Monday 3 November 2008

3rd November 2008



















Clear overhead with a light north easterly and heavy mist at last produced an excellent morning of migration, including thrushes on the ground (15 blackbirds, 6 Song Thrushes, 5 Redwings) and a long list of finch species : 9 Greenfinch, 18 Goldfinch, 34 Chaffinch, 4 Redpoll, 2 Siskin, 3 Brambling, 6 Linnets, also 80 Starlings, 45 Meadow Pipits, 2 Reed Bunting, 8 Skylarks, 2 Pied Wagtails and a Dunnock.
Highlight of the day however was a flock of 7 Long-tailed Tits that toured every bush on the island until they eventually all landed in a mist net at the same time (together with 2 Goldcrests) in the old obs. garden. Long-tailed Tits average less than one sighting per year on Hilbre, and so this was quite an event for the ringers present.



Off island visitors were a female or immature Eider close into the west side and a Little Egret down the east gutter.
Late afternoon 80 Pinkfeet geese flew south east and just before dusk 160 landed on the east hoyle bank. Many Pipistrelles flying in the fading light were found by the bat detector.
Fingers crossed the next few days with similar weather conditions will be equally as productive.
Birds ringed were 7 Long-tailed Tits, 6 Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes, 2 Chaffinches and 2 Goldcrests.
(DB,CJ,KMc,SRW) Photos by CJ & SRW

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