28th May 2023

 Weather: W force 2

 An afternoon visit in the sunshine was productive in an unexpected way

For many years Hilbre bird observatory has been ringing Wheatears and although for a period even colour ings were used, we have had no recoveries at all. It would be nice to report one of 'our' birds had been sighted but the second best thing occurred today when a colour ringed Whteatear was seen down on the island.

After enquiries were made it proved to be a bird ringed at the Calf of Man (isle of Man) in June 2022. A very late arrival for a northern Wheatear at Hilbre, it transpires that it was also seen at Bardsey island on 8th May this year. British northern Wheatears are normally the first to arrive, so goodness knows what this individual is doing hanging around the Irish sea at a time when most are anxious to settle down to breed. A notable record for us at Hilbre. The rest of the records are less exciting, a single Swift did a fly-by late afternoon.

The remaining passerines appeared to be all island breeders, Wrens, Blackbirds, Linnets, Meadow Pipits, Rock Pipits, Swallows and Pied Wagtails.  There were 3 Eiders today and 7 Little Egrets, while 8 Ringed Plover stood out amongst the very low numbers of other waders at the low tide.

 Photo SRW