Hilbre 12th May

Another enjoyable day at the Bird Observatory undertaking census & ringing work as well as some maintenance. Another early start as well with the alarm going off at 4 am - not that I needed it as I was awake well before it went off. 

It was a beautifully bright but cold morning when I arrived but I knew rain squalls were forecast later in the morning. The first round of the heligoland traps was unproductive but a Common Sandpiper was picked up on call at the north end and the located on the rocks near the Whaleback.

As it got warmer a few birds started moving and a male Blackcap and a couple of Willow Warbler were ringed and processed.

The island is looking very attractive at the moment with the Thrift in full flower and covering the tops of the cliffs.

Eider have gone from a Hilbre rarity to now regular and following last years first confirmed successful breeding for the county nearby its hoped that they may breed again this year. Two males are in close attendance to a female and were displaying to her   - something I personally hadn't seen on Hilbre before. Incredibly the female can't fly and has a damaged wing. She was first seen on Hilbre in 2018 and has managed to survive against the odds.

For once the weather forecast got it right and I got a good soaking working on the Obs balcony steps. The rain did bring down a few more birds and another two Willow Warblers were ringed with another being seen in the Obs garden.

Wader numbers are decreasing as birds move north to breed but Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Whimbrel and Turnstone are still moving through. As the tide dropped and exposed the seaweed covered rocks a small group of Turnstone flew in to feed. Some were in stunning breeding plumage and it won't be long before they head to the Arctic breeding grounds.

Guillemots don't breed around Hilbre or the Dee / Mersey estuaries but we get regular numbers, following stormy weather, from the N Wales population. Normally they are seen floating quite far out but recently one has taken to roosting up at the north end providing closer than usual views.

Another good day wit ha small number ofbirds ringed, some interesting sightings and some vital maintenance work carried out.