Weather: SSE force 5
Lovely morning on the island - the highlight was a colour ringed Stonechat that was ringed on Mull last year. It was first seen on seaweed south of Middle before being relocated on Middle Eye were it stayed with 2 others.
There were 5 around the islands but this bird is exceptional for us in that it is a long distant migrant from Scotland. It was ringed on 22nd August 2025 by Moray Souter on the island of Mull (see below).
This is the first re-sighting of the 26 Stonechats ringed on Mull during 2025. Another of the Stonechats at Hilbre today were caught for ringing.
A typical mix of birds included a couple of Coal Tits (scarce here). which became ringed after being first heard near the Newton trap but were then later caught in the SK.
Some less scarce arrivals in the brisk cool south easterly but in impressive numbers and variety here were 15 Robins, 15 Pied Wagtails and a Grey Wagtail, 50 Meadow Pipits, 25 Skylarks, 2 Starlings, and quite a few finches including 24 Linnets (potential breeders), 5 Chaffinches, 3 Goldfinches, a Greenfinch, 2 Siskins and later on 2 Reed Buntings.
Three Chiffchaffs were down on the island, one was caught for ringing.
Corvids seen included 19 Jackdaws and a Rook, also 12 Woodpigeons made the list.
More predictable visitors were the female Eider and 5 Pink-footed Geese which arrived later
. A Dark-bellied bird was amongst the 280 pale-bellied Brent Geese.
There was nothing particularly notable among the waders and sea birds at the high tide. A Merlin was the only raptor seen today. A nice day round for early March … maybe just missing a wheatear but it’s still early for us!
Ringing: 7 Robins, 2 Coal Tits, 2 Chiffchaffs, 1 Stonechat.
Photos SRW, PSW
No comments:
Post a Comment