23rd December 2014

 Weather: SW force 6, showers

 

Peregrine over Middle Eye

On a blustery day with threatening clouds the best of a sea watch was an adult winter plumage Black Guillemot showing off the north end. Black Guillemot is a rare less than annual visitor to Hilbre and a difficult bird to obtain for any Cheshire list. Other seabirds noted were 3 Guillemots, 30 Common Scoter, 5 Red-throated Divers, 10 Great Crested Grebes, 3 late Gannets and unexpectedly a pair of Mute Swans flying east.

A single Shag was also on the sea, both male and female Peregrines were logged, and 3 Wigeon were the only duck.

Purple Sandpiper

 Six Purple Sandpipers sat out the tide at the north end.
(AEH,KMC)               photos: Peregrine AEH, all others KMc