16th November 2013

  An early tide meant driving across to Hilbre in the dark. As dawn broke a Song Thrush was caught in the Heli trap and was found to have been ringed on the island during a previous winter. A new Dunnock was also ringed.

Kestrel

Robin

 With few migrants moving seawatching was once again the order of the day. At least 450 Common Scoter were noted in a three hour seawatch over the tide. Most were heading west towards N Wales. Highlight were the  2 male Velvet Scoter heading west amongst a small party of Common Scoter. Their bigger bulk and broad white secondary patches being obvious in flight. A small group of Common Scoter did spend the time flying around between Bird Rock and the East Hoyle bank

 

Common Scoter

 . A few Gannets were recorded and there was an increase in Red-throated Diver numbers. An Obs member watching from the mainland had a possible Black-throated Diver which may potentially be a returning bird as one had been seen regularly over the last winter period.

Purple Sandpipers

The Purple Sandpiper flock was reduced to 6 birds and they spent the tide roosting on a rocky ledge on the west side as did a flock of about 40 Turnstones. As the tide ebbed the Turnstones started feeding on the rocky shore bellow the Obs and one was seen to be colour ringed with  red over pale green on the left leg indicating it was ringed in the winter of  2008/09.

Ringed:- 1 Dunnock    [ 688-32 ]

(PSW)