Spurn Bird Observatory Sightings January 2022
With so many birders covering the Spurn area it is always helpful for us to get as many records submitted to us as possible. Please try to send in sightings on the same day so we can get them added to the log.
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Monday, 31 January 2022
A cold bright day with a F6 north westerly. Watches: 0750-1015. A couple of days of strong winds, big tides and brutal destructive seas saw much damage to the Warren area, in particular the area by the Heligoland trap which has been in place since 1946.
Birding wise it was difficult, the best a Snow Bunting in Kilnsea. Other bits included a Tufted Duck, 2 Goldeneye, 19 Little Grebe, 3 Little Egret, 33 Black-tailed Godwit, 374 Redshank and a Barn Owl.
Over the sea 133 Kittiwake was a good count.
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Big brutal clay ripping breakers. Harry Appleyard.
Clay eroding waves. Bethan Clyne.
Broken. Jonny Fisk.
Teetering. Jonny Fisk.
Maybe its last ever capture? Jo Fisk.
1946-2022. Jonny Fisk.
Sunday, 30 January 2022
A bright start, clouding over with an increasing F1-6 north westerly. Watches: 0745-1000.
Highlights from the day were 32 Snow Bunting blogging around the area, 2 Jack Snipe, 40 Snipe and 5 Woodcock in Northfield, while 4 Stonechat were in the area.
The Kilnsea wetlands area had 500 Wigeon, 63 Teal a Goldeneye, 26 Little Grebe and 20 Black-tailed Godwit.
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Teal. Tony Hull.
Snow Buntings over the triangle. Harry Appleyard.
Saturday, 29 January 2022
Sunny spells with a strong F6 westerly. Watches: 0745-1015, 1315-1545.
The 25 Snow Bunting were again mobile around the triangle, with another 14 at the gas terminal maybe different? Elsewhere a Jack Snipe in North field along with 35 Snipe and 3 Woodcock. There was some good movement over the sea with 134 Red-throated Diver, a Fulmar, 4 Gannet, 9 Kittiwake, 32 Black-headed Gull, 701 Herring Gull, 30 Guillemot and 524 Large Auk sp.
The usual decent birding around Kilnsea wetlands produced 320 Brent Geese, a Pale-bellied Brent, 5 Shoveler, 505 Wigeon, a Goldeneye, a Short-eared Owl and 3 Stonechat.
Ringing: 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Woodcock, 1 Reed Bunting.
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Wigeon. Tony Hull.
Shoveler. Tony Hull.
Fox. Tony Hull.
Friday, 28 January 2022
Sunny spells with a F1-3 south westerly. Watches: 0745-1100.
The best of the day were 23 Snow Bunting wandering the area, 3 Siberian Chiffchaff again at the sewage works, while a Large Shearwater flew north with the sea also having 15 Teal, 3 Common Scoter, 168 Red-throated Diver, a Gannet and 4 Cormorant.
Kilnsea wetlands held all the usuals with decent counts for some with a Pale-bellied Brent, 628 Wigeon, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Goldeneye, 28 Little Grebe, a Marsh Harrier and 4 Black-tailed Godwit.
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Siberian Chiffchaff. John Hewitt.
Siberian Chiffchaff. John Hewitt.
Thursday, 27 January 2022
A bright sunny cold day with a F5-2 south westerly. Watches: 0750-1015.
It was another good day of sightings with noteable increases for some with 760 Wigeon on Kilnsea wetlands and 780 Lapwing near terminal wood, while one of the Black Redstart was at the gas terminal, 14 Snow Bunting remained in the area and a Jack Snipe in Easington.
The Kilnsea wetlands area held 300 Grent Geese, a Pale-bellied Brent, 2 Whooper Swan, 22 Mute Swan, 2 Tufted Duck, a Goldneye, 23 Little Grebe, 4 Little Egret, 11 Black-tailed Godwit and a Short-eared Owl.
Ringing: 1 Robin, 2 House Sparrow.
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Brent Geese. John Hewitt.
Dunlin. John Hewitt.
Wednesday, 26 January 2022
Sunny start clouding over and cold in the F3-4 westerly. Watches: 0750-1015.
