April 2006

Another quiet day at Spurn, apart from a very good outward passage of Arctic Terns. It was a bright sunny morning clouding over by early afternoon, the wind was a light north-easterly veering east and then south-east by late afternoon. It started to rain before dark.

On the sea were: 5 Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver, 13 Fulmar, 22 Gannet, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 12 Little Gull, 13 Kittiwake, 16 Sandwich Tern, 3 Common Tern, 974 Arctic Terns flying out of the Humber heading east. 8 Guillemot. Visible migration was just a trickle, with the following birds moving south; 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, a harrier sp. flew north at sea, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Stock Dove, 7 Wood Pigeon, 5 Swift, 2 Skylark, 22 Sand Martin, 92 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 2 Tree Pipit, 16 flava Wagtail, 1 alba Wagtail, 9 Carrion Crow, 3 Rook, 3 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch, 32 Goldfinch, 94 Linnet.

Grounded birds were; 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 1Goldcrest. North of the area were 40 Yellow Wagtails and 3 Blue-headed Wagtails next to Long Bank Field.

A cold, but dry day in the moderate northerly wind, there was very little movement and very few grounded birds.

At sea were 3 Red-throated Diver, 24 Fulmar, 53 Gannet, 29 Kittiwake, 17 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Tern and 142 Arctic Terns flew out east. 57 Auk sp, 57 Guillemot and 1 Razorbill.

Birds moving south included; 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sand Martin, 4 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 3 flava Wagtail, 2 Rook, 1 Goldfinch, 9 Linnet. Grounded birds were; a Long-eared Owl at Kew, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Wheatear, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 20 Whitethroat, 5 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 4 Siskin. Ringing; just single Long-eared Owl, Wheatear, Siskin, Greenfinch and Goldfinch.

A stiff northerly wind induced some movement at sea but little in the way of southerly passage and grounded migrants, although with plenty of sunshine it was rather pleasant out of the wind.

Birds observed at sea included 2 Red-throated Diver, 50 Fulmar, 96 Gannet, a 1st summer Glaucous Gull on the Tank Blocks before drifting south down the Humber, 17 Kittiwake, 17 Sandwich Tern, 226 Arctic Tern out of the Humber, 39 Guillemot N.

Birds heading south overland were 5 Sand Martin, 5 Flava Wagtail, 2 Rook, 2 Goldfinch, 27 Linnet and the highlight of the day being another 2 Common Cranes going south after a bit of circling. New birds in were thin on the ground but of note were 2 Wigeon, 10 Teal and a male Scaup on the Humber, 11 Whimbrel, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 7 Wheatear, 2 Ring Ouzel (Blue Bell), a Redwing (Kew), 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, a Brambling (Warren) and a Siskin (Kew).

With a northerly wind passage was limited but plenty of warm sunshine after the cloud cleared leaving a rather quiet day with just one large highlight! Birds on the move today were 24 Common Scoter N, a Goosander out, a Little Gull out, 276 Arctic Tern out, 5 Sand Martin, 21 Swallow, 12 Flava Wagtail S, 7 Jackdaw & 15 Rook S.

Grounded birds included 2 Snipe (Clubley’s), 38 Black-tailed Godwit, a Cuckoo (Triangle) 1st of the year, 2 Short-eared Owl, 10 Yellow Wagtail, 9 Wheatear, a Fieldfare (Point), 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 20 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 8 Willow Warbler, 2 Siskin and the highlight of the day being a Hoopoe first seen near the Riverside Hotel and then around the Crown/Kew area before heading off up to Sammy’s.

Other birds north of the area were an Osprey over Sammy’s, a Spotted Redshank (Beacon Ponds) and a Blue-headed Wagtail also at Sammy’s.

With the wind in the west passage was a constant trickle, bright sunny spells encouraged birds to show well except for one individual. Birds heading south included single Grey-lag, Canada & Barnacle Geese, a Marsh Harrier, 5 Whimbrel, 6 Swift, 10 Skylark, 108 Sand Martin, 164 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 38 Flava Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 77 Rook, 56 Carrion Crow, 92 Goldfinch, 275 Linnet & a Yellowhammer.

