29th November 2021

Weather:  SE force 3

Members were treated to the spectacle of an adult Peregrine repeatedly stooping down to the rocks below the obs and carrying away a wader whilst being chased by the local Crows.

 A less frequent visitor to the islands, a Short-eared owl flew up the gutter on the flood tide and was later seen flying off the south end.

Earlier a single Whooper swan had flown north between Hilbre and Red Rocks. Three Dark-bellied birds were anong the 411 Brent today, also 4 of the colour ringed birds.

 

Shelduck were around the islands on the morning ebb, 148 were counted.

Thirty six Grey Plover were in the Little area, other waders today included 56 Sanderling, 14 Ringed Plover, 6 Purple Sandpiper and 55 Turnstone (possibly 54 after the Peregrine had made it's visit !). Four Scoter were on the sea with 22 Great Crested Grebe (one was on the Marine lake this morning with 16 Goosander). Four Rock Pipits are still here, maybe for the winter, together with 7 Wrens, 3 Robins, 2 Blackbirds and 2 Song Thrushes.

 Photos AS, Colin Davies (see www.birdingsthelens,blogspot.con)