Colour-ringed Brent Geese

"HDRB" (letters H and D on Red ring on right, Blue ring on left respectively) - was ringed as an adult male on 2nd August 2007 at Axel Heiberg Island, Arctic Canada before appearing on 27 October 2007 in Dublin Bay and spent that winter in the area last seen on 9 March 2008. He then re-appeared in the Dublin Bay area on 6 November 2008 and was last seen there on 7 December 2008. We believe he arrived at Hilbre on 9 December 2008 and was still present on 7 January 2009. This is the first sighting of this bird away from Ireland.

"X3YY" - was ringed as a first summer male on 14 May 2007 in Iceland (on passage) last seen there on 22 May 2007, he appeared at Strangford Lough on 19 October 2007 and was seen there the following day before disappearing and being found at Foryd Bay (North Wales) on 27 February 2008 before moving to Beddmanarch Bay (Holyhead - Anglesey) on 14 April 2008. He definitely arrived on Hilbre on 6th January 2009 but may have been present since 1st (see below).

"XXYY" - great news is that having last been seen at Hilbre on 14 March 2008 and having been seen in Anglesey between 27 March and 14 April 2008 she reappeared back at Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland, on 22 October 2008 (presumably after a summer in Canada to breed)....so she may appear back on Hilbre soon (although she was reported by a non-member as back on 1st January 2009 and we are investigating that sighting).

Many thanks to Graham McElwaine of the Irish Brent Goose Research Group for all the information and a very prompt response to our sightings.

7th January 2009

An early morning visit enabled confirmation that the two colour-ringed Pale-bellied Brents were still present and their sequences logged for posterity (see photo above). The Brents numbered 140 included 4 dark-bellied birds today. Other records included a single female Common Scoter and a single Song Thrush.

We have sent off the details of the two new colour-ringed Brents and await a response.

(BSB) Photo by BSB

6th January 2009

A superb day all round the highlights included 478 Black-tailed Godwits just south-west of West Kirby Marine Lake (inside our recording area) that included a colour-ringed bird. This bird was ringed in Iceland as a chick in July 2005 and has subsequently been recorded at various places in Lancashire (including Leighton Moss, Newton Marsh and Marshside), Cheshire (various inland sites during 2006 including Sandbach and IMF) and Heswall and Thurstaston Shore last winter (November 2007); however that was its last sighting (over 12 months ago).

It was a colour-ring extravaganza (!) today - TWO colour-ringed Brent Geese are now in the flock on the island (red and blue which has been present on and off since 9th December 2008) and a new bird with yellow colour rings on each leg. This latter bird may have been present since 1st January 2009 as one with two yellow colour rings was reported by a non-member on that date albeit that was reported as 'XXYY'. However, the bird today is definitely not the returning female XXYY.

XXYY first arrived at Hilbre on 10th November 2005 and has been seen each winter subsequently and we eagerly await her return this winter...she was ringed on passage in Iceland in May 2005 and has also been recorded in Hampshire, Anglesey, Northern Ireland and Iceland (again on passage where she was retrapped) as well as on the breeding grounds in Bathurst Island in Canada in July 2007. She has not been seen at Hilbre since 14th March 2008 (after which she was on Anglesey until 14th April 2008 but has not been reported subequently).

The Brent Geese flock peaked again at 139 pales and 2 darks.

A Little Egret continued to be seen around the islands and wader numbers were excellent for the Low Water WeBS count.

(DB & WRS)

4th January 2009

Another - or the same - Short-eared Owl was seen flying towards Middle Hilbre from Pinfold.

(DB)

3rd January 2009

The Brent enjoyed the sun today despite the continued cold spell, and the temperature managed to rise to zero degrees.

The first bird ringed this year proved to be an adult male Blackbird, one of 4 on the island today together with 2 Song Thrushes (including the partial albino).

The Blackbird was in good condition having plenty of body fat.

Also caught was a Meadow Pipit first ringed as a juvenile here in August 2007. Some of the breeding Meadow Pipits undoubtably go to the mainland in winter, some possibly travel further south, as ringing recoveries will hopefully confirm.

(JE) photos by JE

2nd January 2009

Another good day's observations which included over 1,000 Sanderling (the highest count this winter) as well as 600 Knot and 2,000 Dunlin. The other highlight was a Short-eared Owl which flew from West Kirby saltmarsh out to the main island at dusk - perhaps they are roosting on the island? There have been at least 25 Short-eared Owls on the Dee marshes this winter so more records will surely follow as high tides or frost push them off the marshes.

(DB)

1st January 2009

The New Year was greeted by good numbers of waders and wildfowl. The Pale-bellied Brents had reached 131 plus 2 darks but there was also evidence of cold weather movement with 3 Lapwing flying west, a female Pintail, 41 Wigeon and 9 Teal. Waders included 150 Grey Plover and 2,000 Knot by Little Eye. A single Peregrine hunted the islands.

(DB)

1st January 2009

Most Exciting Hilbre Birds of 2008

At this quiet time at the beginning of a new year we look back to a few highlights of 2008.
Pride of place must go to the Bluethroat that thrilled all who saw it during its day-long stay on 21st May, probably the most desired of the birds never to have graced the islands.




Another first for Hilbre was the Dotterel found on 27th September, unfortunately not
photographed (photo left is the bird at nearby Leasowe in September 2004).




A Rough-legged Buzzard visited Hilbre on 6th November after being seen briefly on middle the day before.







Two Mealy Redpolls were in the obs garden on 6th May and another was trapped on 9th.




And the first Black Redstart for some years was ringed on 30th October.

Best wishes to all for 2009 and hoping (and expecting) more nice surprises will come our way !

photos CJ,PGW,SRW