Hilbre Island

It was a tough day today on Hilbre. It felt like it should have been good, with south easterly winds, the threat of squally showers and migrants massing on the east coast. Unfortunately nobody told the birds.

There was a decent passage of Swallows and House Martins, but just a couple of Willow Warblers, a Wheatear and a handful of Lesser Redpolls were all that we had to show when I left at 11am, after nearly five hours on the island. Still, it's the quiet days like this which make the good days so much fun!

Highlight of the day was the arrival of six Mute Swans, which hung around for about an hour, at first feeding in the channel to the east of the island (presumably on seaweed), and later asleep on the sand. Also two Peregrines, a single drake Common Scoter, three Whimbrel and at least 60 Gannets out at sea.

Lots of great flowers, including Bladder Campion, Thrift and Bluebells.



Thrift


Bladder Campion


Common Scoter

Mute Swans