April 2009

Migration watches 06.40 – 08.00, sea-watch 07.30 – 10.00. A dull, grey drizzly start started to clear around mid-day to leave a bright and sunny afternoon, a fresh S wind backed SE in the afternoon.

A disappointing day with only a few birds on the move and very few migrants around. One of the Wrynecks was seen early morning near the Lighthouse, migrant totals included: 2 Cuckoo, 11 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Blue-headed Wagtail, 1 Whinchat, 9 Wheatear, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 8 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler.

Bird on the move (south unless stated) included: 2 Teal, 2 Common Scoter, 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar, 2 Gannet + 5 N, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Lesser B.B.Gull, 1 Kittiwake out, 4 auk sp, 8 Guillemot, 1 Sand Martin, 120 Swallow, 2 flava Wagtail, 63 Goldfinch, 51 Linnet.

North of the area at Beacon Ponds were 1 Little Egret, 3 Greenshank and 4 Wheatear.

Migration watches 05.30 – 07.30, 09.00 – 12.00, 13.00 – 16.45. A misty start soon burnt off by the sun which remained all day with just a few clouds, a light SW wind veered SE and freshened to a force 3-4 making it feel cold.

A definite increase in several common migrants, but also after two spring without a Wryneck, 3+ were found today, the first in the Sheep Field, presumably was one of 3 found at the Lighthouse a little later in the morning. Migrant totals were 1 Cuckoo, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Blue-headed Wagtail, 19 Wheatear, 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 11 Lesser Whitethroat, 46 Whitethroat, 6 Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler.

Passage was almost non-existent first thing, but picked up a little once the mist lifted and the wind freshened (all birds south unless stated): 1 Common Scoter, 1 Fulmar, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Arctic Skua out, 2 Swift, 18 Sand Martin, 380 Swallow, 5 House Martin, 5 flava Wagtail, 4 Carrion Crow, 3 Greenfinch, 104 Goldfinch, 85 Linnet.

Other birds of note included 1 Merlin, and 6 Whimbrel, while north of the area a Whinchat was in Easington.

Migration watch 05.30 - 11.30, A dull grey day with drizzly showers and a brief showing of the sun, a light NE wind veered east my mid-afternoon.

The main feature of the day was more Arctic Terns moving out east which totalled 198, also going out east were 2 Arctic Skua, 22 Black-headed Gull, 3 Kittiwake, 8 Sandwich Tern. Birds moving south included 2 Scaup, 1 Fulmar, 5 Gannet N, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Common Snipe, 5 Sand Martin, 30 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 18 flava Wagtail, 3 Jackdaw, 1 Rook, 6 Carrion Crow, 28 Goldfinch, 15 Linnet.

Birds on the ground were few with the following totals 1 Cuckoo, 30 Swallow, 10 Yellow Wagtail, a pair of Blue-headed Wagtails, 1 White Wagtail, 2 Robin, 6 Wheatear, 9 Lesser Whitethroat, 19 Whitethroat, 8 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler, 1 Yellowhammer.

Other birds of note included 2 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 52 Common Scoter, 4 Little Egret, 1 late Jack Snipe, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Whimbrel and 1 Common Sandpiper.

Migration watch 06.00 – 11.00. A bright and sunny start clouding over by mid-morning and showers passed through late morning/early afternoon, the evening finished like the day started. The wind was a fresh southerly veering west and dropping in the evening.

A disappointing day after the last couple of days, with only light passage and just a handful of migrants. Birds moving south included: 2 Shelduck, 1 Pochard, 13 Common Scoter +10 U-turning back north, 2 Red-throated Diver N, 4 Fulmar, 6 Gannet, 3 Cormorant, 2 Marsh Harrier, 4 Ruff, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit out, 2 Whimbrel, 52 Black-headed Gull, 7 Lesser B.B.Gull, 78 Herring Gull, 6 Sandwich Tern, 14 Sand Martin, 225 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 8 flava Wagtail, 1 alba Wagtail, 2 Magpie, 1 Jackdaw, 2 Rook, 12 Carrion Crow, 77 Goldfinch, 79 Linnet.

Migrants on the ground were 3 Cuckoo, 10 Sand Martin, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Whinchat, 11 Wheatear, 1 Ring Ouzel at the Point, 1 Fieldfare, 3 Grasshopper Warbler, 8 Lesser Whitethroat, 21 Whitethroat, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler.

North of the area a Hen Harrier was at Long Bank and 2 Greenshank were at Beacon Ponds.

Migration watches 05.35 – 11.15, 12.30 – 14.00. A fine sunny day but cool in a breezy SE wind.

