Friday 6 May 2022

6th May 2022

 Weather: SW  force 5/6   decreasing 3 by evening,  good visibility then rain before evening.

The most unusual record this morning was of a Jay, not a rare bird on the mainland but is indeed at Hilbre. It was in fact flying south over Red Rocks but seen well from Hilbre in the exceptionally clear visibility. Later on another bird flying south turned out to be a Hobby speeding through the obs garden, always a treat to see in the spring. Swallows were again in evidence with 18 on the island today, and another good trickle of 7 Greenland Wheatears landed here.

A single Willow Warbler was the sole warbler of any species today and the only small migrant. There was still good looking birds to see including the drake Eider and a fine summer plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit among a group of 3 individuals.

The summer plumaged Purple Sandpiper is still here together with 18 Turnstones, while Whimbrel were a little scarce today at 8 birds, far from scarce were Little Egrets with 13 around the shore. Common Terns outnumbered Sandwich today 16 to 8, a male Red-breasted Merganser was recorded and a Kestrel was on the island. Another spring Common Sandpiper was around the shore.

  Photos SRW

No comments: