18th March 2018

Weather: ENE force 4/5  vis 3miles, freezing point with snow flurries, biting cold wind.

Snow on the West Kirby rooftops as viewed from HIlbre

A bitterly cold early morning found few birds about the islands apart from the many waders feeding on the shore both sides of the island chain before the large tide approached and cut off their food supply. A few thousand Knot and Dunlin, a few Bar-tailed Godwit and Sanderling and about 140 Grey Plover were present.

Turnstone

Two males were among the 6 Eider near the island this morning, while 5 Great Crested Grebes and 4 Red-breasted Merganser were off the west side.

Passerines were almost invisible in the 3 hours available before the tide, just a single Meadow Pipit and a couple of Robins and Wrens were noted in the bitter wind.
photos AEH