Quiet at sea with the only notable sighting being a Little Gull S. Grounded birds a Great Spotted Woodpecker (Kew), 17 Yellow Wagtail, a Redstart (Little Hedge), a Whinchat in off the sea, 19 Wheatear, a Redwing (Point), the impossible to see Subalpine Warbler still at the point. 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 17 Whitethroat, a Garden Warbler (Kew) 1st of the year, 8 Blackcap, a Wood Warbler (Point), 3 Chiffchaff, 9 Willow Warbler, single Brambling, Siskin & Yellowhammer.

Butterflies on the wing included 2 Brimstone, a Holly Blue & a Green Hairstreak both new for the year, 8 Small Tortoiseshell, 18 Peacock and a Comma. A Streamer moth was trapped, being only the 6th record for Spurn.

A foggy start to the day but turned into a cloudy afternoon and a bright sunny evening with light SSE wind, veering SW and NW by the evening. A cracking day with some good passage, a decent grounding of common migrants with more first for the year, and a couple of rarities.

At sea were 3 Red-throated Divers, 5 Fulmar, 2 Gannet, 11 Lesser B.B.Gull, 8 Sandwich Tern, 1 Common, 3 Arctic and 10 Little Terns. Passage was good, with most typically moving south when the wind veered to the SW: 1 Little Egret, 1 Brent Goose, 4 Wigeon, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Hen Harrier (1 ringtail south, a male north over Church and a ringtail u-turning back north over the Triangle), 4 Kestrel, 2 Common Crane flew out SE at 13.15, 4 Stock Dove, 1 Swift (1st of year), 1 Skylark, 233 Sand Martin, 475 Swallow, 18 House Martin, 3 Meadow Pipit, 31 flava Wagtail, 2 alba Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 15 Rook, 14 Carrion Crow, 3 Chaffinch, 21 Greenfinch, 94 Goldfinch, 30 Siskin, 394 Linnet, 1 Redpoll, 1 Corn Bunting.

There was a good grounding of common migrants, including ; 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Swift, 2 Tree Pipit, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Black Redstart, 2 Common Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 83 Wheatear, 2 Sedge Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 16 Whitethroat, 10 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 54 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 1 Pied Flycatcher both in Church Field and both 1st for the year, 2 Brambling, 3 Siskin, 2 Lesser Redpoll. The warbler was much more vocal today but still as invisible, although it was seen flying away briefly, the song only matches Subalpine Warbler. North of the area 20 Wheatears were at Sammy’s and 52 in Long Bank grass field.

A clear start but clouding over early morning and foggy in the evening, the wind was E 2-3 for most of the day. A disappointing day compared to yesterday, with most birds clearing out overnight and very few new ones in.

On the sea were a Fulmar, a Kittiwake, 3 Sandwich and 5 Arctic Terns. Passage south was quiet with; 20 Sand Martin, 36 Swallow, 4 flava Wagtail, 2 alba Wagtail, 4 Rook, 16 Carrion Crow, 12 Greenfinch, 29 Goldfinch, 209 Linnet and a Yellowhammer.

Grounded birds included; a Water Rail at the Point, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Tree Pipits, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Black Redstart, 4 Wheatear, 15 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, 10 Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldrest, 2 Brambling and 3 Siskin. A probable Subalpine Warbler was heard singing for an hour early morning but despite our best efforts could not be seen, it will have to go down as the one that got away!

Another cloudy, murky start but clearing later in day. Still cold in the north-west veering north-east wind. It was a very good days birding with several new birds for the year and 6 Common Cranes flying south in two parties. On the sea were a Red-throated Diver, a Fulmar, 3 Gannet, 2 Cormorant, 2 sub-adult Long-tailed Skuas flew east out of the Humber over the Narrows, 6 Sandwich, 12 Arctic and 6 Little Terns.

