3rd May 2024

 Weather: NW force 2

 

A Wheatear was found by Matt Thomas this morning that was colour ringed, only the second time ever this has been seen at Hilbre.

 

 

This was indeed a red-letter day, almost literally!  Rapid enquiries revealed that it was ringed at the Calf of Man only yesterday, the previous bird was also ringed there. It is amazing that Hilbre colour ringed Wheatears for a several years without a single sighting ever, such are the distances travelled and unihabited breeding places involving our migrant Wheatears. Warblers present were only a single Willow Warbler and the singing Whitethroat. It was nice to see 10 Shelduck about, many standing on the traditional wall.

 Only 4 Eider were seen but 5 Greylags appeared again. also the single Brent. A Red-throated Diver, a Guillemot and 16 Scoters were on the sea with 28 Gannets. Nine Little Egrets shared the islands with 21 Whimbrel, 28 Ringed Plover, 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, 6 Grey Plover, 400 Knot and 500 Dunlin. The Kestrel was missing again but a Peregrine was good compensation.

 

Meadow Pipits are now feeding young.

 

 The moth trap from last night was quite productive. 

Muslin moth

 

Brown Silver-line

Silver Y

 

Dark Sword-grass

Shuttle-shaped Dart

The Bluebells are almost at their best now at the south end of the island.

 Photos CJW, SRW

2nd May 2024

Weather: W force 3  misty

 A brief afternoon visit was made to check and see what is happening on the island after another sunny and warm day.

 

Despite the westerly this afternoon there were still 6 Willow Warblers left from this morning.

 

...and a singing Chiffchaff in good voice. 

Another unexpected bonus was a new Whitethroat to be ringed.

 The Whimbrel again steal the limelight in the wader department, 30 were logged.

 Turnstone totalled 105, spectacular still are the Knot (1,200),

and the Dunlin, (4,500), (here with Ringed Plover).

There were 7 Eider logged today, also the loan Brent and 40 Sandwich Tern. A Raven made a close appearance around the island.

 

Ringed: 3 Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Whitethroat.

Photos: SRW

1st May 2024

 Weather: E force 2, rain in the night. ESE later

The overnight rain cleared to a calm, warm and bright day. The Pinkfooted Geese have not finished another 570 this morning calling to each other as they go in several flocks soon after dawn. Appearances by Reed Bunting and Jackdaw made it seem like an early spring day, but the 30 or so Willow Warblers in the paddocks and gardens reminded us that we are now in the peak passage period.

 A Sedge Warbler in song was the first of the year for Hilbre, eventually it was trapped and ringed.

 

 Two of the 14 Greenland Wheatears present were also caught for ringing.

Three Whitethroats were on the island, one was the bird that has been here for a week, all were singing and another became ringed. A Yellow Wagtail went over early and 4 White Wagtails were at the north end at some stage. Lesser Redpolls were in evidence again, 28 today and a few Goldfinches but no Siskin heard. Hirundines were still passing through, especially in the very warm sunshine around midday,  8 Sand Martins and about 45 Swallows. 

 A Common Sandpiper landed briefly on top of the rocks by the life boat house and then went down by the whaleback. 

 

There were 27 Whimbrel around the island, 95 Turnstone, 4 Sanderling and a single Purple Sandpiper.  A very calm sea did not reveal any 'seabirds' except for the 170 Sandwich Terns and over 30 Gannets flying about. A Peregrine flew off the west side and circled, it seemed to have prey, and a Raven later circled over the West Kirby shore. A full team of 9 Eiders were on the whaleback and the loan Brent was joined by another. A pair of Scoter floated off the whaleback, as did a Great Crested Grebe. Eleven Little Egrets graced the shore. A Brimstome moth and a Orange Tip butterfly were notable inhabitants of the Blackthorn. We have been fortunate in having 2 consecutive 'good' days.

Ringed: 17 Willow Warblers, 3 Lesser Redpolls, 2 Greenland Wheatears, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Linnet, 1 Goldfinch.

Photos: PSW, SRW

30th April 2024

 Weather:  ESE force 5

It was very windy this morning but on the plus side the south easterly brought us a lot of good birds and the Bluebells were out at the south end.

It was too windy for mist nets and the potter traps needed firmly securing. The chief prize was the first Whinchat of the year.

Seven Wheatear joined the influx (Whinchats seem often to travel with them). 

 

There were 4 Yellow Wagtails today, always a joy to see.

 

About 16 Willow Warblers arrived, they have not finished coming through the island. Three White Wagtails showed and the Whitethroat is still here, still singing just outside the obs garden, while finches did not disappoint, a Siskin, 5 Redpolls and 20 Goldfinches included a flock of 12 in off the sea.

A Chaffinch was ringed, a scarce event lately.

 .... and 2 Robins that were interesting as we haven't seen any recently and they were of opposite sex.

 

 Over 30 Swallows passed through, also 6 Sand Martins and 4 House Martins. Most unexpected of the wildfowl were 3 Barnacle Geese (of uncertain origin) which landed on the east hoyle opposite the obs.

More usual were the Eiders (6), 4 Shelduck and the single Brent extending its stay. Just 30 Sandwich Terns noted, also 10 Gannets which came in on the tide down the east side.

Whimbrel were the stars of the waders again, 13 today, keeping company with 6 Little Egrets.

Ringed:  10 Willow Warblers, 3 Lesser Redpolls, 2 Goldfinches, 2 Robins, 1 Whinchat, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Chaffinch.

Photos: JE, AS,  SRW

29th April 2024

 Weather: SE force 4 increasing 5 by midday.

A touch of south in the wind and about 400 Pink-footed Geese set off north, but later than usual, more towards mid-morning.

A lone Brent fed on the whaleback and 3 Canada Geese flew in, 8 Shelduck and a Common Scoter were noted and the full team of 9 Eiders were at the north end. Highlight of the waders was a Common Sandpiper, the first here this year. It was on the rocks by the shore off the south west corner.

 

There were more Whimbrel (23) than Curlew (8) about today, 

 

There is still a large contingent of Knot and Dunlin in the Dee, about 5,000 Knot and 600 Dunlin showing themselves today.

Amongst the 600 Dunlin, one was seen with a metal and colour ring, information already received say that it was ringed at Ynyslas, Wales on 21st September 2021.

 

Six Bar-tailed Godwit flew in.

A passage of several species took place this morning, nothing massive but a nice trickle through. Hirundines did well, over 40 Swallows, 4 Sand Martins and 6 House Martins. A Yellow Wagtail flew south over the island, while 3 White and 3 Pied Wagtails passed by. The 'resident' Whitethroat was still about but 2 new birds arrived, 1 became ringed this morning.

Quite a few Crows flapped passed the island, at least 14. About 6 Greenland Wheatears landed this morning (2 on Middle). Willow Warblers numbered about 10, a single Siskin and 8 Goldfinches and 8 Redpolls (one was ringed today).

On the sea were 8 Gannets and 42 Sandwich Terns. A Harbour Porpoise added to the list of recent records as it swam off the north west corner of the island.

Ringed: 4 Willow Warblers, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Linnet.

Photos SRW