Eye are both unpopulated, but Hilbre Island has a few houses, some of which are privately owned. Facilities The most southerly building on the islands is the Hilbre Bird Observatory, from which birds are continuously monitored in connection with a national network of observatories and ringing stations. In January 2011 it was announced that there would be no permanent ranger. Wirral Council said that they had had difficulty finding a ranger prepared to live without mains electricity or running water on the islands. There are two composting toilets and a rain shelter on the main island. Gallery See also Listed buildings in Hoylake References Bibliography External links The Friends of Hilbre Hilbre Island News Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory: Coastal Observatory Project, based around Hilbre Island and the Irish Sea Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory: Coastal Observatory Project, Hilbre Island webcam Parks and commons in the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral Uninhabited islands of England Tidal islands of England Local Nature Reserves in Merseyside River Dee, Wales Bird observatories in England Beaches of Merseyside