9th June 2023

Weather:  ESE force 3/4     haze

 A trip to the north end on arrival discovered a Black Guillemot resting on the whaleback.

 The bird soon flew off onto the sea off the north end of the island.

 Settling on the sea the Guillemot slowly drifted further out on the tide before being lost to view. There have been an increase in records in the the last year or so but Black Guillemot is still a rare find at Hilbre. More usual visitors were a Canada Goose and 2 of the Eiders (immature male and female). At the low tide a summer plumaged Sanderling stood out, but other waders were very scarce. Lots of interest in the insects today, especially with an influx of Red Admirals arriving (30+).

The moth trap was deployed last night in the obs garden.

 The results this morning included :-

Clouded-bordered Brindle

Angle Shades

 

Bright-line Brown-eye

Shoulder-striped Wainscot

 

Netted Pug

 Later in the day in addition to the Red Admirals, butterflies flying were a Green-veined White, a Small Tortoiseshell and a Cinnabar moth.

 Photos SRW