29th April 2024

 Weather: SE force 4 increasing 5 by midday.

A touch of south in the wind and about 400 Pink-footed Geese set off north, but later than usual, more towards mid-morning.

A lone Brent fed on the whaleback and 3 Canada Geese flew in, 8 Shelduck and a Common Scoter were noted and the full team of 9 Eiders were at the north end. Highlight of the waders was a Common Sandpiper, the first here this year. It was on the rocks by the shore off the south west corner.

 

There were more Whimbrel (23) than Curlew (8) about today, 

 

There is still a large contingent of Knot and Dunlin in the Dee, about 5,000 Knot and 600 Dunlin showing themselves today.

Amongst the 600 Dunlin, one was seen with a metal and colour ring, information already received say that it was ringed at Ynyslas, Wales on 21st September 2021.

 

Six Bar-tailed Godwit flew in.

A passage of several species took place this morning, nothing massive but a nice trickle through. Hirundines did well, over 40 Swallows, 4 Sand Martins and 6 House Martins. A Yellow Wagtail flew south over the island, while 3 White and 3 Pied Wagtails passed by. The 'resident' Whitethroat was still about but 2 new birds arrived, 1 became ringed this morning.

Quite a few Crows flapped passed the island, at least 14. About 6 Greenland Wheatears landed this morning (2 on Middle). Willow Warblers numbered about 10, a single Siskin and 8 Goldfinches and 8 Redpolls (one was ringed today).

On the sea were 8 Gannets and 42 Sandwich Terns. A Harbour Porpoise added to the list of recent records as it swam off the north west corner of the island.

Ringed: 4 Willow Warblers, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Linnet.

Photos SRW

28th April 2024

 Weather: NE force 4  backing NNW 4 later in the morning.

A northerly wind meant no Pinkfeet moving this morning but 5 Greylags gave a flypast for the observers.

Only a single Brent was found, possibly the last to leave, there have been cases in the past when odd ones have lingered for quite some time. Six Eiders (5 adults) were counted,

 ....and 6 Shelduck stayed around the island.

The Whitethroat that was ringed here a few days ago was again in song but elusive to the camera, finally giving itself up to our persistent photographer.

 A single Willow Warbler in the gardens and 2 Goldfinches were the only other possible migrants on the ground. The local Swallows are now showing well in preparation for breeding.

 

 

 

 And of course the Linnets are also in breeding mode.

 

Among the waders were 2,000 Knot, 500 Dunlin, 10 Ringed Plover, 8 Whimbrel while Bar-tailed Godwit totalled 120 birds. The only sea birds seen at the low tide were 4 Gannets, 6 Scoter and 6 Sandwich terns. Four Little Egrets and a Grey Heron were present. 

 

Some flowers were very colourful despite the cool weather.

 

Photos AEH.

27th April 2024

 Weather:  ENE force 2

 

 The Pinkfooted Goose train continued north this morning soon after dawn, 1,800 estimated.

 No Canada Geese this morning but a single Greylag flew passed the island

 Amongst the group of Eiders 6 were male (5 adult) and 2 females. They mingled with the few Brent that remain at the north end this morning.

 Four Shelduck seem to be making the island their home for this summer.

Early on a Short-eared Owl flew around the south end of the island briefly before heading east.

 

Redpolls were in evidence again today with an estimated 15 flying over, some dropping in and 5 became ringed. 

 

Willow Warblers are still passing north, about 12 came through, 6 were ringed today, but the Whitethroat of the last few days stayed and did some sub-song. Four Goldfinches were here but no Siskins were heard today. Early in the day a Collared Dove flew through.

 Up to 14 Wheatears were on the ground, mostly down the west side of the island.

 

 Two White Wagtails and a Pied were noted, also a small passage of martins, 4 each of Sand and House, as well as the usual trickle of Swallows feeding as they go together with the newly arrived local birds. The small waders roosted around the island at high tide, mostly Dunlin and some Turnstones and Redshank.

 

Sixteen Whimbrel were seen,  many small flocks have been moving through in the last few days, they seem anxious to go north and breed.

Not many sea birds today, just 2 Guillemots and 140 Sandwich Terns. In the moth trap this morning was a Brown Silver-line.

Ringed:  6 Willow Warbler, 5 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Linnet.

Photos CJW, SRW

26th April 2024

Weather: ESE force 1 with slight mist, NNE 3 by noon

Almost flat calm at dawn and just a few skeins of Pinkfeet, about 480 birds going north, and the Brent Geese are down to about a dozen now, including a dark-bellied. Two Canada Geese showed again and the 9 Eiders were all present. 

The paddocks seemed quiet at first but Willow Warblers arrived an hour or so later, 18 were estimated during the day.

 

A single Chiffchaff was amongst them and the male Whitethroat was also present. Finches were interesting with 6 Goldfinches, 2 Siskins and 5 Lesser Redpolls. One of the Redpolls trapped was a control (ringed elsewhere), it turned out to have been ringed in Warwickshire in early January this year.

 

Three White Wagtails arrived and 5 Sand Martins flew through, also 20 Swallows, while a few of them seen were definitely Hilbre birds returning.

 At least 3 Mallards have been in the pond lately, a female and 2 males today.

 

On the sea were 2 Red-throated Divers, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Guillemots, 80 Sandwich and 5 Common Terns. A single Harbour Porpoise swan in the calm channels. The waders featured 14 Whimbrel, 85 Turnstone 300 Dunlin and 800 Knot.

Eleven Little Egrets and 2 Grey Herons fed on the shore, while the only raptor was a Sparrowhawk that flew over the west hoyle towards Wales.

Ringed: 11 Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Lesser Redpoll (plus the control)

Photos SRW