From first light the regular observers were placed strategically along the peninsula waiting for either a Whiskered Tern to fly out east or a Red-rumped Swallow to pass south, however it was down to 3 late arrivers waiting for the pub to open who noticed two Red-rumped Swallows flying south over the car park, luckily they fed slowly over the Triangle as they moved south, and once they got to the reserve gate they headed south at full pelt. There was a steady passage of birds (moving south unless stated) which included: 1 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 8 Common Scoter, 2 Fulmar, 7 Cormorant N, 1 Shag N, 1 Marsh Harrier, a male Hen Harrier, 2 Lapwing, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit out east, 9 Whimbrel + 3 out, 20 Black-headed Gull, 9 Lesser B.B.Gull, 300 Herring Gull, 4 Kittiwake, 8 Little Tern, 24 Sandwich Tern + 7 out, 5 Arctic Tern out, 20 Wood Pigeon, 3 Swift, 3 Skylark, 40 Sand Martin, 340 Swallow, 9 House Martin, 18 flava Wagtail, 1 alba Wagtail, 1 Jackdaw, 12 Rook, 32 Carrion Crow, 141 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin, 215 Linnet.

There were also more grounded migrants around, most of which appeared from mid-morning: 2 Cuckoo, 2 Tree Pipit, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 male Blue-headed Wagtail, 40 Wheatear, 1 Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 1 Fieldfare, 6 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 7 Lesser Whitethroat, 26 Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler, 1 Corn Bunting.

Tawny Owl flushed from Kew was the first of the year, while other notable birds included a Velvet Scoter with 18 Common Scoter on the Humber, 1 Little Egret, 2 Merlin, 7 Whimbrel, 1 Spotted Redshank

North of the area there were 2 Cuckoo, 29 Wheatear and a White Wagtail in the Sammy’s Point area.

Migration watch 06.00 – 10.00, 13.25 – 17.15. A bright sunny start with cloud building from late morning, a rain shower in the afternoon with some sunny spells, a fresh SE-SSW wind.

The highlight of the day was a flock of 6 adult pale phase Pomarine Skuas which flew east past Sammy’s Point and landed on the Humber off the Crown, after half an hour they flew out east south of the Warren – a sight which is commonplace at sights on the Solway and Dungeness but a very rare occurrence at Spurn in the spring. Other birds moving out east included 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Little Gull, 17 Black-headed Gull, 11 Lesser B.B.Gull, 1 Kittiwake, 5 Black Tern, 3 Sandwich Tern, 8 Little Tern, 23 Arctic Tern. There was some light passage south in the morning but hirundines picked up in the afternoon: 1 Shelduck, 5 Eider, 1 Great Northern Diver out then south, 2 Fulmar, 9 Gannet, 1 Cormorant, 1 Marsh Harrier + 1 U-turned, 7 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, 2 Avocet, 2 Lapwing, 8 Whimbrel, 1 Green Sandpiper, 19 Lesser B.B.Gull, 2 Sandwich Tern, 5 Swift, 5 Skylark, 104 Sand Martin, 391 Swallow, 10 House Martin, 10 Meadow Pipit, 8 flava Wagtail, 9 Jackdaw, 3 Rook, 9 Carrion Crow, 2 Chaffinch, 65 Goldfinch, 3 Siskin, 101 Linnet.

Grounded birds included 2 Tree Pipit, 1 Blue-headed Wagtail, 2 White Wagtail, 1 Whinchat, 7 Wheatear, 3 Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler (1st of year), 1 Blackcap, 10 Lesser Whitethroat, 21 Whitethroat, 7 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler, 1 Mealy Redpoll at Kew and a Corn Bunting at the Warren.

Other birds of note included 1 Shag, 1 Little Egret, 1 Merlin, 2 Avocet on the Humber, 500 Grey Plover, 22 Whimbrel, 2 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper.

North of the area a Hobby and Turtle Dove at Sammy’s Point were the firsts of the year.

Migration watch 05.45 – 10.30. A bright and sunny day, but a hazy mist around the horizons, a fresh to strong S-SE wind blew all day.

The main feature of the day was birds moving out east over the peninsula: a Black Tern was the first of the year and Arctic Terns totalled 195, but also moving out were 16 Bar-tailed Godwit, 11 Whimbrel, 11 Little Gull, 1 Lesser B.B.Gull, and 6 Kittiwake. Other birds on the move (south unless stated) were 2 Teal N, 3 Common Scoter, 4 Fulmar + 1 N, 3 Gannet N, 4 Cormorant N, 1 Grey Heron, 43 Dunlin, 25 Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Whimbrel, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Lesser B.B.Gull, 15 Little Tern, 7 auk sp + 7 N, 5 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 1 Skylark, 12 Sand Martin, 65 Swallow, 7 flava Wagtail, 6 Jackdaw, 1 Rook, 6 Carrion Crow, 1 Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch, 37 Goldfinch, 2 Redpoll sp and 1 Corn Bunting U-turned.

On the ground were 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 male Blue-headed Wagtail at the Sheep Field, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Whinchat, 7 Wheatear, 1 Redwing, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest.

Other birds of note included a Greylag Goose, 1 Little Egret, 474 Grey Plover, 270 Sanderling, 230 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank.

Migration watch 05.40 - 13.45, all areas covered very well. A hazy day with thin cloud cover and some long sunny spells, a fresh S-SSE wind easing for a little midday.

