15th July 2021

Weather: WNW 3 decreasing force 1

An evening visit for an overnight stay found 34 Gannets in Liverpool bay, 220 Sandwich Terns in the roost, also the Eider about. Thirty Eight Dunlin and a Whimbrel were among the waders and 3 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron and 10 Shelduck were liking the shore area. Oystercatchers are now building up in numbers around 350 were seen this evening.

Two Sea Slaters (looking like a sort of huge woodlouse), and also known at Hilbre as a Jasper were  running about the north end.

 Butterflies seen in the warm weather included 8 Small White, a Small Tortoiseshell and a Gatekeeper.

The calm warm weather enabled another good catch in the moth trap.

Yellow Shell

Short-cloaked Moth

 Another moth - Anania crocealis may be new to Hilbre. Records are being checked.

 Photos CJW