It was another decent day of sightings in the area with 3 Siberian Chiffchaff again at the Easington sewage worls, a Black Redstart nearby on the gas terminal rocks, while the juvenile White-fronted Goose remained among the 12 Pink-footed Geese and another great count of 34 Little Grebe (32 beacon ponds, 2 borrow pit).
Other bits of note were 130 Shelduck and 115 Black-tailed Godwit on the Humber and 4 Stonechat around the area.
Ringing: 1 Moorhen, 2 Starling.
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White-fronted Goose with Pink-footed Geese. John Hewitt.
White-fronted Goose with Pink-footed Geese. John Hewitt.
Sparrowhawk. John Hewitt.
Sparrowhawk. John Hewitt.
Tuesday, 25 January 2022
A grey cold and damp day with a F3 westerly. Watches: 0755-1015.
Highlights from the day included 14 Snow Bunting still gracing the area, the Caspian Gull again on Kilnsea wetlands, the juvenile White-fronted Goose on Easington striaght and a Jack Snipe on Beacon ponds.
Ringing: 2 Moorhen, 1 Starling.
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Jack Snipe. John Hewitt.
Jack Snipe. John Hewitt.
Short-eared Owl. Lawrence Middleton.
Monday, 24 January 2022
Grey dull and cold with a F3 westerly. Watches: 0750-1050.
Not a bad day overall with some decent birding still to be had in the area, The Black Redstart was again on the rocks on the seaward side of the gas terminal, 14 Snow Bunting wandering the area, 2 Whooper Swan, the juvenile White-fronted Goose with 11 Pink-footed Geese on Easington straight with a Caspian Gull nearby on Kilnsea wetlands.
The KIlnsea wetlands area also held 400 Wigeon, a Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, 29 Little Grebe, 2 Little Egret, 94 Lapwing, 2 Short-eared Owl and 4 Stonechat.
Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Starling, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Yellowhammer, 10 House Sparrow.
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Marsh Harrier. Lawrence Middleton.
Sunday, 23 January 2022
Overcast and damp in the chilly F3 South westerly. Watches: 0800-1030.
Another day of generally mild weather and overall little change bird wise with the White-fronted Goose still on easington stright, 16 Snow Bunting wandering the area, 2 Great Northern Diver over the sea and the WEBS count while unremarkable dug out 2 Jack Snipe, 3 Snipe, a Woodcock and a good total of 3244 Oystercatcher..
Just west of the area a Great White Egret was at Skeffling and 2 Black Brant hybrids in the Brent flock plus a Pale-bellied Brent.
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Little Egret and Grey Heron. Hazel Wiseman.
Saturday, 22 January 2022
Frosty start, bright and sunny with a F1 north westerly. Watches: 0745-1645.
It was a busy day working on the seawatch hide as the finishing touches were completed. The days birding highlights were 2 Great Northern Diver and 206 Red-throated Diver over the sea, 19 Snow Bunting in the area and 2 Siberian Chiffchaff at the sewage works.
Other bits of note were 435 Wigeon, 134 Teal, a Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck and 28 Little Grebe around Kilnsea wetlands, a Woodcock in Easington and 5 Stonechat in the area.
Ringing: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Blackbird, 1 Robin, 5 Starling, 1 Dunnock, 5 House Sparrow, 2 Chaffinch.
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Stonechat. Harry Appleyard.
Snow Hazel Wiseman.
Completing the hide. Jonnie Fisk.
Steve Exley.
Friday, 21 January 2022
Bright and sunny with a cold F4 north westerly. Watches: 0750-1010.
It was a nice day all round with a few headline birds about the best being a showy Great Northern Diver on Beacon ponds giving fantastic views and seranading us with its mournful calls. Elsewhere 24 Snow Bunting in the Warren-breach area, a Shorelark flew west at Sammy's (no records last year), 2 Whooper Swan on Easington straight and 2 White-fronted Geese, one of which flew north with ome Pink-feet.
Some other bits of note among the usuals were a Woodcock in Easington, 1 Mistle Thrush at Driftwood and 3 Stonechat.
Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Redwing.
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Great Northern Diver. John Hewitt.
Great Northern Diver. John Hewitt.
Great Northern Diver. John Hewitt.
Great Northern Diver. John Hewitt.
