27th April 2024

 Weather:  ENE force 2

 

 The Pinkfooted Goose train continued north this morning soon after dawn, 1,800 estimated.

 No Canada Geese this morning but a single Greylag flew passed the island

 Amongst the group of Eiders 6 were male (5 adult) and 2 females. They mingled with the few Brent that remain at the north end this morning.

 Four Shelduck seem to be making the island their home for this summer.

Early on a Short-eared Owl flew around the south end of the island briefly before heading east.

 

Redpolls were in evidence again today with an estimated 15 flying over, some dropping in and 5 became ringed. 

 

Willow Warblers are still passing north, about 12 came through, 6 were ringed today, but the Whitethroat of the last few days stayed and did some sub-song. Four Goldfinches were here but no Siskins were heard today. Early in the day a Collared Dove flew through.

 Up to 14 Wheatears were on the ground, mostly down the west side of the island.

 

 Two White Wagtails and a Pied were noted, also a small passage of martins, 4 each of Sand and House, as well as the usual trickle of Swallows feeding as they go together with the newly arrived local birds. The small waders roosted around the island at high tide, mostly Dunlin and some Turnstones and Redshank.

 

Sixteen Whimbrel were seen,  many small flocks have been moving through in the last few days, they seem anxious to go north and breed.

Not many sea birds today, just 2 Guillemots and 140 Sandwich Terns. In the moth trap this morning was a Brown Silver-line.

Ringed:  6 Willow Warbler, 5 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Linnet.

Photos CJW, SRW

26th April 2024

Weather: ESE force 1 with slight mist, NNE 3 by noon

Almost flat calm at dawn and just a few skeins of Pinkfeet, about 480 birds going north, and the Brent Geese are down to about a dozen now, including a dark-bellied. Two Canada Geese showed again and the 9 Eiders were all present. 

The paddocks seemed quiet at first but Willow Warblers arrived an hour or so later, 18 were estimated during the day.

 

A single Chiffchaff was amongst them and the male Whitethroat was also present. Finches were interesting with 6 Goldfinches, 2 Siskins and 5 Lesser Redpolls. One of the Redpolls trapped was a control (ringed elsewhere), it turned out to have been ringed in Warwickshire in early January this year.

 

Three White Wagtails arrived and 5 Sand Martins flew through, also 20 Swallows, while a few of them seen were definitely Hilbre birds returning.

 At least 3 Mallards have been in the pond lately, a female and 2 males today.

 

On the sea were 2 Red-throated Divers, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Guillemots, 80 Sandwich and 5 Common Terns. A single Harbour Porpoise swan in the calm channels. The waders featured 14 Whimbrel, 85 Turnstone 300 Dunlin and 800 Knot.

Eleven Little Egrets and 2 Grey Herons fed on the shore, while the only raptor was a Sparrowhawk that flew over the west hoyle towards Wales.

Ringed: 11 Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Lesser Redpoll (plus the control)

Photos SRW

25th April 2024

Weather: WNW force 4

A spectacular evening light last night, who can predict what birds will be here tomorrow?

The north westerly meant no Pinkfeet Geese were passing at dawn, just 2 Canada Geese in the gutter, and later the full complement of 9 Eiders were here. The Brent numbered 36 today. Of the ducks, 2 female Goosanders flew west as did a male Red-breasted Merganser. Some of the 35 Gannets also flew west against the wind.

 Also on the sea were 60 Common Scoter, a Guillemot and 120 Sandwich Terns.

 More turnstone arrived today, a few changing to summer plumage.

Always around the shore 8 Little Egrets fed and 14 Whimbrel were scattered in close groups, with most other waders in small numbers now; 25 Ringed Plover, 2 Sanderling, 3 Purple Sandpipers, 6 Redshank, exceptions being 250 Dunlin and 1,280 Knot.

Three of the 5 Swallows were perching and singing, maybe ones settling in at Hilbre for the season.

The male Whitethroat was still about but no new small species were to be seen on the ground.

 Photos AS, SRW

24th April 2024

 Weather: ENE force 3,  NW3 in the afternoon

 Just 12 Brent seen today (including a dark-bellied), although still 340 Pinkfooted Geese were moving out this morning.

 

Generally quiet this morning but a Whitethroat popped up briefly in a bramble south of the obs but was not seen again. A single Willow Warbler was the only other warbler today while 2 Goldfinches, a Siskin and 14 Swallows were here, and a male Wheatear did also make it to the island.

 A Peregrine was putting up Knot (1,000) and Dunlin (800) on east side.

 Ten Whimbrel were around the island rocks

Ringed Plover were counted at 22, but Turnstone (3) and Redshank (8) had all but disappeared. A single Bar-tailed Godwit was present. Results from watching the sea were 67 Gannets, 22 Common Scoter, a Guillemot and 180 Sandwich Terns.

 Regulars seen today were 7 Eiders and 7 of our Rock Pipits,

 also 4 Little Egrets,

A Raven flew north down the east side of the island. 

Photos AS

23rd April 2024

 Weather: ENE force 2,  N 3/4 by noon 

Light winds and the Pink-footed Geese are moving again, but only 335 this morning. 

 

Highlight of the day was a Red-legged Partridge strutting about on the island.

 

 

Only the 6th ever record, although it is the 4th in the last 5 years, all in March/April. Warblers were scarce again today, just a single Willow Warbler and a Blackcap. A Collared Dove was a nice change from the regular Woodpigeons recently.

 Four Starlings arrived, they seemed to be moving south.

 

Five Greenland Wheatears were around the island.

 

A single Sand Martin and 26 Swallows flew through the island and finches featured 2 Lesser Redpolls and 6 Goldfinches. Decent sea birds found today were 8 Red-throated Divers, 6 Kittiwakes, 2 Guillemots and 75 Gannets.

 

Eight of our regular group of Eiders showed, also a female Goosander and a Canada Goose flew west.

Brent seem to be down to 36 birds and 6 Shelduck were close about, are they going to breed ?

Eight Little Egrets today and a Grey Heron, 6 Blackbirds are here now, 4 are males.

 

 As yesterday no Kestrel but there was an appearance by a Peregrine.

 Whimbrel numbered 21 birds, some flew passed in a flock.

Other waders were 55 Ringed Plover, a Grey Plover, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Purple Sandpipers, 40 Turnstone, 1,525 Knot and 1,700 Dunlin. Harbour Porpoise swan as they have been during the calm tides, there were 4 or 5 today.

Photos SRW