on the ebb tide but only 1 Grey Heron was present. A Pyramidal Orchid is just coming into bloom.

Some areas of the delicate Sheep's-bit have been lost to encroaching bracken over the last few years but a few patches still persist.

 Photos AS

20th June 2024

 Weather: SE force 2/3  warm sunshine

Three juvenile birds were ringed today, first a Blackbird that is from one of the Hilbre broods, while the Blackcap was so young it could not be sexed but of course defineately hatched elsewhere.

 Another juvenile was a Chiffchaff

A highlight was the finding of 7 Lapwing, a scarce bird at Hilbre especially at ths time of year. The pick of the other waders were 11 Turnstone still lingering around the island.

 A Gannet and 33 Sandwich Terns were on the sea. Just 2 Eider showed today. A movement of 6 Swift outnumbered the Swallows seen today. Two Grey Herons and 3 Little Egrets inhabited the gutters.

 Photos JE

19th June 2024

 Weather: SE force 4

The surprise this morning was an adult Willow Warbler, which could be classed as a spring or an autumn record, either way it was caught and ringed. It could possibly be a failed breeder.

Also pictured amongst the bracken was a female Emperor Dragonfly.

A quick list of some other birds logged is as follows: 6 Shelduck, 7 Eider, 6 Little Egret, 480 Oystercatcher, 2 Redshank, 47 Lesser Black-back Gulls, 22 Sandwich Terns, 8 Swallow, 12 Rock Pipits.

Photos SRW

18th June 2024

 Weather: NW force 2

A late afternoon visit discovered that 2 Whimbrel were present, also 4 Eider, 2 Swallows and the Kestrel. Most other species were regular breeders apart from 2 Little Egrets, 180 Herring Gull and 5 Oystercatchers. A count of 275 Grey Seals were made near to low tide.

17th June 2024

 Weather: W force 3

About 80 Gannet were out by the windfarm but one individual flew in with the tide up the east side, cutting over to the west side when it ran out of water by Little Eye.

Eighteen Sandwich Terns were the only other sea birds of note apart from a Fulmar which was probably the same as yesterday and which spent considerable time prospecting the west side cliffs of the two main islands.

 At least 2 family groups of Rock Pipit are on Hilbre.

Six Swallow were noted with one begging for food from its mate.

 There were about a dozen or so Linnets about the island

Seven Curlew were to the west of middle as tide came in. Other regulars noted were 3 Little Egrets, 4 Shelduck, a Grey Heron, the Kestrel, 6 Eider, 8 Wrens, 6 Blackbirds, 11 Meadow Pipits and a Pied Wagtail.

Photos AS

16th June 2024

 Weather: W force 4/5

A 5am start to make the early tide. Force 4-5 westerly winds were pushing many of the 150 Gannets of different age groups close to the main island affording good photo opportunities. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A lone Fulmar, a now uncommon visitor to the island spent an hour prospecting the cliffs along the west side. 

 

 

Other seabirds seen were 11 Common Scoter, 54 Sandwich Terns and 2 Kittiwakes. Some of the many Herring Gulls rested on the rocks on the island.

Nine Whimbrel paid a brief visit with a single Curlew and Bar tailed Godwit. Sixteen Shelduck, 2 male Eider, 2 Little Egret and the Kestrel were also here.

  Sadly only 3 Swallows remain after the recent poor weather.

Photos AEH