A short video clip by CJ
Sunday, 5 June 2011
Blyth's Reed Warbler
As promised some photos of today's Blyth's Reed
Warbler which was found in the Old Obs garden mist net mid morning.
Immediately recognised as an 'Acro' in the net, it was extracted and realised that it lacked Reed Warblers usual rusty tones and that its wing projection was particularly short.
Incredible when you consider that the Paddyfield Warbler was trapped on Hilbre on 5th June 2009 (see blog for that date).
Lightning does strike twice!
Warbler which was found in the Old Obs garden mist net mid morning.Immediately recognised as an 'Acro' in the net, it was extracted and realised that it lacked Reed Warblers usual rusty tones and that its wing projection was particularly short.
It was taken back to the Obs and detailed wing formula was taken confirming initial suspicions that it was in fact Hilbre's first Blyth's Reed Warbler.
Incredible when you consider that the Paddyfield Warbler was trapped on Hilbre on 5th June 2009 (see blog for that date).Lightning does strike twice!
Some features that can be seen in the photos, apart from plumage tones (which changed depending on the light conditions) and very short primary projection, include plain tertials, rather flat crown, greyish legs and feet, slight super behind the eye, pale lower mandible with dark smudge towards tip. Wing formula included rather short second primary compared with wing tip and emarginations on 3rd, 4th and 5th (although latter less pronounced).
(Upper left CJ, Upper right and below BSB) [613-39]
5th June 2011
Incredible day today! A Blyth's Reed Warbler was trapped, ringed and released mid morning. More news and photos will follow.
(SRW et al)
(SRW et al)
Saturday, 4 June 2011
Evening Update
The day continued to provide interesting sightings, as the tide ebbed four immature drake Eiders (of varying degrees of immaturity) flew up and down the gutter and momentarily landed off the east side before flying off east (see below).
Up to 75 Ringed Plovers (right) were around over the high tide period as well as smaller numbers of Dunlin. A male Kestrel hunted over the South End and Middle Eye as evening approached and several Swifts passed over the island heading west to east.
The final sighting of the day was a flock of Canada Geese (25 in total) flew west over the Obs calling (see right). The Hummingbird Hawk Moth made a brief reappearance late afternoon, but with the wind shifting to the east it was having difficulty hovering! However, the change in wind has left observers dreaming of what tomorrow might bring...
Up to 75 Ringed Plovers (right) were around over the high tide period as well as smaller numbers of Dunlin. A male Kestrel hunted over the South End and Middle Eye as evening approached and several Swifts passed over the island heading west to east.
The final sighting of the day was a flock of Canada Geese (25 in total) flew west over the Obs calling (see right). The Hummingbird Hawk Moth made a brief reappearance late afternoon, but with the wind shifting to the east it was having difficulty hovering! However, the change in wind has left observers dreaming of what tomorrow might bring...
4th June 2011
The forecast easterly did not materialise, but the very light westerly breeze meant observers awoke to a delightfully warm morning.
Despite the wind direction a single, rather late, Willow Warbler was trapped and ringed mid morning. However, focus was mainly on the breeding birds with a recently fledged juvenile Pied Wagtail being fed by its father in Niffy Bay and several broods of young birds around the islands including at least three broods of Linnets (see juvenile left).
Two broods of recently fledged Blackbirds (confirming our suspicions of two nests) could be seen and three different juveniles
were trapped and ringed in the heligoland traps during the day.
Despite the wind direction a single, rather late, Willow Warbler was trapped and ringed mid morning. However, focus was mainly on the breeding birds with a recently fledged juvenile Pied Wagtail being fed by its father in Niffy Bay and several broods of young birds around the islands including at least three broods of Linnets (see juvenile left).Two broods of recently fledged Blackbirds (confirming our suspicions of two nests) could be seen and three different juveniles
were trapped and ringed in the heligoland traps during the day.
A pair of recently arrived Swallows spent the morning collecting nesting material from Niffy Bay (see left - 'Niffy Bay' the place to be today!) and the rest of the time basking in the sun on the day room roof (see right).
With the sun beating down and temperatures touching 20 degrees the reappearance of yesterday's Hummingbird Hawk Moth at the cliff top in 'Niffy Bay' was still a nice surprise for those who missed it the previous day (see below).
Up to seven Grey Herons appeared on the flooding tide and at least four Little Egrets fed in the gutter - a common sight these days! A single immature Kittiwake appeared flying around the North End before deciding to roost up over th
e tide (see below). 
e tide (see below). 