Passage was a little lighter than yesterday, all south unless stated otherwise ; 2 Wigeon, 9 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Marsh Harrier, 6 Common Crane ( 2 at 14.30, 4 at 16.10), 10 Sand Martin, 62 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 4 alba Wagtail, 11 flava Wagtail, 17 Greenfinch, 16 Goldfinch, 335 Linnets. Grounded birds were; a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Short-eared Owl, 1 Tree Pipit, 60 Meadow Pipit, 13 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Blue-headed Wagtail in the Triangle, 3 White Wagtail, 2 Black Redstart at the Point, 3 Common Redstart, 49 Wheatear, 6 Ring Ouzel in the Triangle, 10 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 16 Willow Warbler including 2 acredula, 1 Goldcrest, 6 Brambling, 10 Siskin and 120 Linnet.

North of the area, were 46 Wheatear in the Sammy’s/ Long Bank area, 2 Blue-headed Wagtail at Long Bank Field and 3 at Sammy’s and a Common Buzzard and Reed Warbler at Sammy’s Point.

A cloudy start with light south-easterly winds, clouds clearing during the afternoon but remaining cool in the wind. Most of yesterdays Wheatears and Willow Warblers had cleared out, but a few more new birds had arrived At sea were 5 Red-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar, 8 Gannet, 6 Sandwich, 19 Common and 9 Little Terns.

Passage was slow to start with but picked up a little when the wind increased and birds moving south included; 7 Greylag Geese, a Canada Goose south then north, 2 Shoveler north, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard flew south as far as the Narrows before turning back north, 1 Kestrel, 1 Whimbrel, 18 Curlew out, 54 Sand Martin, 77 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 2 Meadow Pipit, 18 flava Wagtail, 3 alba Wagtail, 4 Rook, 1 Tree Sparrow, 16 Greenfinch, 69 Goldfinch, 679 Linnet and 4 Redpoll.

Grounded migrants were; 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Whimbrel, 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 11 Yellow Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Black Redstart at the Point, 1 Whinchat, 15 Wheatear, 1 Ring Ouzel along the Canal, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 1 Whitethroat, 8 Chiffchaff, 11 Willow Warbler, 3 Goldcrest, 1 Coal Tit, 7 Brambling, 4 Siskin. North of the area 7 White Wagtails were at Sammy’s Point.

Light northerly winds with fog and rain to start with, with the wind veering north-east late morning. A noticeable increase in grounded migrants, in particular Wheatears and Willow Warblers and a few firsts for the year.

Very little moving at sea, just 2 Red-throated Divers and 3 Fulmars, 3 Sandwich, 9 Common and 15 Little Terns. Just a trickle of southerly passage; 1 Tufted Duck, 5 Sand Martin, 29 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 30 Meadow Pipit + 41 in, 1 flava Wagtail, 3 Rook, 3 Chaffinch, 7 Goldfinch, 3 Siskin and 37 Linnet.

Grounded birds were: 4 Greylag Geese, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpiper (1st of year), 2 Short-eared Owl, 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 1 Tree Pipit (1st of year), 14 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Blue-headed Wagtail in Walker Butts, 1 Whinchat in the Triangle (1st of year), 47 Wheatear, many of which were dropping in and then moving on. 1 Ring Ouzel in the Canal Zone, 21 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 48 Willow Warbler, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Bearded Tit on the Canal, 5 Brambling, 8 Siskin, 1 Redpoll. A Redstart was seen in Easington. Those of you coming down this weekend, don’t forget the report is now out!

Fog from dawn slowly cleared with heavy showers all day restricting visibility with little passage seen but a new few birds in but on the whole poor for the time of year in these weather conditions.

Grounded birds included a Water Rail (Wire Dump), 4 Short-eared Owl (3 Sheep Field), 2 House Martin, 15 Yellow Wagtail (Sunnycliff), 2 Wheatear (Point), a Ring Ouzel (Point), 12 Fieldfare (9 Point), a Grasshopper Warbler reeling at Sunnycliff, 5 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, a Goldcrest, a Coal Tit (Kew), 10 Brambling (7 Point), 12 Goldfinch (Kew), 8 Siskin, a Corn Bunting (Triangle), the Bearded Tit moved to the Warren, the parrot sp. from yesterday was at Kew today feeding on the sunflower seeds, very precariously, and was identified as a Orange-winged Amazon Parrot.

