The day started early with the sound of a singing Chiffchaff in the paddocks. Two Collared Doves appeared from 'Little Bunting Bush' from where they had perhaps roosted overnight. Three Goldfinches flew around the islands distracting the breeding Linnets momentarily from the busy day.
Wader numbers have dropped right off with no sign of Friday's Sanderling flock. However, a Turnstone strutted around the North End resplendant in its summer plumage finery.
19 Black-headed Gulls fed in the gutter as the early morning tide ebbed and were joined by four Little Egrets.
There was a slight increase Sandwich Terns seen today (35) but little else of note on the sea.
The weather was stunning and this helped produce the first Common Blue butterfly of the year in the Heli paddock (see header photo above). However, the weather also brought out the crowds to Weat Kirby beach and beyond.
The Obs was visited by member Chris Gittins and his extended family today - in part to mark Chris's 90th birthday recently but also to remember his brother John ('JCG') who was a founder member and stalwart of Hilbre Bird Observatory between 1957 and 2001.
John Gittins (see above) was such an influence on many of our members over the years it was great for one of our junior members to meet his brother Chris today and for some of the younger members of the Gittins family to hear about his influence on the Observatory.
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