(CLW, SRW, CJW(f), GIW, TGW (from over), CJ+2, NDW) [611-38] Photos SRW
Friday, 3 June 2011
3rd June 2011
A beautiful warm and sunny day with very little or no breeze put insects in the spotlight, especially when no sooner had the possibility of an appearance by a Hummingbird Hawkmoth been discussed when one was found feeding on the Valerian on top of the northern end of Niffy bay cliff ! No apologies for the many photos of of the moth as it fed in the style that gave it its name (above). Hummingbird Hawkmoths arrive to delight us from southern Europe and north Africa in spring and summer, more numerous in some years t
han others. Newly emerged from the main pond was an immature Four-spotted Chaser dragonfly (above,bottom right), possibly the first proof of breeding of this species at Hilbre, although this statement will have to be checked. Also just emerged were the first Blue-tailed Damselflies to be seen this year. Red Admiral and Green-veined White flew in the morning and more butterflies are expected as the afternoon warms up.Two bird species seen today were most unexpected in June, a Greenshank (left) was at the north end for some time with the few Oystercatchers that are still with us, and then moved east along the 
tide line towards the north Wirral shore. Also out of season was a Chiffchaff that was singing in various places on the island before being caught in the 'heli' and ringed. Species that 
seem to be increasing their visits to Hilbre showed in the form of 4 Collared Doves (left) and 3 Goldfinches (right), but the Lesser Redpoll that passed through is more of a spring and autumn passage bird.Very few seabirds early in the day in the calm conditions but 11 Sandwich Terns were noted feeding off shore. Ringed:- 2 Linnets, 1 Chiffchaff. (DB,AMC+1,CJ) [607-38] photos CJ
han others. Newly emerged from the main pond was an immature Four-spotted Chaser dragonfly (above,bottom right), possibly the first proof of breeding of this species at Hilbre, although this statement will have to be checked. Also just emerged were the first Blue-tailed Damselflies to be seen this year. Red Admiral and Green-veined White flew in the morning and more butterflies are expected as the afternoon warms up.Two bird species seen today were most unexpected in June, a Greenshank (left) was at the north end for some time with the few Oystercatchers that are still with us, and then moved east along the 
tide line towards the north Wirral shore. Also out of season was a Chiffchaff that was singing in various places on the island before being caught in the 'heli' and ringed. Species that 
seem to be increasing their visits to Hilbre showed in the form of 4 Collared Doves (left) and 3 Goldfinches (right), but the Lesser Redpoll that passed through is more of a spring and autumn passage bird.Very few seabirds early in the day in the calm conditions but 11 Sandwich Terns were noted feeding off shore. Ringed:- 2 Linnets, 1 Chiffchaff. (DB,AMC+1,CJ) [607-38] photos CJThursday, 2 June 2011
2nd June 2011
A light north-westerly was joined by drizzle during the morning but there were no grounded migrants, although Swifts and Swallows were seen.
Three Little Egrets appeared after the tide (as usual) and a sea-watch produced 200 Common Scoter, 50 Gannet, 20 Guillemots and a single Arctic Skua.
(DB, AMC + 1)
Three Little Egrets appeared after the tide (as usual) and a sea-watch produced 200 Common Scoter, 50 Gannet, 20 Guillemots and a single Arctic Skua.
(DB, AMC + 1)
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
1st June 2011
Light South-westerly winds today brought some modest migration with 3 Swifts, 2 House
Martins & several Swallows moving through early on. A Spotted Flycatcher was
in the paddocks despite the wind direction and also present were juvenile Blackbird and Meadow Pipit, both recently fledged on the island.
A singing male Blackbird produced hopes of a second brood. An unseasonal Goldcrest gave members the runaround in the Obs garden remaining hidden for long periods before finally giving itself up for viewing and the now regular Wood Pigeon roamed the island. A Wheatear appeared briefly in Middle.
On the shore 2 late Turnstones lingered with several Curlew, 1 Whimbrel and 30
Dunlin. 36 Ringed Plover moved off as the tide came in.
The SW winds picked up as the tide approached prompting a 2 and a half hour
seawatch which produced 300 Gannets, 9 Manx Shearwater, 4 Kittiwake, 1 Fulmar, 4
Guillemot, 50 Common Scoter & 60 Common Tern.
A Little Egret fished the gutter on the ebbing tide.
Not a bad day for June!!!
(BSB,DB,CS)
Martins & several Swallows moving through early on. A Spotted Flycatcher was
in the paddocks despite the wind direction and also present were juvenile Blackbird and Meadow Pipit, both recently fledged on the island.
A singing male Blackbird produced hopes of a second brood. An unseasonal Goldcrest gave members the runaround in the Obs garden remaining hidden for long periods before finally giving itself up for viewing and the now regular Wood Pigeon roamed the island. A Wheatear appeared briefly in Middle.
On the shore 2 late Turnstones lingered with several Curlew, 1 Whimbrel and 30
Dunlin. 36 Ringed Plover moved off as the tide came in.
The SW winds picked up as the tide approached prompting a 2 and a half hour
seawatch which produced 300 Gannets, 9 Manx Shearwater, 4 Kittiwake, 1 Fulmar, 4
Guillemot, 50 Common Scoter & 60 Common Tern.
A Little Egret fished the gutter on the ebbing tide.
Not a bad day for June!!!
(BSB,DB,CS)
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