18th March 2012

A beautiful morning on Hilbre with sunshine but a cool northerly breeze.

Observers were treated to a Magpie that spent a bit of time at the north end before departing towards N Wales. Signs of spring passage included a male House Sparrow caught and ringed (above) whilst a female was also present. Single each of Goldcrest & Robin were ringed along with an unusual adult male Blackbird with a partially white head (right).

At least 20,000 knot headed north whilst the Brent's remained feeding on the tide line with 2 Little Egrets for company (bottom).

Two Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies were only the second record for the spring whilst the pond in the old Obs garden is full of mating frogs and spawn (above).

Ringed: 1 Blackbird, 1 Goldcrest, 1 House sparrow, 1 Robin

(JE, KMc,PSW)            [134-13]              photos JE,KMC,PSW