9th October 2012

male Lesser Redpoll

 The sky was clear last night but there was quite a lot of mist around the coasts and despite only 7 birds being ringed today visible migration in the south-east breeze was happening most of the morning.

House Sparrow

 Passerines over included 120 Meadow Pipits, 4 Skylarks, 6 Lesser Redpolls, 9 House Sparrows 2 Goldfinches, a Greenfinch, 8 Pied and a Grey Wagtail, while 2 Collared Doves flew around for a few minutes. Two of the House Sparrows and a male Redpoll dropped in to the obs garden, the Redpoll staying to be ringed. On the ground about 5 Goldcrests, 2 Chaffinches, a Reed Bunting and later a single Chiffchaff stayed to feed in the paddocks, but there were only 3 Blackbirds present and also fewer Robins than yesterday. 

Pink-footed geese



 A feature of the morning was the appearance of a number of corvids floating over the island, firstly a group of 7 Crows, then another group of 9 Crows, and then a large party of 50 Jackdaws (scarce at Hilbre) accompanied by a few more crows, all joined together and drifted south east towards the mainland. Two Jackdaws later landed briefly on the mast.

Wigeon

Not to be outdone wildfowl was also well represented by 6 Wigeon on the sea and a flock of 12 others flying north, while 3 Teal stayed some time on the tide edge on the east side. A skein of 49 Pink-footed geese flew north-east over the island towards the Lancashire mosslands, while the Hilbre Brent are still at a high level, 145 were counted today.

Pale-bellied Brent, including a colour ringed bird

Goldcrest

As yesterday a Merlin flew across the north end and down the west side. Two Rock Pipits were seen on the main island, 4 Little Egrets were on the shore and 6 Great-crested Grebes on the sea.

Ringed:- 3 Goldcrests, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Robin, 1 Wren      [ 1006-31 ]

 (CJ et al)           photos CJ etc.