9th March 2018

Weather: SSE force 1

A pleasant morning with a small number of finches passing over; 2 Greenfinches, 2 Siskins and single Goldfinch, Linnet and Chaffinch, also 2 Pied Wagtails indicating the start of spring to come.

Two Canada geese were resting off the west side

and at least 4 Eiders were at the north end, one of which was the 'new' male found yesterday, a new member to the group that has been here all winter.

A Stonechat was on Middle but none on the main island today.

Good counts were made of 42 Grey Plover and 165 Bar-tailed Godwits and many Common Scoter were still on the sea to the north with 6 Great Crested Grebes.  A Dunnock was singing and 5 pairs of Meadow Pipits seem to be on territory.

A Common Buzzard was being mobbed off the east side of Middle late in the morning.  Common Buzzard is a very scarce visitor to the Hilbre recording area.

Photos CJ and SRW