Other notable birds were 102 Black-tailed Godwit, a Whimbrel, 2 Little Tern blogging, 20 swallow S. North of the area there were 2 Pink-footed Geese (Long Bank) and 6 Wheatear.

With rain until midday and then showers grounded a good number of Wheatear plus a few other birds, with light winds passage was limited.

Grounded birds included 21 Yellow wagtail (3 Canal Scrape, 18 Sunnycliff), 40 Wheatear mostly of the Greenland race, a Fieldfare (Wire Dump), 2 Redwing (Chalk Bank), 3 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 6 Goldfinch (Church Field), 6 Siskin (Kew), a Lesser Redpoll (Church Field), the Bearded Tit was showing and calling at South Field Farm.

Other birds of note were a Black-throated Diver (Humber), 95 Black-tailed Godwit, a Greenshank, a Little Tern (Chalk Bank), a Short-eared Owl (Triangle) and a large Green Parrot sp. which had a blue/grey cap and thin red/yellow stripes on the wings. North of the area 41 Wheatear (35 Long Bank), 6 Yellow Wagtail (Sammie’s), and a Ring Ouzel (Beacon Lane). 36 birds were ringed today including 9 Wheatear, 1 Blackcap, 5 Siskin, and 10 Linnet.

A rather quiet day although there were bits and pieces to keep some interest.

Birds of note on land included a Jack Snipe (Clubley’s), 126 Black-tailed Godwit, a Short-eared Owl (Salt Marsh), 66 Meadow Pipit, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 18 Wheatear including 1 Greenland race, a Redwing (Point), 4 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler, a Coal Tit (Southfield Farm), a Corn Bunting (Triangle) and the Bearded Tit was still present around the Canal Scrape.

Birds at sea included 4 Red-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar N, 1 Gannet N, a Shag N, 5 Whimbrel S, 2 Little Tern S (1st of the year). 24 birds were ringed today including 2 Wheatear, a Song Thrush, 2 Chaffinch, 6 Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch. The strange Wagtail was still present at Sammy's point this afternoon with 11 Yellow Wagtail.

The day was killed by the weather as a force 5 W wind blew all day; just a trickle of movement and the odd new bird in but very little change overall.

Birds on the move included 12 Fulmar S, 6 Grey-lag Geese S, 22 Common Scoter S, 1 Whimbrel, 45 Curlew out E, 4 Stock Dove S, 3 Flava Wagtail S, 13 Rook S and 1 Lesser Redpoll S. New birds in were 3 Whimbrel, a Greenshank (Humber), a Long eared Owl (Canal Hedge), 6 Yellow Wagtail (Triangle), 12 Wheatear, a Fieldfare (Wire Dump), 1 Redwing (Lighthouse), 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Siskin (Kew), a Yellowhammer blogging, the Bearded Tit whizzing around the Canal area.

At Sammy’s there were 10 Wheatear, a Black Redstart, a Ring Ouzel and yesterdays odd Wagtail reappeared in the afternoon.

Another good day with some light passage and a good few birds to look at, in sunny spells with a moderate WNW-W wind. At sea 11 Red-throated Diver, 7 Fulmar, 4 Gannet, 2 Med Gull S, 5 Common Tern (3 out, 2 S), 5 Arctic Tern out (1st of the year) and 3 Guillemot were all that was observed. Birds heading south included a Sparrowhawk, a Little Ringed Plover (1st of the year), 3 Snipe, 10 Whimbrel, 2 Skylark, 53 Sand Martin, 40 Swallow, 3 Flava Wagtail, 7 Alba Wagtail, 9 Jackdaw, 15 Rook, 17 Chaffinch, 44 Greenfinch, 19 Goldfinch, 165 Linnet.

