April 2008

Migration watches 07.30 – 08.00, 10.35 – 11.35, 15.10 – 17.10. Despite good overnight conditions, there were hardly any new migrants in during the morning, obviously unsuitable conditions on the other side of the North Sea. Fresh southerly winds starting the day becoming sunny and the wind veering SE. Clouding over in the afternoon with showers, heavy at times.

The first Pied Flycatcher of the year was found at Kew around lunchtime, other migrants included; 1 Turtle Dove at the Warren, 3 Cuckoo, 10 Sand Martin, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Black Redstart, 7 Wheatear, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 9 Lesser Whitethroat, 23 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, and 4 Siskin. The only birds moving south were 3 Shoveler, 1 Tufted Duck, 7 Fulmar, 42 Gannet, 1 Sparrowhawk, 29 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 2 Meadow Pipit, 3 flava Wagtail, 2 Jackdaw, 2 Rook, 2 Starling, 21 Goldfinch, 16 Siskin, 36 Linnet.

Other birds of note included, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Whimbrel and 1 Common Sandpiper, while the Green-winged Teal was still on Long Bank Marsh.

Migration watch 05.40 – 12.00. Long sunny periods with some cloud cover and a light shower late afternoon, wind started SW 1, becoming SE 2-3 and finishing the day E 4-5. The main highlight of the day was the second Raven of the year which U-turned back north over the Triangle mid-morning.

Other birds on the move (south unless stated) were; 3 Mute Swan, 4 Greylag Geese, 1 Common Scoter, 3 Gannet, 10 Cormorant, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 7 Oystercatcher, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Curlew, 10 Black-headed Gull, 1 Lesser B.B.Gull, 10 Arctic Tern out, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Skylark, 28 Sand Martin, 318 Swallow, 5 House Martin, 1 Tree Pipit, 5 Meadow Pipit, 22 flava Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 alba Wagtail, 7 Jackdaw, 13 Rook, 30 Carrion Crow, 5 Starling, 6 Chaffinch, 5 Greenfinch, 98 Goldfinch, 4 Siskin, 1 Redpoll sp, 1 Lapland Bunting.

Other birds of note today included; 300 Brent Geese, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Cuckoo, 12 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Black Redstart at the Point, 13 Wheatear, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Blackcap, 13 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler, 1 Jay at the Warren. North of the area the Green-winged Teal was still on Long Bank Marsh and a Firecrest was on Humberside Lane.

Migration watches from 05.30 – 16.10. A cold fresh SW 4 wind backing W in the afternoon, some long sunny spells with passing showers in the afternoon. Todays highlights were mainly of birds moving south, a male Montagu’s Harrier being the best and was probably the bird that roosted at East Newton the night before, other raptors flying south included a Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harrier, 4 Sparrowhawk and 2 Kestrel.

Also flying south were a pair of Garganey and two Avocet, along with 4 Greylag Geese, 6 Tufted Duck, 10 Common Scoter, 6 Cormorant, 2 Golden Plover, 12 Knot + 32 out, 6 Dunlin, 2 Whimbrel + 18 N and 3 in, 1 Curlew out, 3 Arctic Skua out, 1 Little Gull in, 51 Black-headed Gull, 5 Lesser B.B.Gull, 18 Wood Pigeon, 102 Sand Martin, 298 Swallow, 10 House Martin, 4 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 71 flava Wagtail, 3 alba Wagtail inc 1 White, 5 Magpie, 10 Jackdaw, 13 Rook, 36 Carrion Crow, 5 Tree Sparrow, 44 Chaffinch, 7 Greenfinch, 95 Goldfinch, 98 Siskin, 408 Linnet and 1 Corn Bunting.

The first Reed Warbler of the year was on Canal Scrape and other migrants included; 2 Cuckoo, 20 Sand Martin, 17 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Black Redstart at the Point, 2 Redstart in Church Field, 2 Whinchat, 24 Wheatear, 1 Ring Ouzel in Walker Butts, 1 Mistle Thrush, 10 Sedge Warbler, 11 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 4 Siskin. Other birds of note included; 310 Brent Geese, 1 Wigeon, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpiper. While north of the area just one Green-winged Teal was seen on Long Bank Marsh, and a Ring Ouzel was seen in Kilnsea.

Migration watches 05.40 – 13.45. A fairly still start, then light SW wind occasionally swinging to the SE, cloudy all day with some sunny spells and some rain in the evening. A good day for new arrivals including 6 new birds for the year, the best of which was a Dotterel on the Point beach early morning.

