Leach's Petrels and Bonxie, Hilbre Island

It was a 8.7m tide at 11:15am today at Hilbre, and with the promise of a force 6 WNW wind, it seemed like a good opportunity to see a few more sea birds. It would have been better if it had been blowing for a few days prior to today to drive them into Liverpool Bay, but even so we were hopeful of seeing a few good birds.

Almost immediately we saw a couple of Leach's Petrels battling their way against the wind at close range, and in the good light, every detail was visible. This seemed very promising, but perhaps strangely we only saw one more petrel all day.

Meanwhile small flocks of Common Scoter flew past in the distance and at closer range there were Great Crested Grebes and Red-throated Divers. The occasional Guillemot flew past, 3 Fulmars and small numbers of Sandwich Terns.

Suddenly a cry went out "Bonxie at 11 O'Clock, mid distance!" and an impressive looking Great Skua flew past with white wing flashes glowing in the bright sunlight. We also saw several Arctic Skuas chasing gulls and terns.

As the tide ebbed, things quietend down a bit, and I went to the south end to view the waders and geese on Middle Eye. There were at least 2500 Oystercatchers, as well as good numbers of Knot and a few Curlew, Redshank and Turnstones. Also with them, 37 Pale-bellied Brent Geese.

Thanks again to Phil and Colin from the obs for their hospitality!


The approaching tide at Hilbre. The black dot near the middle of the photo is a lone Cormorant battling against the wind. Gives the photo a bit of scale! Imagine now how small a Leach's Petrel would look on the same photo... The other photo is a view towards the south end of the island.


Middle Eye from Hilbre.