Weather: ESE force 4 slight mist down the welsh coast
At dawn a flock of 1,000 Knot were seen moving north out of the estuary, possibly initiated by the slight hint of south in the breeze this morning. A Willow Warbler and a Chiffchaff were ringed first thing but there proved to be few further warblers arriving later, although Greenland Wheatears were present, about a dozen spent a lot of the morning on the island including the bird that was ringed today.
A male Whinchat was a surprise sighting low in the Blackthorn but did not surface again, but later a female appeared on the west side in more expected habitat.
Although there was not many grounded migrants a couple of Tree Pipits called over and 2 yellow Wagtails flew about towards the north end and landed briefly.
A small number of Goldfinches showed in places and a Redpoll called while moving overhead. Three Goosanders (2 drakes) were passing visitors flying east across the island towards Hoylake.
Two Sand Martins flew through going south, while most of the Swallows seen today seemed to be intent on breeding on the island.
Many hundreds of Herring Gulls sat on the 'whaleback' early on, an unusually large number.
Also near the whaleback the drake Eider sailed majestically passed.
and 6 Sandwich Terns made themselves known, while 13 Common Terns fished off the west side.
Highlight of the waders was a flock of 17 Bar-tailed Godwit flying west between the islands, twelve Whimbrel called, but no sign again of the summer plumaged Purple Sandpiper, maybe it has finally gone north. Sixteen Little Egrets, most of which were feeding in the gutter, was a large count, as were 22 Shelduck including 14 flying in a flock.
Ringed: 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldfinch.
Photos: AEH, CJ
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