15th September 2026

Weather: WNW 5, 8/8 cloud, poor vis, light drizzle becoming heavier later

With no sense of anticipation, because the weather seemed neither here nor there for bringing in birds, observers arrived on the island.

However, whilst scouring the East Hoyle for waders and gulls four ducks flew through including a Garganey - a mega bird at Hilbre!  Only the third record for the islands.  The previous two records were on the coincident dates of 18th September 1947 (when two birds were seen) and a single flushed from a pool south of Midlde on 17th September 2006 (extract below from our 2006 annual report).

As well the three Teal with the Garganey another Teal was seen later near Middle.

A Greenshank could be heard giving its trisyllabic call but would not give itself up for the photographers.

The tide was generally disappointing (especially the flood) but that changed when a juvenile/1st winter Black Guillemot drifted up the gutter below the Obs.   It stayed over the tide, including loafing with Common Scoters off Niffy Bay, which allowed observers at the North End to be informed and catch up with it.  After high tide it preened a little, flapped its wings and then flew off west between Hilbre and Middle.  A scarce but increasing visitor to the islands.

A couple of Manx Shearwater were noted and two Black Terns were seen east of the island during the morning but after the tide terns began to appear - they have been in very low numbers recently.  700 Sandwich, 25 Common and 12 Little Terns were noted along with 6 of the scarcer Arctic Tern.  Sadly there have been very few skuas this autumn but a distant small skua spp kept its distance evading specific identification (albeit Long-tailed was suspected).