Birds on the move (south unless stated otherwise) included; 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Fulmar, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Oystercatcher out, 3 Avocet at 09.55 (1st of year), 8 Sanderling, 29 Dunlin, 1 Common Snipe and 2 in, 10 Black-tailed Godwit + 12 out, 120 Bar-tailed Godwit out, 2 Whimbrel + 5 out, 1 Curlew out, 1 Greenshank + 3 N, 1 Arctic Skua out, 69 Black-headed Gull out, 4 Lesser B.B.Gull, 31 Kittiwake, 5 Commic Tern out, 7 Common Tern out, 1 Arctic Tern + 1 out, 1 Stock Dove, 18 Wood Pigeon, 1 Turtle Dove U-turned (1st of year), 2 Swift, 1 Skylark, 34 Sand Martin, 125 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 2 Tree Pipit N, 2 Meadow Pipit, 24 flava Wagtail, 4 alba Wagtail, a Jay U-turned back north (1st of year), 7 Jackdaw, 17 Rook, 28 Carrion Crow, 2 Tree Sparrow, 13 Chaffinch, 4 Greenfinch, 67 Goldfinch, 5 Siskin, 415 Linnet, 5 Mealy Redpoll, 3 Redpoll sp., 3 Yellowhammer U-turned and 2 Corn Bunting.

Numbers of migrants in the recording area included; 1 Short-eared Owl, 4 Cuckoo, 10 Sand Martin, 1 Rock Pipit, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Black Redstart at the Point, 1 Whinchat (1st of year), 25 Wheatear, 1 Ring Ouzel in Walker Butts, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Grasshopper Warbler at Chalk Bank, 4 Sedge Warbler, 9 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 13 Lesser Whitethroat, 31 Whitethroat, 10 Chiffchaff, 19 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest (Point and Warren), 6 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 4 Siskin at Kew, 1 Mealy Redpoll at the Point. Other birds of note were, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Goosander off the Point, 5 Common Scoter, 1 Shag, 1 Bonxie on the Humber (1st of year). North of the area, the Green-winged Teal was still present and amazingly was joined by another, one bird was seen copulating with a female ‘Teal’! Also a Marsh Harrier over Long Bank, 31 Wheatear in the area, 1 Black Redstart at the gas terminal and a Ring Ouzel in Kilnsea.

Migration watches – 05.35 – 12.30, 13.30 – 15.00, 17.50 – 20.00. A bright and sunny day after a cool start in a light SSW wind.

A few new migrants arrived today, southerly passage was a little slower than yesterday and a few birds were on their way out. Birds on the move (south unless stated otherwise) were; 10 Greylag Geese + 1 north, 3 Canada Geese, 4 Shelduck, 8 Common Scoter, 2 Fulmar + 1 N, 5 Gannet, 1 Shag N, 1 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier + 1 N, 3 Kestrel + 1 in, 15 Oystercatcher out, 18 Grey Plover out and 7 in, 1 Common Snipe, 167 Bar-tailed Godwit out, 9 Whimbrel + 3 N, 1 Long-tailed Skua out then south, 32 Black-headed Gull out, 7 Lesser B.B.Gull N, 4 Sandwich Tern, 4 Arctic Tern out, 2 Stock Dove, 12 Wood Pigeon, 1 Swift (1st of year), 53 Sand Martin, 58 Swallow, 3 Meadow Pipit, 24 flava Wagtail, 4 alba Wagtail, 3 Jackdaw, 7 Rook, 8 Carrion Crow, 7 Starling, 4 Chaffinch, 7 Greenfinch, 71 Goldfinch, 12 Siskin and 456 Linnet.

Migrants on the deck included a Short-eared Owl, 1 Tree Pipit, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Blue-headed Wagtail and 2 White Wagtail on the Borrow Pit, 6 Wheatear, 1 Ring Ouzel in the Triangle, 2 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 7 Sedge Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 7 Lesser Whitethroat, 25 Whitethroat, 8 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest (Point/ Kew), 7 Siskin, other birds of note included 331 Sanderling, 1 Common Sandpiper and a Barn Owl. North of the area the Green-winged Teal was still on Long Bank Marsh.

Migration watch 05.50 – 10.50. Light WSW-SW wind, a clear start slowly clouding over with occasional sunny spells and a light shower mid-afternoon.

