29th May 2023

 Weather:  ESE force 1/2

Our first long awaited Spotted Flycatcher of the year appeared on the island but was seen only only briefly, a late Chiffchaff was also here but was more cooperative and was ringed. 

A Sedge Warber was another late comer, but it was quite  elusive but revealed itself with its song in the Blackthorn. A spectacular event on the sea was a feeding frenzy amongst the  gulls and terns. It seems that large shoal of fish was moving in the Dee off the west side which attracted the birds and also the fishermen.

 Estimated involved were 265 Sandwich Terns, 34 Common Terns, 650 Herring and 83 Black-headed Gulls.

 Waders today were all in single figures apart from the over 100 Oystercatchers. Just 3 Turnstone.

and a single Dunlin at the north end.

A male and a female Eider and a Guillemot were noted on the sea.

In the afternoon the islad was invaded by the usual massive influx of visitors on a fine weather Bank Holiday weekend.

 A Red Admiral was seen today and the moth trap among others produced:--

Treble Lines

 

Brown-Line Bright-eye

 

Shoulder-striped Wainscot

 

 A Cinnabar was out and about the island.

Meanwhile the Valerian is now in full flower ready to receive the first Humming-bird Hawkmoth of the year.

The Observatory hosted a visit by "The Merseyside Fire service Retired Members Walking Group". The records secretary gave them a talk about our activities.

 

 Photos: SRW