Great Northern Diver. John Hewitt.
Thursday, 20 January 2022
Sunny, becoming overcast and cool in the F4 north westerly. Watches: 0750-1005.
Little change overall, the juvenile White-fronted Goose remaining with the 8 Pink-footed Geese on Easington straight.
Over the sea it was 'as usual' quiet with the best being 26 Pink-footed Geese, a Pintsil, 11 Kittiwake and 200 Common Gull, while the Kilnsea wetlands area held 400 Wigeon, 125 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Goldeneye, 25 Little Grebe and 2 Little Egret plus a Short-eared Owl and Little Owl.
Ringing: 1 Water Rail.
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Wigeon. John Hewitt.
Dunlin. John Hewitt
White-fronted Goose (right) with Pink-footed Geese. John Hewitt.
Wednesday, 19 January 2022
Sunny spells but cool in the F4 north westerly. Watches: 0750-1220.
The juvenile White-fronted Goose remained on Easington straight with 8 Pink-footed Geese, a Black Redstart was at the gas terminal, 3 Siberian Chiffchaff at the sewage works and 2 Mediterranean Gull flew north over the sea.
The best of the rest were an Eider, a Shag and 11 Kittiwake over the sea and 2 Pochard, 4 Tufted Duck and 2 Goldeneye on Kilnsea wetlands among all the usuals.
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Buzzard 'shadowed' by Lapwing. John Hewitt.
Mallard. John Hewitt.
Tuesday, 18 January 2022
It was a decent day about the area with a few bits on offer, the best being a juvenile White-fronted Goose on Easington straight with 8 Pink-footed Geese plus 11 Snow Bunting at the breach and a good count of 67 Skylark on Easington straight.
The best of the other sightings mainly came from the Kilnsea wetlands area with 14 Shoveler, 123 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Goldeneye, 27 Little Grebe and a Mediterranean Gull.
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Mediterranean Gull. Steve Clipperton.
Monday, 17 January 2022
Bright and sunny with a F2 south westerly. Watches: 0745-1115.
A pleasant day with some decent birding the best being 2 Long-tailed Duck north over the sea, 3 Siberian Chiffchaff again at the sewage works, the 13 Snow Bunting at the breach and a good count of 31 Little Grebe at Beacon ponds.
Other bits of note were 2 Whooper Swan on Easington straight, 2 Pochard, 3 Goldneye and a Short-eared Owl around Kilnsea wetlands and 25 Pink-footed Geese on the move.
Ringing: 3 Blackbird, 1 Robin, 1 Blue Tit, 4 House Sparrow, 1 Bullfinch, 2 Chaffinch.
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Pink-footed Goose. John Hewitt.
Sunday, 16 January 2022
Sunny spells and a F4 south westerly. Watches: 0800-1400.
Yet again few sightings with the work party still busy around the Warren and Beacon ponds. Huge thanks to everyone for volunteering over the weekend. Bird wise the best of the day were the 13 Snow Bunting at the breach while over the sea 40 Pink-footed Geese, a Shelduck, 1 Tufted Duck and 18 Red-throated Diver.
Ringing: 2 Fieldfare, 1 Blackbird.
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Little Egret and Grey Heron. John Hewitt.
Stonechat, John Hewitt.
Saturday, 15 January 2022
Foggy and cloudy with a F4 south westerly. Watches: 0900-1000.
A busy day for the work party at the Warren and at Beacon ponds with so much being achieved. It was nice to see some new faces among the usuals. Thanks for giving up your time to help out.
With eveyone so busy few bits were seen so 10 Shoveler over the sea and 3 Stonechat, 2 Goldcrest, 11 Fieldafre and 3 Redwiing were about the best.
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Male Stonechat. John Hewitt.
Friday, 14 January 2022
Sunny but chilly in the F4 south wessterly. Watches: 0730-1000.
The 13 Snow Bunting again at the breach and 3 Siberian Chiffchaff at the sewage works were the pick of the day.
Elsewhere 500 Pink-footed Geese, 17 Shoveler, 138 Teal, a Pochard, 1 Tufted Duck, 3 Goldeneye, 28 Little Grebe,12 Black-tailed Godwit and a Short-eared Owl were the best of the Kilnsea wetlands and Sammy's area and a small increase of Thrushes was evident with 71 Blackbird, 61 Fieldfare and 6 Song Thrush.
