Weather: W force 3   veering WNW later,   cloudy The change in wind direction meant very little passage and sea watching was the order of the day. This turned out to be very worthwhile indeed. Although only 18 Red-throated Divers showed after the 3 figures yesterday, 120 Gannets were feeding and 55 Guillemots were here. The sighting of 2 Manx Shearwaters was soon eclipsed by the appearance of 2 Puffins in the swash to the west, a very scarce bird at Hilbre, although early May is a favourable time to look for them. The next excitement was the report of a Osprey at the nort ..read more

 Weather: SE force 2,   NNE 2/3 by noon    sunny and warm A beautiful calm day with a light south easterly to begin, conditions thought to be ideal for birds at Hilbre. No large fall of passerines but a varied selection of species summerised the day. Yet again when we thought we had seen the last of the Pinkfooted Geese another 420 went north this morning, but it was all over soon after dawn. A member walking to the island at dawn saw a Fox returning to the shore, chased by a Crow. As evidence of Fox is recorded often, this habit probably happens regularly but is ..read more

 Weather: SW force 1,  very light spots of rain,   NW 1/2 by evening Six Wheatears on the island today, one was the 'control' colour ringed bird ringed at the Calf of Man that arrived yesterday. Two of the others that were of the Greenland race were caught for ringing. Pride of place amongst the sea birds were 2 Arctic Skuas, the first seen here this year and there were 3 Manx Shearwaters, 70 Gannets and 6 Red-throated Divers, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Guillemots, 12 Common Terns (which have been scarce so far this spring) and 400 Sandwich Terns were present.    ..read more

 Weather: NW force 2   A Wheatear was found by Matt Thomas this morning that was colour ringed, only the second time ever this has been seen at Hilbre.     This was indeed a red-letter day, almost literally!  Rapid enquiries revealed that it was ringed at the Calf of Man only yesterday, the previous bird was also ringed there. It is amazing that Hilbre colour ringed Wheatears for a several years without a single sighting ever, such are the distances travelled and unihabited breeding places involving our migrant Wheatears. Warblers present were only a single Willow W ..read more

Weather: W force 3  misty  A brief afternoon visit was made to check and see what is happening on the island after another sunny and warm day.   Despite the westerly this afternoon there were still 6 Willow Warblers left from this morning.   ...and a singing Chiffchaff in good voice.  Another unexpected bonus was a new Whitethroat to be ringed.  The Whimbrel again steal the limelight in the wader department, 30 were logged.  Turnstone totalled 105, spectacular still are the Knot (1,200), and the Dunlin, (4,500), (here with Ringed Plover). There were ..read more

 Weather: E force 2, rain in the night. ESE later The overnight rain cleared to a calm, warm and bright day. The Pinkfooted Geese have not finished another 570 this morning calling to each other as they go in several flocks soon after dawn. Appearances by Reed Bunting and Jackdaw made it seem like an early spring day, but the 30 or so Willow Warblers in the paddocks and gardens reminded us that we are now in the peak passage period.  A Sedge Warbler in song was the first of the year for Hilbre, eventually it was trapped and ringed.    Two of the 14 Greenland Wheatears p ..read more

 Weather:  ESE force 5 It was very windy this morning but on the plus side the south easterly brought us a lot of good birds and the Bluebells were out at the south end. It was too windy for mist nets and the potter traps needed firmly securing. The chief prize was the first Whinchat of the year. Seven Wheatear joined the influx (Whinchats seem often to travel with them).    There were 4 Yellow Wagtails today, always a joy to see.   About 16 Willow Warblers arrived, they have not finished coming through the island. Three White Wagtails showed and the Whitethroat ..read more

 Weather: SE force 4 increasing 5 by midday. A touch of south in the wind and about 400 Pink-footed Geese set off north, but later than usual, more towards mid-morning. A lone Brent fed on the whaleback and 3 Canada Geese flew in, 8 Shelduck and a Common Scoter were noted and the full team of 9 Eiders were at the north end. Highlight of the waders was a Common Sandpiper, the first here this year. It was on the rocks by the shore off the south west corner.   There were more Whimbrel (23) than Curlew (8) about today,    There is still a large contingent of Knot and Dunli ..read more

 Weather: NE force 4  backing NNW 4 later in the morning. A northerly wind meant no Pinkfeet moving this morning but 5 Greylags gave a flypast for the observers. Only a single Brent was found, possibly the last to leave, there have been cases in the past when odd ones have lingered for quite some time. Six Eiders (5 adults) were counted,  ....and 6 Shelduck stayed around the island. The Whitethroat that was ringed here a few days ago was again in song but elusive to the camera, finally giving itself up to our persistent photographer.  A single Willow Warbler in the gard ..read more

 Weather:  ENE force 2    The Pinkfooted Goose train continued north this morning soon after dawn, 1,800 estimated.  No Canada Geese this morning but a single Greylag flew passed the island  Amongst the group of Eiders 6 were male (5 adult) and 2 females. They mingled with the few Brent that remain at the north end this morning.  Four Shelduck seem to be making the island their home for this summer. Early on a Short-eared Owl flew around the south end of the island briefly before heading east.   Redpolls were in evidence again today with an estim ..read more