What to Expect

April and May are wonderful months for bird watching on Hilbre. They are the peak migration months for the spring for returning summer migrants that have wintered in Africa and are returning to the UK and Northern Europe.

It could be argued that they are better than the autumn months at Hilbre because there is a greater diversity of species recorded, but each season has it’s specialities.

Early April brings the first returning Willow Warblers and Wheatears (of the Northern Race) through Hilbre and if the weather conditions are right for the island (light south-east wind and overcast or mist at dawn) then these species can occur in large numbers (over 100 Willow Warblers and up to 50 Wheatears) at any time from early April right through to mid-May

The first wave of Ring Ouzels often occurs during late March or early April and in recent years the first two weeks of April have produced the first returning Ospreys passing Hilbre. This species is being recorded with increasing regularity through the Dee Estuary and it seems likely that these birds are returning British breeders whereas the later ones recorded in late April and early May are likely to be Scandinavian breeders or non-breeding British birds.

Sea watching at this time of the year can be surprisingly productive. An easterly wind (preferably north-east) will almost certainly produce good numbers of Little Gulls. The first Gannets, Terns and Arctic Skuas of the year are often recorded in April. Scarce divers (in particular Black-throated) and Grebes (Red-necked, Black-throated and Slavonian) are often recorded at this time of the year in glorious summer plumage.

As April progresses, the species of migrants changes with good numbers of finches, Meadow Pipits and White Wagtails early in the month giving way to Tree Pipits, Yellow Wagtails, Whinchats and Greenland Wheatears by late April/early May. Grounded migrants also appear with more regularity with Chiffchaff and Goldcrests early in the month giving way to Redstarts, Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats appearing amongst Willow Warblers as well as the odd Garden Warbler by early May.

The second wave of Ring Ouzels, these being Scandinavian birds, occurs ,I late April/early May. These striking birds are often seen in the short cropped grass on the west side of Hilbre or Middle Eye.

By mid May, the island can be awash with the colour of wild flowers. By this time, the Tern numbers increase with the arrival of Little Terns, adding to the already present Common, Sandwich and Roseate which have arrived earlier in the month.

Raptors also pass through Hilbre at this time of the year with Sparrowhawks being seen regularly and Marsh Harriers are an annual event at the end of April/ beginning of May. Osprey have historically been a May bird although this appears to be changing.

By late May, numbers of common migrants have dropped off but species such as Spotted Flycatcher and Garden Warbler occur.