13th June 2010

A summer Skylark was on Middle Eye this morning as a reminder that they once bred there, but in recent times they are only seen as passage birds in spring and especially late autumn. The Carrion Crows that nested on the rangers chimney now have 3 young out and about (left).

Before the heavy rain arrived in the afternoon 4 Canada Geese, a Peregrine and a Little Egret were noted around the island although the sea was quiet as expected with just 2 Sandwich Terns seen.

(DB+ESCA,CJ) photo CJ

12th June 2010

An accurate count was made this evening at low tide of the Grey Seals hauled out on the west hoyle bank and the result was an all time high of 779 individuals. The high numbers present over recent weeks have followed a few years of slow decline, and while counts have always fluctuated over the years the overall trend has been a steady increase.
(DB+ESCA)

11th June 2010

A drake Eider was discovered near to Little Eye before the tide and was the best bird of the morning although a sea watch produced 2 Arctic Skuas and a Kittiwake off the north end, also 5 Razorbills, 3 Common Scoter, 3 Guillemots, 7 Gannets and a single Great Crested Grebe.
(DB,CS)

9th June 2010

A light easterly in the morning did not deter a few sea birds from appearing near Hilbre on the tide, there were 230 Common, 60 Sandwich and 5 Little Terns and a single Gannet. At 15.30hrs a Great Skua flew north, an excellent record for this time of year.
During the day 10 Swifts and 8 Swallows were logged, a gathering of 7 Little Egrets were in the east gutter, and at 14.30hrs and out of season Whitethroat appeared on the island.
(DB)

8th June 2010

The second Cuckoo of the spring arrived this afternoon after none having been seen since 2003. The bird flew in from the south end over the obs garden and off towards the north end and then doubled back to the south (as a result of a member giving his impression of the call ?) but did not alight as the island Crows saw it off. It was last seen flying off high to the south east.
The earlier part of the day was wet but a good number of terns (170 Common and 35 Sandwich) and 30 Gannets stayed fairly close off the north end for some time.
Four Little Egrets were logged today with just a single Turnstone remaining and overhead just 2 Swallows and 5 Swifts.
The Pied Wagtails have at least 2 juveniles with them now around the island.
(DB,KMc+1)

4th June 2010

A lazy morning was largely spent staring out to sea from the north end in the lee of the gusty south easterly wind in the hope of some seabirds and some reward came in the form of 7 Manx Shearwaters up to 3 at a time moving in a south westerly direction. About 20 or so Sandwich Terns and 5 Gannets were distantly towards the wind farm and the run of Canada Geese continued with 4 and then 9 flying close to the island (above). Eight Swallows, 4 House Martins and 5 Swifts drifted in over the sea during the morning.

At 11.20hrs a Hobby flew from the direction of the Point of Air, over Middle Eye and off towards West Kirby (4 pics). Unfortunately it was quite high and did not come closer to the obs than about 500 yards, hence the very poor quality images. As is often the case when the island is quiet, possible good birds were mentioned on the wish list for the day and Hobby was certainly amongst them, however there were a few others on the list that were not seen !

(DB,CJ) photos CJ

3rd June 2010

A very quiet morning with warm sunshine but very few birds, even Swallows passed only occasionally with 2 Swifts (right), a House Martin and a late Sand Martin. Six Gannets were noted on the sea but terns were distant and difficult to find. Strangest sight off the north end was a small helicopter apparently attempting to land on the old wreck (above).

The pair of Pied Wagtails were flying to and fro to feed their brood of 5 youngsters (above right). As yesterday 3 Little Egrets were present to the east of the island.

With few birds attention turned to the insects, and the first damselflies of the year emerged to dance about the grassy areas in the sun, likewise Silver Y moths were out in numbers. The first dragonfly of the season was a Four-spotted Chaser seen briefly over the north end rocks.

Butterflies today included a Speckled Wood, a Small Copper (above), 2 Small Whites and many Green-veined Whites.

Ringed:- 1 Linnet (female showing brood patch - right).

(DB,JE,CJ,KMc) [296] photos CJ & JE

2nd June 2010

A few odd visitors today were flocks of 4 and 27 Canada Geese, a Wood Pigeon, and a Lapwing.
On the sea were 15 Common and 10 Sandwich terns and a fly past summer plumage Grey Plover. A single Swift and 15 Swallows were noted, also 3 Little Egrets which seem to be now making a comeback at Hilbre this year after a period of few sightings.
(DB)