A very quiet day indeed...perhaps a sign of the end of Spring at last!
Highlight of the day were three Little Egrets in the gutter on the way off the island after the tide.
Saturday 31 May 2008
Friday 30 May 2008
30th May 2008
Yet another Osprey for the spring was recorded this morning when one flew from Wales over the island and off towards the north wirral shore.
29th May 2008
A near record count of 7 Little Egrets were between the main islands with several summer plumaged Sanderlings. Many hirundines, 3 Willow Warblers and a Chiffchaff continued on late passage.
Friday 23 May 2008
23rd May 2008
A probable immature male Montagu's Harrier flew east at 715am. Unfortunately views were very poor and the photos were even worse!
A single Wheatear arrived on the island, a Sedge Warbler was trapped at 10am.
Vis Mig - 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 White Wagtails, a rather late Tree Pipit and plenty hirundines (including a late Sand Martin) and Swifts passed through during the morning.
An escape Cockateil was seen flying south over the island 1230pm.
A single Wheatear arrived on the island, a Sedge Warbler was trapped at 10am.
Vis Mig - 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 White Wagtails, a rather late Tree Pipit and plenty hirundines (including a late Sand Martin) and Swifts passed through during the morning.
An escape Cockateil was seen flying south over the island 1230pm.
Thursday 22 May 2008
22nd May 2008
After yesterday's excitement - today was always likely to be a fall back to earth! No sign of the Bluethroat.
However, a single Sedge Warbler and a few Willow Warblers arrived on the island.
However, a single Sedge Warbler and a few Willow Warblers arrived on the island.
Wednesday 21 May 2008
21st May 2008
Hilbre's long awaited first Bluethroat was found at the south end of the island at about 7.15am. It was first seen on top of the newly christened 'Bluethroat Bramble' along Gropper ridge. It only gave a brief view of its head - however a quick search resulted in a fleeting glimpse in flight but enough to reveal the stunning tail pattern and the news was released to the mainland!
The bird was elusive during the morning but was eventually trapped in the Obs garden at 13.00hrs (see opposite - photo by Pete Williams).
After release it remained fairly elusive until late afternoon when it began showing very well by the new pond in the Gazebo garden. It remained in this area (although going missing for long periods) until about 830pm when it was thought to have gone to roost....what a day!
Other birds recorded included Spot Fly trapped, a few Willows and an Osprey over the West Hoyle bank (see below).
The bird was elusive during the morning but was eventually trapped in the Obs garden at 13.00hrs (see opposite - photo by Pete Williams).
After release it remained fairly elusive until late afternoon when it began showing very well by the new pond in the Gazebo garden. It remained in this area (although going missing for long periods) until about 830pm when it was thought to have gone to roost....what a day!
Other birds recorded included Spot Fly trapped, a few Willows and an Osprey over the West Hoyle bank (see below).
Tuesday 20 May 2008
20th May 2008
Sunday 18 May 2008
18th May 2008
A quiet day with just 4 Mute swans of note, prompted some members to visit the Red-rumped Swallow in the Leasowe horse paddocks.
Saturday 17 May 2008
17th May 2008
Sighting of the day was undoubtedly 4 Tufted Duck flying passed the north end . A Rock Pipit was the only interesting passerine.
Friday 16 May 2008
16th May 2008
A Greenshank was a scarce spring visitor today, also Canada Goose and 2 Little Egrets. No visible passage - only 2 Sand Martins and 2 Swallows.
Thursday 15 May 2008
15th May 2008
Three Whinchats (male, female & imm) were a pleasing sight on the island, also present was a Greenland Wheatear, 2 Willow Warblers and a Chiffchaff.
Wednesday 14 May 2008
14th May 2008
A good list of species were grounded this morning ; Garden Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Sedge Warbler, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Chiffchaffs and 3 Willow Warblers.
A Tree pipit passed overhead.
A Tree pipit passed overhead.
Sunday 11 May 2008
11th May 2008
Ten Collared Doves was a large number for this occasional visitor, a Sparrowhawk was seen around the island and 3 Little Egrets were present.
Saturday 10 May 2008
10th May 2008
An unseasonable female Goldcrest was a surprise today, but more expected migrants were 6 Greenland Wheatears, 3 Willow Warblers, 2 Whitethroats, a Chiffchaff and a Sedge Warbler. Bird of the day however would be the female Whinchat.
