Spring is springing.

A cracking day locally today starting with singing Blackcap & drumming Lesser-spotted Woodpecker in Stanney Woods and a Yellowhammer over the house at first light. Another good local sighting were 3 Mute Swans again over the house!

Accepting Allan's invitation for another Hilbre special fry-up we set off from West Kirby full of expectation for a high tide birdwatch. The skies were clear and blue and there was only a slight breeze. Meeting up with Kenny Mullins the first priortiy was getting the kettle on and having a brew!

Seawatching was pretty good - eventually. It started slowly but finished with a bang. The highlight being probably one of the earliest ever Arctic Skua's recorded off Hilbre. Picked up by Kenny it flew close to the hide before disappaearing towards the Welsh side of the estuary. Other highlights were drake Eider, 10 Little Gulls, Gannet and Fulmar - possibly a prospecting bird? Red-throated Divers were moving in good numbers with at least 30 birds being seen.

Closer to land plenty of waders were roosting on the rocky ledges with Purple Sandpiper, Turnstone & Sanderling amongst smaller numbers of Ringed Plover.

A sad little pile of feathers near the mound at the N end suggested last weeks Snow Bunting had met a violent end. With spring definitely on the way the first Wheatear won't be long coming.......