31st October 2024

 Weather: W force 1/2   WSW 1 in the afternoon

The Barn Owl was again present early morning, perched on the 'Heli' trap. Two Redwings were also down on the island and a Fieldfare flew over while 2 Song Thrush spent time in the obs garden. Out by the north hoyle 16 Gannets were diving, 10 Great Crested Grebes, a single Red-throated Diver and 1700 Common Scoter were in the same area. Eider numbered 6 female types off of the east hoyle and Brent exceeeded 300 and Shelduck 400. Four Bar-tailed Godwits and 3 Purple Sandpipers were a few of the best of the waders. For once Grey Herons (5) out-numbered Little Egrets (3). The Kestrel was still here as was a Chaffinch and a single Skylark flew over. The Weasel was seen again in the obs garden.

30th October 2024

 Weather: SW force 3,   WSW 3 in afternoon

A single Fieldfare was around for most of the morning but other than that and a Chaffinch there was little on the island, so it was surprising that a Merlin turned up and was about for a while, mostly on the west side. Two Skylarks flew through. On the sea was a Guillemot and a Great Crested Grebe and on the shore 3 Little Egrets, a Grey Heron and 3 Eiders, while the Kestrel was airbourne around the island. A good count was made of 414 Brent Geese, most along the edge of the Swash.  Around the edge of the incoming tide were 530 Shelduck and 2 first winter Swans flew north out of the estuary, unfortunately too far away to be positively identified. Three Purple Sandpiper roosted on the north end of middle eye. Other waders today were 8,000 Knot, 30 Dunlin, 340 Curlew, 140 Turnstone, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit and 50 Redshank. There was evidence about the island that both Weasel and Fox are still here.

28th October 2024

 Weather: WSW force 3    W 3 by noon,,  rain showers

There was just a Chaffinch logged again today as extra to the normal winter residents and visitors in the gardens and paddocks (8 Wrens, 6 Blackbirds, 6 Robins, 4 Song Thrushes and 3 Rock Pipits). There were  480 Shelduck between the shore and the islands, while 8 Wigeon floated up gutter with the morning tide, and a male and 2 female Red-breasted Mergansers flew west passed north end. Two Eider, 300 Brent and 25 Common Scoter completed the wildfowl for the day. Apart from the Scoter a single Great Crested Grebe was the sole 'sea' sighting. On the shore were 4 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron and the Kestrel did it's normal thing. Seven Sanderling were on the east hoyle after tide, while 2 Bar-tailed Godwits and 600 Knot roosted on middle. A young Grey seal hauled out at north end but looked very healthy and seemed to be exploring.

27th October 2024

 Weather: W force 3,  SSW 4 in afternoon

As expected with the westerly, passerine movement stopped but compensation was more on the sea than of late, including a Bottle-nosed Dolphin to the west of the north end. The sea provided other interesting sights in an hours watch including 84 Guillemott flying west, mostly as singles, also 4 Razorbills, 9 Red-throated Divers, 7 Gannets, 9 Kittiwakes, 180 Common Scoter and 12 Great Crested Grebes. At the same time 9 Wigeon were in the lagoon and were later joined by 3 more. Two hundred Brent included a bird colour ringed on Anglesey in 2019, which has visited Hilbre each winter since then. A Chaffinch and a Pied Wagtail were on the island but nothing else that could be classed as casual visitors. Four Shelduck and 2 Eider shared the islands with 4 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons and the Kestrel. The waders are now building up in numbers, but on the lowish tide this morning observed were 280 Knot, 90 Curlew, 90 Turnstone, 127 Redshank, 3 Grey Plover and 7 Bar-tailed Godwits.

24th October 2024

 Weather: E force 3

Yet another great White Egret, this time out at sea struggling against the wind and landing on the east hoyle briefly before continuing along the Wirral north shore.

 

 

 

There were quite a few small migrants again with 3 Skylarks moving also east, a small passage of Meadow Pipits, 14 Starlings, 7 Chaffinch, 5 Goldfinch, 18 Linnets and 3 Siskin. It was pleasing to see a Chiffchaff that seemed to exhibit some eastern influence.

 Brent were counted at 220, also 2 female eider, also on the sea a Great Crested Grebe and a Guillemot and shore wise 6 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons with 85 Turnstone, 85 Redshank and 45 Curlew. The Kestrel was the sole raptor present.

 Photos: SRW

23rd October 2024

 Weather: SE force 2/3

A few good birds this morning and some decent visible migration. The day started well with a Merlin on Little Eye, 

 A Snipe was put up from the reef and upon arrival on the main island there was a brief sighting of Barn Owl again, possibly the same bird as a week ago.

 Our second record this autumn of Great White Egret was then spotted flying west towards Wales.

 

Six Bar-tailed Godwit roosted on Middle and our first returning Purple Sandpiper that is probably here for the winter was at the North End.

 Other waders included 6 Golden Plover, 380 Knot, 150 Turnstone and 300 Sanderling.

A surprise was a very late Willow Warbler heard singing in the Old Obs garden then later around the paddocks. More expected arrivals and passage birds at this time were 12 Skylarks, 3 Jackdaws flying south east, a few Robins and Wrens, 50 Meadow Pipits, a Starling, a Reed Bunting, 25 Linnets, 15 Goldfinches, 5 Siskins and 3 Chafficnhes.

 Wildfowl featured 330 Brent, 65 Shelduck, 3 female Eider, 40 Pink-footed Geese going by and 2 Teal visiting the island. On the sea were 90 Scoter, a single Gannet and 3 Guillemots. Also around the island were 8 Little Egrets 4 Grey Herons, a Shag and the Kestrel.

