Weather: W force 3 veering WNW later, cloudy
The change in wind direction meant very little passage and sea watching was the order of the day. This turned out to be very worthwhile indeed. Although only 18 Red-throated Divers showed after the 3 figures yesterday, 120 Gannets were feeding and 55 Guillemots were here. The sighting of 2 Manx Shearwaters was soon eclipsed by the appearance of 2 Puffins in the swash to the west, a very scarce bird at Hilbre, although early May is a favourable time to look for them.
The next excitement was the report of a Osprey at the north Wirral coast which landed on the shore at Hoylake to eat a recent catch (photo at Hoylake).
It could be sighted from the balcony at Hilbre though a telescope and was seen in flight. The next happening was just as exciting. A summer plumage Black Guillemot was found close in at the north end before flying around to the swash and was last seen drifting up the west side of the island.
It is easy to speculate that maybe this and the Puffins originate from the north Wales breeding area. Eiders were at a new peak of 18 birds (more from the same area?) There were 2 Brent today, 8 Shelduck and 6 Mallard. There are still about 30 Whimbrel calling. Six Greenland Wheatears included 4 males, other small migrants were a Lesser Redpoll, a Grey Wagtail and 2 Chiffchaffs.
Among the 400 Sandwich Terns was a bird sporting a yellow colour ring on the left leg. No Common Terns were logged. Six little Egrets and 2 Grey Herons roamed the shore. Today showed just how memorable a westerly can be.
Ringed: 1 Chiffchaff. + a special thanks to visiting birder Ian Howarth for the first sightings of Puffins and Black Guillemot
Photos AMC, SRW
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