Hugh’s News – 9 August 2020

Last Monday I ventured out to Hilbre for the first time this year.  As I left West Kirby, the sky looked threatening but the weather soon improved and I enjoyed my time there over the high tide.  There were 2 families staying in the houses there, otherwise I had the island to myself. Oh, apart from the birds and grey seals of course!

A pair of Cormorants had settled on the north end, until the rising tide flushed them off.  At the south end, a mix of Sanderling, Dunlin and Ringed Plover roosted over the high tide.  The Sanderling were mid-moult sporting a mix of grey and reddish feathers, quite different from the pale, full winter plumage we are more used to.  The Dunlin were mostly black-bellied still too.  One photo below shows a group of browner Dunlin with a single, greyer Sanderling amongst them – can you pick it out?

On the beach at Hoylake a group of Starlings was busy feeding.  I am not sure what they were finding, maybe sand flies, but every time they were flushed by passers-by they kept returning.  Amongst the flock were young birds with a mix of juvenile brown feathers and black adult feathers – making them look slightly odd but also quite stunning, I think.

At Burton Mere Wetlands, a pair of Egyptian Geese took up residency over the summer, but they do not appear to have bred.  They were busy eating the water-lily flowers on the Mere however! These introduced birds can elicit a bit of a Marmite reaction amongst birders but they do look quite pretty close-up.

Bill took a photo of 2 of the Spoonbill that are frequenting the flashes at Parkgate. Up to 8 birds have been seen over the last week!

Brian Bishop has been busy during lockdown building some impressive bird tables. He assures me that the wine is for him, not the birds – a better choice than stockpiling toilet rolls!

Hugh Stewart