27th October 2016

Weather: W force 2
Finally after many weeks the wind is longer from the east, and true to form the westerly calmed things down from a birding point of view. The only Goldcrest present was ringed 5 days ago (below), although the Wren and Blackbird ringed and some of the 7 Robins present could be new visitors.

Wren

Linnet

 A Great Crested Grebe was close in to the east gutter, a Common Scoter was on the island and in the afternoon 70 flew east. Three Rock Pipits were present, it seems that a visit to Hilbre now will encounter Rock Pipits at any time of year not just at late autumn/winter as previously. Oystercatchers roosted the tide at the north end of Middle as usual but only 3,500 today, perhaps disturbed by the presence of the boat stranded there 10 days ago on the highest tide of the month. 

The Brent were counted at 146 in the evening, and 76 Redshank, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits and 2 Little Egrets at the same time.
Ringed: 1 Wren, 1 Blackbird                 [ 507-30 ]   All photos  JE