19th September 2026

Weather:  SW 4, 7/8 cloud clearing to 4/8, good vis, clearing for sunny spells after heavy rain mid morning, warm (up to 19 C)

The working party of our 'Newton' heligoland trap continued this morning - albeit a heavy downpour, that was not forecast, brought a temporary halt to proceedings.

After bacon, mushroom and tomato sandwiches had replenished the team work continued only to be halted by the occasional shout of "Leach's Petrel" or "Arctic Tern".

The work party taking a short break watching a Leach's Petrel from the trapping area!

Work proceeded well, but the best birdwatching occurred over the tide when more Leach's Petrels appeared and a single Storm Petrel (potentially the only record for the year) but more scarce and continuing the recent duck theme when four ducks flew in from the north east and caused an identification conundrum for a short while (when flying distantly head on) before turning west and revealing themselves to be four Gadwall (here is a library record photo of two Gadwalls on a similar seawatch on 20 November 2015). The latest record of four represent the 20th record for the islands since the foundation of the Bird Observatory in 1957.

Other seabirds included 11 Red-throated Divers, 2 Razorbill, 6 Guillemot, 8 Sandwich Tern, 2 Little Tern and 2 Manx Shearwater. 

With the wind forecast to increase overnight and another early morning tide one observer remained for the night ... what will tomorrow bring?

Photos SRW

18th September 2026

Weather: WSW 4, 8/8 cloud, moderate vis, 

With the wind dropping sea-watching was unsurprisingly disappointing but that was made up by other records.

Two Kestrel were present for the first time this autumn, more expected were two Peregrine an adult and a young bird.

Two Ravens appeared over the island as is often the case these days - a once rare bird on the islands is now a regular visitor.

There were 1,250 Black-tailed Godwit counted on the Salisbury sandbank and a Greenshank was watched passing the north end and a Merlin similarly flew out to the north west seen by visiting birder Colin Davies.

There was an increase in Pale-bellied Brent Geese to 42.  In the evening four Pintail flew over the south end of West Kirby Marine Lake towards Hilbre and are our first of the autumn.  Similarly, a Curlew Sandpiper was found at the south end of the lake and as the tide dropped it flew into our recording area.

Photos SRW 

17th September 2026

 Weather: NW 6-7, backing WNW 6 later, 8/8 cloud good vis, 

The wind was in the right direction today and it had enough strength to produce some Leach's Petrel over the tide with nine counted. 

Also seen were 7 Manx Shearwater and 4 Razorbill as well as 75 Sandwich, 4 Common, 6 Arctic and a single Little Tern.

One of our colour-ringed Rock Pipits was seen by Middle Eye (CBX) was first ringed as a juvenile in July 2020. 

Sandwich Tern 75, Common Tern 4, Little Tern 1, 2 Guillemot

24 Pale-bellied Brent Geese

The German colour-ringed Curlew has returned to its favourite haunt down the west side rocks and Redshank numbers remained low for the time of year (with only 65 counted).

However, Bar-tailed Godwit numbers increased to 150 mainly along the north shore and in the gutter.

Photos AEH and SRW

16th September 2026

Weather: NNW 4 (backing W 5-6), poor vis, showers

The Pale-bellied Brent Geese flock had increased to 36 birds, but with the wind dropping to force 4 and starting near north seawtaching was disappointing although single Little and Sandwich Tern and a juvenile Kittiwake were noted despite Leach's Petrels being seen further east along the North Wirral shoreline.

A Whimbrel was amongst waders in the gutter and could be the last seen or heard this year?

An adult winter Mediterranean Gull was found early on along the north shore.

Colour-ringed Little Egret was one of 29 birds present and we look forward to hearing from where it was ringed (possibly Hale, Cheshire, like similar birds seen at Hilbre in recent years).

The drake Eider remained but was elusive sticking to the south west corner of the islands.

It appears the rainbow ends at the Great Orme - maybe that is where the American passerine will appear ...

15th September 2026

Weather: WNW 5, 8/8 cloud, poor vis, light drizzle becoming heavier later

With no sense of anticipation, because the weather seemed neither here nor there for bringing in birds, observers arrived on the island.

However, whilst scouring the East Hoyle for waders and gulls four ducks flew through including a Garganey - a mega bird at Hilbre!  Only the third record for the islands.  The previous two records were on the coincident dates of 18th September 1947 (when two birds were seen) and a single flushed from a pool south of Midlde on 17th September 2006 (extract below from our 2006 annual report).

As well the three Teal with the Garganey another Teal was seen later near Middle.

A Greenshank could be heard giving its trisyllabic call but would not give itself up for the photographers.

The tide was generally disappointing (especially the flood) but that changed when a juvenile/1st winter Black Guillemot drifted up the gutter below the Obs.   It stayed over the tide, including loafing with Common Scoters off Niffy Bay, which allowed observers at the North End to be informed and catch up with it.  After high tide it preened a little, flapped its wings and then flew off west between Hilbre and Middle.  A scarce but increasing visitor to the islands.

A couple of Manx Shearwater were noted and two Black Terns were seen east of the island during the morning but after the tide terns began to appear - they have been in very low numbers recently.  700 Sandwich, 25 Common and 12 Little Terns were noted along with 6 of the scarcer Arctic Tern.  Sadly there have been very few skuas this autumn but a distant small skua spp kept its distance evading specific identification (albeit Long-tailed was suspected).

14th September 2026

 Weather: SW 4, 6/8 cloud, very good visibility, warm (18 degrees C)

A fairly quiet day at the Obs but waders were on the increase with 4,200 Black-tailed Godwit seen on the Salisbury sandbank before the tide flooded them off, presumably to Newton/Caldy to roost.

The Kestrel remained around the main island using the flag poles to look for prey.

Seven Pale-bellied Brent Geese were present and seven Shelduck came in off.

Two Red-throated Divers were on the sea as well as 28 Sandwich and 2 Little Terns.

28 Swallows came 'in off' and the first Grey Wagtail of the autumn flew over south.

It was an excellent day for insects around the island with butterflies and moths very much in evidence.

Several Rush Veneer's were found amongst the bracken.

Three Clouded Yellow and two Painted Lady butterfly were present mainly along the west side of the island and around the pond.

13th September 2026

 Weather: bright sunny day

A visit by visiting birder Paul Ralston produced a nice selection of birds but butterflies were much in evidence!

14 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were present along with a drake Eider loafing on the tide.

Sixteen Little Egrets and 2 Grey Heron were recorded.

The highlight of the day was 10 Clouded Yellow butterflies (surely a record count for the island).

10th September 2026

 Weather: SE 4/5   rain around noon

 Basically a quiet day but there were 2 Wheatears, a Willow Warbler, 3 White Wagtails, no Swallows but a House Martin (below) present.

 Three Robins were here, these are often migrants at Hilbre. This individual was caught for ringing.

 The best sighting of the day was a Sparrowhawk across the island.

 

 

The Brent peaked today at 32 birds. there were 2 Teal logged, 16 Sandwich Tern counted, 2 Grey Herons and a large count of 21 Little Egrets and a single Shag.

A male Common Scoter also showed well near to the island.

 

Waders noted during the day were 420 Curlew, 65 Bar-tailed Godwit, 45 Ringed Plover, 420 Curlew, 52 Turnstone and 48 Redshank.

Photos: SRW