27th May 2023

 Weather: SE force 4/5   slight most. veering NW 3 later

Although a south=easterly the wind was stronger and colder than expected, as so many have been  from this direction this spring. As can be seen from the pictures today was very much about the nsects. The headline from the moth trap this morning was a Small Elephant Hawk, the third record for Hilbre after individuals previously in 1970 and 2021

 

 

 Other species today included such as Brown Silver-line, several Marbled Coronet, Vine's Rustic and Brimstone. Butterflies were not numerous but the first Painted Lady of the year was found on the Thrift.

The only small migrants were 3 House Martins and several Goldfinches.

 

Young were being fed by the Pipits and it was nice to see juveniles of Meadow and Rock Pipit.

 

Some kind of sailing race off the north of the island was taking place, that was unusual to see.

 

 

 More interesting to the observers looking in the same direction were about 90 Gannets feeding and especially a Fulmar flying west, a quite scarce sighting in recent years. The Common Terns (125) are  now outnumbering the Sandwich Terns (25)

Three of the 4 regular Eiders eventually showed up,

 

.......... in the meantime a flock of 22 Canada Geese flew north away from the island. There were a large number of Ringed Plover present (85) considering the proximity of the breeding season and 2 late passage Whimbrel called this morning. A few Dunlin are also still about, Five Little Egrets made the island the home for the day.

Photos AS, SRW.