9th September 2014

Weather: light air variable direction, cloud from time to time but mainly sunny

The lack of any definite wind direction caused uncertainty in predicting what would happen this morning, in the event very little did. Goldcrests were very few and a single Chiffchaff the only other warbler, with 2 Wheatears (one on Middle) and again a small arrival of Robins on the island. About 50 Swallows and 2 House Martins fed for a short time while passing through mid-morning and apart from a small number of Meadow Pipits that was about the sum total of passage birds.  Shore birds today included 5 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Whimbrel and 3 Bar-tailed Godwits. Two Kestrels were present as yesterday.  On the calm sea a mini 'pelagic' in a small boat by Obs members logged 200 Common Scoters, 55 Sandwich Tern and 1,500 Dunlin.

Ringed: 2 Robins, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Wren.  

(DB, CJ, KMc, PGR, CJW, NDW et al +Tony Duckels & friends)  [724-34]

Sunset over the Hilbre Islands LNR - from WKML (SRW)

8th September 2014

 Weather : W force 3, later NW 1, sun breaking through

Wheatear

Another trickle of Goldcrests with a westerly element in the wind, a phenomenon that has been noted for many years at Hilbre, this time with the addition of a Whitethroat that was extremely elusive during the day but gave itself up for ringing in the afternoon. Just a single Wheatear today but Robins were again in good numbers, a small steady flow has been observed for the last week or so.

Pied Wagtail

Nine Barnacle Geese flew south west early in the morning, a rare record in any conditions and at any time on the island. A female Sparrowhawk was found sitting on the 'heli' garden wall, but it soon made off towards Wales, while there were at least 2 Kestrels (male and female) present and possibly another male. Our resident rabbit made itself at home today when it was seen in the obs garden near to the building. Departing the island a member saw 6 Pintail flying south and also a Golden Plover flying north east.
Ringed: 4 Goldcrests, 1 Robin, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Linnet.   [ 720-34 ]
(DB,KMc+SD)     photos  KMc

7th September 2014

Weather:  NW 3, 3/8 cloud, good vis

It was a shame that on a WeBS count day that the roosting flocks of waders on Middle Eye were constantly disturbed over the high tide by a procession of water crafts including canoes, small catamarans and even kite surfers!  With other members of the Obs at Hoylake watching photographers on the beach as the tide pushed up it was a frustrating day all round for the waders and observers alike.

The highlight of the day was the second record of Ruff this autumn which flew North East.  Four Wheatears were around the island during the morning but in a moderate north-westerly there were few other migrants.

The weather continued to improve all day and a very brief late afternoon visit saw a Wheatear still present and 3 Goldcrests including a ringed bird from yesterday.

Wheatear - upper paddock (SRW)

Goldcrest - East Side (SRW)

View from 'Buzzard Hill' - looking South (SRW)

 (DB&ESCA, SRW (v briefly))

6th September 2014

Weather: WNW force 3

Much less movement than yesterday as would be expected with the change of wind direction although the small Robin passage over the last week continued. Four Wheatears were present although only a single was caught for ringing, likewise a single Goldcrest was ringed with one of yesterday's birds still on the island.  A Merlin was new today and a Peregrine was also logged.

Turnstones living up to their name

Wheatear

The RSPB 'tea and cakes' event enjoyed good weather if not many birds to see.
Ringed: 1 Wheatear, 1 Robin, 1 Dunnock, 1 Goldcrest.                              [713-34 ]
(JE+HVJ,PSW)     photos  JE

5th September 2014

Weather: NW 0-1, misty around estuary, vis 3 miles, 8/8 cloud reducing later

The morning began with almost no wind although the south-easterly overnight had backed north-west before dawn.

Shoveler - East Hoyle (SRW)

Three Shoveler were in the rising gutter early morning and two more were found on the East Hoyle bank later.

However, early signs were good with another fall of Robins on the island and a few phylloscs (Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs).

Just after 730am the first Goldcrests appeared and it was immediately apparent that it was a multiple arrival with several birds caught on that trap round.

