8th September 2008

Still quiet, but at least a few things to keep the interest up. A flock of 5 Wigeon were seen early morning followed by 6 Pintail and another 3 Wigeon, also in the morning a Greenshank (right)was in the east gutter feeding with the Redshanks and Oystercatchers.

Swallows passed in small numbers during the day and 3 Wheatears were still present. The sun almost decided to show itself in the afternoon and in response some lepidoptera flew, including 15 Silver Y moths, 2 Brimstone moths, 4 Small White butterflies, a Red Admiral and 2 Small Tortoiseshells (left) which have been particularly scarce nationally this year.

(CJ,KMc,CDT,PT,DNW,PGW) Both photos CJ

7th September 2008

Even with a large team on the island today bird finding was extremely hard work. A northwesterly did not turn up many seabirds, certainly not the hoped for Grey Phalaropes that have been elsewhere in the country. Three Greenland Wheatears were around the island walls, but only one ended up with nice colour rings after it flew into the Newton trap. Wheatears have been colour ringed at Hilbre for a number of years now and details of any sightings would be very much appreciated.

Pictures from today of Wheatear by BSB, and

Shag and drake Scoter by CJ.

(AAB,BSB,JE,CJ,AS,CDT,PT,DNW,PGW,SRW,TGW,AW)

6th September 2008

Still damp and showery this morning following the deluge of yesterday, and even the sheep were sheltering from the strong northeasterly wind, but spirits were raised when 2 Tree Pipits (more normally spring migrants) were heard calling overhead the obs.

A small passage of passerines that were grounded comprised a Greenland Wheatear, a Whitethroat, 2 Goldcrests and at least 2 Robins.






A very short sea watch in the morning produced 8 Arctic Skuas, a few Great Crested Grebes and Scoters with many Gannets seen towards the wind farm. An afternoon high tide watch had small numbers of the same species with the addition of 2 Kittiwakes.

A Peregrine gave an impressive display as it unsuccessfully chased a Turnstone.

(JE,CJ,CDT,PT,DNW,PGW,SRW) All photos CJ

5th September 2008

A day of prolonged and heavy rain was suddenly brought to life in the afternoon when an adult Hobby was seen approaching from the northwest and then making a low pass over the observatory garden and off to the south. Hobbies are a rare migrant on Hilbre at any time but especially so in autumn.
(CDT,PT,DNW,PGW)

4th September 2008

An air of depression seemed to have settled over the observatory following more foul weather and lack of birds (see yesterday) but a slightly better morning perked up members especially after the first Osprey of the autumn was mobbed by gulls as it flew south between the islands and the West kirby shore and then turned right over Little Eye and was lost to view. No pictures are available as it was not picked up until well passed Hilbre. Three Peregrines were also noted this morning (right,photo CJ)

Largest counts for some time were made of Shelduck (102), Bar-tailed Godwits (130+) and Great Crested Grebes (23) with 2 Shags and a Little Egret also present.

Migrants included 20+ Swallows, 3 Wheatears and a Goldcrest.

(DB,CJ,KMc,CDT,PT,DNW,PGW,SRW)

3rd September 2008

The Chairman declared the day to be "birdless" (or words to that effect !)
(CDT,PT,DNW,PGW)

2nd September 2008

A female Blackcap was ringed this morning and the first 3 Chiffchaffs of the autumn arrived (1 was ringed) together with a Willow Warbler. Another Chevron moth was trapped, after none for 51 years now 2 in 3 days ! Very little else to report other than there are still lots of Gannets around.
News just received that a Willow Warbler ringed at Hilbre on 1st May last year was re-trapped on the Isle of May 4 days later. Although on average we ring approx 200 Willow Warblers a year, recoveries are few and far between, and a sighting from the east of Scotland is interesting as most others have been from the west.
(CDT,PT,DNW,PGW)

1st September 2008

Lots of Gannets(235+) were on the high tide today with 4 Arctic Skuas and the regular 700 or so Sandwich Terns. A Sparrowhawk was around this morning and yesterdays Greenland Wheatear decided to stay the night, also a Whitethroat made a welcome appearance, hopefully the first of many larger warblers this early September.

Butterflies included a late Small Heath, while the moth traps were still working well (see Willow Beauty, right) ( photo JE). Caught for ringing were 2 Linnets, 2 Meadow Pipits, 2 Willow Warblers and a Robin.

(JE,CDT,PT,DNW,PGW)