31st May 2008

A very quiet day indeed...perhaps a sign of the end of Spring at last!

Highlight of the day were three Little Egrets in the gutter on the way off the island after the tide.

30th May 2008

Yet another Osprey for the spring was recorded this morning when one flew from Wales over the island and off towards the north wirral shore.

29th May 2008

A near record count of 7 Little Egrets were between the main islands with several summer plumaged Sanderlings. Many hirundines, 3 Willow Warblers and a Chiffchaff continued on late passage.

23rd May 2008

A probable immature male Montagu's Harrier flew east at 715am. Unfortunately views were very poor and the photos were even worse!
A single Wheatear arrived on the island, a Sedge Warbler was trapped at 10am.
Vis Mig - 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 White Wagtails, a rather late Tree Pipit and plenty hirundines (including a late Sand Martin) and Swifts passed through during the morning.
An escape Cockateil was seen flying south over the island 1230pm.

22nd May 2008

After yesterday's excitement - today was always likely to be a fall back to earth! No sign of the Bluethroat.

However, a single Sedge Warbler and a few Willow Warblers arrived on the island.

21st May 2008

Hilbre's long awaited first Bluethroat was found at the south end of the island at about 7.15am. It was first seen on top of the newly christened 'Bluethroat Bramble' along Gropper ridge. It only gave a brief view of its head - however a quick search resulted in a fleeting glimpse in flight but enough to reveal the stunning tail pattern and the news was released to the mainland!

The bird was elusive during the morning but was eventually trapped in the Obs garden at 13.00hrs (see opposite - photo by Pete Williams).

After release it remained fairly elusive until late afternoon when it began showing very well by the new pond in the Gazebo garden.  It remained in this area (although going missing for long periods) until about 830pm when it was thought to have gone to roost....what a day!


Other birds recorded included Spot Fly trapped, a few Willows and an Osprey over the West Hoyle bank (see below).

Video

A brief clip of the Bluethroat shortly before release.

20th May 2008

A first summer Mediterranean Gull alighted on the northwestern rocks before moving to the 'Whaleback' (opposite) and then flying off east and 4 Little Egrets were in the east gutter.

Good numbers of terns were seen, Swallows were counted in three figures and a Spotted Flycatcher was grounded.