Weather: SE force 2
The weather looked good for us today and for once it was indeed good. Just after 7.00hrs a Yellow-browed Warbler from the east arrived in off the west side and subsequently it was caught in the obs garden.
It received colour rings as requested by the national scheme to study the movements of these birds.
That was not the end of the excitement. Eight Spoonbills flew west passed the north end of the island, sightings of Spoonbills are less rare now that they breed in this country but are still unusual here, certainly for a flock of eight !
A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew in and was caught for ringing.
Great Spotted Woodpecker is still very scarce at Hilbre, maybe less than one a year and they nearly always turn up here in the first 2 weeks of October.
A male Blackcap was the only warbler to arrive after the Yellow-browed warbler.
Another scarce visitor to Hilbre were 8 Rooks.
Two Starling came to the island and one sang from the 'motus' mast.
Other autumn visitors were 6 Reed buntings.
Meadow Pipits were again on the move with a few dozen across the island.
Ten Skylarks were also passing while a Greenfinch, a Siskin, 6 Redpolls and 4 Goldfinches joined the large influx(65) of Linnets about the island. A single followed by 7 more Wigeon flying at dawn were the main duck visitors although a Teal showed later in the day.
Among the waders 4 Snipe were typical arrivals at this time of year and there are 140 Bar-tailed Godwits together with 35 Ringed Plover, 150 Dunlin, 120 Redshank and 100 Curlew.
Also seen were 60 Common Scoter, 3 Shelduck, 12 Little Egrets, a Great Crested Grebe and a Peregrine. Three late Red Admirals were in flight.
Photos: AEH, CJW, SRW
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