Ringing: 1 Blackbird.
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Snow Bunting. John Hewitt.
Snow Bunting. John Hewitt.
Thursday, 13 January 2022
A bright and sunny day with a F3 south westerly. Watches: 0745-0915.
The best of todays sightings were from the Kilnsea wetlands area with 300 Wigeon, 125 Teal, 2 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, a Goldeneye, 20 Little Grebe, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Stonechat and a Short-eared Owl.
Ringing: 1 Blue Tit, 4 Blackbird, 1 Chaffinch, 3 House Sparrow, 2 Starling.
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Mute Swans. John Hewitt.
waders over the Humber. Harry Appleyard.
Grey Seal. Harry Appleyard.
Roe Deer. Harry Appleyard.
Wednesday, 12 January 2022
Bright and sunny with a F3 south westerly. Watches: 0740-1020.
The best of the day were 13 Snow Bunting at the breach, a Red Kite which eventually headed south and the 2 Siberian Chiffchaff still present at the sewage works.
Other bits worthy of note included a Pintail, 22 Teal, 58 Red-throated Diver over the sea and 2 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck and 3 Goldeneye omn Kilnsea wetlands.
Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Tree Sparrow.
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Snow Bunting. Harry Appleyard.
Snow Buntings. Harry Appleyard.
Red Kite. Harry Appleyard.
Waders over a sunny Humber. Harry Appleyard.
Tuesday, 11 January 2022
Overcast with a F3 westerly. Watches: 0800-1000.
It was another much the same day, the best of which were 3 Jack Snipe at the borrow pit, the Cetti's Warbler still in the triangle and 2 Siberian Chiffchaff at the sewage works.
Ringing: 1 Song Thrush.
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Monday, 10 January 2022
A Cattle Egret near the riding schoool ended up at Kilnsea wetlands and while still rare in our area, it has been recorded each year since 2019 and expected to become more regular with increasing sightings in the county.
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Cattle Egret with a Sheep. Lawrence Middleton.
Cattle Egret. Lawrence Middleton.
Cattle Egret. Lawrence Middleton.
Sunday, 09 January 2022
Early frost then bright and sunny with a F2-3 Westerly. Watches: 0745-1015.
Not much change overall with the 2 Siberian Chiffchaff still by the sewage works, a Chiffchaff in Kilnsea and the 3 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck and 3 Goldeneye still on Kilnsea wetlands.
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Sparrowhawk. Thomas Willoughby.
Saturday, 08 January 2022
Overcast with rain and a F4-5 south westerly. Watches: 0800-1000.
Some good counts during the day, the best being 556 Black-tailed Godwit in the area, 73 Pintail off Sammy's, 550 Brent Geese with a Pale-bellied Brent and the Barnacle Goose still present.
Other sightings were much the same with the 3 Pochard, 3 Goldeneye and 500 Wigeon on Kilnsea wetlands.
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Barnacle Goose with Waders and Greylag Goose on Kilnsea wetlands. John Hewitt.
Barnacle Goose. John Hewitt.
Friday, 07 January 2022
Sunny spells with a cold F4-5 south westerly. Watches: 0800-1015.
Highlight from the day were 12 Snow Bunting at the breach, 3 Whooper Swan on beacon ponds, the Barnacle Goose still about the area and a Great Northern Diver south over the sea.
Other bits of note were 3 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck and 4 Goldeneye around the area of Kilnsea wetlands, a Shag and Marsh Harrier heading south and 2 Little Gull north and 2 Stoenchat were at the gas terminal.
Ringing: 1 Fieldfare, 2 House Sparrow.
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Barn Owl. John Hewitt.
Curlew. John Hewitt.
Thursday, 06 January 2022
Bright and sunny with wintry showers and an increasing very cold F4-6 south westerly. Watches: 1230-1345.
Not a great day to be out, more damage this time to the road south of the Warren and overall not a great deal seen. A probable Glaucous Gull flew south but views were inconclusive, while most sightings came from the Kilnbsea wetlands area with 400 Brent Geese, 500 Wigeon, 100 Teal, 42 Mallard, 3 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, 4 Goldeneye and 5 Little Egret.
