Alan H
@alanhilbre71.bsky.social
Hilbre Bird Observatory treasurer, birder, photographer. Mostly Wirral based.
Morning visit yesterday to @hilbrebirdobs.bsky.social was great to see returning Curlew BB-OBB. Ringed at Nordhorn Zoo (close to the Dutch border), Germany, on 12/06/2024. This was one of 30 juvenile Curlews released at Nordhorn Zoo in 2024. 13 Redshank arrived off the sea, with a Whimbrel.
Early start to get over for the tide @hilbrebirdobs.bsky.social payed off with a fantastic imm male Hen Harrier that came in off the sea. Spring migration continues with 3 Stonechat, a pair each of Starling,Stock Dove & Woodpigeon. 13 Purple Sand roosting. #UKbirding
Sunday pre tide visit @hilbrebirdobs found 13 Purple Sandpiper, 3 male and 1 female Eider and Peregrine. As the tide was rising the German colour ringed Curlew flew in. At WKML the pontoons held 280 Redshank, 3 Knot, 25 Turnstone and 3 Dunlin. #UKBirding
#ukbirding First Blackcap’s of the autumn in my West Kirby garden on Friday, a brief visit by a male closely followed by a female that fed on apples till dusk.
A small fall of Chiffchaff and Goldcrest @hilbrebirdobs.bsky.social this morning. 100 + Mipits moving, a Goosander below the Obs and the Slavonian Grebe on WKML on my way off the island.
This evenings Grey Phalarope at Hoylake, showing well on the East Hoyle. Great find by Tim Kinch. #ukbirding
Pair of Blackcap present in my West Kirby garden for the second week, Blackbirds and Jackdaws feeding on the apples and suet balls. #UKBirding
Thousands of Common Scoter passing @hilbrebirdobs.bsky.social yesterday with birds resting around the island also. #ukbirding
A weekend away in North Wales despite the heavy rain a few Redwing and Rook feeding close by. #ukbirding
Thousands of Knot and Dunlin during the Hoylake high tides this weekend. Good numbers of Grey Plover and Oystercatcher as well.
Fresh in off the sea @hilbrebirdobs.bsky.social this Starling found the first patch of grass to feed on,ignoring people as they passed by.
Great start to the day with a Barred Warbler caught and released by Jane Turner in her Hoylake garden. My second Wirral Barred Warbler after the 2014 West Kirby bird (also in a garden).
This autumns 3rd YBW @hilbrebirdobs.bsky.social this morning, was caught and ringed. A Sparrowhawk arrived hunting around the island, and another surprise raptor was a Red Kite that @steveonhilbre.bsky.social found at Little Eye on our way home.
Managed to connect with the Pale-legged Leaf Warbler @Bempton_Cliffs showing well at times and calling. A bonus Yellow Browed Warbler fed nearby.
Steppe Grey Shrike at Dunbar this afternoon, feeding well on wasps and other insects.
Early tide Saturday morning @hilbrebirdobs.bsky.social an imm Merlin spent the morning hunting Turnstone and Rock Pipits. A couple of Shag fed around the North end. 2 Raven on Middle Eye and a Peregrine briefly. 150 Pinkfeet south of Little Eye.
