31st July 2021

 Weather: WNW force 4

 The star bird of a quiet morning was an early returning Wheatear. Four Gannets were the only sea birds recorded, except for the Sandwich Terns which have peaked at about 800 with 10 Common Terns, while waders included 14 Ringed Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 10 Turnstone, 16 Redshank and 100 Dunlin. Little Egrets continue in good numbers, 8 being here this morning. Butterflies today were a Peacock, 8 Small White and a Green-veined White.

 

 A Flounced Rustic was one of the moths recorded this morning

Flounced Rustic

 photos CJW
 

30th July 2021

 Weather: WNW force 4 

 An adult summer Mediterranean Gull was noted again on a late afternoon arrival, this is the premium time of year to see them around the shore in this area, there have been several recently. The evening shore held 4 Whimbrel, 10 Turnstone, 65 Dunlin, 4 Redshank, 900 Oystercatchers and 6 Little Egret. The moth trap lthis morning produced another good list.

 

Mouse Moth

 

Straw Underwing

 photos CJW 

29th July 2021

 Weather: W force 7 decreasing very slowly during the day

The fresh wind blew in 57 Gannets into viewing distance.

 Another 4 Manx Shearwaters passed the island, while 5 Common Scoter were seen and 720 Sandwich Terns are now roosting near the island.

 

A Whitethroat was a welcome addition to the regular small birds today, several singles have been around in the last few weeks. Two Whimbrel, 13 Redshank and 11 Turnstone were the pick of the waders. In the afternoon 2,000 Herring Gulls were on the west hoyle bank, other gulls counted today included 360 Black-headed, 4 Common, 18 Lesser Black-Backs and 8 Great Black-Backs. A Kestrel is still here. Lots of Cinnebar caterpillars are now on the Ragwort over many areas of the island. Three Green-veined White butterflies were recorded.

photos AS

28th July 2021

 Weather: SW force 2, later WSW 5/6, gusting up to 9 late afternoon

An increasing south westerly produced 5 Manx Shearwaters, 6 Gannets, 4 Common Scoter and 2 Great Crested Grebes. Sandwich Terns are up to 450 with 60 Common.

 A single Willow Warbler made it to the island as the only fresh arrival this morning, although there were 10 Swallows logged. The pair of Pied Wagtails seem to be carrying food again to their nest at the north of the island, while Blackbirds and Rock Pipits are still here . Eight Little Egrets were to be seen around the island with 15 Curlew, 4 Whimbrel, and 4 Redshank, one of which was seen to be ringed.

 

Both Peregrine and Kestrel were on show, the Peregrine resting on the sand.

 A Common Blue butterfly flew today.

photos AS

27th July 2021

Weather:  WNW force 1

A Yellow Wagtail was down at Middle Eye and calling this morning.

 A Goldfinch flew north at Hilbre, this and the Yellow Wagtail were the only 'migrants' at such today. An Arctic Tern was identified in addition to the 170 Sandwich and 60 Common Terns and 7 Gannets were also on the sea. Six Whimbrel were present and a small flock of Ringed Plover.

 

 

 

 Two adult Mediterranean Gulls among the 200 Black-headed and 12 Common Gulls.

 

Summer plumaged waders featured in the form of 2 Dunlin and a single Turnstone. The immature Kestrel was on the island, showing well and sitting on one of the bungalows.

 Seven Little Egrets and 2 Grey Herons were on the shore. The Rock-sea Lavender is beautiful at the moment around the island.

photos AEH,SRW

26th July 2021

 Weather: SW force 2

 A brief pre-tide visit found it very quiet on the island, the Grey Seals were counted at 323 resting the west hoyle haul out.

Three Linnets were caught, 2 were adults hatched in 2020 and a juvenile which gave the impression of being recently fledged as it had a very short tail.

A Whimbrel and 3 Little Egrets were recorded

 A ladybird found on the newton trap woodwork turned out to be a dark form of the 2 Spot ladybird.

photos JE

25th July 2021

 

 Comparatively quiet compared to mid week, but Swallows and Sand Martins going south

 A Raven was on the shore

 A Knot at the north end. 

  photos AEH

24th July 2021

 Weather: E force, later E 4   sunny intervals  warm

 Two more early migrant Yellow Wagtails passed through today, also a Reed Bunting was down by the pond and a Whitethroat posed well for some photos.

The Linnets are here all summer and therefore tend to be overlooked, but they are fine looking birds and have done well this year.

 

The Mediterranean Gull is still about the islands and 3 Whimbrel were seen, as were 50 Dunlin, 18 Ringed Plover, 5 Little Egrets and 3 Grey Herons. The moth traps have been very active this last few weeks, the list from this morning follows :

Antler moth

 

True Lovers Knot

Sycamore

Marmalade fly

Bombus lucorum/terrestris

Two Painted Ladies were among the butterflies today, a migratory species that sometimes occurs in large numbers.

photos CJW

23rd July 2021

 Weather:  E force 3   slight mist

No surprises this morning for a change but a steady passage of Swifts in small numbers was the highlight of the day. An adult summer Mediterranean Gull showed well on the shore, there has been one about for a few days now.

There are 4 Pied Wagtails on the island now, the 2 adults and 2 juveniles.

The Grey Seals were counted at 295 at low tide, some coming close to inspect the visitors.

There were 5 Little Egrets and 4 Grey Herons, a Kestrel, a Whimbrel with the other waders (8 Ringed Plover, 25 Dunlin, 12 Turnstone), also 250 Sandwich and 60 Common in the tern roost. The moth trap came up with the goods again as per the list: 

V Pug

Wormwood Pug

Drinker

Some lovely butterflies to admire around the island.

Gatekeeper

Common Blue

Small White

photos CJW