Wader spring passage on Hilbre

A few weeks ago I was on Hilbre and unfortunately fell and dislocated my shoulder as well as ending up with an internal bleed that manifested itself a week later and anther two days in hospital.  Thanks to Steve, Chris and the RNLI crew who rescued me I'm fortunately now on the mend  - albeit slowly with a full recovery projected between 12-16 weeks. My shoulder was put back in by two Dr's at Arrowe Park Hospital whilst I was as high as a kite on pethidine. The lads also drove my Landrover off the island for me and dropped it off at home later! Thankfully I didn't land on my head although my wife said I probably wouldn't have injured myself so much! This also meant I had to cancel my long awaited trip to Iceland to catch and flag Red Knot on the way to their Arctic breeding grounds

Before this incident I was enjoying photographing various wader species roosting over Hilbre over the high tide before heading north to their breeding grounds. The Dunlin in particular were looking very smart!

Whimbrel

Dunlin

Ringed Plover

The island was beginning to look at its spring best with a sea of pink Thrift beginning to flower. With sunny skies, sparkling seas and a sea of pink it was a stunning vista.

The resident birds are in full breeding swing and it was nice to see several of our colour ringed Rock Pipits either carrying food or nesting material. 

CAF was ringed as a recently fledged juvenile (3JP) on 4th October 2023 before subsequently being seen several times on the mainland at Meols before returning to Hilbre in the spring of 2024 to presumably breed. It overwintered on the mainland at Hoylake where it was seen as late as February this year. It's now back on Hilbre presumed breeding again.