A good morning for southerly passage, particularly the first two hours. All birds south unless stated otherwise, 7 Shelduck and 4 out, 12 Common Scoter + 7 north, 7 Cormorant, 1 Shag north, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, 4 Black-tailed Godwit in, 2 Whimbrel, 9 Lesser B.B.Gull, 1 Iceland Gull west, 1 Common Tern out, 1 Arctic Tern out, 2 Skylark, 25 Sand Martin, 45 Swallow, 1 Tree Pipit, 19 Meadow Pipit + 2 in, 44 flava Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail in, 15 alba Wagtail, 35 Jackdaw, 39 Rook, 65 Carrion Crow, 5 Starling, 15 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 7 Greenfinch, 128 Goldfinch, 7 Siskin, 793 Linnet, 1 Yellowhammer and 2 Corn Bunting.

Other birds of note included; 3 Greylag Geese, 5 Teal, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Common Sandpiper on the Borrow Pit (1st of year), 1 Barn Owl, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 White Wagtail, 14 Robin, 1 Redstart, 11 Wheatear, 2 Fieldfare, 1 Mistle Thrush, 4 Sedge Warbler, 8 Blackap, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 14 Whitethroat, 14 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest in the Crown car park, 1 Brambling, 13 Siskin. North of the area the Green-winged Teal was still on Long Bank Marsh.

Migration watches from 05.50 – 10.20, 14.20 – 15.05. A bright and sunny start with a light SSW wind, clouding over and rain showers then on and off all day, wind veering west.

There was a big clear out of migrants today leaving the following; 1 Cuckoo, 20 Yellow Wagtail and 2 White Wagtail on Borrow Pit, 12 Robin, 5 Wheatear, 5 Fieldfare, 9 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Sedge Warbler, 7 Blackcap, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 9 Whitethroat, 9 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Brambling, 9 Siskin. A good morning for southerly passage, particularly finches, (all south unless stated), 1 Pintail in, 1 Little Egret, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 6 Oystercatcher, 2 Whimbrel, 4 Curlew out, 86 Black-headed Gull, 42 Common Gull, 2 Lesser B.B.Gull, 1 Little Tern out (1st of year), 1 Common Tern out, 2 Stock Dove, 7 Wood Pigeon, 1 Skylark, 18 Sand Martin, 85 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 5 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 8 flava Wagtail, 2 alba Wagtail, 24 Jackdaw, 6 Rook, 55 Carrion Crow, 8 Starling, 9 Chaffinch, 5 Greenfinch, 122 Goldfinch, 91 Siskin, 535 Linnet, 1 Mealy Redpoll (1st of year), 1 Lesser Redpoll and 1 Reed Bunting.

Other birds of note included 2 Gadwall, 2 Teal, and 3 Greylag Geese. The Green-winged Teal was still on Long Bank Marsh as well as a male Blue-headed Wagtail.

A murky day all day, with haze to start, then thick fog, making way for rain early afternoon, but clearing in the evening. Light ESE wind to start veering SW at mid-day. Migration watch 06.00 – 13.00.

Still good numbers of migrants around and a few more new arrivals, particularly after the rain, which is probably responsible for the report on the pager of a Purple Heron flying south at the same time as a ‘regular’ had a wet Grey Heron fly south. The bird of the day was a drake Garganey on Canal Scrape for a couple of hours from mid-day. Counts of migrants today included; 2 Cuckoo, 14 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 51 Robin, 1 Black Redstart, 4 Redstart, 12 Wheatear, 4 Ring Ouzel, 21 Blackbird, 18 Fieldfare, 27 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 4 Sedge Warbler, 11 Blackcap, 10 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, 21 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler, 11 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest at Potato Fields, 5 Chaffinch, 7 Brambling, 12 Siskin.

There was some passage particularly before and after the fog belt that lingered for quite a while mid-morning and included (south unless stated), 1 Greylag Goose, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Fulmar out, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Whimbrel + 1 out, 30 Curlew out, 3 Arctic Skua out, 117 Black-headed Gull out, 4 Lesser B.B.Gull, 95 Commic (prob.Arctic) Tern out, 13 Sand Martin, 80 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 23 Meadow Pipit, 4 flava Wagtail, 3 alba Wagtail, 4 Jackdaw, 3 Rook, 7 Carrion Crow, 1 Brambling, 3 Greenfinch, 24 Goldfinch, 29 Siskin and 209 Linnet.

A few short migration watches were done during the day, when the wind eased and had a little south in it. A bright and sunny day with occasional light cloud, a ENE-ESE wind force 3-2-3.

