Weather: E force 2
A short visit on the last day of the year was made during a cold but light easterly. Predictably birds were at a premium at the low tide. About 150 Brent were at the north end of the island. Three Shelduck and 40 Common Scoter completed the ducks, 3 Great Crested Grebes were also off the north end. Waders logged included 6,500 Knot, 2,500 Dunlin, 52 Grey Plover, 100 Ringed Plover, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit and 100 Redshank. A Kestrel roamed the island, as did the Magpie. Single Little Egret and Grey Heron were on the shore, while on the ground were 2 Song Thrush, 3 Robins, 1 Rock Pipit and 2 Meadow Pipits.
Tuesday 31 December 2019
Sunday 29 December 2019
29th December 2019
Weather: SE force 2/3
A spectacular dawn greeted observers this morning for a brief pre-tide visit.
About 600 Pink-footed Geese flew north over the Wirral shore.
Two Pintail and 4 Shelduck were the only duck to be seen, Brent were scattered and only around 70 were in view. A Peregrine off the west side was the sole raptor, while flocks of 1,5000 knot and 1,000 Dunlin whirled about and 300 Sanderling flew passed the north end from Wales to the north shore and over 50 Grey Plover gathered before the tide. Just 3 Purple Sandpipers were at the north end, there would probably be more later at high tide. Sixty Scoter were very distant and 2 Mergansers and 2 Little Egrets also made the log sheet. On the ground, 2 Song Thrushes and 3 Rock Pipits are still present, and of course the Magpie. Three Shags are still on the pontoon at the marine lake.
Photos AEH
A spectacular dawn greeted observers this morning for a brief pre-tide visit.
About 600 Pink-footed Geese flew north over the Wirral shore.
Two Pintail and 4 Shelduck were the only duck to be seen, Brent were scattered and only around 70 were in view. A Peregrine off the west side was the sole raptor, while flocks of 1,5000 knot and 1,000 Dunlin whirled about and 300 Sanderling flew passed the north end from Wales to the north shore and over 50 Grey Plover gathered before the tide. Just 3 Purple Sandpipers were at the north end, there would probably be more later at high tide. Sixty Scoter were very distant and 2 Mergansers and 2 Little Egrets also made the log sheet. On the ground, 2 Song Thrushes and 3 Rock Pipits are still present, and of course the Magpie. Three Shags are still on the pontoon at the marine lake.
Photos AEH
Saturday 28 December 2019
28th December 2019
Weather: SE 1 increasing 3
Some duck were found for a change in the form of 2 male Eiders, 7 Pintail and 3 Teal. As many as 34 Great Crested Grebes were off the island, also 160 Scoter and a Red-throated Diver. Best of the waders were 6 Purple Sandpiers, 35 Ringed Plover and 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, while Little Egret and Grey Heron were also on the shore. In addition to the Magpie and a Song Thrush, 3 Meadow Pipits, 6 Wrens, 2 Robins, and a Song Thrush were present. A Harbour Porpoise showed on the sea.
Some duck were found for a change in the form of 2 male Eiders, 7 Pintail and 3 Teal. As many as 34 Great Crested Grebes were off the island, also 160 Scoter and a Red-throated Diver. Best of the waders were 6 Purple Sandpiers, 35 Ringed Plover and 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, while Little Egret and Grey Heron were also on the shore. In addition to the Magpie and a Song Thrush, 3 Meadow Pipits, 6 Wrens, 2 Robins, and a Song Thrush were present. A Harbour Porpoise showed on the sea.
Friday 27 December 2019
27th Decmber 2019
Weather: SSE force 4/5 rain
Following the appearance of 4 birds 2 days ago, a female Velvet Scoter flew passed the north end at close range. Also logged in the rain today were 9 Great Crested Grebes, a Red-throated Diver, 400 Scoter, 32 Grey Plover, 100 Turnstone, 899 Dunlin, 65 Redshank and a Purple Sandpiper. Both Kestrel and Peregrine made an appearance and of course the now resident Magpie. There was again evidence of the fox still being around.
Following the appearance of 4 birds 2 days ago, a female Velvet Scoter flew passed the north end at close range. Also logged in the rain today were 9 Great Crested Grebes, a Red-throated Diver, 400 Scoter, 32 Grey Plover, 100 Turnstone, 899 Dunlin, 65 Redshank and a Purple Sandpiper. Both Kestrel and Peregrine made an appearance and of course the now resident Magpie. There was again evidence of the fox still being around.
