31st July 2011

A summer plumaged Curlew Sandpiper was identified among a resting flock of Dunlin near Middle Eye (EW). Fewer Willow Warblers today, probably about 10, but a Whitethroat was new on the island. Common terns reached a new peak at 280 birds amongst the Sandwich terns, 15 Little Terns were also logged. Eight Whimbrel was a small increase compared with the last few days, while a flock of 3,000 Dunlin was noted flying passed. Swallows are still about in numbers, also 5 Swift were over the island.
(DB+ESCA) also Eddie Williams

30th July 2011

Clear last night and sunny this morning but there was still a Willow Warbler arrival overnight which unlike yesterday seemed to be over by 08.00hrs, although another small number later appeared about noon. Many Swallows were flying low for the insects this morning and one was captured in the Newton, and during the day 3 others were seen briefly entering and exiting the same trap. Seven Sand Martins, 5 House Martins and 2 Swifts added variety overhead, also 2 dark phase Arctic Skuas flew across the top of the island and went for some Sandwich terns on the east side. A male Stonechat was seen flying passed the obs but could not be found again anywhere on the island. A single Wheatear on the west side early in the day also did not stay, but 2 more were on Middle during the morning. A total of 35 Little Terns were logged, sightings have been late this autumn, apparently due to a late end to breeding at Gronant. Gannets appeared in ones and twos, otherwise the sea was quiet. Ringed:- 13 Willow Warblers, 1 Swallow, 1 Blackbird, 1 Linnet, 1 Meadow Pipit.
(DB,AEH,CJ+VB,NDW) [681-40] photo AEH

29th July 2011

It's incredible what a light easterly with cloud and the merest hint of drizzle can do even this early in the autumn. Willow Warblers dropped in at regular intervals all morning, with an estimated 35 having arrived by early afternoon. A juvenile Stonechat (above), possibly the bird that has been around on some days over the last week or so, appeared on the paddock fences and it took an inspired placement of the potter traps (above right), jammed between the obs fence and the hedge, to capture it in less than 10 minutes. Just before noon a Grasshopper Warbler flew in from the sea near 'buzzard hill' and then buried itself in the thicket in the old obs garden and was later caught in the mist net. A Whitethroat was also a late arrival on the island but managed to evade capture. There was not much time for sea-watching, but at one stage the sea came to the observers when pale and dark Arctic Skuas harassed a moulting first summer Kittiwake practically over 'Wheatear hill' to the west of the obs (above). Up to a hundred Swallows went through but only 4 Swifts were seen when the day brightened. A Common Sandpiper (right) was found on the rocks on the west side, while there are still 4 Whimbrel about the islands. On a depressing note a dead Fulmar floated in to the north end with fishing line down its throat (left), no comment is necessary. Much more likely to lift the spirit was the Rabbit when it made a brief scuttling appearance through the SK paddock, finally satisfying the last of the regulars who had not yet 'ticked' it ! Ringed:- 18 Willow Warblers, 4 Linnets, 2 Wrens, 1 Stonechat, 1 Grasshopper warbler (right), 1 Dunnock. (DB,CJ) [664-39?] photos CJ

An interesting Bee at Hilbre

The pictures are of an interesting Bee photographed at Hilbre in the last few days. We re-print the comments of our member Dr. Gavin Broad.
"Bombus monticola is a characteristic bee of uplands, above 300m, in north and west Britain. This is a distinctive bumblebee with its extensively red abdomen and yellow bands on the thorax. The bee seemed to be thriving on Hilbre in at least 1996-98 but then was not seen again until this year, when it has reappeared in good numbers. Hilbre, being at sea level, is a very unusual site for this species."
photos BSB

28th July 2011

No real number of migrants today, a single Willow warbler was on the island. Four Little Egrets flew passed, not stopping to feed, and 3 Arctic Skuas were noted.
Ringed :- 1 Wren [637-39] (DB,AEH)

27th July 2011

A clear sky but a light south easterly overnight produced the first small Willow Warbler fall of the autumn with 10 birds on the island. Once again there was a gathering of juvenile Swallows feeding around the island, about 70 today with at least 40 juveniles on the fences at one stage. A single Wheatear was seen on the west side, but too briefly to establish age or sex. Little Terns showed at last with 8 early and another 5 flying west towards noon. Four Whimbrel are still present but only a single Arctic Skua was noted, again to the east near the Sandwich Tern roost. Two Harbour Porpoises broke surface and were seen by members offshore (right).The moth trap was deployed last night and when examined over 100 moths of 20 species were recognised by a member still learning the skill. It took 3 hours! Ringed:- 3 Willow Warblers, 2 (juvenile) Wrens.
(BSB,DB,CJ, + CJW,PGR at sea) [636-39] photos CJ

26th July 2011

Three dark phase and 2 light phase Arctic Skuas were on the reefs south of Middle early in the day. Five Whimbrel are still on the shore, and the Turnstones were counted at 39, the start of the autumn build-up to the winter peak of these small waders.
(BSB,DB)

24th July 2011

Nine Arctic Skuas were to the east of the island, a large number to be so close to the shore. Twenty Five gannets were noted on the sea. A single juvenile Wheatear was on the island, Wheatears in this plumage are not common at Hilbre, but occur occasionally at this time.
(DB +ESCA)