8th April 2026

 Weather: E force 1  with slight mist around the estuary. Sunny and warm

 This morning dawned calm and warm on a day not to be forgotten. At about 6.30 a round of the traps reached the 'heli' and a bird seen flying into the trap was glanced before it reached the trapping box and thought to be probably a Blackcap. Once in the box it was immediately recognised as a Sardinian Warbler, a fantastic surprise for the members present and a true 'Mega' for the island. It becomes the first for Cheshire and arguably the rarest bird ever on the island over the last 69 years of the observatory.

 

 

When all the excitement had waned after the bird was released into the SK paddock, lots of other interesting species arrived although there were not so many phylloscopus warblers here today as yesterday, about half the number. A male Redstart was also ringed, possibly the same bird that evaded capture yesterday. 

 

 

 

 Apart from the 'Sardi' three other species attracted attention as the first examples of the year, Yellow Wagtail and Tree Pipit (2) and a Grasshopper Warbler reeling south of the obs. Wheatears this morning numbered 7 including 1 of the Greenland race, also 17 White Wagtails, a couple of Swallows, 3 Skylarks and the ubiquitous doves, 6 Woodpigeons and 4 Collared Doves. Finches reached 16 Goldfinch, 32 Linnets and 4 Redpolls.

 

 On the sea were 7 Red-breasted Mergansers, 7 Sandwich Terns, 3 Goosanders and 6 Common Scoter, while the pick of the waders was a Greenshank calling around the island. The Brent are down to 46 birds today, also 6 Shelduck but no sign of any Eiders. A Fox was seen in Niffy bay. 

Ringing: 1 Sardinian Warbler, 3 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 3 Linnet, 2 Blackbirds, 2 Wrens, 1 Redstart, 1 Wheatear, 1 Redpoll.   

 Photos AEH,  BT

7th April 2026

 Weather: ESE force 5/6   S 6/7 in the afternoon

It was very clear at dawn this morning and lacking the huge passage out of the estuary of the Pink-footed Geese, just 24 were recorded during the morning. 

 

A very windy day but who cares when the southerlies bring migrants to the island. phylloscopus warblers arrived in force as expected with 20 Chiffchaff and 25 Willow Warblers. Star bird of the day ( and first of the year) did not arrive until 11.30, a male Redstart that hung around most of the afternoon near the obs. A female Blackcap, 6 White Wagtials and a Pied were good arrivals, also 5 Wheatears (1Greenland), and hirundines comprising a late afternoon House Martin, 9 Sand Martins and 8 Swallows, and finches (40 Goldfinch, 6 Siskin, 2 Redpolls and 3 Chaffinches) and a House Sparrow. The best bird of the morning, a male Redstart popped in at about 11.30 and hung about the obs most of the afternoon. We had to wait until later in the afternoon for the arrival of a Marsh Harrier and early evening for a Merlin that came in on the east side.. Only 18 Brent were here but here were 4 Eiders (2 of each sex). Two Peacock butterflies flew, and in the moth trap this morning was a Hebrew Character and a Dark Swordgrass. Some birds of typical early spring were also moving, 16 Woodpigeons, 31 Jackdaws, 2 Stock Doves and a Raven. Seen on the sea were 57 Sandwich Terns, 10 Common Scoters and a Razorbill, while not many waders were about, just 4 Ringed Plover, 12 Curlew, 24 Redshank, 45 Turnstones and 4 Purple Sandpipers. Four Little Egrets and 2 Grey Herons fed on the shore.

Ringed: 14 Chiffchaffs, 14 Willow Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Linnet, 1 Greenland Wheatear.  

 Photos BT

6th April 2026

Weather: SE force 3/4

Thousands of Pink-footed Geese were exiting the estuary at dawn, staging through the Dee on their way to the breeding grounds further north. Less impressive flybys were 7 Canada Geese early on.

 

 

 

A male and 2 female Eider were at the north end with the odd Brent, it's seems possible that many of the Brent have departed the islands as there were so few about today.