There were still good numbers of grounded migrants around and a few more new birds including a possible female Pine Bunting at the Point – unfortunately views couldn’t rule out a hybrid and then the bird disappeared and wasn’t seen again! The Hawfinch was still in the Crown car park and found itself in a mist net early evening, the first Hobby of the year flew south while other migrants included; 10 Sand Martin, 2 flava Wagtail, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 5 White Wagtail, 46 Robin, 6 Black Redstart, 8 Redstart, 12 Wheatear, 24 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 32 Song Thrush, 4 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Sedge Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 7 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 36 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 14 Goldcrest, 7 Chaffinch, 5 Brambling, 12 Siskin.

A few birds were on the move in the lighter winds (south unless stated otherwise) and included; 16 Greylag Geese N, 1 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Cormorant +14 out, 4 Grey Heron + 2 N, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Kestrel, 32 Oystercatcher out, 1 Golden Plover out, 1 Lapwing, 31 Curlew out, 1 Greenshank out, 2 Arctic Skua out, 17 Commic Tern out, 19 Common Tern out, 38 Arctic Tern out, 13 Sand Martin, 55 Swallow, 9 Meadow Pipit, 9 alba Wagtail, 2 Jackdaw, 3 Rook, 10 Carrion Crow, 4 Chaffinch, 9 Greenfinch, 41 Goldfinch, 87 Siskin, 103 Linnet, 4 Reed Bunting and 1 Corn Bunting. Also of note was a Peregrine and 2 Water Rail. North of the area the Green-winged Teal was still on Long Bank Marsh along with a Ruff.

No migration watches, a largely bright and sunny day with occasional high light clouds in a fresh easterly wind.

Most of yesterdays migrants were still around including the Hawfinch in the Crown car park. Firsts for the year today included Lesser Whitethroat (4), Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler and Arctic Skua (2) but the bird of the day was a Nightingale at the Point mid-morning seen and photographed by one lucky observer. Most migrants had increased in numbers today and included; 5 Sand Martin, 6 Swallow, 4 Tree Pipit, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 female ‘Blue-headed type’ Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 35 Robin, 8 Black Redstart, 5 Redstart, 1 Stonechat, 18 Wheatear, 27 Blackbird, 4 Fieldfare, 38 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 7 Blackcap, 33 Chiffchaff, 9 Willow Warbler, 16 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest at Kew, 7 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 9 Siskin.

The only birds seen flying south were 1 Grey Heron, 7 Lesser B.B.Gull, 2 Sand Martin + 3 N, 9 Swallow + 8 N, 3 Jackdaw, 2 Rook, 4 Chaffinch and 42 Siskin. Other birds of note during the day included 3 Greylag Geese, 1 drake Scaup, 1 Whimbrel, and 1 Spotted Redshank. North of the area the Green-winged Teal was still present on Long Bank, an Osprey flew north at Sammy’s Point, a Cuckoo was heard in Easington and a Grasshopper Warbler was by Willow Cottage.

Another cold, cloudy day with some drizzly rain and a fresh easterly wind.

It was a good days birding with the Hawfinch still present but a reasonable arrival of common migrants, including 2 Tree Pipit (1st of year), 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 4 White Wagtail, 24 Robin, 8 Black Redstart, 8 Redstart (1st of year), 14 Wheatear, 2 Ring Ouzel, 9 Fieldfare, 26 Song Thrush, 8 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, 9 Blackcap, 27 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler, 11 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest (Crown and Point), 3 Brambling and 18 Siskin.

Other birds of note included; 3 Greylag Geese, 2 Gadwall, 1 Tufted Duck, 5 Fulmar, 5 Gannet, 4 Whimbrel, 43 Lesser B.B.Gull south, 564 Herring Gull south, 73 Great B.B.Gull south, 2 Kittiwake, 4 Arctic Tern out east (1st of year). The Green-winged Teal was still at Long Bank Marsh as well as a Shoveler and a Gadwall, 2 Black Redstart at the Riverside Hotel and a Ring Ouzel at Sammy’s Point.

Sea-watches from 08.15 – 08.45 and 15.00-15.30. Cloudy most of the day in a cold force 4-5 ENE-NE wind.

A Hawfinch in the Crown car park for most of the afternoon was the highlight of the day, other birds of note included 3 Greylag Geese, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Fulmar, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Rock Pipit, 8 White Wagtail on Borrow Pit, 3 Black Redstart at the Point, 3 Wheatear, 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest (Kew and Rose Cottage), 1 Brambling.

