13th May 2009

No warblers appeared until about 08:30hrs when 3 Willow Warblers (left) were around the paddocks, but very little else except a few Goldfinches (below) on the ground and a Redpoll overhead.

Eleven Swallows went through by 10.30hrs with 5 Swift and a Sand Martin, while Whimbrel were down to only 4 birds on the west side rocks and 2 Little Egrets fed in the east gutter (below left).

An Angle Shades moth (right) was found near the north end.

Later a Red Sword-grass (left) was discovered in the vicinity of the Newton trap, unfortunately it was dead, nevertheless it is a species previously unknown at Hilbre.

Ringed:- 3 Willow Warblers, 1 Linnet

(DB,JE,CF,CJ) [376] photos CJ & JE