14th December 2023

Weather:  rain showers early, dry later, mild

A visit across for the tide found 400 Cormorants flying out of the estuary just after first light. Five Eider and 3 Goosander were logged and 12 Purple Sandpipers roosted at the north end, while 3,800 oystercatchers roosted on Middle eye and 3,600 Knot turned up between Middle and Little Eye after the tide. Short-tailed field voles seem numerous at the moment, indeed 11 were seen today, also an owl pellet which contained 2 vole skulls was beneath a post in the obs garden. An examination suggested it could be that of a Barn Owl, a very rare bird at Hilbre. Two Ravens showed today as well as the Kestrel.