8th November 2021

 Weather: SSW force 2 at dawn, then SE 3 later

Winter thrushes were passing over before dawn, (138 Redwing, 6 Fieldfare) and were followed later by a single brambling, a few Siskin (one of which called briefly from the obs garden) and a small number of skylark. There seem to be a lot of Wrens around just now, 13 were seen today. A few more Meadow Pipits were present on both of the the larger islands and Rock Pipits were also active on each of the islands.

 Bird of the day was our second male Snow Bunting of the season which was first put up by Wheatear wall in the afternoon and then moved to feed around the light, it was still around in the early evening when it was found at the top of the roadway at the south end.

A Raven was heard cronking and at first couldn't be seen, but it was high over the east shore heading north. The kestrel still visits the island, although not as frequently.

 Only a single Little Egret logged today but there were 2 Grey Herons.

 A high count of 318 Brent was made today plus a single dark-bellied bird. Counts among the waders included 160 Turnstone, 6 Purple Sandpipers, 64 Sanderling and 7 Bar-tailed Godwits.

 Photos AS

7th November 2021

 Weather:  WNW force 5

 

A rough morning for a steady sea watch failed to produce any notable maritime records, just 14 Common Scoter and 2 Great Crested Grebes, and many of the waders roosted in sheltered spots around the island, like these Turnstones (and Redshank).

 Thirty seven Bar-tailed Godwits were with oystercatchers on the north shore.

 While others faced the wind to remain unruffled.

Because of the very high tide large flocks of Dunlin and Knot were seen flying about the estuary. Notable counts were 266 Grey Plover, 181 Turnstone, 70 Sanderling and there were 2 Purple Sandpipers.

 Photos AS 

6th November 2021

 Weather: SW force 3, later WSW 6 in the afternoon with some rain.

Some nice winter thrush movement today with 72 Redwing in the morning, 2 of which were down on the island, and 9 Fieldfares with 6 on the ground. Both Siskin and Brambling called over representing the finches. A Raven was playing on the thermals on the west side, this species has featured many times lately. The Brent were on the west side of Middle and were easier to count than normal, the total being a massive 289 birds. Other wildfowl were 142 Shelduck and 2 Common Scoter. All wader counts were after the large tide today: 8,500 Oystercatcher, 

also 2,500 Knot, 5,000 Dunlin, 320 Grey Plover, 145 Curlew, just 1 Sanderling, but 105 Turnstone and 90 Redshank.

There were 41 Bar-tailed Godwit, more than have been here for a while. A Kestrel, 2 Little Egrets and 3 Grey Herons completed the cast. Rock Pipits are now a regular part of the Hilbre scene.

Photos AS

5th November 2021

 Weather: NW force 3/4 light showers WNW 4 in the afternoon

Winter thrushes were the main interest today. In the morning 8 Redwings were heard and 2 Fieldfares were over the south end of the island, while later in the afternoon 20 Redwings and 3 Fieldfares were identified on call. Four Blackbirds were in the paddocks.

A Siskin was here again and a single Linnet was the only other finch recorded although 3 Starlings came through. Regular birds here, some of which could be wintering were 3 Rock Pipits, 4 Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes, 6 Robins and 10 Wrens. Brent have been steady in numbers at around 240 recently, also today 70 Shelduck,77 Common Scoter, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 230 Cormorants, 3 Little Egrets and 2 Grey Herons were seen, while waders included 8,500 Oystercatchers in the tide roost.

  also 200 Dunlin, 140 Knot, 80 Turnstone, 19 Grey Plover, about 100 Redshank and a few Curlew.

Photos AS

4th November 2021

Weather:  N force 4

 A quiet day with only a few signs of migration. A flock of 120 Starlings flew west across the south end adding to the few others that had trickled through previously in the morning, while a single Skyark was also recorded. A group of 5 Siskin arrived together at one stage and another had been logged earlier. Noticed on the island were a Blackbird, a Song Thrush, 8 Wrens, 5 Robins, 5 Linnets, 2 Pied Wagtails, 3 Meadow and 4 Rock Pipits. Six Purple Sandpipers are still here plus the usual waders: 7,000 Oystercatchers, 80 Turnstone, 69 Curlew, 110 Redshank, 40 Ringed Plover. The Kestrel, 4 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Heron and 22 Shelduck were here, joining the 266 Brent which were on the sea to the west after the tide.

Photo SRW

3rd November 2021

 Weather: NNE force 3

Best picture of the day was of  a Raven that flew in from West Kirby Marsh in the afternoon.

Two Siskins, a Chaffinch and a Skylark visited today and there may have been a few extra Meadow Pipits passing through. Just 2 Little Egrets this morning, the large counts seem to have reduced now.

Two Song Thrushes were seen, which may stay for the winter, but only one Blackbird which certainly has been here all summer.

A large flock of 62 Linnets appeared in the afternoon, bathed in the pools on the track then flew to the sheltered west side to preen in the sun.

Brent are still at around 240 birds but Purple Sandpipers have increased to 7 in number (here roosting with a Turnstone)

Turnstone (113), Redshank (162) and single Knot roosted in niffy bay over the tide, 73 Sanderling were logged, while 205 Shelduck and 352 Curlew were towards the marsh after the tide. 

Photos AS

2nd November 2021

 Weather:  SW force 3/4    sunny

A Black-throated Diver was the star bird of the day as it flew west passed the north end. Although seen in most years it is only a passage bird at Hilbre in small numbers. Siskins arrived today, 11 in total, one of which sat in a bush the obs garden for some time.

 Twelve Linnets and 3 Chaffinches were also about and a single Goldcrest.

 A few extra Meadow Pipits were present, also Robins and Wrens.

 

 Following on from the arrival of Song Thrushes yesterday, 2 were ringed this morning.

 The Brents enjoyed the sun in the east gutter below the obs after the tide.

 A Merlin glimpsed before dawn later showed itself in the afternoon. There were just 3 Purple Sandpipers seen in the morning,

Other waders included 123 Redshank, 215 Curlew, 93 Trunstone and 8 Sanderling. Two Song Thrushes were ringed, also 2 Wrens, a Robin and a Goldcrest.

Photos JE & AS

1st November 2021

Weather: WSW force 8/9 at dawn, very slowly decreasing during the day, W 5 by late afternoon, heavy rain in the morning, some heavy showers later.

A truly appalling day of weather especially in the morning meant our intrepid observer spent a lot of time in the obs, observing through the open door and keeping warm. 

A pair of Red-breasted Mergansers spent a long period in the gutter after the tide, the lack of the usual post tide disturbance from visitors (due to the foul weather) was a bonus enabling them to be photographed. 

 

The Chaffinch, probably the same bird as yesterday, was still in the obs garden, but understandably there were no new migrants today. Counted on the east sands after the ebb were 252 Shelduck, 54 Curlew and 42 Sanderling, while in the gutter feeding were 72 Redshank, 24 Turnstone, 3 Grey Plover, 2 Little Egret and a Knot. Oystercatchers fed on the slipway at the north end.

 and Brent relaxed in the sunshine.

 Cormorants numbered 254 on sea and shore and a pair of Common Scoters also shared the sea.

 Photos AS