Friday 9 May 2008
Thursday 8 May 2008
8th May 2008
Another excellent migration day with a Woodlark in flight over the obs (the 7th Hilbre record) and Little Ringed Plover (feeding between the islands with other waders) being the two outstanding birds of the day.
The supporting cast included 3 Garden Warblers, 6 Sedge Warblers, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 11 Greenland Wheatears, a Redstart, a Whinchat, a Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaffs, and 3 Willow Warblers; not to mention a passage of 309 Swallows, 30 House Martins, 4 Sand Martins and 37 Swifts! Finches were represented by Goldfinches and Redpolls, and 5 Arctic and 6 Little were amongst the terns.
The supporting cast included 3 Garden Warblers, 6 Sedge Warblers, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 11 Greenland Wheatears, a Redstart, a Whinchat, a Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaffs, and 3 Willow Warblers; not to mention a passage of 309 Swallows, 30 House Martins, 4 Sand Martins and 37 Swifts! Finches were represented by Goldfinches and Redpolls, and 5 Arctic and 6 Little were amongst the terns.
Wednesday 7 May 2008
7th May 2008
The first 2 Spotted Flycatchers for the year arrived with 2 Garden Warblers, 2 Whinchats, 5 Sedge Warblers, 2 Whitethroats, 12 Greenland Wheatears, 11 Willow Warblers and a Blackcap. The continued good weather also produced further passage of hirundines and Swifts, Lesser Redpolls, Grey and White Wagtails and that fine Hilbre migrant - Wood Pigeon ! ( 6 birds)
Tuesday 6 May 2008
6th May 2008
A Puffin drifted passed the north end slowly enough for all the obs members present to assemble and see this quite rare Hilbre visitor.
Two Mealy Redpolls seen in the bushes around the obs (with one caught) were equally a rare sight, and a Spotted Redshank calling and flying at the south end completed the trio of excellent birds for the day.
Amongst the other 54 species on the log today were a Black Tern, 15 Little Tern (first of the year),5 Arctic Tern, Black-tailed Godwit, House Sparrow and 4 Yellow Wagtail. Warblers were represented by Garden(2) (see below), Sedge(3), Willow(3) and Chiffchaff(1).
Monday 5 May 2008
5th May 2008
A much quieter day with just the odd seabird and a reasonable passage of hirundines. Warblers were only singles of each species.
Sunday 4 May 2008
4th May 2008
A 'channel' Blue-headed type wagtail was identified among the 7 Yellow Wagtails early morning, and the day then became a Swift (77), Swallow (167), and Lesser Redpoll (129) day.
Tree Pipits passed in good numbers (10), while Greenland wheatears and Willow Warblers were also in double figures. Five Sedge Warblers, 3 Whitethroats and a Whinchat were grounded.
Fine reward for sea watching were a dark phase Arctic Skua and a Black Tern.
Tree Pipits passed in good numbers (10), while Greenland wheatears and Willow Warblers were also in double figures. Five Sedge Warblers, 3 Whitethroats and a Whinchat were grounded.
Fine reward for sea watching were a dark phase Arctic Skua and a Black Tern.
Saturday 3 May 2008
3rd May 2008
Bird of the day was a Little Ringed Plover discovered at the south end early morning. Also found at the south end later in the day (but not in the same league!) was a Common Sandpiper.
Good passage this morning of 18 Willow warblers, plus 13 Greenland Wheatears, 7 Whitethroats and 3 Sedge Warblers.
Hirundines, Swifts and Redpolls were in good numbers.
Good passage this morning of 18 Willow warblers, plus 13 Greenland Wheatears, 7 Whitethroats and 3 Sedge Warblers.
Hirundines, Swifts and Redpolls were in good numbers.
Friday 2 May 2008
2nd May 2008
Seventeen Whimbrel today was a good count, but 2 Grey Lag Geese flying east and a Reed Bunting were unusual.
More normal fare for early May were 6 Willow warblers, 5 Greenland Wheatears, a Chiffchaff and a Blackcap.
More normal fare for early May were 6 Willow warblers, 5 Greenland Wheatears, a Chiffchaff and a Blackcap.
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