Four Shelduck were here with 4 Red-throated Divers, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Guillemots, 18 Sandwich Terns, 2 Little Gulls and 40 Common Scoter out to sea also single figures close in.

The southerly element in the wind brought a return to some migration including 3 Pied and 17 White Wagtail, 2 Chiffchaffs, 12 Goldfinch and hirundines comprising 4 Swallows and 3 Sand Martins. As is often the case 2 Wheatears drew the attention of the island observers.

A female Sparrowhawk hunted the island birds for a while

 

Best of the gulls was undoubtably a second summer plumage  Mediterranean Gull passing over the island, while best of the waders was a sighting of 5 Golden Plover.

 
Photos: GB, AEH, CJW. 

5th April 2026

 Weather: W force 7     showers

 The after effects of storm Dave the night before blew away any chance of migrants arriving. There were no unexpected birds and the weather was not conducive to exploring the island. A count could be made  of the Brent however and 218 were here. Fifty Scoter a Great Crested Grebe and a Guillemot were out to sea and 3 Eiders (1 male) near the island. 

 

 A decent number of Waders were seen including 84 Grey Plover, 28 Ringed Plover, 50 Curlew, 110 Knot, 3 Dunlin, 30 Redshank, 

 45 Turnstone and 17 Purple Sandpipers.   

 Photos AS

4th April 2026

 Weather: SE force 4/5   veering SW 6/7 by early afternoon

A gusty day was to get worse later in the evening but even at the high tide sea watching was only possible from the obs itself. There was not much about until 23 Sandwich Terns (newly arrived ?) flew into the estuary over the swash. Also off the west side was a close in Red-throated Diver and 4 Guillemots. Also at high tide a male and 2 female Eider appeared east of middle, getting out onto the rocks to preen. They were joined by a second male later. Niine Purple Sandpipers were in Niffy bay with 45 Redshank and 75 Turnstone, while 2 Shelduck were out on the west side rocks. There were 46 Common Scoter and 4 Little Egrets. There were no obvious small migrants.

 

3rd April 2026

 Weather: SW force 5

A very short and quiet visit this morning with little to report, just the resident birds plus records of 94 Brent, 6 Shelduck, 12 Common Scoter, 1,300 Oystercatcher, 4 Curlew, 18 Turnstone, 10 Redshank and 6 Purple Sandpipers. The Water Crowfoot is looking like we may have a good display this year.

 

 Photo CJW

1st April 2026

After the recent windy weather it was nice to have a calm day. Despite the westerly winds a few migrants made it to the islands with two Goldcrests, a Chiffchaff and a female Wheatear being ringed. 

  

 

 The calm conditions were good for spotting birds on the sea and alongside the regular Common Scoter two female and one male Eider were logged along with a Great Crested Grebe and Red-throated Diver. Brent’s numbered 105 whilst there were still 8 Purple Sandpipers and 30 Turnstone around the foreshore. A retrap Meadow Pipit was found to have been ringed on the 18th May 2018, by our Chairman, and is now at least 7 years, 10 months and 1 day old. A venerable age for this species where the average lifespan is 3 years. 

 Our Rock Pipits are pairing up and CBA was retrapped in Niffy Bay.

 A Dunnock caught in the Obs garden was a real surprise as they’ve been secretive on the island recently. This one appeared to have the start of a brood patch so hopefully they’ll breed again.  

 

 Photos PSW 

 

26th March 2026

 Weather: NNW force 1/2   later WNW 2

 A welcome change from yesterday were the light winds, but the north and west direction did us no favours. A single Goldcrest made it to the island, also 4 Pied Wagtails and 2 Goldfinches which were around most of the day so may be intending to breed. At least 6,000 Herring Gull were on the West Hoyle as the morning tide ebbed, probably due to a Razor shell wreck after the storm. It was also likely to be the reason that 16 Carrion Crow were on the tide edge of the East Hoyle. Eleven Purple Sandpipers fed below the Obs but disappointingly the previous days storm had not pushed in any sea birds and only a single Great-crested Grebe and 15 Common Scoter were seen. Pale-bellied Brent Geese numbered 130 and a single Dark-bellied was amongst them.