7th November 2026

 Weather: ESE force 2, later SE 2     mist and murk

 A very good day of migration, mostly winter movements to the island. Recorded today were 44 Redwing.

 

 .... and 22 Fieldfare

 

 

  

 

 Starlings often move overhead  at this time of year but seldom do they congregate in such numbers as on the island today.

 

...... nearly 400 were estimated.

 

 They put the passing Skylarks to shame, only 11 appeared. Meadow Pipits were not to be ignored, with 120 logged today.

 There were 12 Blackbirds on the island also 2 Song Thrushes and 11 Robins. Apart from the Linnets there were only a few finches: 2 Goldfinches, 1 Greenfinch and a Siskin. Later on a couple of Woodpigeons were added to the list. A Blackcap was ringed, very often a winter/passage bird when appearing at Hilbre.

 

A Swallow flew over to the surprise of members, a very late appearance.

 Brent were estimated at 400 with 13 Wigeon and 3 Pintail later for company and for a change no passing flocks of Pink-footed Geese but a single stayed near the island to be photographed. 

A Slavonian Grebe stood out as an important sighting on the sea, more usual fare were 7 Red-throated Divers, 2 Mute Swans, 120 Common Scoter, 3 Great Crested Grebes. A Snipe was noted and other waders counted were 8,000 Oystercatchers, 4,000 Knot, 6,000 Dunlin, 20 Ringed and 2 Grey Plover. 500 Redshank, 30 Sanderling and 45 Curlew.

 

 

 As usual most attention was on the 4 Purple Sandpipers present.  

For a change there were 2 Peregrines present in addition to the Kestrel and a Raven.

Ringed: 3 Meadow Pipits, 2 Wrens, 2 Robins, 1 Blackcap, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing.

Photos: AEH, CJW, SRW  

 

6th November 2026

 Weather: ENE force 1/2    with mist

 

 

 A very brief late morning visit to check quickly what is about confirmed the continued stay of the male Stonechat. There may have been a few extra Meadow Pipits today, a couple here taking advantage of the 'lookout' ...

 ......... but little else although 7 Wrens seem to be an increase. At least 390 Brent were seen with 220 Shelduck and 25 Common Scoter. The usual waders were in good numbers: 7,500 Oystercatchers, 80 Ringed and 60 Grey Plover, 420 Curlew, 85 Turnstone, 400 Dunlin, 110 Redshank and 20 Sanderling.  The Kestrel still hung about and 8 Little Egrets were on the shore and one was catching crabs at West Kirby marine lake. 

 Four Grey Herons were also on the shore around the islands.

 

 
 

Photos: SRW

5th November 2026

 Weather:  E force 3

The Glossy Ibis of yesterday is apparently still in the marsh at Hoylake this afternoon - so near and yet so far.

 Meanwhile at Hilbre.....

 

 It was not a bad day, with lots of activity to report. A massive count of 536 pale and a single dark-bellied Brent may well be a record count of all time. 

 

 Some on the sea, others on the 'whaleback'

 

 

Shelduck came in at 225 birds with 3 thousand Common Scoter out to sea while 3 Teal were more local visitors at east hoyle bay, and 3 Wigeon came south to the island.

 

 

 Also out to sea were 9 Red-throated Divers, 3 adult Gannets, 16 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Guillemots. A winter movement flock of 29 Lapwings was interesting and nice to see as they flew between Middle and Little Eye. 

 

 .......  while several Meadow Pipits and 5 Starlings were moving.

  The Kestrel was here, also a juvenile Merlin appeared and showed well.

 

 

 

 

Good numbers of waders included 8,500 Oystercatchers, 2,000 Knot, 485 Curlew, 450 Dunlin, 110 Redshank, 120 Sanderling, 60 Grey Plover, 40 Ringed Plover, 65 Turnstone and 2 Purple Sandpipers, and a couple of dozen Bar-tailed Godwits. 

 

 

 There were 11 Little Egrets and 2 Grey Herons. A Raven was here and of course the now seemingly resident Stonechat. 

Photos ; SRW 

4th November 2026

 Weather:  NE force 3/4

 Following the surprise discovery of a Glossy Ibis hanging around the marsh just off Hoylake, a midday visit was made to Hilbre.

 

  

 

With perseverance and a Telescope it was seen in flight at Hoylake from the obs at Hilbre, (bird photos taken at Hoylake) 

  

This bird is a first for Hilbre, although appearances in Britain have increased in recent years. More familiar a bird on the island was the Stonechat that has been here for some time.

Other birds logged today were a Raven on the beach, 285 Brent, 42 Shelduck, a female Common Scoter, 2 Guillemots, 8 Little Egret, a Grey Heron, 6,500 Oystercatchers, 25 Ringed and 35 Grey Plover, 240 Curlew, 38 Sanderling and residents 6 Rock Pipits, 4 Meadow Pipits, 4 Blackbirds and 3 Robins.

Photos : SRW

3rd November 2026

 Weather: NE force 4

 

 Apart from the dramatic skies a mid-morning visit found little to write home about, It was a colder day than the temperature showed and the results were like a winters day birding. A single Skylark was the only 'migrant' recorded. One highlight was a count of 338 Brent which included many juveniles.

 

  

 ......... and there were 65 Common Scoter seen along with 2 Guillemots. Both Kestrel and a young Peregrine made the list. 

  

Waders noted were 270 Curlew (225 south of Little Eye), 65 Turnstone, 95 Redshank and 125 Ringed Plover seen on the way off the island. 

  

 Regulars on the island were 6 Rock Pipits, 2 Meadow Pipits, 2 Blackbirds, a Linnet and a Robin.

 Photos: SRW