There was more action north of the area; the Green-winged Teal was still on Long Bank Marsh, along with a Green Sandpiper, a Greenshank and 2 Stonechat. A Jack Snipe was at Beacon Ponds and 3 Yellow Wagtail and 3 Ring Ouzels at Sammy’s Point with another at Sandy Beaches caravan park.

Sea-watches 08.30 – 10.00, 14.15 – 15.20. An awful cold day with a strong easterly wind keeping everything low, cloudy all day with the occasional sunny spell, lots of layers, hats and gloves were needed to keep warm in the icy wind.

The Green-winged Teal was still on Long Bank Marsh and a Green Sandpiper was seen by the Riverside Hotel. A Purple Sandpiper was off the Crown, 6 Black Redstarts were still here, a Mistle Thrush, 8 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Brambling and a Siskin were the only migrants of note.

A Whimbrel was in the Triangle and the only other activity was over the sea; 58 Fulmar, 44 Gannet, 6 Lesser B.B.Gull, 164 Herring Gull, 5 Kittiwake, a Sandwich Tern (1st of year), and 8 Guillemots.

No migration watches. A cloudy day with the occasional sunny spell in a force 3-4 easterly wind which dropped in the afternoon and some rain late afternoon. The Green-winged Teal was still present on Long Bank Marsh along with 12 Yellow Wagtail and a Kingfisher.

A small influx in migrants saw at least 7 Black Redstart, 3 Firecrest (2 at the Point, 1 in the Crown car park), 3 ‘continental’ Robin trapped in one mist net early evening, 1 Yellow Wagtail on the Borrow Pit, 14 Pied and 2 White Wagtail, a Stonechat at post 28, 2 Wheatear (Point, post 22), 11 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Brambling in Church Field, and a Redpoll sp. probably a Mealy flew north over Kew.

Other birds of note included; 2 Greylag Geese, 1 Fulmar, 8 Gannet, 4 Whimbrel, 40 Curlew out, 1 Kittiwake and a Common Tern go out (1st tern of the year).

No migration watches in a cold E-SE wind, light at first gaining strength all day and force 5 by the evening, also passing showers throughout the day.

The highlight of the day was when the Green-winged Teal was found in Walker Butts putting itself firmly on the Observatory list, it later flew back to Long Bank Marsh. An Iceland Gull flew out to sea from Chalk Bank and 2 Firecrest were still present (Point and Kew to Blue Bell), the few other birds of note included; 2 Greylag Geese, 3 Common Scoter, 2 Gannet, 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail, 1 Whimbrel, 4 Lesser B.B.Gull, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 2 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Brambling and 19 Siskin.

North of the area, 2 Black Redstart were by the Riverside Hotel.

Migration watch 06.40 – 10.30 A very mixed day weather wise, a bright and sunny morning with a light variable wind, W-SW-NW, in the afternoon, thunder and hail storms moved through and the wind swung easterly but going back northerly in the evening.

The winds didn’t produce the expected southerly passage, with only 6 Greylag Geese, 1 Shelduck in and 3 N, 2 Oystercatcher, 10 Knot in, 13 Meadow Pipit, 2 alba Wagtail, 9 Rook, 13 Carrion Crow, 1 Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch, 6 Goldfinch, 4 Siskin, 82 Linnet.

The Green-winged Teal was still on Long Bank Marsh and other birds of interest were; 2 Teal, 3 Water Rail, 1 Lapwing, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker trapped and ringed at Kew, 2 Sand Martin and 2 Swallow, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 2 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Firecrest (Point and Southfield Farm), 1 Brambling at Kew.

No migration watches today. A very light NW wind to start, but picking up in strength and going more northerly, a cold day with some showers moving through in the afternoon.

The Green-winged Teal was still present on Long Bank Marsh all day, other birds north of the area included a Common Buzzard NW over Easington, a Great Spotted Woodpecker on Easington Straight and a Black Redstart in Kilnsea. A few birds moved south; 2 Lapwing out, 1 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 22 Meadow Pipit, 3 Jackdaw + 17 U-turned, 6 Rook, 15 Carrion Crow, 1 Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin, 33 Linnet.

Other birds of note were; 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Water Rail, 2 Sand Martin, 6 Swallow, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 2 Black Redstart, 4 Wheatear, 1 Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff, 7 Willow Warbler, 2 Firecrest (Point and Southfield Farm), 1 Brambling and 7 Siskin.

