1st September 2022

Weather: NE force 4, E 4/5 by noon then ENE late afternoon

A better day today with lots of things to report but the headline must be the finding of a new species for Hilbre island. It was a Small Red-eyed Damselfly.

This species was first recorded in Britain in 1999, it gradually expanded from the south east of England after spreading from the continent. It is still scarce in this area. While we are talking about insects there were 20 Red Admirals today and 2 Painted Ladies.

 

 A good catch from the moth trap was recorded this morning.

 Slightly unusual was a Common Marbled Carpet

 On the birding front there were no warblers again, it is very strange that none have been here for the last 6 days during easterly winds at this time of year. Hirundines however turned up, 36 Swallows and 8 House Martins. Only 30 Sandwich and 2 Common Terns were seen but 20 Gannets were out to sea, while nearer to shore 190 Cormorants and 2 Shags were recorded. Apart from 32 Curlew, 7 Whimbrel were about.

 

 Good numbers of small waders were on the shore today, including over 2,000 Dunlin, 6 Knot, 8 summer plumaged Grey Plover, 250 Ringed Plover and 28 Sanderling.

 

Birders and visitors to the island alike were stunned by the appearance of a pure white budgerigar on the seaweed and flying about the island.

 Photos CJW