New birds in included a Little Egret landed in Little Hedge late in the afternoon, a Marsh Harrier N over the Triangle, 4 Yellow Wagtail and a White Wagtail (Walker Butts), 15 Wheatear, a Ring Ouzel (Point), 2 Fieldfare (Triangle), a Whitethroat (Point) 1st of the year, 2 Blackcap, 9 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler, 9 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest (Potato Fields/ Kew), 2 Coal Tit u-turned N at the Warren, 2 Siskin (Kew), a Yellowhammer (Warren) and the Bearded Tit was flying around the Canal area. A Brimstone was at the Warren.

North of the area at Sammy’s point good numbers of Curlew were coming out of the Humber and heading out east all day, up to 20 Wheatears were about in the evening and 13 Yellow Wagtail which contained a very interesting bird seemed to show features intermediate between Yellow and Citrine.

The first real arrival of the spring with a few firsts of the year, some light passage south in light SE winds and hazy sunshine after early rain had stopped.

Light passage south included 2 Sand Martin, 12 Swallow, 2 Flava Wagtail, 8 Tree Sparrow, 13 Chaffinch, 4 Goldfinch, 14 Siskin & 2 Yellowhammer and a Marsh Harrier went north.

At sea little was observed with 4 Red-throated Diver, 3 Fulmar, and 1 Gannet all S, 7 Cormorant, 2 Mallard and 2 Common Scoter S, 2 Sandwich Tern and a Common Tern (1st of the year) S. Grounded birds were the highlight today with a water Rail (Canal), 134 Black-tailed Godwit, a Whimbrel (Crown) & a Green Sandpiper (Church Field Pond) both 1st of the year, 4 Sand Martin, 3 Swallow, 1 House Martin (Canal Scrape), a continental Stonechat (Point), 16 Wheatear, 6 Ring Ouzel (1 Point, 2 Potato Fields/ Canal Hedge, 1 Church Field), 6 Fieldfare, 11 Song Thrush, 5 Redwing, 1 Sedge Warbler (Canal), 2 Blackcap (Kew), 9 Chiffchaff, the 1st Willow Warblers of the year with 9 scattered around, 7 Goldcrest, a Firecrest (Blue Bell), 2 Brambling, a Siskin (Kew), 2 Redpoll and the Bearded Tit showed again around the Canal Scrape area.

As per yesterday a few birds heading south in glorious sunshine but with a decreasing W wind with a trickle of new birds in giving a hint that spring may be just about here.

On the move south were a Grey Heron, 1 Pintail, 1 sand Martin, 3 Swallow, 12 Meadow Pipit, 2 Flava Wagtail, 7 Jackdaw, 23 Rook plus 4 in then NW, 42 Greenfinch, 4 Goldfinch, 9 Siskin, 113 Linnet.

New arrivals included a Short-eared Owl (Chalk Bank), 3 Sand Martin (Triangle), 4 Swallow, a White Wagtail (Walker Butts), a Redwing (Kew), a Sedge Warbler along the Canal singing, 2 Blackcap (Kew), 6 Goldcrest, a Firecrest (Canal Hedge) and a Yellowhammer blogging around. North of the area at Sammie’s there was 3 Wheatear & 4 Yellow Wagtail, another 2 at Long Bank and a Black Redstart in Kilnsea.

A few birds on the move to start with until the SW-W wind reached force 6 curtailed what little there was, although there was plenty of sunshine if nothing else.

At sea 5 Red-throated Diver, 10 Fulmar, 1 Gannet S, 1 Cormorant S, 2 Kittiwake S and 3 Guillemot S was all that was observed. Southerly passage included 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Merlin, 7 Swallow, 12 Meadow Pipit plus 5 in then NW, 8 Alba Wagtail, 22 Rook, 46 Greenfinch, 17 Siskin and 118 Linnet.

New birds in were 2 Teal (Canal), a Sand Martin (Triangle), a Swallow (Point), 1 Wheatear (Clubley’s), 2 Redwing (Chalk Bank), 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest and 2 Redpoll. 19 birds were ringed today including 2 Robin, 5 Chaffinch, 7 Greenfinch, a Siskin and 3 Linnet.

