Thursday 6 January 2011

6th January 2011

A superb start to the year today when 2 Shorelarks were found at the south end of Middle Hilbre, unfortunately they did not stay long and flew off south east. These are the first Shorelarks to be seen in the Hilbre recording area since 3 birds were present at Little Eye on 30th December 1998 (and they were the first for over 30 years!)

The sea-watching was fairly moderate with 15 Great Crested Grebes, 14 Red-throated Divers, 10 Common Scoter and a Red-breasted Merganser noted. However, as the tide ebbed more birds appeared and other highlights of an excellent mid-winters day included two drake Velvet Scoters and a Great Northern Diver.

Waders included 200 Sanderling, 460 Curlew and the Purple Sandpiper flock numbered 14 today.

[DB, CS]

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