Tuesday 13 September 2016

13th September 2016

Weather: SSE 1-2, 6/8 cloud, muggy, heavy rain arrived 1.30pm


A lovely morning greeted observers who had stayed overnight but there were again very few migrants to be seen with single Wheatear and Goldcrest present and a very small Robin passage (4 birds).


A few of the local Swallows remain around the islands taking advantage of the unusually warm September weather and drinking from the guttering around the buildings before the rain arrived.
 

A single Whimbrel was heard and seen and later 80+ Curlew were noted and there was an increase in Redshank to 47 which were harrassed along with Oystercatchers by an immature Peregrine.


Late morning we said goodbye to our visitors and friends Tim Cleeves (previous Hilbre custodian - see below doing the log call last night) and Steve Holliday.


At around 1245pm a ringtail Hen Harrier was noticed flying west high over Middle Eye as one observer approached from the mainland just before the rain arrived from Wales.  Apologies for the poor record shots but the bird was distant and flying away from the observer!  However, it is the first record of any harrier species at the Obs this year.



Ringed:  Robin & Linnet [363-27]

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