21st April 2024

 Weather: ESE force 2   backing N 1 early afternoon

The expected Pinkfooted Goose early morning flyover produced large groups passing in the first couple of hours or so but not quite at the massive scale of yesterday, 2,500 were estimated today. First thing the weather was calm again this morning but with a lot of high cloud, the paddocks were quiet early on with just the odd Willow Warbler appearing now and then, and one or two Wheatears on show. A Grasshopper warbler sang briefly near the SK paddock gate, pleasing observers noting their first for the year. Numbers of Willow Warblers for the morning increased to 10 and Wheatears to 9, and a single male Blackcap was ringed. Apart from a Woodpigeon passing south the only other migrants were Sand Martins (12), Swallows (28) and White Wagtails (5).

 

.......and finches in the guise of a Greenfinch (scarce recently), 5 Goldfinches and 7 Redpolls. Terns were very noisy this morning, 25 Common Tern and 260 Sandwich were continuously in good voice, while some of the small waders were also very vocal expressing their readiness for their northern departure. More distantly clouds of Knot and Dunlin were seen on the move. Several small parties of Whimbrel came passed, some decended around the islands. Only a single Purple Sandpiper seemed to be here. Seven Red-throated Divers were noted, 8 Guillemots and a Great Crested Grebe were about and as yesterday 131 Gannets fed or sat on the sea. Common Scoter featured 24 close in plus 300 seen distantly. Pale-bellied Brent around the islands numbered 55 plus a dark-bellied bird, 9 Eiders, 3 Canada Geese and a Greylag were logged but birds of the day were a pair of Tufted Duck that flew in towards Niffy bay to the delight of Hilbre regulars who recognised the scarcity of this species at Hilbre (usually about 1 or 2 records a year).

We haven't seen the Kestrel much recently, and it was not here today, however a Peregrine was good compensation. Feeding in the gutters today were 6 Little Egrets and 1 Grey Heron. Many of the 7 Rock Pipits seen are sporting Hilbre colour rings.

Two Harbour Porpoise were swimming north off the west side, it is always easier to find them in these benign sea conditions. The moth trap last night just produced one insect, a Brown Silver-line

Ringed: 8 Linnets, 4 Willow Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 1 Goldfinch.

Photos: CJW