5th May 2024

 Weather: SE force 2,   NNE 2/3 by noon    sunny and warm

A beautiful calm day with a light south easterly to begin, conditions thought to be ideal for birds at Hilbre. No large fall of passerines but a varied selection of species summerised the day. Yet again when we thought we had seen the last of the Pinkfooted Geese another 420 went north this morning, but it was all over soon after dawn.

A member walking to the island at dawn saw a Fox returning to the shore, chased by a Crow. As evidence of Fox is recorded often, this habit probably happens regularly but is seldom observed.

Half a dozen Willow Warblers trickled through, also 2 latish Chiffchaffs but small bird of the day was a fine male Whinchat that was at the south end of the island, but did not stay very long.

The calm sea provided a few surprises, no less than a count of 123 Red-throated Divers distantly off the west side.

The still conditions produced counts of 120 Gannets, 25 Guillemots, 2 Razorbills, 8 Great Crested Grebes, an Arctic Skua, 4 Manx Shearwaters and 300 Sandwich Terns. While watching them a Harbour Porpoise swam into view. Earlier 2 Greylags were on the ridge south of Middle, a Canada Goose was also recorded, 2 Brent were here early on in the morning and there were 35 Common Scoter and the Eiders numbered 7 today.

Large flocks of Knot and Dunlin are very vocal at the moment as were the 27 Whimbrel who also took the eye amongst the waders, while 27 Ringed Plover and 6 Sanderlings were other species seen. A Peregrine flew through again today. Small birds going over early were a Yellow Wagtail, 2 White Wagtails, 6 Lesser Redpolls, a Skylark and the ubiquitous Woodpigeon. Hirundines featured 9 Sand Martins, a House Martin and 25 Swallows some of which would be local birds.

Later in the morning it became very warm and sunny and just being on the island was a very pleasurable experence in itself. A couple of Green-Veined White butterflies took advantage.

A good moth catch from the trap today included an Angle Shades and a Waved Umber.

Ringed: 4 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Greenland Wheatear, 1 Linnet.

Photos  CJW, SRW