A Captive Audience

Plover & Dunlin on Hilbre

Saturday saw Rhodie, Indira and I taking a stroll over to Hilbre Island for a high tide Birdwatch with the Wirral Coastal Rangers and the RSPB.  It was not long on the walk over before we began to see groups of Dunlin, Ringed Plovers, Turnstones and Oystercatchers on the mudflats.

Incoming Oystercatchers

In fact a small group of Dunlin flew straight across our path, magical!  Three Little Egrets were in one of the channels and we soon became aware of a common tern flying over our heads.  On to the islands and the sun appeared from behind the clouds turning it into a lovely day, not too hot but warm enough to bring the butterflies out,

Peacock

lots of Peacocks looking stunning on the thistles and a couple of Graylings ( a seaside speciality) mating.  Moving on to the lifeboat station at the far end of the island for the sea watch we saw lots of Little and Sandwich Terns dive bombing into the water for fish and sand eels.  A distant Great Crested Grebe was spotted whilst groups of small waders flew by closely and too quickly for Rhodie to get her camera on them.  After lunch at the rangers base where tea and coffee were provided, we went down the steps on the far side of the island where we managed to get close to a group of Dunlin and Ringed Plovers resting on the rocks. 

The ever observant common seals - throw us a fish!

A small flock of Linnets were seen too and a couple of Meadow Pipits. Back to the lifeboat station we arrived just in time to see a couple of Harbour Porpoises frolicking about in the sea.  Next on to the observatory where an informative talk was given on the importance of the island and the ringing work that is done there. Time to head back and one more treat in store in the form of a Whimbrel feeding amongst the rocks.

 A wonderful if tiring day but well worth the time and effort.

Ann (Tomo)

All pics - Rhodie Blythe