31st May 2008

A very quiet day indeed...perhaps a sign of the end of Spring at last!

Highlight of the day were three Little Egrets in the gutter on the way off the island after the tide.

30th May 2008

Yet another Osprey for the spring was recorded this morning when one flew from Wales over the island and off towards the north wirral shore.

29th May 2008

A near record count of 7 Little Egrets were between the main islands with several summer plumaged Sanderlings. Many hirundines, 3 Willow Warblers and a Chiffchaff continued on late passage.

23rd May 2008

A probable immature male Montagu's Harrier flew east at 715am. Unfortunately views were very poor and the photos were even worse!
A single Wheatear arrived on the island, a Sedge Warbler was trapped at 10am.
Vis Mig - 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 White Wagtails, a rather late Tree Pipit and plenty hirundines (including a late Sand Martin) and Swifts passed through during the morning.
An escape Cockateil was seen flying south over the island 1230pm.

22nd May 2008

After yesterday's excitement - today was always likely to be a fall back to earth! No sign of the Bluethroat.

However, a single Sedge Warbler and a few Willow Warblers arrived on the island.

21st May 2008

Hilbre's long awaited first Bluethroat was found at the south end of the island at about 7.15am. It was first seen on top of the newly christened 'Bluethroat Bramble' along Gropper ridge. It only gave a brief view of its head - however a quick search resulted in a fleeting glimpse in flight but enough to reveal the stunning tail pattern and the news was released to the mainland!

The bird was elusive during the morning but was eventually trapped in the Obs garden at 13.00hrs (see opposite - photo by Pete Williams).

After release it remained fairly elusive until late afternoon when it began showing very well by the new pond ('Degsy's Pond'). It remained in this area (although going missing for long periods) until about 830pm when it was thought to have gone to roost....what a day!

Other birds recorded included Spot Fly trapped, a few Willows and an Osprey over the West Hoyle bank (see below).

Video

A brief clip of the Bluethroat shortly before release.

20th May 2008

A first summer Mediterranean Gull alighted on the northwestern rocks before moving to the 'Whaleback' (opposite) and then flying off east and 4 Little Egrets were in the east gutter.

Good numbers of terns were seen, Swallows were counted in three figures and a Spotted Flycatcher was grounded.

18th May 2008

A quiet day with just 4 Mute swans of note, prompted some members to visit the Red-rumped Swallow in the Leasowe horse paddocks.

17th May 2008

Sighting of the day was undoubtedly 4 Tufted Duck flying passed the north end . A Rock Pipit was the only interesting passerine.

16th May 2008

A Greenshank was a scarce spring visitor today, also Canada Goose and 2 Little Egrets. No visible passage - only 2 Sand Martins and 2 Swallows.

15th May 2008

Three Whinchats (male, female & imm) were a pleasing sight on the island, also present was a Greenland Wheatear, 2 Willow Warblers and a Chiffchaff.

14th May 2008

A good list of species were grounded this morning ; Garden Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Sedge Warbler, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Chiffchaffs and 3 Willow Warblers.
A Tree pipit passed overhead.

11th May 2008

Ten Collared Doves was a large number for this occasional visitor, a Sparrowhawk was seen around the island and 3 Little Egrets were present.

10th May 2008

An unseasonable female Goldcrest was a surprise today, but more expected migrants were 6 Greenland Wheatears, 3 Willow Warblers, 2 Whitethroats, a Chiffchaff and a Sedge Warbler. Bird of the day however would be the female Whinchat.

9th May 2008

Highlight of the day was a stunning male Mealy Redpoll caught in the SK with several Lessers (see opposite).

Other species seen included a Lesser Whitethroat which was also caught (see below).

8th May 2008

Another excellent migration day with a Woodlark in flight over the obs (the 7th Hilbre record) and Little Ringed Plover (feeding between the islands with other waders) being the two outstanding birds of the day.
The supporting cast included 3 Garden Warblers, 6 Sedge Warblers, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 11 Greenland Wheatears, a Redstart, a Whinchat, a Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaffs, and 3 Willow Warblers; not to mention a passage of 309 Swallows, 30 House Martins, 4 Sand Martins and 37 Swifts! Finches were represented by Goldfinches and Redpolls, and 5 Arctic and 6 Little were amongst the terns.

7th May 2008

The first 2 Spotted Flycatchers for the year arrived with 2 Garden Warblers, 2 Whinchats, 5 Sedge Warblers, 2 Whitethroats, 12 Greenland Wheatears, 11 Willow Warblers and a Blackcap. The continued good weather also produced further passage of hirundines and Swifts, Lesser Redpolls, Grey and White Wagtails and that fine Hilbre migrant - Wood Pigeon ! ( 6 birds)

6th May 2008

A Puffin drifted passed the north end slowly enough for all the obs members present to assemble and see this quite rare Hilbre visitor.

Two Mealy Redpolls seen in the bushes around the obs (with one caught) were equally a rare sight, and a Spotted Redshank calling and flying at the south end completed the trio of excellent birds for the day.

Amongst the other 54 species on the log today were a Black Tern, 15 Little Tern (first of the year),5 Arctic Tern, Black-tailed Godwit, House Sparrow and 4 Yellow Wagtail. Warblers were represented by Garden(2) (see below), Sedge(3), Willow(3) and Chiffchaff(1).

5th May 2008

A much quieter day with just the odd seabird and a reasonable passage of hirundines. Warblers were only singles of each species.

4th May 2008

A 'channel' Blue-headed type wagtail was identified among the 7 Yellow Wagtails early morning, and the day then became a Swift (77), Swallow (167), and Lesser Redpoll (129) day.
Tree Pipits passed in good numbers (10), while Greenland wheatears and Willow Warblers were also in double figures. Five Sedge Warblers, 3 Whitethroats and a Whinchat were grounded.

Fine reward for sea watching were a dark phase Arctic Skua and a Black Tern.

3rd May 2008

Bird of the day was a Little Ringed Plover discovered at the south end early morning. Also found at the south end later in the day (but not in the same league!) was a Common Sandpiper.
Good passage this morning of 18 Willow warblers, plus 13 Greenland Wheatears, 7 Whitethroats and 3 Sedge Warblers.
Hirundines, Swifts and Redpolls were in good numbers.

2nd May 2008

Seventeen Whimbrel today was a good count, but 2 Grey Lag Geese flying east and a Reed Bunting were unusual.
More normal fare for early May were 6 Willow warblers, 5 Greenland Wheatears, a Chiffchaff and a Blackcap.