27th March 2015

Weather: WNW force 2/3

male Linnet

The long awaited first Sand Martin of the spring flew through Hilbre today, on about an average date although in some years they can appear slightly earlier.

A late Snow Bunting flew over the south end but unfortunately did not stop to feed, the only small migrants noted were 5 Pied Wagtails, a Goldfinch and a Goldcrest that was ringed. Twenty one Carrion Crows gathered on the north shore, an unusally large party. There seem to be still at least 142 Brent Geese, most are expected to depart within the next 2 weeks.

Observations made from the east hoyle bank managed to relocate the Surf Scoter (SRW et al) also Velvet Scoter and Long-tailed Duck, (see blog for 25th). Four Red-breasted Mergansers were out by the west hoyle bank.

dark line of 1,000's of Common Scoter very distantly off the east hoyle

  

flowering Lesser Celandine

distant Mergansers on the west hoyle

Goldcrest

 Dutch scurvy Grass

Ringed: 1 Goldcrest,       [41-13 ]
(DB,AEH)    all photos  AEH

Surf Scoter (above and below second cal year) - off East Hoyle Sandbank, Hoylake (SRW)

 
Videos of this bird can be seen https://youtu.be/-AaPL5TfPzc and https://youtu.be/iHrFovlH7DM