Wednesday 14 September 2011

14th September 2011

With the wind continuing strong from the west but easing later, sea watching was still to the fore, resulting in similar sea birds but in lower numbers than yesterday. Two Great Skuas and 6 Arctic Skuas were logged with 10 Leach's Petrels and 3 Manx Shearwaters. Gannets were down to 40, Great Crested Grebes 10, Kittiwakes 2, and a single Red-throated Diver, but new on the sea today were 2 Fulmars, a species not seen this week, and indeed seems almost rare at Hilbre this last few years. A couple of late Willow Warblers were on the island, a Goldcrest, a Wheatear and a Rock Pipit that was trapped at the south end and ringed. The sole Whimbrel is still on the shore, while Dunlin made a comeback to 150 from zero yesterday, and 2,500 Knot were seen, also 25 Bar-tailed Godwits. Two juvenile Shags still showed on the water close to the island. Ringed:- 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Rock Pipit.
(DB,KMc) [785-43]

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