Down to earth.

After the excitement of the last week it was down to more mundane birding at the weekend. The stubble fields have attracted a huge flock (by local standards) of Canada Geese with 134 being counted Friday afternoon with a single Greylag. Good numbers of Rooks and Jackdaws are also taaking advantage of the fallen grain whilst the seemingly ever present Raven was seen in flight.

Saturday saw a beautful day on Hilbre marked by a rather poignant ceremony - see the Hilbre blog for the details.

Needless to say the Obs members were carrying out their usual duties and there was plenty of visible migration taking place with the best birds being two Twite that flew out towards Point of Ayr from West Kirby saltmarsh as I was half way across to Middle Eye. Spottign a flock of finches on the cliffs on the east side I decided to walk the landrover track rather than crossing the top of Middle Eye. Needless to say the birds were all Linnets and I ended flat on my a*se on the slippery rocks. I did find a Rock Pipit though and there was another on the north end of Hilbre where I subsequently slipped on my ar*se for a second time and nearly disappeared into the tide gauge.

Birds were taking advantage of the fine weather and moving overhead with a good passage of meadow Pipits, a sprinkling of Skylarks, a couple of Grey Wagtails and a few finches passing through. Three Meadow Pipits were caught in one of the heligolands.  Despite our level one alertness there were no Laland Buntings picked up although Pete Kinsella had two over Seaforth.