After seeing my first ever Black Guillemot on Hilbre earlier this year (see here) I've been spoilt over the last cpouple of weeks as one seems to be over summering around the island. Bizarrely its been nhanging around with Oystercatchers. Roosting up with them on the Whaleback and flying off with them to settle on the East Hoyle Sandbank as the tide encroaches. Its even roosted with them on Middle Eye over the high tide before fishing of the east and north sides of Hilbre as the tide ebbs. Its quite aggressive towards the Oycs and often charges them with its bill open if they get to close.
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| Spot the imposter |
With birds now breeding as close to Hilbre as the Great & Little Orme Black Guillemot is bound to become a more regular visitor and a walk around the base of the cliffs has revealed a number of old rains and holes in brickwork that could make suitable nesting holes!
Its probably a 2nd calendar year bird based on the brown primaries. Juveniles undergo a partial moult just after fledging and a partial moult into their first adult plumage in the following spring. Adults undertake a full post breeding moult so their primaries would be much fresher and less faded.
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