4th May 2024

 Weather: SW force 1,  very light spots of rain,   NW 1/2 by evening

Six Wheatears on the island today, one was the 'control' colour ringed bird ringed at the Calf of Man that arrived yesterday.

Two of the others that were of the Greenland race were caught for ringing.

Pride of place amongst the sea birds were 2 Arctic Skuas, the first seen here this year and there were 3 Manx Shearwaters, 70 Gannets and 6 Red-throated Divers, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Guillemots, 12 Common Terns (which have been scarce so far this spring) and 400 Sandwich Terns were present. 

 

Large flocks of Knot (5,000 were going north) and Dunlin (2,000) which had a single Purple Sandpiper among a small flock.

Odd birds mixed with the 105 Turnstone on the shore.

 

 

Also present were 3 Bar-tailed Godwits while Whimbrel were in large numbers with 26 all told. 

 

 

A Greenshank was heard calling in the afternoon. Seven Shelducks and 7 Eiders today, the drakes of both species are always photogenic.

 

 

 A Raven made the list as they have done quite often recently.

Two Woodpigeons came through on the day.

Single records of Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Goldfinch, Pied Wagtail and House Martin with 8 Swallows were logged.

Ringed: 2 Wheatear, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Linnet.

Photos  AEH, SRW

3rd May 2024

 Weather: NW force 2

 

A Wheatear was found by Matt Thomas this morning that was colour ringed, only the second time ever this has been seen at Hilbre.

 

 

This was indeed a red-letter day, almost literally!  Rapid enquiries revealed that it was ringed at the Calf of Man only yesterday, the previous bird was also ringed there. It is amazing that Hilbre colour ringed Wheatears for a several years without a single sighting ever, such are the distances travelled and unihabited breeding places involving our migrant Wheatears. Warblers present were only a single Willow Warbler and the singing Whitethroat. It was nice to see 10 Shelduck about, many standing on the traditional wall.

 Only 4 Eider were seen but 5 Greylags appeared again. also the single Brent. A Red-throated Diver, a Guillemot and 16 Scoters were on the sea with 28 Gannets. Nine Little Egrets shared the islands with 21 Whimbrel, 28 Ringed Plover, 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, 6 Grey Plover, 400 Knot and 500 Dunlin. The Kestrel was missing again but a Peregrine was good compensation.

 

Meadow Pipits are now feeding young.

 

 The moth trap from last night was quite productive. 

Muslin moth

 

Brown Silver-line

Silver Y

 

Dark Sword-grass

Shuttle-shaped Dart

The Bluebells are almost at their best now at the south end of the island.

 Photos CJW, SRW

2nd May 2024

Weather: W force 3  misty

 A brief afternoon visit was made to check and see what is happening on the island after another sunny and warm day.

 

Despite the westerly this afternoon there were still 6 Willow Warblers left from this morning.

 

...and a singing Chiffchaff in good voice. 

Another unexpected bonus was a new Whitethroat to be ringed.

 The Whimbrel again steal the limelight in the wader department, 30 were logged.

 Turnstone totalled 105, spectacular still are the Knot (1,200),

and the Dunlin, (4,500), (here with Ringed Plover).

There were 7 Eider logged today, also the loan Brent and 40 Sandwich Tern. A Raven made a close appearance around the island.

 

Ringed: 3 Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Whitethroat.

Photos: SRW

1st May 2024

 Weather: E force 2, rain in the night. ESE later

The overnight rain cleared to a calm, warm and bright day. The Pinkfooted Geese have not finished another 570 this morning calling to each other as they go in several flocks soon after dawn. Appearances by Reed Bunting and Jackdaw made it seem like an early spring day, but the 30 or so Willow Warblers in the paddocks and gardens reminded us that we are now in the peak passage period.

 A Sedge Warbler in song was the first of the year for Hilbre, eventually it was trapped and ringed.

 

 Two of the 14 Greenland Wheatears present were also caught for ringing.

Three Whitethroats were on the island, one was the bird that has been here for a week, all were singing and another became ringed. A Yellow Wagtail went over early and 4 White Wagtails were at the north end at some stage. Lesser Redpolls were in evidence again, 28 today and a few Goldfinches but no Siskin heard. Hirundines were still passing through, especially in the very warm sunshine around midday,  8 Sand Martins and about 45 Swallows. 

 A Common Sandpiper landed briefly on top of the rocks by the life boat house and then went down by the whaleback. 

 

There were 27 Whimbrel around the island, 95 Turnstone, 4 Sanderling and a single Purple Sandpiper.  A very calm sea did not reveal any 'seabirds' except for the 170 Sandwich Terns and over 30 Gannets flying about. A Peregrine flew off the west side and circled, it seemed to have prey, and a Raven later circled over the West Kirby shore. A full team of 9 Eiders were on the whaleback and the loan Brent was joined by another. A pair of Scoter floated off the whaleback, as did a Great Crested Grebe. Eleven Little Egrets graced the shore. A Brimstome moth and a Orange Tip butterfly were notable inhabitants of the Blackthorn. We have been fortunate in having 2 consecutive 'good' days.

Ringed: 17 Willow Warblers, 3 Lesser Redpolls, 2 Greenland Wheatears, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Linnet, 1 Goldfinch.

Photos: PSW, SRW