19th April 2011

A short visit before the tide and another small fall of Willow Warblers after dawn. With 26 on the island and 15 ringed, Willow Warblers were the only warbler species to be found, surely some of the larger species will follow before long if the south easterlies continue. A Short-eared owl was seen to leave the Hoylake shore travelling west, and 6 Jackdaws flew in from the north west but carried on towards West Kirby, also 2 Collared Doves decided not to stay. A single Tree Pipit was heard overhead and Redpolls continued to call and some dozen or so investigated the island. Goldfinches were not anywhere near as numerous as yesterday, nevertheless a trio were caught together in the 'newton' trap.
Nine Wheatears were noted, of which 2 were on Middle and Swallow passage was slow with only 8 seen by 09:30hrs.
Three Whimbrel flew in from the north shore direction and were this time seen but a camera was not to hand to record the event.
Ringed:- 15 Willow Warblers, 3 Goldfinches, 1 Redpoll, 1 Linnet.
(DB,CJ,CJW) [261-32] photo CJ