With a moderate S-SW wind in charge today some southerly passage was observed, a few new birds were found, total cloud cover and some light rain appeared in the late afternoon.

Birds on the move south included 5 Grey-lag Geese plus 4 u-turned back north, 9 Common Scoter, a really tatty ring-tailed Hen Harrier u-turned back north at Wire Dump, 1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Stock Dove, 35 Wood Pigeon, 2 Sand Martin plus 4 N, 2 Swallow plus 6 N, 10 Meadow Pipit, 1 Flava Wagtail, 8 Alba Wagtail, 3 Great Tit, 3 Jackdaw, 28 Rook, 11 Carrion Crow, 8 Tree Sparrow, 23 Chaffinch, 35 Greenfinch, 113 Linnet, single Yellowhammer and Corn Bunting.

Grounded birds of note were 110 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Long-eared Owl (Point), a Great Spotted Woodpecker (Kew), a Ring Ouzel (Point), 2 Fieldfare (Church Field), 3 Redwing (Kew), a Blackcap (Point), a Chiffchaff (Blue Bell), 4 Siskin and a Lesser Redpoll at Kew. A few butterflies were on the wing with a Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock and a Comma, whilst at dusk a Pipistrelle bat was seen at Kew.

A cold day in a stiff SW wind with rain in the morning clearing by the afternoon leaving sunny periods, a few birds on the move with the odd Wheatear turning up late in the day. Birds seen at sea included 11 Red-throated Diver, the birds of the day were 2 Black-necked Grebe south at 07.50, 2 Fulmar, 6 Gannet, 2 Teal S, 30 Common Scoter S, 2 Red-breasted Merganser S, a Bonxie out of the Humber, 115 Black-headed Gull S, 3 Kittiwake S, 13 Guillemot and a Razorbill.

Overland there was 2 Marsh Harrier 1 S at 15.50 and 1 in of the sea at 16.10, 2 Sand Martin, 16 Swallow, 1 House Martin (1st of the year), 1 Flava Wagtail, 4 Alba Wagtail, 3 Siskin and a Redpoll all south.

Grounded birds of note were a Swallow at Kew, a Rock Pipit (Salt Marsh), 4 Wheatear, a Fieldfare (Triangle), 1 Redwing (Kew), a Chiffchaff (Rose Cottage), 4 Goldcrest, 4 Siskin, and the northern Long-tailed Tit was back in the garden on the feeders.

With a northerly wind in control and showers at dawn little was expected and that is exactly what was seen.

A few birds at sea with 11 Red-throated Diver, 2 Fulmar N, 1 Gannet N, 2 Common Scoter N, 15 Kittiwake N, 5 Sandwich Tern N and 16 Guillemot.

Other notable sightings included 215 Shelduck, a Merlin (Point), 90 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Barn Owl, 2 Wheatear, a Chiffchaff (Canal), 4 Goldcrest, the northern Long-tailed Tit was back on the peanuts at Kew/Crown, 5 Goldfinch (Church Field), 4 Siskin (Kew) and a Yellowhammer (Church Field). North of the area there was 3 Sand Martin over Sandy Beaches cliffs and a Flava Wagtail in Easington.

Another quiet day with a raw northerly wind and frequent showers curtailing any movement over land, although there was some passage at sea. New birds in included 3 Wheatear, a male Ring Ouzel (Church Field) in the company of a Fieldfare and 2 Redwings, a Blackcap (Warren), 1 Chiffchaff (Kew), 3 Goldcrest, a Siskin (Kew) and a Yellowhammer (Church Field).

At sea 10 Red-throated Diver, 16 Fulmar N, 80 Gannet (76 N), 414 Kittiwake S, 2 Sandwich Tern S, 35 Guillemot (29 N) were observed.

Along Beacon Lane a Water Rail was seen and a Wheatear was at Sandy Beaches. 34 birds were ringed including 8 Great Tit, 4 Chaffinch, 19 Greenfinch, a Goldfinch plus a British ringed Great Tit was controlled.

