Hilbre Bird Observatory: 21st March 2026

Saturday, 21 March 2026

21st March 2026

Weather: SE force 2 mist around the estuary, N light air by noon

Misty again but the sun came out and it became a great migration day. The first Willow Warbler of the year arrived to confirm it really is spring. It was seen firstly on the main island and a few minutes later on Middle, soon flying off to the south in both cases. Four Chiffchaffs were also recorded.

Over 20 Goldcrests landed during the day, some were already leaving the island not long after dawn.

A very long list of migrants were recorded on the sheet, most typical of early spring. There were 7 Pied Wagtails and 5 White Wagtails about 50 or so Meadow Pipits, the second Swallow of the year and 2 Wheatears.

Many more finches than yesterday, 25 Linnets, 16 each of Chaffinch and Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch, 26 Siskin and 4 Lesser Redpoll.

Passing over was a Brambing, a much scarcer finch to the island. Closely related, 2 House Sparrows roamed the island.

Also a Reed Bunting.

Other typical early autumn migrants were a Starling, 34 Jackdaws in small parties, 2 Collared Doves (the first of the year) flying south and 34 Woodpigeons.

Another first for the year was a Sandwich tern flying east passed the north end. Other sea birds were 2 Red-throated Diver, 4 Red breasted Merganser, 8 Goosander and a Great Crested Grebe. On the shore were 3 Grey Herons and 2 Little Egrets. Three Little Gulls were noted to add to the small passage through over the last week. There were quite a long list of duck today, 3 male Mallard were in the island pond, 5 drake Wigeon visited, 2 Shelduck were here, also a Canada Goose, 125 pale-bellied Brent and one dark-bellied Brent. The drake Scaup came over from the lake when it got too busy over there. Sixteen Purple Sandpipers showed up today together with 65 Turnstones, 40 Dunlin, Redshank, 16 Sanderling, 15 Ringed Plover and 2 Bar-tailed Godwit. The Peacock butterfly is a regular early spring splash of colour in the sunshine.