Stormy weather

An early start this morning saw me trundling over to Hilbre in a Landrover laden with the makings of a fried breakfast for the members (and junior member) brave enough to stay over night in the force 6 -7 that was blowing in from the N W.  Plenty of birds to view on the way over including this Cormorant with a metal ring on its right leg. Not one of ours but probably from one of the colonies in N Wales.

Unsurprisingly, given the conditions, passerines were virtually non existent and the only migrant was a heard but unseen Willow Warbler calling forlornly from the shelter of the east side.

Seawatching was the order of the day and we were rewarded with a distant Pom Skua harassing gulls and at least 8 Arctic Skua's and a distant Bonxie. At one point we had 4 in the air together including a pale phase bird.

Two juvenile Kittiwakes a few Common Scoter and the usual terns completed the round up. No Petrels (or Gannets) but Autumn is just around the corner..................................

Meanwhile on the garden feeders the Goldfinch numbers are gradually increasing with 10 present yesterday including 2 juveniles. Greenfinches are also making a welcome return and there are now a handful of Chaffinches present. Interestingly the number of adult Blue & Great Tits have increased - probably as they've been lying low until their moult has been completed.