Here’s an old photo of visitors to Hilbre!
Posted on twitter by @oldpicposter this old photo captures some resting visitors on the island back in 1912. To be fair, if notes on the back of the photo didn’t say otherwise, it’d be tricky to confirm that it is indeed Hilbre.
Can you tell if it is Hilbre, Middle or Little Eye?
The above photograph is indeed the main island of Hilbre and was clearly taken on the west side of the island facing the West Hoyle sandbank.. As a regular bird watching visitor during the late 1950’s, 60’s and early seventies I can effectively vouch for this. The area has seemingly changed little during the 100 plus year period since the photo was taken apart from excellent routine maintenance work carried out by the group known as “Friends of Hilbre,” who regularly do their best maintain the slowly eroding sandstone mass we know as Hilbre Island.
In the 50’s and 60’s there were far more day visitors to the islands, especially Hilbre, where young folk would frequently “sit out” the tide, returning to West Kirby during the afternoon or early evening. Nowadays there appears to be perhaps too many choices and it’s predominantly stalwarts and nature lovers make the journey. To quote Bob Dylan “The times they are a changin.”
Interestingly both Seal and Cormorant numbers have rocketed at the mouth of the Dee over the last 50 years, which gives an indication perhaps of the increase in fish population over the years and an arguably healthier environment. Long may it continue.