Weather: SE force 2 E 1 by evening, sunny
No sign of the nightjar at Hilbre today following its sudden disappearance on yesterday morning, but with the wind switching towards the east there was a steady trickle of migrants on the island with Chiffchaff (4) and a Goldcrest both ringed.
LIkewise 3 new Wrens, a Rock Pipit and a Robin were ringed. Two Wheatear were also present.
Overhead migration included Grey Wagtail and Skylark whilst several parties of Teal and a group of Wigeon passed by just above sea level.
Forty Brent were here and 110 Pinkfooted Geese flew into the estuary early on. Close examination of a photo of an aythya in with a flock of Teal flying south west down the west side revealed it to be a 1st winter Scaup! An increasingly scarce bird on Hilbre these days.
Continuing the wildfowl theme a Goosander flew out of a small trackside pool between Middle Eye and Hilbre and landed in the gutter.
Sea birds were scarce: seen were 800 Common Scoter distantly, 7 Great Crested Grebes and a Razorbill near to the island.
Another highlight of the day must go to a juvenile / female type Marsh harrier picked up flying high and west towards Point of Ayr on the Welsh side of the Dee estuary.
Best of the waders were 80 Ringed Plover, 10 Bar-tailed Godwit and 70 Sanderling. The young male Kestrel continued to show well posing on one of the flag poles on the island.
A new Rock Pipit was caught and colour ringed and constitutes the 40th bird ringed as part of this scheme. We had some good news this week when one of or colour ringed Rock Pipits was sighted at Point of Ayr - the first record of one of our birds moving west!
The warm sunshine brought out a few butterflies with Painted lady, Red Admiral and Large White being seen throughout the day. In the moth trap this morning were a few nice specimens including these,
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| Feathered Ranunculus |
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| Frosted Orange |
A gorgeous evening light ended a good day on the island.
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Photos SRW, PSW
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