31st May 2011

The westerly influence continued (perhaps we can dream of a yank!?!) but at least there was no rain. However, birds remained thin on the ground. Highlights of the day were 2 Grey Plover and 2 Whimbrel between the islands on the rising tide. At least a dozen or so late Swallows passed through during a lovely sunny day.

With a shift in the wind forecast for later in the week we will 'keep going'...

(CJW(f), CLW, GIW, SRW, TGW)

30th May 2011

Incessant rain first thing certainly put a dampner on things and the birding was very slow as well as being wet and rather colder than one would expect for the end of May. After good numbers of terms over the last few days it was rather disappointing that a survey yielded just one Common Tern. Even Gannet numbers had dropped off considerably and there was no evidence if passerine migrants again. Even the breeding birds (such as Pied Wags, Blackbirds, Dunnocks, Robins and Linnets) were keeping low.

At least by mid afternoon the sun came out and a couple of Swallows appeared. The rising evening tide produced a couple of small groups of Sanderling in varying plumages below the Obs which brightened up an otherwise quiet day all round.

(SRW et al (from over), JE)

29th May 2011

The wind battered the island overnight but had dropped to force 6 by the morning. Seawatching remained the order of the day and the species list had a familiarity about it ... 68 Manxies (see below), 300 Gannet ('the' species of the last week - see above), 5 Arctic Skua, 2 Fulmar, 17 Guillemot and Common and Sandwich Terns were present although the terns were distant.

(SRW et al (from over), CJ, PSW) Photos PSW

28th May 2011

Early morning update (live from the island):

Overnight strong westerlies had dropped by first thing but a seawatch still produced 150 Gannet, 70 Common Tern and 2 Manx Shearwaters as well as 6 Guillemot, Great Crested Grebe and an adult Kittiwake. There were no grounded migrants. The wind began strengthening again by 9am raising hopes for more seawatching later...

Midday update:

Over 300 Gannet now, 200 plus Common Terns, single Fulmar (see above). Waders on the receding tide included 7 Whimbrel (see right 'phonescoped' with iPhone 4) the obligatory Little Egret has just reappeared in the gutter.

(SRW et al)

27th May 2011

A very strong north westerly greeted observers staying over on the island this morning and this produced 95 Gannet, 20 Manxie and an Arctic Skua on the sea. The only migrants noted were a couple of Swallows. Later in the morning a pair of Eiders appeared in the gutter before spending some time on the sand. A single Little Egret fed in the gutter on and off all day.

The evening tide produced 7 Whimbrel, 6 Curlew, 650 Dunlin, 120 Ringed Plover and 85 Oystercatcher on the tide edge and 35 Manxies loafed about off the North End and a single Arctic Skua harassed large numbers of Common and Sandwich Terns that appeared. Eight Canada Geese flew over the south end as the day drew to a close.

(CJW, DGW, RTW, NLW, EKW from over, DB, KM, TM, AMC, MGT et al)

26th May 2011

With the wind in the southerly quarter and slight drizzle early on, observers could be forgiven for being 'optimistic' for a change recently. However, migrants, as expected, were very thin on the ground with single Wheatear, Willow Warbler (caught) and House Martin during the first few hours.

A Fulmar sheared around the islands on and off during the morning and a Little Egret was in the gutter.

Rain set in about 9.30am. More terns seem to have appeared today and there were flocks of Common Terns off the North End and several Sandwich were bathing on the rain drenched East Hoyle bank.

Ringed: Willow Warbler and Robin

Remaining optimistic in the forecast westerlies for the next few days may be difficult - but as we all know good birds do appear at this time of year, usually on their own, and Hilbre has had Nightingale, Bluethroat, Spoonbill and of course the Paddyfield Warbler in recent years at this time ... so we'll keep going and you never know your luck...

Evening update - an evening sea-watch from the Obs veranda produced 105 Manx Shearwaters and 75 Gannets.

(DB, CJW et al) [604-38]

25th May 2011

The wind eased overnight and this morning found a south easterly and a clear sky at dawn, although soon clouding over making it feel quite cool. A Whitethroat was caught which is probably the bird seen over the last few days, but more of a surprise was a Woodpigeon which also ringed (left). A dozen or so Gannets were on the sea early with a few seen later in the morning, also 6 Sandwich Terns which were the only other seabirds today despite the large numbers noted in the strong westerlies of the last few days. A few hirundines were passing with House Martins outnumbering Swallows by 9 to 7. The shore still held several hundred Dunlin and 50 Ringed Plover, with a single Whimbrel and a Little Egret. Find of the day was a pair of Buff-tip moths mating on some Ragwort at the south end, looking for all the world like a twig of birch lying on the plant (right). Buff-tips are at the very start of their flight season and their caterpillars are noted regularly on Hilbre but a mating pair is a rare sight. Ringed:- 1 Linnet, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Woodpigeon. (DB,CJ) [602-38] photos CJ

24th May 2011

The left-overs from the gales yesterday were logged today but the seabirds were not as numerous even though the winds had only slightly eased and veered to the north west. The 200 Gannets seen were mostly soon after dawn and few were still feeding later. Other totals today included 3 Manx Shearwaters, 10 Kittiwakes, 6 Common Terns, 2 Sandwich terns, 8 Guillemots, 5 Common Scoter and a single Red-throated Diver. Eighteen hundred Dunlin were counted with 150 Ringed plover, while 4 House Martins and a Swallow braved the wind.
(DB)