Weather: SE force 2, later NE 1
More waders rested on the island over the tide than has been the case recently including 2 Whimbrel, Dunlin (1500 logged today), Sanderling (50) and Ringed Plover (160).
About 450 Sandwich and 21 Common Terns were here also but most seem to leave early morning. An adult and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull were on the shore and both Peregrine and Kestrel showed up ( 20 voles and 4 frogs were logged). It was a decent migration day in general with 6 Willow Warblers present (4 were ringed), a continuing passage of 27 Sand Martins, 20 or so Swallows and 2 Wheatears. Additional individuals on show were a Wood Pigeon, a female Sparrowhawk and a Reed Bunting.
Sea watching produced 20 Common Scoter, 4 Gannets, 3 Guillemots, 2 Great Crested Grebes and a Shag; more unexpected was a flock of 10 Teal. Two Painted ladies were among the butterflies but Small Whites and Red admirals were the most numerous with 16 each.
Three Small Tortoiseshells were here, there are not as many now as they were in times past.
The most exciting event of the day we have kept to the last - a sighting of a Southern Migrant Hawker dragonfly on the pond, a first for Hilbre !
This species is a rare migrant from the Mediterranean region which has gradually become a more frequent visitor to Britain in recent years.
Photos CJW
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