14th October 2026

 Weather: S force 3 with slight mist around the estuary,   later SSW 5

 A lovely bright October morning.

 A morning dominated by a good passage of various finches. In addition to the 18 Chaffinches, there were 2 Bramblings,  3 Siskins, about 150 Linnets and 8 Greenfinches. It is unusual to see so many Greenfinches grounded together in recent times. 

On the move in addition to the finches there were over 100 Meadow Pipits and 9 Skylarks and 3 Reed Buntings so it was no surprise that a Merlin was lurking on the island. 

A single late  Swallow flew south, On the ground was yet another Stonechat which have recently been frequent visitors. 

 

A bird scarcer here than Stonechat was the Magpie.

 A Chiffchaff was present as were 4 Wrens, two were ringed today

 

 

There was another highest count of Brent  for this autumn of 224.

Three hundred Black-tailed Godwit were flying east this morning as the tide flooded. A number of waders were seen on the way off the island: 110 Grey Plover, 1200 Knot, 500 Dunlin, 45 Bar-tailed Godwit. About the islands were 7.500 Oystercatchers, 280 Curlew, 42 Bar-tailed Godwit, 108 Turnstones and 135 Redshank. Around and about on sea and shore were 2 Red-throated Divers, 240 Common Scoters, 40 Shelducks, 8 Little Egrets and 4 Grey Herons.

   Photos: GIW, SRW

12th October 2026

 Weather: SE force 5

 Ten Pink-footed Geese flew north west early in the day. Brent were at 180 birds, maybe more have just arrived this morning. Also this morning 280 Black-tailed Godwit flew east, probably from the Caldy roost. One of the highlights of the morning was a lone Purple Sandpiper (the first of the autumn/winter) that appeared on top of the north end rocks eating 'jaspers' as we call them, a large species of the woodlice family that are usually known as Sea Slaters, frequently seen at Hilbre but scarce elsewhere. Unfortunately the Purple Sandpiper appeared not to stay for long but later on was re-found after the tide on the pool behind the lifeboat station. 

 

 

Some other waders seen were 220 Bar-tailed Godwit, 65 Turnstone and 60 Redshank. Small migrants today included 2 Song Thrush,

   

 2 Chiffchaffs,

  

 a Skylark, 3 Siskins, 2 Pied Wagtails and a few Meadow Pipits on the move, and for Hilbre an exceptional number of 34 Chaffinches, here pictured by iphone !

 

 A couple of divers were on the sea with about 60 Common Scoter, while shore birds featured 6 Little Egrets and a Grey Heron.

Ringed: 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Song Thrush. 

Photos; SRW 

11th October 2026

 Weather: WSW force 3

After the strong winds over the last couple of days a much calmer regime from the south west greeted the island this morning. A male Stonechat was the main interest sitting on the island fences.

 

Very little other migration was evident this morning, but there were 3 Starlings, a Grey Wagtail and 8 Robins present. A roving flock of 65 Linnets toured the island.

 

 

 

There were 125 Brent seen, also 3 visiting Wigeon and 200 Common Scoter out to sea, apart from one that settled close on the rocks.

 

 Among the waders were 6,000 Oystercatchers, 30 Curlew, 20 Ringed Plover, 80 Turnstone, 40 Knot, 30 Bar-tailed Godwit and 30 Redshank. 

Two Grey Herons were noted with 3 Little Egrets, one of which showed off its fish catching skills.

 

 Photos AEH 

10th October 2026

 Weather: NNW force 6/7,  backing N 6 then WNW 5 by evening

 

 A round the clock coverage from dawn to dusk was made to capture sea bird movements in the strong winds from a north westerly direction. It was not long before Manx Shearwaters appeared (6) and Leach's Petrels were flying west (22 during the whole day).

 

 A Bonxie was logged and another seen as it flew from Hoylake between Middle and Little. 

 

A light phase Arctic Skua flew came before the tide and later a juvenile dark phase flew in from the east and over the obs garden.

 

 

 

 Completing the story of the seabirds, an Arctic Tern flew west in the morning, a Common Tern was also seen and a juvenile Common Tern was over the end of the obs garden, 

... a Red-breasted Merganser flew west, 3 Gannets were out to sea, also 3 Kittiwakes and good counts of gulls: 5,100 Herring (on razor clam wreck), 52 Lesser Black-back, 45 Greater Black-back, 320 Common and 220 Black-headed. A Razorbill and a Guillemot were recorded and over 300 Common Scoter seen distantly. Twenty five Shelduck were counted and 4 Pintail were here early on. Brent were present to the tune of 150 birds.

The regular waders were here in good numbers, 7,500 Oystercatchers, 72 Grey Plover, 55 Ringed Plover, 125 Curlew, 140 Bar-tailed Godwit, 41 Turnstone, 290 Sanderling, 400 Dunlin and 65 Redshank. Five Little Egrets were on the shore. As expected few small migrants were seen but a Goldcrest and a Reed Bunting were present and a Skylark was seen over the sea.

 

Ringed : 1 Meadow Pipit

Photos: SRW

7th October 2026

 Weather NNE force 4, raining but clearing later.

  The early morning high tide meant arriving in the dark. The first round of the island revealed there had been a small fall of migrants during the rain. A single Skylark was grounded at the north end along with a handful of Meadow Pipits, 2 Wheatears were on the more sheltered side of the island while several Robins were heard.

 

Twenty Linnet were found roosting in the SK paddock Blackthorn before flying off towards Middle Eye.

 

 Photos PSW