23rd April 2015

Weather:  SSE 0-1, 0/8 cloud, slight mist

A promising looking morning weather-wise did not really produce the grounded migrants hoped for but vis-mig started well with a couple of Flava Wagtails heard passing over, a few hirundines passing through, Whimbrels could be heard calling and a Collared Dove flew south.

An unusual wader call was heard and identified as a Little Ringed Plover, a scarce but increasing species at Hilbre.  The 'LRP' was then spotted as it flew up the East Side and around the island and then circled observers before being joined by a second bird and both LRPs flew off south-west calling as they went.  A lovely start to the day.

Three Canada Geese flew over the South End and several Greenland Wheatears appeared along the West Side but apart from a single Willow Warbler very little else was noted until another Grasshopper Warbler appeared in the bottom shelf of the Old Obs mist net.

Ringed Plovers and Dunlin increased over the tide as Oystercatcher and Turnstone numbers have tailed off.

Ringing:  2 Linnets, Willow Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Wren

(AEH, CJ and SRW) [255-29]