1st March 2026

Weather: SE force 3,  force 4/5 by noon 

 

 

 

The mornings are getting lighter now and there were many more signs of spring today, the highlight being the arrival of an immature Hen Harrier to the island. It was spotted coming in from the north and flew between Middle and hilbre before tracking west towards Wales.  Hen Harriers sightings have been very scarce this winter in the lower part of the   estuary where they are normally seen, so this was quite a surprise to the observers.

 

It felt very spring like on the island first thing, Meadow and Rock Pipits displayed, Linnets were in full voice and Stonchats buzzed around the fences,

 

 

  

 even a pair of Woodpigeons displayed over the paddocks!

Other early migrants arriving were 2 Stock Doves, 2 Pied and a Grey Wagtail, also 2 Starlings. Waders about included 2,000 Oystercatchers, 56 Curlew, 120 Redshank, 100 Turnstone and 13 Purple Sandpipers. 

 

 .........also 3 Sanderling, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 4,000 Knot and 20 Dunlin.

Sea birds included 136 Common Scoter and 8 Great Crested Grebes. There were 250 Brent and 10 Shelduck. A single Grey Heron was recorded, it was on top of the island.

 The Daffodils brightened up the island in the sunshine.

 

 Photos AEH, CJW

25th February 2026

 Weather: ESE force 4/5

Spring has arrived this morning. The warm weather encouraging no less than 7 Stonechats to make landfall on the island. 

 

These are the first Stonechats this year and February is a typical month to see them here, although as many as 7 is unusual. They spent much of the time around the pond and at the northern end of the island. Another first visitor of the year was a Chiffchaff that was  probably the second earliest ever following a previous date of 23rd February 2019. It was caught for ringing.                                                                                                                    

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other notable arrivals were 5 Blackbirds, a Grey Wagtail (another first for the year), 4 Robins, 2 Dunnocks, a Skylark, and the presence of 15 Meadow Pipits, 11 Rock Pipits and 6 Linnets. The usual waders were seen, also 2 Great Crested Grebes and Brent numbers are still high at 280 birds. The mostly calm conditions gave good sightings of 5 Porpoises.

A large frog was ready for spring.

  

 The good weather meant some repairs to the traps could be done following the winter.

 

Photos PSW, SRW

24th February 2026

 Weather:  S force 2  and warm as the sun broke through the cloud.

The warmest day for some time with the southerly wind attracted a few early 'spring migrants'. Two Woodpigeons which are a regular visitor in early spring dropped into the island.

 

 

 Two Starlings also appeared with one flying south.

In another sign of spring 4 Rock Pipits were displaying on Middle and 17 Meadow Pipits, a Greenfinch and a Pied Wagtail were logged. A pair of Goosander were still with us.

 On the sea was a Great Crested Grebe and a Red-breasted Merganser while waders featured 2,000 Dunlin, 250 Knot, 120 Sanderling, 85 Turnstone and 40 Redshank. Just 130 Brent were around this morning. Naturally the mild weather brought out Dafodils and Crocuses.

  

 

 Photos SRW

15th February 2026

 Weather: SSE force 5

Two Harbour porpoises were seen off the north west side swimming south. Porpoises are not infrequently spotted off Hilbre but it is not often that we are quick enough to get photographs. 

 

 Two Goosander were here again, also the female Eider.

 

Among the roosting waders were 1,800 Oystercatchers, 400 Dunlin, 6 Knot and 32 Redshank, 

 with 40 Turnstone....

 

and 14 Purple Sandpipers.

 

A single Red-throated Diver was on the sea, plus 90 Common Scoter and a good total of 16 Great Crested Grebes.

 

 The Brent are still exceeding 200 in number and 18 Shelduck were around the island. The only sign of the spring to come birdwise were 12 Meadow Pipits, 3 Blackbirds and a Mallard on the pond.

 

Photos AEH, CJW 

14th February 2026

 Weather: WSW force 3 

  

 A visit on the first sunny morning for some time made counts of 225 Brent Geese, 45 Shelduck and 7 Common Scoter but the main attraction as often recently were the 2 male and one female Goosanders.

 

The female Eider was here, also a Great Crested Grebe enjoyed the pleasant sunshine.

 

Among the waders were 1,250 Oystercatchers, 400 Knot, 115 Redshank, 42 Curlew, 95 Turnstone and 10 Purple Sandpipers. There were just the regular winter birds present on the island, seen were: 2 Rock Pipits, 3 Robins, 1 Song Thrush and a Blackbird. The Fox has shown that it has been here frequently over the last couple of weeks.

Photos SRW