30th September 2008

A strong westerly blow brought 11 Leach's Petrels, the first of the autumn, together with 12 Manx Shearwaters and 2 Black-throated Divers that landed on the sea off the north end. Also of note this late in the year were 22 Little Terns and 48 Sandwich Terns.
(DB)

27th September 2008

A lovely day dawned with some Goldcrests calling about the bushes, a flock of 10 Goldfinches on the island and a male Blackcap appearing from nowhere.
The first Merlin of the autumn (below) was sighted being harassed in flight by a Peregrine and then giving a good solo show over the island.




During the morning more Goldcrests, A Chiffchaff and another Blackcap arrived and then astonishingly yet another Garden Warbler found its way into a mist net this year.


Late morning a bird was heard persistently and loudly calling from all parts of the island for a period of 5 or 6 minutes. Members with previous experience of the species recognised a Dotterel - the first ever record for Hilbre! Unfortunately the bird could not be seen but was undoubtedly circling high in the blue sky. The call was confirmed a few moments later by reference to mp3 recordings on the island.






Butterflies and insects responded to the autumn warmth and settled on the ragwort. All in all a beautiful day !



Trapped for ringing were 5 Goldcrests, a Blackcap, a Garden Warbler, a Linnet, and a Wren.
(FD,JE,CJ,DNW,PGW,SRW) All Photos by CJ

26/27th September 2008

More wader ringing on a beautifully calm clear night with members taking advantage of the lack of light pollution at Hilbre to marvel at the wonders of the heavens, including the moons of Jupiter, the Andromeda Galaxy, a meteor and also see lots of artificial satellites with a stunning pass by the international space station.

Getting down to the business in hand resulted in a catch of 1 Redshank, 3 Turnstone (below left) and 2 Knot (below right), these latter being especially pleasing as they are not often ringed here.














(JE,CJ,KMc,DNW,PGW) Photos by CJ (except for the space station !)

Clive and Pat

Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Clive and Pat from all obs members following their recent unfortunate injuries.

26th September 2008

With a southeasterly breeze and heavy mist around the estuary this morning good things were expected, especially following early news of a Yellow-browed Warbler at nearby Red Rocks. Although the hoped for rarity did not materialise migration was steady with sightings of 10 Skylarks, 16 Swallows, 5 Grey Wagtails and finches including 2 Goldfinches, a Greenfinch, a Lesser Redpoll and a Reed Bunting.


Chiffchaffs (right) were again grounded, 10 in total, adding to this warbler's good numbers on Hilbre this year.

A flock of 6 Wigeon flew across before the tide (this species has also been recorded regularly lately), but best of the day for the obs members present was the spectacle of 5 Ravens (above left and below) moving low around the island and interacting with the local Carrion Crows.












Trapped for ringing were 4 Chiffchaffs (one of which was a long winged individual which was thought to be of the Fenno-Scandinavian race abietinus)(left), a Goldcrest, a Greenland Wheatear and a Song Thrush.


(JE,CJ,DNW,PGW et al) All Photos by CJ

25th September 2008

The first 3 Song Thrushes of the autumn made landfall today, with 2 being trapped and ringed (left). Duck were represented by 4 Wigeon and flocks of 11 and 41 Pintail, although a more unusual record was of a Snipe just east of middle before the tide.

Visible migration was reasonable with a count of 163 Meadow Pipits, 4 Grey Wagtails and with 10 Goldcrest and 6 Chiffchaffs grounded.

(DB,PGW,SRW)

24th September 2008

The weather continued in the same vain as yesteday with fresh north-easterly feeling cooler than recent days but again visibility was as far as the Great Orme (to the west) and Formby Point (to the north). A couple of Goldcrests were in the Obs garden but the highlight of the morning was a Greenshank at the North End.

(DB, PGW, SRW)

23rd September 2008

A brisk north-east wind offered hope of more migrants today but with visibility as far as Formby Point these hopes were dashed! Only a few Goldcrests and Robins graced the island and visible migration was almost non-existent. The usual suspects were present around the island with several Shags off the North End and a Peregrine or two harrassing the waders. Monday's Blue Tit was still present!

(PGW et al)