Another fine day.

Saturday morning was slightly misty and the wind was in the south east. Ideal conditions for a fall on Hilbre. A full contingnet of Obs members and associated children and dogs. Almost immediately on our arrival it became clear that birds were moving with several Chiffchaffs having already been cuaght and ringed by the over-nighters.

Another great morning with a steady trickle of birds including more Chiffies (including this one with a tick above its eye), Redpoll, Greenfinch, Meadow Pipit, Robin, Blackbird and unbelievably a late Redwing being ringed.

Overhead movement continued until around 11.00 am with Chaffinches, Siskin, two Tree Sparrows, Goldfinches and several Sand Martins passing over. One female Chaffinch landed in the Obs garden and kept her beady eye on proceedings for awhile before flying off south.

Once the initial rush had died down it was time for the maintenance crew to undertake some repair work to one of the other heligoland traps before a well earned lunch. Another species of mammal added to my Hilbre list when a Wood Mouse popped out from a wood pile behind the Landrover.

After a successful morning it was time to leave and a very full Landrover (5 adults, 4 kids and Molly) headed of as the tide started to flood.

More locally Chiffchaffs have arrived in Stanney Woods and a Sparrowhawk was building its nest in an old one vacated by Carrion Crows. A walk along the lanes this morning towards the stubble fields revealed 20+ Pied Wagtails feeding amongst the recently manured field and a male Reed Bunting singing from a nearby hedgerow. Two more Chiffchaffs sung from a nearby copse. If the framer ploughs the stubble in the next week I expect Wheatears to turn up!