Migration watch 07.00 – 12.10. A still, warm sunny morning, clouding over at mid-day with frequent showers in the afternoon and a freshening NE wind.

The Green-winged Teal spent the day on Long Bank Marsh, along with 2 Shoveler, 1 Ruff and 2 Yellow Wagtail. Birds on the move (south unless stated otherwise) included; 2 Greylag Geese and 1 Canada Goose (1st of year) U-turned, 1 Shelduck, 11 Common Scoter, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Osprey flew out NE at 14.50, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine in, 6 Whimbrel in then NW (1st of year), 2 Curlew in, 2 Lesser B.B.Gull, 1 Skylark, 1 Sand Martin, 4 Swallow, 1 White Wagtail, 7 Jackdaw, 22 Rook, 5 Chaffinch, 7 Greenfinch, 13 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 70 Linnet, 1 Redpoll, 1 Yellowhammer.

Other birds new in or of note were; 1 Pochard, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar, 3 Gannet, 2 Water Rail, 1 Barn Owl, 1 House Martin, 2 White Wagtail, 2 Black Redstart, 3 Wheatear, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, a reeling Grasshopper Warbler at Chalk Bank (1st of year), 4 Blackcap, 8 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 4 Firecrest (1 Warren, 3 Sunnycliff to Beacon Lane), 3 Brambling.

Migration watch from the sea-watching hut from 06.20 to 12.30. A fresh SW-W wind blew all day and some long sunny periods with just a few spots of rain around mid-day.

The main highlight of the day was in the evening, when in fading light a committee member who hasn’t been down all year arrived and found a first for the Spurn area – a drake Green-winged Teal on Long Bank Marsh! (No bitterness-honest!)An adult Common Crane flew south at 11.15, picked up well north of the area, so most observers at the site saw the bird and shortly afterwards an Osprey flew north right across the area. Other birds on the move (south unless stated otherwise) were; 3 Greylag Geese N, 5 Brent Goose out, 21 Common Scoter, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Marsh Harrier N, 3 Kestrel, 1 Oystercatcher in, 6 Golden Plover, 1 Lapwing, 1 Ruff U-turned, 1 Curlew out, 7 Lesser B.B.Gull, 4 Stock Dove U-turned, 1 Collared Dove U-turned, 1 House Martin (1st of year), 24 Meadow Pipit, 10 alba Wagtail inc. 2 White’s, 13 Jackdaw, 12 Rook, 17 Carrion Crow, 12 Starling, 18 Chaffinch, 24 Greenfinch, 8 Goldfinch, 86 Siskin, 151 Linnet and 1 Reed Bunting.

Yesterday’s Woodlark had disappeared as had all of the Firecrests apart from one at the Warren, other birds of note included; 246 Brent Geese + 1 pale-bellied, 10 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 1 Pochard, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Fulmar, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 23 Kittiwake, 4 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Black Redstart, 6 Wheatear, 6 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Brambling, 15 Siskin. North of the area there was a Black Redstart by the Riverside Hotel and a Tree Pipit (1st of year) at Sammy’s Point.

A mixed day of sunshine and heavy wintry showers and breezy southerly wind keeping it chilly.

Another arrival of Firecrests today with at least five in the area (2 Warren, 1 Kew, 1 Point, 1 Chalk Bank, 1 Beacon Lane), and one on Beacon Lane and one in Easington. Also the Woodlark was still present in Church Field, but only visible when flushed. If present in the morning, a few organized flushes may take place. Other migrants around today included; 2 Sand Martin, 1 Swallow, a White Wagtail in Walker Butts, 6 Wheatear, 7 Song Thrush, 3 Redwing, 3 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 6 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 5 Siskin, 25 Reed Bunting.

Birds moving south included; 6 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 14 Meadow Pipit, 3 alba Wagtail, 5 Jackdaw, 2 Rook U-turned, 9 Carrion Crow, 5 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 7 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 6 Linnet. At sea were 1 Gannet, 8 Cormorant, 2 Shag, 10 Lesser B.B.Gull and a 1st year Glaucous Gull north. While other birds of note included 2 Gadwall, 1 Teal, 1 Pochard at the Borrow Pit.

Narrows watch 07.55 – 08.55. Lengthy sunny spells with the odd storm in the afternoon, with a light SW-S wind feeling more spring like.

