Hoylake Bird Observatory (4 Viewers)

After a couple of quiet days, migration started up again. 7 warblers caught of 5 species. Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler were new for the year. Sedge is just about annual as a garden bird for me, but it remains one of my favourite birds. I guess I should work out what the year list is.

Sedge warbler


Whitethroat



and one of the Chiffchaffs

I had three Tree Pipits down in the garden, only one found its way into a net, and it found a hole and escaped

89 species recorded for the year (Black Scoter being the stand out bird) , 28 species ringed, 340 in total - Chiffchaffs leading the way

A slow day today, but another surprise Sedge Warbler caught and ringed - now in danger of catching Grasshopper Warbler as the 5th commonest warbler species. The absolute MEGA news came in the form of an amphibian house tick. In 2019, for the last time, the beach in front of my house was treated with weedkiller to prevent natural succession. Last night this happened (it might wear thin when I can't sleep through it) >>> Dropbox <<< Louder than cars!

10+ male Natterjacks cavorting in the newly formed dune slacks - less build it and they shall come, more stop poisoning it and raking the arse of it, and they will return

Today was amazing for about 30 minutes just before dawn, in which I caught 3 Willow Warblers, a Blackcap and no fewer than 4 Sedge Warblers. And that was it. Imagine if I hadn't dragged myself out of bed at 4.45. Thats 6 Sedge Warblers this April and 12 ever in the garden (which has no reeds, sedges or even any wet bits)