15th June 2023

 Weather: ESE force 4 , then SE 2 and later NNE, haze

The Black Guillemot continues to make the headlines on the island as it  is still about and was to be seen most of the morning in the area between Middle and Hilbre.

 After the tide it was captured on camera in flight (photo Matt Thomas).

The female Eider was seen west of Middle and an immature male rested on the Whaleback, showing its new growing feathers in its plumage.

 

Two Swifts were seen over the island and during the morning 8 Starling arrived, all landed and stayed a while and all were juveniles, the photo was taken through the obs window.

 At least one of the pairs of swallows seem to be finding enough insects to feed their young.

 Five Little Egret arrived after the tide and one of the 3 Grey Heron present was a juvenile.

Eighteen Gannets, 32 Sandwich and 4 Common Terns were the only sea birds noted. Very few small waders are to be seen now, just 10 Dunlin but a summer plumage Curlew Sandpiper was found amongst them on the east side.

A few patches of Sheeps Bit are managing to survive on the west side, although a patch on the east side has been lost under the bracken.

Twenty two Red Admiral were noted today along with a Brimstone Moth.

 

 Photos: AS