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Knot. Bethan Clyne. (From 31st)
Stock Doves. John Hewitt.
Showing destruction of road and waves over the breach from previous day. Steve Exley.
Wednesday, 05 January 2022
Frosty start, sunny spells and a F406 north westerly. Watches: 0800-1000, 1355-1505.
A cold day with big swell over the sea saw damage to the peninsula with the seawatch hide recieving some wave battering and repairs will be needed. Birdwise the day saw a female Hen Harrier wandered the area and the Barnacle Goose remained in the triangle, while the Pale-bellied Brent reamioned among the Brent Geese flock..
The best of the sea were 11 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Eider, a Medieterranean Gull and 187 Herring Gull heading south.
Little change in the Kilnsea wetlands area with 3 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, 4 Goldeneye, 6 Little Egret, 24 Black-tailed Godwit and a Short-eared Owl.
Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 2 House Sparrow.
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Hen Harrier. John Hewitt.
Hen Harrier. John Hewitt.
Sea watch hide being battered. Steve Exley.
Damaged to the hide. Paul Willoughby.
Tuesday, 04 January 2022
Frosty start, soon bright and sunny with a F2-4 north westerly. Watches: 0815-1000.
The Barnacle Goose and Cetti's Warbler were again in the triangle and at least 1 Siberian Chiffchaff at the sewage works with a Chiffchaff, while a small increase in grounded birds saw 2 Woodcock, 46 Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush and 3 Stonechat in the area.
Some decent sightings from the Kilnsea wetlands area saw 518 Wigeon, 2 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck and 4 Goldeneye coiunted.
Ringing: 3 House Sparrow.
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Goldeneye. John Hewitt.
Goldeneye. John Hewitt.
Monday, 03 January 2022
Bright and sunny with a F5-6 south westerly. Watches: 0830-1015.
It was just about 'as you were' with pretty much all the same bird present, including the Barnacle Goose and Cetti's Warbler in the triangle, 2 Siberian Chiffchaff at the sewage works and a Black Redstart at the gas terminal.
Up in the Kilnsea wetlands area the 2 Pochard and 2 Tufted Duck were still about along with a Pale-bellied Brent.
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Black Redstart. Colin Bushell.
Sunday, 02 January 2022
A bright sunny day and a F4-6 south westerly. Watches: 0735-0900.
It was the Michael Clegg memorial bird race with teams on foot and by bike around the area and bird wise a similar day to the previous with the Barnacle Goose and Cetti's Warbler still in the triangle and the 2 Siberian Chiffchaff and a Chiffchaff at the sewage works, but 3 Black Redstart at the gas termional is probably a winter record count.
Grounded migrants included 2 Woodcock, a Goldcrest, 4 Redwing and a Siskin, while the best of birds on the move were a Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Wigeon, 12 Common Scoter and a Siskin.
Little cgange at Kilnsea wetlands though there are now 2 Pochard, 8 Little Egret and 28 Little Grebe.
Ringing: 1 Water Rail, 1 Moorhen, 2 Blackbird, 1 House Sparrow, 1 Siskin.
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Stonechats. Hazel Wiseman.
Saturday, 01 January 2022
Sunny spells and mild with a F4-6 south westerly. Watches: 0830-1000.
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ALL OF US AT SPURN.
The year got off to a good start with the 4 White-fronted Geese still in the triangle before flying south while a Barnacle Goose here also with the 180 Greylags. The day also saw 2 Snow Bunting fly south with 2 Siberian Chiffchaff and 2 Chiffchaff at Easington swage works and the Cetti's Warbler again in Sykes field.
The Kilnsea wetlands area was aagin alive with birds including 15 Shoveler, 4 Pintail, a Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Goldeneye, 16 Little Grebe, a Little Egret, 361 Curlew, 7 Black-tailed Godwit and 300 Redshank.
Some bits were on the move with 198 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Shoveler, 8 Wigeon, 6 Teal, a Red-throated Diver, 1 Shag, 7 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 2 Turnstone and 32 Black-headed Gull in/off.
Ringing: 1 Blackbird.
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White-fronted Geeese. Bethan Clyne.
Barnacle Goose. Colin Bushell.