Surprisingly few birds on the move and just the odd new migrant. Birds moving (south unless stated otherwise) were 1 Common Snipe, 6 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 4 alba Wagtail, 7 Rook, 7 Carrion Crow, 1 Chaffinch, 18 Greenfinch, 5 Goldfinch, 19 Siskin, 16 Linnet. New arrivals included a Woodlark in the crop in Church Field, a Yellow Wagtail on the Borrow Pit, a Blackcap at Kew, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Brambling and 2 Siskin.

Other birds of note; 4 Goosander on the sea (1st of year), 1 Pochard on the Borrow Pit, and 3 Common Scoter on the Humber.

A cold but sunny start to the day with a Narrows watch from 0630-0830 with just some light passage with a few more grounded migrants found.

On the move south were 1 Wigeon, 7 Teal went NE, 6 Cormorant, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Swallow, 6 Meadow Pipit plus 4 in, 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Alba Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 2 Jackdaw plus 13 u-turned, 3 Rook, 5 Carrion Crow, 3 Starling, 2 Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch, 3 Goldfinch, 55 Linnet and a Yellowhammer.

Elsewhere birds of note included 61 Brent Geese, a Pochard on the Borrow Pit, a Merlin (Narrows), 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 69 Turnstone, a Sand Martin blogging, a Wheatear and 2 Redwing (Point), a Blackcap (Warren), 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler (Tank Ditch/Canal Hedge), 4 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest (Warren/South Field Farm), 6 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling and 6 Goldfinch (Kew). North of the area 2 Wheatear, 2 Stonechat (Beacon Lagoons), and a Willow Warbler (Sammie’s) were the best of it.

Migration watch 06.50 – 08.00. A still morning, with sunshine and clouds, then wind turning SE 2 and some heavy wintry showers in the afternoon.

A trickle of birds moved (south unless stated otherwise) including; 1 Pink-footed Goose N, 1 Grey Heron N, 5 Stock Dove, 22 Wood Pigeon, 4 Meadow Pipit + 16 in, 4 alba Wagtail, 4 Great Tit, 2 Jackdaw U-turned, 4 Rook, 3 Carrion Crow, 1 Hooded Crow north at 08.05, 7 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 10 Greenfinch, 5 Goldfinch, 6 Siskin, 45 Linnet.

A few new migrants appeared, 2 Firecrest (Point and Canal Hedge), 8 Goldcrest, 2 Wheatear, 1 White Wagtail, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Redwing while other birds of note included 2 Greylag Geese, 9 Teal, 1 Pochard on Borrow Pit, 4 Goldeneye on the Humber, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, and a Water Rail.

Sea-watch 09.00 – 10.00. A NW wind force 4 dropped to just 1 in the afternoon, a few sunny spells and quite a few wintry showers throughout the day.

Another quiet day, the only birds of note were 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail, 1 Rock Pipit south, 1 Black Redstart at the Point, 2 Wheatear, 1 Redwing, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 7 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, a Redpoll sp south and a Yellowhammer at the Warren.

Late news for yesterday of a Yellow Wagtail at Sammy’s Point.

A cold wintry day, -5 overnight and snow on the ground at dawn, some sunny spells and wintry showers.

Hardly any migrants around and no passage noted. The only birds of note being 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail, a Black Redstart and a Redwing at the Point, and 5 Chiffchaff along the peninsula.

Of more interest was a 3 foot mammoth tusk found on the beach just south of the Warren!

No migration watches today in the cold northerly winds, cloudy all day with some rain in the afternoon.

The few birds that moved south today were 2 Wigeon, 7 Common Scoter, 1 Eider, 1 Marsh Harrier U-turned, 3 alba Wagtail, 2 Jackdaw, 9 Rook, 3 Carrion Crow, 3 Chaffinch, and 6 Linnet. At sea; a Red-throated Diver, 2 Fulmar, a Little Gull north, 3 Gannet and a very unusual sighting of a Little Grebe on the sea.

Other birds of note today included; 1 Merlin, the first Great Spotted Woodpecker of the year, 1 Rock Pipit, a Black Redstart at the Point, 3 Redwing, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Goldcrest, 3 Firecrest (Potato Fields/ Warren/ Rose Cottage), a Long tailed Tit (Kew) a Brambling at Kew and a Yellowhammer at the Warren. North of the area White Wagtails were seen in Kilnsea and at Sammy’s point

Migration watch 06.15 – 09.00. A generally cloudy day with the occasional sunny spell, a light to fresh NW wind.

