23rd October 2016

ENE 3/4  increasing to 5/6 rain early visibility 5mls

Two peregrines in the air above Middle encouraged observers approaching the islands, one flew towards Hoylake golf course and the second disappeared over the west side. Later presumably this same bird flew from the north end of Hilbre towards Little Eye and unidentified evidence of a fresh kill was found. Eighty four Brent geese were in 2 separate groups, the majority on the whaleback with a colour ringed bird (red and blue) amongst them. A common scoter was close in on the west side, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 7 Guillemot were off the north end. Egret numbers had dropped to 2 after yesterdays good count, 2 Grey Herons, 26 Bar-tailed Godwits and a small flock of 40 knot were seen.

There were few birds on the island – 2 Blackbirds, 2 Wrens, 9 Robin 8 Meadow Pipits, 2 Dunnock, and 3 Rock Pipits on the north end . Eleven Carrion Crows were around the island and the only visible migration were 3 Pied Wagtail, 3 Chaffinch and a Siskin.