Goldcrest (male) - one of a dozen trapped and ringed today (SRW)

A Spotted Flycatcher appeared appropriately fly-catching around the 'Heli' garden before moving around the island for the rest of the day.

Spotted Flycatcher - in the Fig Tree (SRW)

A drake Tufted Duck flew around off the North End and flocks of presumably returning Common Scoters (325) were close in shore on the mirror like sea, along with the semi-resident Shag and over 800 Cormorant.

A single Tree Pipit is a nice autumn record for the island of a species which is more regular in spring here.

An excellent morning slowly petered out as the sun burnt through and revealed a warm day.   Just when we thought that was the end of a good day after midday a fleeting view of a Gropper on the wildlife garden fence started a short period of excitement when whilst relocating the Gropper amazingly a Kingfisher was seen at just above head height flying right over the Wildlife Garden and a stunned observer and then, over the Obs garden before literally zooming off South. It called but did not hesitate in its direction and the whole episode last seconds.  Possibly only the third record for Hilbre; after singles on 3 January 1963 and one near the North End on 5 October 1972.

Goosander (redhead) - East Hoyle (SRW)

The excitement did not end there with a red-head Goosander appearing to land in some shallow water on the East Hoyle before flying off North; it was later seen fishing off the North End mid afternoon.

Back on the mainland at West Kirby Marine Lake a first winter Mediterranean Gull was found on the pontoons; a typical date for this age of Med here.

Mediterranean Gull (first winter) - West Kirby Marine Lake pontoon (SRW)

News from the mainland of a Wryneck at Meols keeps us going for the next week or so.  See www.lighthousebirding.blogspot.co.uk for more details and photographs.

(DB, CJW & SRW) [709-34]

4th September 2014

Weather: SE force 4/5, mist around the estuary

Goosanders (CJ)

There was little sign of any migrants early on but a small improvement during the morning gave some hope. A Song Thrush became the first to arrive this autumn. Moderate movements of Meadow Pipits, Swallows and just 4 House Martins were noted with a very few small warblers and 2 Goldcrests ( 1 becoming the first ringed this autumn). Yesterdays ringed Greenland Wheatear was still present but no others until a bird was found later on Middle Eye. At noon several Willow Warblers arrived unexpectedly (for that time of day). Best find of the day was a group of 18 Goosanders (all redheads) swimming close in to the north end that almost immediately took off south along the east gutter. Four Teal later rested on the bank by the north shore tide edge.
Ringed: 3 Robins, 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Song Thrush [ 679-34 ]
(DB,AAB,CJ,KMc,AS,CJW)

3rd September 2014

Weather: SSE force 3/4
A nice small fall this morning with 12 Robins, 4 Willow Warblers, a Chiffchaff, 2 Wheatears, and a Redstart that was caught and ringed.

The chief excitement however was at 08.40hrs when an Osprey appeared off the north end, caught a fish and proceeded to eat it on the east hoyle sands north west of bird island. It stayed in the area for over 4 hours enabling many visitors  to connect with it during which time it caught another fish and did a repeat performance.  There is a slow motion iPhone video clip here http://youtu.be/7FvJaL0coa0

Typical good September wader records today of a Spotted Redshank calling and a Ruff flying south and then east down the east side. Three Collared Doves made a visit and 2 Shags were present today.

Ringed: 5 Robins, 2 Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 1Redstart, 1 Greenland Wheatear.     [ 670-34 ]
(DB,NDW, et al) 

2nd September 2014

Weather: light air, 35 miles visibility
Several migrants came through on a day with very little wind at all including a Blackcap, a Goldcrest, a Willow Warbler, 3 Wheatears, 15 Robins, 132 Swallows, 10 House Martins, and the first Chiffchaff of the autumn. A Magpie also paid a visit and there were 6 Little Egrets on the shore. The calm conditions encouraged the flying of a few Common Pipistrelle bats that evening and during the day were also suitable for several species of dragonfly to show themselves including an Emperor, a Common Darter, 3 Southern Hawkers and 2 Migrant Hawkers.
Ringed: 1 Chiffchaff       [ 660-34 ]
(DB, et al)