5th November 2024

 Weather: SE force 3,   mist around the estuary

A fairly quiet day on the whole but there were a few interesting sightings. The Barn Owl was reported again this morning (by visitor Tim) flying down east side of island. A Lapwing landed briefly between islands then flew towards Hoylake and a Snow Bunting was heard flying over the island. During the high tide a Shoveler was in the lagoon. The thrushes today were much reduced but 12 Redwing and a Fieldfare were noted. Thirty Seven Starlings came through also 9 Goldfinches and 2 Lesser Redpolls. A Red-throated Diver and 2 Great Crested Grebes were the sole sea sightings, while 4 Eider, 40 Shelduck were noted, as were 4 Little Egrets and 2 Grey Herons. Large numbers of Knot (3,500) were about the island with 300 Curlew, 4 Purple Sandpipers, 140 Turnstone and a single Bar-tailed Godwit. A late Small Tortoiseshell butterfly flew. 

4th November 2024

 Weather: ESE force 2/3

A very good day with lots to admire. Star exhibit was a Siberian Chiffchaff on the island which was caught and ringed in the Newton trap just after midday.

 

 

 

 

The day started as usual with the Barn Owl showing and soon a Brambling called overhead and an arrival of 5 Fieldfare and 22 Redwing.

 

There were also 15 Blackbirds, some of which were long winged and seemed to be northern birds.

 Starlings were counted at 139, one of which landed on the obs roof.

Seven Song Thrushes completed the thrushes, a Woodpigeon and 5 Skylarks came through and a Blackcap was welcome here.

The wildfowl did not disappoint with records of 28 Brent, 130 Shelduck, 5 Wigeon, 2 Goosander and a Pintail. On the sea were 25 Red-throated Divers, a Gannet, a Shag, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Guillemots, and 12 Razorbills. Purple Sandpipers are up to 5 birds now, with 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 120 Turnstone, 5,000 Knot and 200 Dunlin. To top the day off a Short-eared Owl flew over Middle and off to the south.

 

It was harassed by Oystercatchers on the was passed.

 

 Ringed today: 4 Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes, 1 redwing, 1 Blackcap.

Photos: SRW

3rd November 2024

 Weather: SE force 3  with mist, ESE force 3 later

The Barn Owl still shows itself early morning. A large movement of thrushes came through this morning with 60 Redwing, 

 

 

also 7 Fieldfares, 6 Song Thrushes and 20 Blackbirds seen either overhead or down on the island. Other migrants were 59 Starlings,

 

The were also 14 Skylarks but representing the finches just 3 Goldfinches. The sea held no less than 120 Red-throated Divers with flocks of up to 30 birds.

also 5,000 Scoter were out to sea, while more normal numbers of 8 Gannets, 20 Great Crested Grebes, 25 Guillemots and 40 Razorbills were present. Wildfowl recorded were 230 Brent, 23 Shelduck, 10 Eider and 20 Teal. 

 Two Gadwall were up the estuary and 2 Shoveler in the gutter later in the day. 

Among the waders were 4,500 Knot seen from the island, 15 Ringed Plover, 15 Grey Plover, 4 Purple Sandpipers, roosting with Turnstone.

 

We appreciated the appearance of Golden Plover and a Lapwing (below), both of these being rather scarce at Hilbre.

Seven Little Egret were about as was the Kestrel. Weasel and Fox were both also still leaving signs of presence. Lots of frogs around at the moment, maybe attracting the Barn Owl as well as the Kestrel.

 Ringed: 2 Blackbirds, 1 Redwing.

Photos SRW

2nd November 2024

 Weather: ENE force 1, mist around the estuary,   SE 3 in afternoon

 A Hen Harrier went west over middle putting up the roost, 

 

 It was chased by Oystercatchers and gulls as it left towards Wales.

 

Twenty Redwings flew over the north end of the island early in the day. Quite a few migrants arrived today which 8 Skylarks, 11 Starlings, a few extra Wrens, Meadow Pipits and Blackbirds, a good selection of finches: 2 Siskin, 3 Lesser Redpolls, 2 Linnets, one each of Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinch. A Grey Wagtail came down on the west side of the north end. Six each today of Little Egret and Grey Heron. Six Eider were between the islands, 1,500 Common Scoter were on the sea, also 7 Red-throated Divers, 2 Guillemots, 4 Razorbills, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Gannets and a single female Teal. Waders featured 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2,000 Knot, 120 Curlew which included a colour ringed bird which was ringed in Germany.

also 100 Redshank and 4 Purple Sandpipers.

 

The Barn Owl was seen again at dusk.

Photos AEH

31st October 2024

 Weather: W force 1/2   WSW 1 in the afternoon

The Barn Owl was again present early morning, perched on the 'Heli' trap. Two Redwings were also down on the island and a Fieldfare flew over while 2 Song Thrush spent time in the obs garden. Out by the north hoyle 16 Gannets were diving, 10 Great Crested Grebes, a single Red-throated Diver and 1700 Common Scoter were in the same area. Eider numbered 6 female types off of the east hoyle and Brent exceeeded 300 and Shelduck 400. Four Bar-tailed Godwits and 3 Purple Sandpipers were a few of the best of the waders. For once Grey Herons (5) out-numbered Little Egrets (3). The Kestrel was still here as was a Chaffinch and a single Skylark flew over. The Weasel was seen again in the obs garden.

30th October 2024

 Weather: SW force 3,   WSW 3 in afternoon

A single Fieldfare was around for most of the morning but other than that and a Chaffinch there was little on the island, so it was surprising that a Merlin turned up and was about for a while, mostly on the west side. Two Skylarks flew through. On the sea was a Guillemot and a Great Crested Grebe and on the shore 3 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron and 3 Eiders, while the Kestrel was airbourne around the island. A good count was made of 414 Brent Geese, most along the edge of the Swash.  Around the edge of the incoming tide were 530 Shelduck and 2 first winter Swans flew north out of the estuary, unfortunately too far away to be positively identified. Three Purple Sandpiper roosted on the north end of middle eye. Other waders today were 8,000 Knot, 30 Dunlin, 340 Curlew, 140 Turnstone, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit and 50 Redshank. There was evidence about the island that both Weasel and Fox are still here.

28th October 2024

 Weather: WSW force 3    W 3 by noon,,  rain showers

There was just a Chaffinch logged again today as extra to the normal winter residents and visitors in the gardens and paddocks (8 Wrens, 6 Blackbirds, 6 Robins, 4 Song Thrushes and 3 Rock Pipits). There were  480 Shelduck between the shore and the islands, while 8 Wigeon floated up gutter with the morning tide, and a male and 2 female Red-breasted Mergansers flew west passed north end. Two Eider, 300 Brent and 25 Common Scoter completed the wildfowl for the day. Apart from the Scoter a single Great Crested Grebe was the sole 'sea' sighting. On the shore were 4 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron and the Kestrel did it's normal thing. Seven Sanderling were on the east hoyle after tide, while 2 Bar-tailed Godwits and 600 Knot roosted on middle. A young Grey seal hauled out at north end but looked very healthy and seemed to be exploring.