More light passage of mainly finches with just a few new birds around with the wind in the NW.

At sea 10 Red-throated Diver, 9 Fulmar, 2 Cormorant, 4 Common Scoter S, 2 Red-breasted Merganser S, 4 Little Gull S, 65 Black-headed Gull S, 3 Kittiwake S and 4 Sandwich Tern were observed.

New birds in were 2 Wheatear (Point/Clubley’s), a Chiffchaff (Narrows), 4 Goldcrest, yesterdays Firecrest was still at the Point and 10 Chaffinch. Birds heading south included a Skylark, 1 Swallow, 4 Meadow Pipit, 6 Alba Wagtail, 9 Siskin, 6 Chaffinch, 58 Greenfinch, 4 Goldfinch and 44 Linnet.

Some light passage today with the odd new bird in although not the best of days. On the move were 7 Grey-lag Geese, 3 Canada Geese, 2 Common Scoter, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Snipe, 18 Stock Dove, 25 Wood Pigeon, 5 Skylark, 8 Meadow Pipit14 Alba Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 4 Jackdaw, 8 Rook, 6 Carrion Crow, 88 Chaffinch, 95 Greenfinch, 147 Linnet all south.

Other notable sightings were 414 Grey Plover, 1800 Knot, 1300 Dunlin (Humber) 158 Black-tailed Godwit, a long-eared Owl (Point), 2 Sand Martin (Triangle), a Fieldfare (North Field), 1Redwing, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest (Point), a Brambling (Point), 4 Siskin (Kew).

At sea 21 Red-throated Diver, 1 Gannet S, 7 Cormorant, 2 Shag N and a few gulls were the only birds seen. There were 17 birds were ringed today including a Firecrest, 5 Chaffinch, 3 Siskin and a Reed Bunting.

A day of light southerly passage with just the odd new bird in, rain at dawn petered out to showers in a blustery wind.

Birds on the move south were 12 Wigeon (1 N), 3 Gadwall, 1 Eider, 12 Common Scoter, a Goldeneye, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Curlew plus 2 out E, 2 Stock Dove, 2 Wood Pigeon, 1 Swallow, 47 Meadow Pipit in, 4 Alba Wagtail, 12 Rook, 23 Starling, 1 Tree Sparrow, 149 Chaffinch, 57 Greenfinch, 53 Siskin, 47 Linnet, 2 Yellowhammer.

Grounded birds of note were a Teal (Canal), 137 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Wheatear (Point/Narrows), a male Blackcap (Fourways), 1+ Long-tailed Tit (Warren), 7 Goldfinch, a Yellowhammer (Church Field).

Plenty of sunshine in a NW wind with very few birds on the move but a few grounded birds to look at.

Birds of note today were a Peregrine, a Woodcock (Canal), 5 White Wagtail were in Church Field as it had just been ploughed over, a Black Redstart (Point), 1 Chiffchaff (Kew), 3 Goldcrest (Point), the northern Long-tailed Tit appeared at Kew and was feeding on peanuts in the garden most of the day after not being seen in Easington for nearly two weeks!, 20 Chaffinch, 7 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin (Kew), a Redpoll (Church Field), a Yellowhammer u-turned north, 1 Corn Bunting S.

A Small White butterfly was at Kew and the frog spawn has hatched into a wriggling mass of tadpoles in Kew pond. 42 birds were ringed today including 2 Pied Wagtail, a Redwing, the Northern Long-tailed Tit, 9 Chaffinch, 16 Greenfinch and 2 Siskin,

The quietist day for some time with a cold stiff N-NW wind blowing all day and rain at dawn petering out to showers by the afternoon.

At sea 11 Red-throated Diver (10 S), 1 Fulmar N, 1 Gannet S, 1 Cormorant N, 3 Little Gull N, 43 Kittiwake and 3 Sandwich Tern N.

