7th March 2024

 Weather: ESE force 3   mist with brief glimpses of watery sun at times

 Despite the nice little passage of Redwings and Fieldfares over the last few days, thrush of the year (so far) was first spotted through the obs window early this morning (when it was very misty) in the shape of a Mistle Thrush.

 

Mistle Thrush is rare at Hilbre, indeed the last record was in 2018 and records of this large thrush have always been rare here even over the last 60 years or so when there were probably more present in the wider countryside than now. A picture from the obs fence was photobombed by a singing Wren.

The other notable arrivals were 3 Chiffchaffs which were the first here this year, they were an early date for Hilbre, and are normally expected towards later part of March. Two were caught for ringing.

 

 

Stonechats seemed to be everywhere around the isands, there were even more today, 8 were present, another was ringed this morning.

 

 
Other small passerines were a medium passage of Meadow Pipits, 2 Goldcrests, 6 Pied Wagtails, 2 Chaffinch, a Skylark and a Siskin. Three Woodpigeons came through with one staying and frequently sitting on the obs fence to keep us company.

Wildfowl on the list today included 2 Pintail watched in flight near Little Eye,

There were a significant number of Shelduck present mid morning, 93 were moving around the islands to the south of Middle on the ebb tide, while 427 pale-bellied Brent and 1 dark-bellied were scattered all around. 

Easier to count were 9 Goosanders, 4 Eiders and 2 Scoter. Amongst the waders 320 Grey Plover and 450 Curlew were south of Little Eye, 100 Sanderling were seen and 11 Purple Sandpipers fed about the island shores. Also present were the Kestrel, 3 Little Egrets and 2 Grey Herons.

Ringing: 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Stonechat, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Robin.

 Photos AS, SRW