A day with some light passage and a few migrants appearing in the afternoon, but the highlight was an adult Common Crane which flew south over Easington and then over Spurn and cutting out towards Lincolnshire at 16.30. Other birds moving (south unless stated) were; 1 Greylag Goose, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit in, 2 Curlew in, 16 Black-headed Gull, 2 Lesser B.B.Gull, 45 Wood Pigeon, 3 Skylark, 5 Sand Martin, 3 Swallow + 1 north, 68 Meadow Pipit + 98 in, 3 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail in, 18 alba Wagtail, 7 Jackdaw, 17 Rook, 3 Carrion Crow, 380 Starling, 24 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling in, 26 Greenfinch, 13 Goldfinch, 6 Siskin, 20 Linnet.

Other birds of note were; 386 Brent Geese + 2 pale-bellied, 1 Goldeneye, 5 Common Scoter, 15 Cormorant, 2 Jack Snipe, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank (1st of year), 3 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 350 Meadow Pipit in the Triangle, 2 White Wagtail at Chalk Bank, 5 Wheatear, 1 Black Redstart, 44 Blackbird, 13 Fieldfare, 14 Song Thrush, 31 Redwing, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 7 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest (Kew/ Point), 2 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Brambling, 6 Siskin, 1 Yellowhammer.

No migration watches were done today. A bright and sunny start clouding over by late morning with the sun only coming out occasionally, a light WNW wind all day.

The highlight of the day was the fourth record of Raven for Spurn, the bird flew south at 07.40 as far as Middle Camp and returned back north showing to all the observers on site. The few birds that were moving included (south unless stated otherwise); 1 Swallow N, 5 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 7 alba Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 6 Jackdaw, 7 Rook, 4 Carrion Crow, 1 Hooded Crow NW (1st of year), 1 Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin. Other birds of note were; 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 7 Song Thrush, 5 Redwing, 2 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, 3 Firecrest (Warren/ Canal Hedge/ Point), 1 Long-tailed Tit, 20 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 10 Goldfinch, 20 Siskin, 1 Yellowhammer.

North of the area a Jack Snipe was at Beacon Ponds and a Sand Martin over Long Bank.

Migration watch 06.30 – 09.30 Long sunny periods, a fresh NW wind in the morning veering NE in the afternoon and dropping to force 1 making it feel very pleasant.

The fresh NW wind put a halt to any significant movement, although there was still some light passage south including; 2 Greylag Geese + 1 N, 84 Black-headed Gull, 403 Herring Gull, 49 Meadow Pipit +26 in, 15 alba Wagtail, 26 Jackdaw, 27 Rook, 160 Starling, 1 House Sparrow, 4 Tree Sparrow, 106 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 21 Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch, 7 Siskin, 36 Linnet.

Once the wind had dropped a few migrants started showing themselves; including 7 Firecrest which were all probably birds present before the strong winds. Other birds of note were; 7 Teal, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Short-eared Owl pushed out to see by crows and it continued south, 1 White Wagtail on the Borrow Pit, 2 Black Redstart at the Point, a Stonechat in Big Hedge, 1 Wheatear, 1 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Long-tailed Tit and 30 Chaffinch.

Migration watch 07.50 – 12.00. A very blustery day, with rain to start but soon clearing. SW 5 veering W and gaining in strength to 7 gusting 8.

A superb day for movement, particularly Chaffinches which was the best count for years, a total of 1655 flew south, (1100 between 08.00 and 09.00, including one flock of 200), other birds on the move were; 1 Greylag Goose, 1 Marsh Harrier north, 2 Kestrel, 1 Lapwing, 1 Common Snipe, 221 Black-headed Gull, an Iceland Gull S at 19.20 hrs, 1 Stock Dove, 14 Wood Pigeon, 1 Skylark, 2 Sand Martin, 35 Meadow Pipit + 23 in, 29 alba Wagtail (inc 3 White’s), 34 Jackdaw, 11 Rook, 1355 Starling, 18 Tree Sparrow, 12 Brambling, 78 Greenfinch, 9 Goldfinch, 94 Siskin, 35 Linnet, 5 Reed Bunting.

The highlight of the day however was the 10th Goshawk for Spurn, a female flew south past the Warren at 09.42, scaring even the local Brent Geese. There were few other birds of note in the windy conditions, the few being; 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Merlin, 1 White Wagtail (caught and ringed), 1 Black Redstart at the Point, 1 Fieldfare, 5 Redwing, 5 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest at Kew, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Brambling.