Whilst grounded birds included a Greylag Goose (Canal), a Merlin (Chalk Bank), 1 Stock Dove & 2 Barn Owl (Triangle), 2 Black Redstart (Point), a female Blackcap (Point), 2 Goldcrest (Point), a Brambling (Kew), 4 Siskin (1 Warren, 3 Kew) & a Yellowhammer S.

With the wind in the NW-W little passage was observed but a few grounded birds were seen although the wind strength made it difficult. The few birds on the move were all south 190 Black-headed Gull, 1 Sandwich Tern, 6 Stock Dove, a Sand Martin, 3 Grey Wagtail, 5 Jackdaw, 18 Starling, 8 Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch and14 Linnet.

Grounded birds included a Water Rail (Point), a Little Owl at the Warren a uncommon bird at Spurn, a Short eared Owl (Point), 1 Black Redstart (Point), a Wheatear (New Road), 3 Redwing, a Mistle Thrush (Point), 1 Chiffchaff (Wire Dump), 1 Goldcrest and 4 Siskin. At Easington a Firecrest was seen.

Mid-afternoon whilst sea watching an up-side down blue canoe was seen with a person hanging onto the up-turned boat, the lifeboat was alerted as the man drifted away from the boat, he was rescued by the lifeboat and taken to hospital where he was suffering from hypothermia, just goes to show all those hours sea watching does produce good results.

Another nice start to the day with a moderate SW and sunny spells but rain moved in by the early afternoon and the wind freshened, some passage in the morning and a few new birds in. On the move were a Greylag Goose S, a Gadwall in, 2 Shoveler (1 N, 1S), 11 Common Scoter, 6 Lapwing, 160 Black-headed Gull, 63 Stock Dove, 757 Wood Pigeon, 1 Kingfisher, 13 Jackdaw, 22 Rook, 774 Chaffinch, 183 Greenfinch, 76 Siskin, 217 Linnet, 5 Yellowhammer all south.

Grounded birds of note included 120 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Short-eared Owl (Point/ Triangle), 2 Black Redstart (Point), 2 Wheatear (Middle Camp/Narrows), 3 Fieldfare (Kew), 70 Redwing, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Firecrest (Point/Blue Bell/Kew), and 15 Siskin (Kew).

North of the area there was a Willow Warbler in Easington, 2 Firecrest (Sammie’s /Beacon Lane) & a Bearded Tit also Beacon Lane (possibly the long staying bird exercising). More work was carried out in the Church field with the erection of a screen at the feeding station and some extra hedge planting.

A nice start to the day with light SW winds inducing some good passage but thunderstorms late in the afternoon, a few new birds in as well.

Birds on the move were a Grey Heron S, 55 Pink-footed Geese NW, a Greylag Goose u-turned back north, 1 Canada Goose S, 3 Pintail S, 3 Sparrowhawk S, 9 Lapwing S, 2 Sandwich Tern (1 N, 1 S) the 1st of the year, 49 Stock Dove, 642 Wood Pigeon, a Woodlark at 09.35 all S, 2 Sand Martin S plus 1 NW, 2 Swallow, 65 Meadow Pipit S plus 205 in, 3 Grey Wagtail, 23 Alba Wagtail all S, 3 Redwing in, 5 Great Tit, 21 Jackdaw, 40 Rook, 665 Starling, 7 House Sparrow, 1354 Chaffinch, 8 Brambling, 146 Greenfinch, 74 Siskin, 295 Linnet, 12 Yellowhammer and a Corn Bunting all S.

Grounded birds of note included 2 Gadwall (Triangle), 85 Black-tailed Godwit, a Short-eared Owl (Triangle), a Kingfisher which flew NW up the Canal, 2 Black Redstart (Point), a Wheatear (Blue Bell), 2 Fieldfare (Kew), 18 Redwing, a Firecrest (Blue Bell), 4 Brambling (2 Warren/Kew), a female Bullfinch at the Warren before heading back north. A Comma butterfly was on the wing in the garden at Kew. North of the area there was a Firecrest (Beacon Lane) and a White Wagtail at Sammie’s.