20th July 2021

 Weather: WNW force 1    sunny and very warm

A round of the traps first thing this morning found a Melodious Warbler in the SK, it was caught and ringed and then released in the obs garden. A brilliant find and it becomes the third for the island and the first here since 1994. The first at Hilbre was in 1977.

It was a surprise arrival in sub-optimal weather conditions for migration here and a very early appearance for an autumn bird in the UK. When seen initially in the paddocks it looked very yellow in the early morning light.

The Melodious Warbler was still present when a later round of the traps found it in the 'heli' trap, again it was released in the obs garden at 10.10am but was not seen after that, however there were other migrants on show this morning with a Whitethroat in the privet by the lookout, a total of 6 Sand Martins and 8 Swifts flying through and a juvenile Wheatear claiming the title of first of the autumn. Other juveniles of Blackbird and Robin were showing and 8 Wrens roosted in the obs building. A Mediterranean Gull flew towards Hilbre from the  Red Rocks direction, possibly the same bird as seen yesterday. Seventeen Turnstone, 3 Whimbrel and 18 Redshank were the best of the waders. Another calm and warm night produced an extensive list of moths from the lamp trap.

photos CJW