25th March 2021

Weather: SSW force 1

The elusive Red-legged Partridge was still on the main island early morning.

More regular fare for this period of early spring were similar to yesterday but in larger numbers. There were no less than 30 Woodpigeons, 2 Jackdaws, and 6 Magpies.

 

The Merlin which was also found was no doubt eyeing up some Meadow Pipits coming through. Four Goldcrests were down on the island and together with the Meadow Pipits and the odd alba wagtail were the only small migrants. Sea birds seen included 2 Little Gulls, 2 Red-throated Divers, 8 Red-breasted Mergansers, 5 Razorbill, 4 Guillemots,120 Common Scoter and a single Gannet. Eleven Purple Sandpipers are still hanging on, and 525 Curlew was an impressive count.

24th March 2021

 Weather: WSW force 1/2

The partridge species on Middle appeared again this morning on the main island and was identified as a Red-legged Partridge, only the fourth ever on the islands. Photo below is the bird here in spring 2020

 A White Wagtail landed on Wheatear hill, the first to be picked out from the many alba wagtails passing this spring. Typical migrants for us at this time of year included Jacdaw, Magpie, Woodpigeon, 2 Skylarks, 4 Goldfinches a Siskin and a Reed Bunting. A Goldcrest was down on Middle.

 

Brents totalling 324 pale and 2 dark-bellied included the regular colour ringed bird TXRB.

 

Twelve Shelduck were about today, also 5 Wigeon flew east. Two more Little Gulls, 3 Red-throated Divers, 3 Great Crested and 8 Red-breasted Mergansers on the sea were upstaged by a fine summer plumaged Shag that flew closely passed the north end and landed on the rocks. 

Two Little Egrets were on the shore and a Kestrel was about, this time not the regular female but a male.

23rd March 2021

 Weather:  SW force 2

 The promised southerly breeze turned out to be a south westerly, much to the disappointment of birds and birders alike, leading to passage of just the odd finch, 3 Goldcrests, a Grey Wagtail, 2 Skylarks and a small number of passing Meadow Pipits. Chief interest therefore was looking at Little Gulls (63) feeding, mostly distantly to the north west, although a number flew more closely south off the west side later.

 

 A Group of 6 Whooper Swans flew north passing between Hilbre and the Wirral coast before continuing on their way (to Iceland?).

 

Seven Greylag Geese did  the same across the sands off the east side. The regular male Eider was briefly joined at the north end by 2 other drakes which then drifted out, leaving our friend to his own devices.

 

 All this sea watching picked up an adult Gannet, one of the first this spring to return north. There were 36 Linnets on the island today, hopefully they will be settling down to breed shortly.

22nd March 2021

Weather: W force 1

The most intriguing and unusual event this morning concerned a Partridge species seen to fly off Middle island. Unfortunately it could not be pinned down to which species, but both are rare sightings here. Brent are still here in huge numbers, 335 plus 3 dark-bellied birds were counted.

Four Goosanders flew up the gutter and into the estuary, while 13 of their close cousins the Red-breasted Merganser were also logged today.

The regular drake Eider still sits off the north end.

A Raven was upsetting the local Carrion Crows.

An acceleration in spring passerine movements was obvious with the appearance of 3 Grey and 5 Pied Wagtails, 2 Greenfinch, a Goldfinch, a Siskin, a couple of dozen Meadow Pipits and 6 Goldcrests grounded on the island. Looking towards the sea found about 250 Common Scoter, a Razorbill and 14 Great Crested Grebes rested on the calm water.

 At least 5 Rock Pipits were about, fueling speculation of possible breeding.

Waders noted included 50 Sanderling, 8 Purple Sandpipers and 65 Grey Plover, while the Kestrel and 2 Little Egrets were amongst others present.

21st March 2021

 Weather:  NW force 1

 Fifteen Red-breasted Mergansers were noted this morning, 11 of them displaying around the west hoyle bank. The other highlight of the day were 4 Little Gulls feeding off to the north west. Migrants passing through were 2 Skylarks, a single Chiffchaff , a few Pied Wagtails, a Goldfinch and 5 Goldcrests dropping down. 

 

Other records included 4 Wigeon, a Guillemot and 3 Razorbills, and the drake Eider.

Linnets are increasing now in the Blackthorn.

 

20th March 2021

 Weather: W force 1

A hangover from winter today when 2 Fieldfares were noted, but also plenty of signs of spring. A small passage of a few dozen Meadow Pipits prompted a Merlin to stay about in the area. Pied Wagtails were also moving as were several Pied Wagtails and 8 Goldfinches. Linnets (42) were in good numbers and 3 Goldcrests made it to the island. Dunnocks and Wrens were singing, Rock Pipits, Meadow Pipits and Linnets displaying and Blackbird carrying nest material. Waders of note included 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1,800 Knot and 4 Purple Sandpipers. What could be more spring-like than a group of flowering Daffodils?

 

 

19th March 2021

 Weather: W force 2, then N force 1, misty to start

 Good wildfowl sightings today (apart from the Mallards on the island pond); also seen were 4 Pintail (west high over Middle), 2 Wigeon (in the gutter east of Middle), 52 Scoter, 7 Shelduck , and 7 Canada Geese that landed west of Middle and then flew up towards Red Rocks.

The Brent flock included no less than 5 dark-bellied birds.

Forty five Redshank fed in the gutters today.

The drake Eider was off the west side and the Kestrel is still around.

Very little passage as yet but more Meadow Pipits were present and a Chaffinch made it to the island. Best on the sea were 14 Red-throated Divers, 22 Great Crested Grebes and a Razorbill.
Lesser Celandine is now in flower (with Buff- tailed bumble bee in attendance).

17th March 2021

Weather:  W force 4, misty

The regular drake Eider was joined briefly by a pair travelling west passed the north end. The 272 Brent counted this morning included 2 of the dark-bellied variety.

On the sea 3 Red-throated Divers showed as did the same number of Great Crested Grebes, plus 90 Common Scoter.

Amongst the waders were 14 Purple Sandpipers, 3,000 Oystercatchers and 162 Curlew.

Two Dunnocks on the island were singing their hope of breeding this spring.

Not much passage today, 2 Goldcrests in the obs garden, 2 Goldfinch with the Linnets in the old obs and 2 Pied Wagtails were the highlight.