17th October 2024

 Weather: SSW force 3/4   clear overhead

The most excitement today did not happen until late afternoon when a Barn Owl was found in the Old Obs and then was found again a little later in Niffy bay.

Barn Owl is very rare at Hilbre, there have been only single figures in the history of the bird obs. After the Tawny Owl of a couple of weeks ago, it is tempting to suggest the high numbers of voles at the moment have had an effect. When the bird returned to the old obs garden, good photos were obtained as it went dark. 

 

Five Redwing were heard pre-dawn and 120 later in the day after dark. A Sparrowhawk was seen on the old obs fence early morning.

 

The Kestrel was also here and a Peregrine flew down the west side. It was also a good migration day with a Chiffchaff in the paddocks and many finches seen: over 20 Linnets, 14 Goldfinches, 2 Chaffinches, and others were 4 each of Pied and White Wagtails also a Reed Bunting briefly in the old obs with a Siskin. Meadow Pipits were moving with 130 coming through and 15 Skylarks passing over. Most of the migrants were also passing over but a few of the Meadow Pipits and the Goldfinches came down. Brent were counted at 328, there were 194 Shelduck, 7 Wigeon and 3 Eider. On the sea were 15 Common Scoter, a Red-throated Diver and 5 Great Crested Grebes. Around the island 8 Little Egrets and 3 Grey Herons fed together with 87 Curlew, 70 Turnstone, 43 Sanderling, 44 Redshank, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit and 1 Grey Plover. The clear visibilty during the evening enabled the A3 comet to be sighted towards the west.

 

 Ringed: 1 Song Thrush, 5 Goldfinch.

Photos AEH, AS, SRW