16th September 2008

Another dark and wet morning with few migrants although there were a least 2 Chiffchaffs (below), 2 Goldcrests and 2 Greenland Wheatears to be seen. A flock of 9 Wigeon flew passed (above) and a Grey Plover was heard calling before 2 Purple Sandpipers showed themselves at the north end (below) .

These Purple Sandpipers are probably the same as those on the 12th and had not if fact moved on.

A Common Sandpiper was heard and then seen at the south end, a scarce spring and early autumn migrant at Hilbre that is seldom ever seen this late in the year.

Sandwich Terns are now down to about 65, the rest having gone south, while Shags are still staying around the island, 6 being counted today.

(CJ,KMc,PGW,SRW,AW) All photos by CJ

15th September 2008

Light rain early and no grounded migrants this morning, but hirundines were moving with 35+ Swallows, 12 House Martins and a late Common Swift with them (right), and that was just up to 09:00hrs.

A single Golden Plover flew south off the east side, but other than a flock of 8 Grey Herons not a lot else to report early in the day.
(BSB,DB,JE,CJ,SRW)

14th September 2008

Mist turned to fog early morning and the southeasterly increased bringing the promise of unusual avian visitors but hope turned to disappointment as the morning wore on. Sounds of Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs were heard but in the event only numbered 5 and 3 respectively. Wigeon were again in evidence with 8 in flight and 4 on the tide edge (right), while 3 of the 7 Collared Doves recorded in 3 separate groups flew about the bungalows (below).

Forty plus Swallows came in from the north during the day with small numbers of House Martins in attendance. Candidate for bird of the day was a Skylark down on the west side, as nearly all records from Hilbre now involve flyovers.

(ME,CJ) Both photos by CJ

13th September 2008

Six Goldcrests, a Chiffchaff, 2 Wheatears and a Grey Wagtail this morning, also 2 parties of 5 and 15 Wigeon. Both male and female Peregrine were seen.
(JE,ME,CDT,PT,DNW,PGW)

12th/13th September 2008

Another wader ringing session last night, not quite as successful as 2 weeks ago, probably
because the tide was not high enough to fully cover the whole shore area.
Just 2 Turnstones and 2 Redshanks were caught in slight drizzle in what otherwise seemed ideal conditions.
(JE,CJ,KMc,CDT,PT,DNW,PGW) Video by CJ

12th September 2008

The first signs of winter? A Red-throated Diver was the first to be noted this autumn, also the surprise of 2 Purple Sandpipers in partial summer plumage flying passed the slipway (right) but not immediately relocated, although these would probably be on passage further south and not intending to winter at Hilbre.




Shags (left) have become more frequent visitors recently and today at least 5 were close to the island, but apart from the diver other seabirds were scarce, just 2 Gannets and a few Great Crested Grebes.



All in all a slightly better day with a Spotted Redshank, 2 Redpolls and irregular Hilbre birds Woodpigeon and Dunnock seen, yet another Garden Warbler ringed (below left) and 7 Goldcrests grounded. One of the 4 Goldcrests ringed was interesting as it seemed certainly to be a female at first glance (left) and also on wing measurement yet on examination showed some of the male characteristic of orange among the yellow of the crown stripe (right). This is thought to occur occasionally in older females.


Only 7 Swallows and 2 House Martins seen on the island today yet one young Swallow managed to fly into a mist net!










(DB,CJ,CDT,PT,DNW,PGW,SRW) All photos by CJ

11th September 2008

Even more Wheatears this morning, 11 were counted, and 2 surprisingly managed to catch themselves in the mist nets, the small potter traps on open ground normally being the preferred method with this species. When examined they turned out to be a male (left) and female (right) of the Greenland race.
A Chiffchaff (below right)that was also ringed was the first warbler to be caught for 9 days, illustrating how frustrating this early September has been for all involved.
A very large count of over 750 Cormorants included a few seeing out the tide at the north end together with at least 6 Shags. Two of the Cormorants bore rings from elsewhere, one had a colour ring that was read by a telephoto lens (below left), it's origin is being looked into - watch this space !
Among other records today were 7 Wigeon and 2 Little Egrets.

















Information now is that the Cormorant was ringed as a chick at Puffin Island (Anglesey) in July 2008

(DB,CJ,CDT,PT,DNW,PGW,SRW) all photos by SRW

10th September 2008

Sunshine at last ! Wheatears increased to 6 this morning, one of which was chased along a wall near the north end by a visiting weasel that made it from the mainland.
Two Sand Martins were noted among the 30 or so Swallows passing this morning, 2 Little Egrets flew in from the north and a Greenshank was again in the east gutter.
Trapped for ringing were a Goldcrest, a Wren, a Linnet and a Meadow Pipit.
(CDT,PT,DNW,PGW)