Thursday 26 December 2019
26th December 2019
Weather: SE force 4/5 later 3, Rain
Dedicated coverage over the holiday period continued with a mostly quiet boxing day in miserable weather. Sea watching produced 240 Scoter, 7 Red-throated Divers, 6 Great Crested Grebes. A Kestrel, a Blackbird, 3 Song Thrushes and the Magpie were noted and 6 Purple Sandpipers roosted at the north end.
Dedicated coverage over the holiday period continued with a mostly quiet boxing day in miserable weather. Sea watching produced 240 Scoter, 7 Red-throated Divers, 6 Great Crested Grebes. A Kestrel, a Blackbird, 3 Song Thrushes and the Magpie were noted and 6 Purple Sandpipers roosted at the north end.
Wednesday 25 December 2019
25th December 2019
Weather:NW force 3
Very good sea records on the high tide today. Four female type Velvet Scoters were off the north end and a Black-throated Diver flew west (thanks to Elliott Monteith). Others seen on the sea watch included 6 Red-throated Divers and 4 Great Crested Grebes. Sixteen hundred Dunlin were on the shore as were 83 Redshank and 3 Grey Plover. Four Wigeon were off the east hoyle while on the ground were noted the Magpie, 2 Song Thrushes, a Blackbird and 3 Rock Pipits.
Very good sea records on the high tide today. Four female type Velvet Scoters were off the north end and a Black-throated Diver flew west (thanks to Elliott Monteith). Others seen on the sea watch included 6 Red-throated Divers and 4 Great Crested Grebes. Sixteen hundred Dunlin were on the shore as were 83 Redshank and 3 Grey Plover. Four Wigeon were off the east hoyle while on the ground were noted the Magpie, 2 Song Thrushes, a Blackbird and 3 Rock Pipits.
Tuesday 24 December 2019
24th December 2019
Weather: SW force 2
The highlight for some days came with the appearance of a Black Guillemot which flew west passed the north end at mid distance; a bird that is not always annual at Hilbre. The rest of the bird records were more routine: 3 Song Thrushes, a Blackbird, the Magpie, a Kestrel, 80 Scoter, 44 Brent, 6,500 Oystercatchers, 80 Turnstone, 116 Curlew, 45 Redshank, 200 Knot, 300 Dunlin and 2 Grey Plover. There were 7 Purple Sandpipers at high tide, just about the maximum we have had this winter.
The highlight for some days came with the appearance of a Black Guillemot which flew west passed the north end at mid distance; a bird that is not always annual at Hilbre. The rest of the bird records were more routine: 3 Song Thrushes, a Blackbird, the Magpie, a Kestrel, 80 Scoter, 44 Brent, 6,500 Oystercatchers, 80 Turnstone, 116 Curlew, 45 Redshank, 200 Knot, 300 Dunlin and 2 Grey Plover. There were 7 Purple Sandpipers at high tide, just about the maximum we have had this winter.
Sunday 22 December 2019
22nd December 2019
Weather: NW force 2/3 good vis
A mid afternoon look arouind produced a count of 157 Brent, a Kestrel and the Magpie.
A mid afternoon look arouind produced a count of 157 Brent, a Kestrel and the Magpie.
Saturday 21 December 2019
21st December 2019
Weather:SE force 3/4 coastal fog
A short visit found 2 Blackbirds on the island, also a Song Thrush, while waders noted included 10 Bar-tailed Godwit, 30 Sanderling, 60 Redshank and 2 Grey Plover. Others logged were 2 Little Egrets, 60 Scoter, 4 Great Crested Grebes and 40 Brent.
A short visit found 2 Blackbirds on the island, also a Song Thrush, while waders noted included 10 Bar-tailed Godwit, 30 Sanderling, 60 Redshank and 2 Grey Plover. Others logged were 2 Little Egrets, 60 Scoter, 4 Great Crested Grebes and 40 Brent.
Friday 20 December 2019
20th December 2019
Weather: SSE 1 vis 10 mls, by mid day NW 3-4 vis 5
mls with drizzle becoming rain.
Redwing were moving above the shore before dawn and 2
Blackbird with at least 3 Song Thrush were on the island. The only other
passerines about were 2 Meadow Pipit.