 

 

Photos AS, SRW

22nd October 2024

 Weather: WSW force 3,    W2 at midday and SSW 1 late afternoon

 

Our seventh Yellow-browed Warbler of the year was heard in the Obs garden then seen briefly before disappearing at 945am. An hour later it appeared again in the Obs garden mist net and became the sixth to be ringed on the islands this autumn. 

 

No sooner had it been released a Sparrowhawk had also found it’s way into the mist net. The second to be ringed this autumn, this bird was a juvenile male.

 

Earlier a different Sparrowhawk was found in the east gardens, it's unusual to have 2 in a day.

 

There was quite a bit of visible migration this morning, considering the West south west wind. A nice passage of 24 Skylarks, 42 Meadow Pipits, 3 Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch, 5 Siskin, 2 Linnets, a Swallow, a Pied Wagtail and 2 Starlings came by with a few of all these touching down on the island.

 

Among others logged this morning were 335 Brent, 36 Shelduck, the 3 female Eider, 80 Scoter, 10 Great Crested Grebes, 5 Little Egret, 4 Grey Herons, 16 Bar-tailed Godwit, 25 Sanderling and 105 Redshank.

Photos AS, SRW

21st October 2024

 Weather: WSW force 5/6    SW 5 in afternoon

 A passage of 68 or Meadow Pipits were evident with some landing on the island,

while some finches were also recorded in transit including 11 Goldfinches and 4 Siskins flying over, as were 2 Skylarks. A pair of Wigeon landed in the gutter on the incoming tide. Resident Wildfowl today were 273 Brent and 3 female Eider. A Raven was later seen over Middle and earlier a flock of 16 Carrion Crows were logged as they flew over the main island.  

Good numbers of waders roosted the tide including 8,000 Oystercatchers, 

 

 also 350 Knot, 200 Dunlin, 86 Curlew, 61 Sanderling, 15 Grey Plover, 6 Ringed Plover. In Niffy bay were 120 Turnstone and 42 Redshank.

 Just 1 Grey Heron today and 5 Little Egret.

 Sightings out at sea were 300 Scoter, 3 Guillemot and 3 Great Crested Grebes.

Photos: AS

20th October 2024

Weather: SE force 5  rain.   In the afternoon 7/8, then 9/10 later, with gusts of force 11 early evening.

Our brave observer stayed the tide and faced the storm force winds later on.  A Peregrine was about early but no Kestrel ventured over today in the blustery conditions.  Local passerines kept low but 2 chaffinch were recorded, one seen coming in off the sea. The sea got rougher as the morning progressed, sightings were a Red-throated Diver, 2 Guillemots, 70 Common Scoter and a Shag. In Niffy Bay 42 Redshank and 116 Turnstone roosted, 

 with 60 Ringed Plover and 214 Dunlin on the north end,

 and elsewhere 180 Knot, 214 Dunlin, 9 Grey Plover, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit and 10,000 Oystercatcher (seen through the salt covered obs window as to rough to go out).

There were 200 Brent, 8 Shelduck and 3 Eider. As the tide flooded 800 Black-tailed Godwit were seen over Little Eye, they will be from the local wintering population.

Photos: AS

18th October 2024

 Weather: SE force 3   rain later in the afternoon

Yet another owl to delight Hilbre observers, this time a Short-eared owl flew east to west across the island towards the Great Orme pursued by irate Oystercatchers which had spent some time looking for places to roost at the very high tide.

They had also been disturbed by the rescue of people stranded on Middle and the ridge to the south during the big high tide. There were more migrants again today, perhaps fewer than yesterday. Meadow Pipits numbered 90, Skylarks 8 and finches featured again with 63 Linnets, 10 Goldfinches, 3 Chaffinches, 3 Siskin and 10 Goldfinches. 

 There were a few alba Wagtails and a casual visitor in the form of a Magpie.  

Taken for granted now are the records of Pink-footed Geese, there were 1,550 today. Just 3 Eiders this morning, over 300 Brent and 50 Common Scoter. Best of the wader species was a Common Snipe flying east to west over the island.

A few other waders made the reecording sheet, 1,035 Knot, 120 Turnstone, 65 Curlew, 37 Redshank, 6 Ringed Plover and 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, and others were 3 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron and the Kestrel.

Ringed; 1 Blackbird, 1 Wren.

 Photos: AS, SRW

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

16th October 2024

 Weather: SE force 4/5,  ESE in the afternoon,  rain and mist all day

A deluge of persistant mostly heavy rain made everything difficult for observers, however 2 Redwings were down on the island and were relatively easy to find.

 

A couple of Starling landed briefly followed by another 4, and 4 Goldfinch also arrived. A Wigeon and a pair of Common Scoter were off the whaleback, while only 51 Brent showed (including a dark-bellied) to the island observers, 450 Shelduck were counted. The most surprising item on the sea was a Pink-footed Goose swimming off the north end. In the afternoon after the tide a trip out to Middle Eye from the mainland produced records of 4 late Common Terns on the beach, while wader counts of 12,000 Oystercatchers, 280 Curlew, 650 Knot, 400 Dunlin, 110 Turnstone and 272 Redshank were made mostly on the beach between the marine lake and Little Eye. Nine Little Egret and 4 Grey Heron were on the shore. A Chiffchaff was caught and ringed in the afternoon. Out of interest on the West Kirby marine lake were an amazing 26 Goosander, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers, and a Great Crested Grebe. The Weasel seen of late was in the obs garden today, also on the balcony. 

 Photos AS