Blustery weather

Off to Hilbre again today. Bleary eyed after yesterdays long day and mindful of a high tide I left early and was on the island by 08.3. The weather wasn't very encouraging with 100% cloud cover and a force 4- 5 blowing. At least the local Peregrine brightened up the journey over posing for a photo on the sand.

Not much movement today with only a male Blackbird briefly present before flying off at high tide. A seawatch was rewarding as a male Velvet Scoter was picked up flying with a small group of Common Scoter out towards the green buoy.

Plenty of waders around today wit h13 Purple Sandpipers roostign at the north end and a flock of 16 Ringed Plover roosting with a handful of Dunlin on the west side. Oystercatcher numbered around 5,000 and were their usual noisy bickering selves.

A few Grey Plover were still hanging around and there were plenty of Redshanks, Turnstones and small numbers of Knot.

Apart from the usual Robins, Dunnocks and Wrens resident passerines are still scarce. There were two Rock Pipits hanging around and one was recaptured being unable to resist a free handout of meal worms!

Closer to home Kenny Dummigan found a first winter Glaucous Gull on Gowy tip but by the time I got there the tip had stopped working and all the large gulls had dispersed. Nice one Kenny - I'll keep a look out.

The 'Nordic' Jackdaw is still present feeding on the stubble field but once again the whole corvid flock are very flighty and nervous and resisting all attempts at getting a photo - even the ubiquitous 'record' shot.