The calm sea enabled a count of 460 Common Scoter but just 1
Great Crested Grebe. A single Purp was at the north end, 65 Bar-tailed Godwit
came down and landed briefly with the 500 Dunlin on the North Shore.
Five Wigeon were at the bottom of the gutter, again
only briefly before flying north.
A solitary Shoveler was found on the sea just west of the
Lagoon, it seemed to have a damaged wing.
photos AS
Wednesday 18 December 2019
18th December 2019
Weather: SE 4-5 Fog with visibility 1 ½ mls max and often
much less.
As well as having the fog to contend with, it was freezing
with a high wind chill so low numbers were recorded of Turnstone, Redshank,
Knot, Dunlin etc., between many breaks for tea and biscuits!
Surprisingly though there were a good number of Brent Geese
on the Whaleback with 270 counted, unfortunately they were put up by a
Peregrine before they could be checked for colour rings.
Three Pintail flew out of the fog , over the North End and
disappeared up the estuary.
photos AS
Tuesday 17 December 2019
17th December 2019
Weather: SW force 2
Ringed: 1 Blackbird [ 772-36 ]
photos JE
It was cold first
thing but the lack of wind meant that when the sun came out it turned into a
very pleasant, bright day. A snow covered Cwm Eigiau in the Carneddau could be
seen clearly.
However the cockle pickers were out in force on the West Hoyle
and there weren’t many seals hauled out.
A Blackbird was ringed and 3 Song Thrushes were present. One of the song thrushes and the wren
were first seen on Hilbre in 2018, this is their second winter on the island.
They were both doing very well with plenty of fat and a good weight. The
blackbird was a first year, female and she was in good condition too.
There were good numbers of Turnstone about with lots of
evidence at the north end that they had roosted there overnight.
There were no
really big numbers of birds, there were only 120 Brents and some Cormorants
leaving the estuary as it was getting light but not unusual numbers.
Ringed: 1 Blackbird [ 772-36 ]
photos JE
Monday 16 December 2019
16th December 2019
Weather: SW 2-3 Good visibility
A Heron was on the west side and 3 Little Egrets were around
Middle Eye,
There were 7 Purple Sandpiper and a Rock Pipit at the North
End, wader numbers were low and just 80 Brents counted.
However, it was a beautiful day for a vegetation management
session.
photos AS
Sunday 15 December 2019
15th December 2019
A before tide visit saw 1,500 Pinkfeet heading north east over West Kirby, and 940 Cormorants exiting the estuary after dawn.
A Song Thrush was ringed this morning and 3 others were present. Some other images from today.
Ringed: 1 Song Thrush [ 771-36 ]
photos AEH
Wednesday 11 December 2019
11th December 2019
Weather: SW 2-3 Good visibility
There was a count of 9 Purple Sandpiper today, the highest
so far this year but a sad reflection of past numbers.
Other waders recorded included 3,000 Knot, 600 Dunlin and 75
Ringed Plover (these were towards Little Eye after the tide along with 20 Grey
Plover), 140 Turnstone roosted in Niffy Bay.
There were just a handful of Brent Geese around the island
and 60 Common Scoter off the north end.
After the tide 170 Shelduck moved from in front of the marsh
and flew up the estuary.
A single Rock Pipit was noted, the Kestrel was about the
island and a Peregrine sat on the sand east of Little Eye after the tide.
photos AS
Monday 9 December 2019
9th December 2019
Weather: NNW 7-8 vis 10 mls
This morning 2,600 Cormorants battled their way out of the
estuary at dawn, compare the sea conditions to the photo taken Saturday 7th
!
There were a few more Common Scoter about with 450 counted,
but little else on the sea other than 8 Red-throated Diver. The Brent’s seemed
to have sought shelter elsewhere as only 50 were about until well after the ebb
when another 100 arrived.
A few large flocks of Knot totalled 3,500 and a good count
of 335 Sanderling were on the north shore, small numbers of Redshank and
Turnstone sheltered in Niffy bay….
…and just 3 Purple Sandpiper roosted, unusually they were on
top of the North End by the pools.
Over 3000 Herring Gull were logged, 75 Common Gull were in
the gutter but only 1 Black-headed Gull. A Peregrine upset the waders a few
times and a fresh Oystercatcher kill was found, the Kestrel was also about the
islands.
photos AS
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