12th April 2009

Clear overnight then sunny and calm today but with a slight breeze mainly from the north did not help those hoping to see visible migration, indeed it was one of the quietest days recently with just 1 Chiffchaff and all other small migrants numbering 3 or less apart from 8 Swallows. The sea likewise did not inspire, and apart from numerous distant Scoters, some Great Crested Grebes, a few auks and divers, 4 Sandwich Terns were the highlight!

Two Sparrowhawks were towards Hoylake, the Merlin again showed briefly, and Peregrines (below right) were seen at the west hoyle bank and between the islands, where 3 Grey Herons fed, one interestingly showing a colour ring (above). Two Grey Lag Geese (below) flew close to the island.

The sun encouraged up to 9 Small Tortoiseshells (right) to fly, hopefully many more butterflies will show in the coming weeks.

Ringed today :- 1 Chiffchaff

(ESCA,DB,FD,CJ,KMc,SRW, TGW) Pergrine photo CJ, others SRW.