11th March 2012

Surprisingly, given the wind direction, there were a few grounded birds on Hilbre this morning but these soon dispersed before a slight mist rolled in. The first round of the Heligoland traps resulted in 3 Goldcrests (below right) and a female Greenfinch (right) being ringed and there were 20 -30 Meadow Pipits present. A Skylark flew over and tried to land before continuing on towards Middle Eye. Highlight of the morning was a male Eider that drifted rapidly down the east side as the tide flooded (below left). It, or another, was found as the tide ebbed on the west side where it was joined by a female before they both flew off towards Point of Ayr. A Chiffchaff was seen on Middle Eye and later heard  in the Obs garden but couldn't be relocated. A Rock Pipit was briefly seen at the north end at high tide before flying out to sea directly north.

Apart from the Eider the sea was remarkable quiet with only 2 Great-crested Grebes being seen although a Puffin was seen by one observer flying up the West Hoyle from between Little & Middle Eye as he drove off.

Wader numbers were good with a maximum of 14 Purple Sandpipers being seen.

  (DB+ESCA, JE, PSW, AW)     [23-8]      photos PSW

9th March 2012

An uneventful day even by what is expected with the wind in the west and only just over a week into March. A Merlin sheltered in the south cove until disturbed and then failed to return for the remainder of the day. Four Pied Wagtails were the only passerine migrants apart from a Starling on Middle first thing, and the sea was equally disappointing with just a single Red-throated Diver, 15 Great Crested Grebes and about 50 Common Scoter in addition to the bird which kept close to the island throughout (above). The only firsts for the year were a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly (the first butterfly of any sort this year) and a Seven-spot ladybird, also the first of its kind. A Peregrine gave a fine display of wader chasing this afternoon and then rested on the shore. Better things are expected shortly when the wind turns to the south.

(DB,CJ,KMc+SD,CS,NDW)                photo   CJ

8th March 2012

A female Sparrowhawk flew west from the island in a strong north westerly. Noted later on the north shore/ east hoyle were approximately 8,000 large gulls.
(DB)

7th March 2012

A work party came across in a force 6/7 north westerly and gallantly spent some time straightening the large fence by the public path, and then repairing the 'Heli' trap. They found a male Shoveler in the east gutter, a decidedly scarce bird for Hilbre.
(DB,CJW,PSW)

6th March 2012

Whereas migrants have been going through in the last few days on a south easterly, there were virtually none today in similar conditions, we suspect the wind was north or south west overnight until dawn. The meagre total today was 3 Pied wagtails and 2 Skylarks. There were no finches, even the resident Linnets were reluctant to show until noon. Highlight of the day was undoubtedly a Hooded Crow that flew west over the obs garden at about 07.40 and seemed to continue to Wales (top, record shot). More photogenic were four Eiders that stepped out on the east side of the island but did not stay too long (above), another pair were later seen flying off the west side. The sea was otherwise very quiet, just 2 Great Crested Grebes and 2 Red-breasted Mergansers and wader counts at high tide of 220 Turnstones and 14 Purple sandpipers.

Ringed;- 1 Meadow Pipit 

(DB,CJ)       [19-8]      photos CJ 

RSPB and HiBO

Paul Brady, Visitor Development Officer for RSPB Dee Estuary, about to release a Great Spotted Woodpecker at a ringing site near to the reserve (South Wirral), watched by John Elliott of Hilbre Bird Observatory.

Hilbre Bird Observatory has worked with the RSPB Dee Estuary on a number of occasions and is looking forward to the organised joint RSPB/Wirral Rangers visits to Hilbre and the Observatory later this year (see dates below). Visitors will be able enjoy a low tide birdwatch as well as see the day-to-day operations of the observatory and hopefully watch some birds being trapped and ringed (photo BSB).

The dates of these events are 14th April 2012 and 8th September 2012 - however, booking is essential. Please telephone 0151 648 4371 to book your place.

2nd March 2012

The south easterlies continued and brought another Goldcrest to the island also a small number of finches (4 Siskin, 4 Greenfinch, 1 Chaffinch and a Goldfinch) and 7 Pied Wagtails. The Merlin was still present, also 3 of the Blue Tits from yesterday, but new today was a Rook flying south and 4 Jackdaws travelling south west. The first Gannet of the year was found on the sea together with 18 Common Scoter and 9 Great Crested Grebes, but more of a surprise floating off the west side of the north end was an immature Mute Swan.
Ringed :- 1 Goldcrest, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Robin, 1 Blackbird
(DB,CS et al)

1st March 2012

Good migration today with a light south easterly bringing an amazing 8 Blue Tits and a Great Tit to the island together with the first Goldcrest of the year. A Raven flew south west, and a Merlin was present. Varied migrants included a Grey Wagtail, 6 Pied Wagtails, 6 Skylarks, 2 Starlings, a Collared Dove, with finches represented by 11 Goldfinch, 5 Siskin and a Greenfinch.
Sixteen Carrion Crows were on the east hoyle bank and later 2 Golden Plover flew from there north over Hilbre. One hundred and sixty Sanderling flew north east, obviously on the way to their breeding grounds.
Ringed :- 7 Blue Tits, 1 Great Tit, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird.
(DB,CJW et al)