The Birds
The birds of Hilbre fall roughly into four main categories:

1. Hilbre specialities such as Purple Sandpipers. Although not rare, these birds are not particularly common and the seaweed-covered rocks around Hilbre provide an ideal habitat.
2. The more common estuary birds - most importantly at high tide when vast flocks of Knot, Dunlin and Oystercatcher roost on the rocks which remain above the water.
3. Then there are the land migrants. During spring and autumn large falls of birds can be seen, particularly with the right weather conditions.
4. Last are the seabirds - terns, divers, auks, Gannets, skuas and petrels to name but a few.

The Observatory
All these birds are studied by the Hilbre Bird Observatory established in 1957 by John Gittins of West Kirby. Although not manned continually the Observatory has amassed a huge amount of data and a report is issued annually. This includes seal and mammal counts and lists of butterflies and moths as well as the birds. A ringing station is maintained and approximately 24,000 birds of 90 species have been ringed since 1957. Sea-watches are carried out from the hide on top of the old Lifeboat Station on the north end of the island. The hide is often manned from dawn to dusk and as the best observations are made in gale force winds it takes much dedication and stamina!

The Waders
Good numbers of wading birds are present from August to April with the largest numbers between October and February. Many of these birds can be seen at low tide with Purple Sandpipers and Turnstones particularly favouring the seaweed-covered rocks surrounding the islands. Both the nearby sand bank at West Kirby and the rocks on the islands are used as high tide roosts when spectacular numbers may be present. During a high spring tide the birds will be driven off the sand bank and many large flocks fly over, either on their way to the Point of Ayr or further up the river to more secure roosts.

Migrating Land Birds
Spring migration peaks between the last week in April to about 10th May. In favourable conditions, south-east to south-west winds with cloud cover, large falls of birds can be seen. Insectivorous birds, including warblers, migrate at night and tend to arrive on the island at dawn. They usually leave by 9am so unfortunately most people visiting Hilbre during the day miss all the excitement.
Autumn migration tends to be more drawn out lasting from early August to well into September. East to north-east winds are favoured, particularly for young Willow Warblers in August. Rarities turn up from time to time including Woodchat Shrike, Hoopoe, Woodlark, Blue-headed Wagtail, Nightingale and Icterine Warbler.

Sea-Watching
No doubt that the best time of year is August and September, but any time can bring unusual and rare visitors flying past. August brings the terns - Little, Common and Sandwich in particular. On a good day hundreds can be seen passing through. September is the time for gales, which in their turn bring Leach’s Petrels. Several days of north to north-west gales can bring hundreds into Liverpool Bay. They get funnelled into the mouth of the Mersey whence they fly along the north coast of Wirral and out past the north end of Hilbre. Good conditions for petrels are usually also good for other birds such as skuas and some of the rarer shearwaters. Other regulars include Gannets, divers, sea ducks of various sorts, grebes, auks, Kittiwakes and a good selection of gulls.

How to get there
Start from the slipway at the end of Dee Lane in West Kirby, Merseyside. Walk straight out to Little Eye then turn sharp right to the north leaving the rocks to your right. Ahead is Little Hilbre and beyond Hilbre itself, a track on the south end takes you onto the island. Always check the time of the next high tide. It takes about one hour to walk to the main island. If visiting during low tide it is essential that you return to dry land no later than two hours before high water. If staying over a high tide leave West Kirby at least three hours before high water, three and a half hours if you have slow walkers such as young children.