Fresh from my Antipodean travels and jet lagged to boot it was always going to be on the cards that I'd be awake bright and early Bank Holiday Monday for my first trip to the obs this May. Despite a last minute hitch I managed to rearrange a few things and picked up Steve around 07.15 for the bumpy ride across to Hilbre before the high tide.
Despite a very brisk easterly ( force 4 -5 at times ) and a clear night it was clear that there had been a major fall of birds with at least 150 Willow Warblers present along with a handful of Sedge Warbler, Whitethroats, Redstart & Grasshopper Warbler!
At the end of the session we'd caught an amazing 81 birds! Star bird for me was this carcking 2nd calender year male Redstart.
Visually the Island was stunning - blue skies, white topped waves and clouds of pink Sea thrift and blue Bluebells.
1 comment :
Great posts Phil. Enjoyed hearing bout Australia and nice to see the island getting lots of migrants this spring. Really pleased to hear about the new acquisition for the obs, very exciting!
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