After most migrants had departed overnight, there was a small arrival in the afternoon which included the first Whinchat of the year, the totals for other migrants were: 1 Cuckoo, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Robin, 2 Redstart, 1 Stonechat, 10 Wheatear, 2 Fieldfare, 4 Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat, 5 Chiffchaff, 10 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest.

An increase in visible migration today (all south unless stated otherwise): 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Common Scoter, 8 Fulmar + 3 out, 1 Cormorant + 2 N, 1 Marsh Harrier N, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Whimbrel, 4 Curlew out east, 12 Black-headed Gull, 3 Lesser B.B.Gull, 2 Stock Dove, 5 Wood Pigeon, 1 Skylark, 14 Sand Martin, 115 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 7 flava Wagtail, 5 alba Wagtail, 10 Rook, 35 Carrion Crow, 7 Starling, 4 Greenfinch, 122 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin, 292 Linnet, 1 Corn Bunting U-turned.

Other birds of note included the first Grey Partridge of the year, 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Egret, 1 Merlin, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, a general increase in waders including many in breeding plumage.

North of the area a Ring Ouzel was near Easington cemetery.

Migration watch 05.40 – 11.45, Sea-watch 17.15 – 18.15. Blue skies all day, a very light NNE wind to start veering SE by lunchtime and S in the evening.

A Cuckoo in the Triangle was the first of the year, migrants were generally down in numbers apart from Sedge Warbler which had increased to 8. The totals today included 1 White Wagtail, 2 Black Redstart, 3 Wheatear, 1 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 9 Chiffchaff, and 7 Willow Warbler.

There was a trickle of migrants moving (south unless stated): 2 Greylag Geese, 13 Shelduck out east, 12 Common Scoter N, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar + 2 out, 6 Cormorant, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Hen Harrier, 3 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard U-turned, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Common Tern, 6 Auk sp + 5 N, 2 Stock Dove, 164 Wood Pigeon, 21 Sand Martin, 151 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 3 Meadow Pipit, 7 flava Wagtail, 3 Magpie, 16 Jackdaw, 40 Rook, 49 Carrion Crow, 3 Starling, 3 Chaffinch, 38 Goldfinch, 92 Linnet, 3 Yellowhammer.

Migration watches 06.20 – 09.00, 11.15 – 14.50. Cloudy start had cleared by mid-morning to leave a sunny day with wispy clouds, a light SSW veered WNW and picked up to force 3-4 by late afternoon.

There was no sign of the Subalpine Warbler or Coal Tit today but the Hawfinch was still present at the Point, other migrant totals today included 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Tree Pipit, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Black Redstart at the Blue Bell, 2 Redstart, 3 Wheatear, 6 Fieldfare, 3 Song Thrush, 4 Redwing, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, 11 Chiffchaff, 10 Willow Warbler, 3 Goldcrest, 4 Brambling, 1 Siskin, 4 Lesser Redpoll.

Migration was slow first thing but once the mist lifted a few birds started moving south (unless stated otherwise); 2 Greylag Geese, 6 Common Scoter, 1 Red-breasted Merganser out, 1 Fulmar in, 1 Marsh Harrier,1 Hen Harrier and a Common Buzzard all U-turned back north, 5 Sparrowhawk, 4 Oystercatcher + 1 out, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit and 103 Curlew out, 3 Whimbrel, 19 Black-headed Gull, 2 Lesser B.B.Gull, 1 Common Tern out, 2 Swift, 59 Sand Martin, 136 Swallow, 5 House Martin, 6 flava Wagtail + 2 N, 4 Jackdaw, 8 Rook, 19 Carrion Crow, 4 Starling, 3 Chaffinch, 120 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 96 Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting.

Other birds of note included 191 Brent Geese + 3 Pale-bellied Brents, 2 Little Egret, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 4 Whimbrel, 3 Little Tern.

A NOTE TO VISITING BIRDERS – PLEASE DO NOT ENTER OR GO NEAR THE MOUTHS OF THE HELIGOLAND TRAPS

No migration watches. Dense fog for the first few hours made birding difficult, it slowly burnt off by noon leaving lingering mist over the Humber. A sunny afternoon followed but clouded over in the late evening. Still to start then a force 1-2 E-SE wind picked up.

The Subalpine Warbler, Hawfinch and Continental Coal Tit were all still at the Point, the Continental Stonechat was still near the Warren, a Long-eared Owl was roosting at Rose Cottage, while common migrant totals were 1 Yellow Wagtail, 8 Robin, 2 Redstart, 1 Stonechat, 5 Wheatear, 3 Fieldfare, 13 Song Thrush, 1 Redwing, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 15 Chiffchaff, 11 Willow Warbler, 3 Brambling, 3 Siskin, 1 Lesser Redpoll.

There was a trickle of passage once the fog had lifted: 1 Gannet N, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Sparrowhawk, 63 Curlew out east, 15 Black-headed Gull, 2 Kittiwake, 3 Skylark, 7 Sand Martin, 27 Swallow,1 House Martin, 1 flava Wagtail, 4 alba Wagtail, 5 Carrion Crow, 1 Greenfinch, 27 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin in, 39 Linnet. North of the area the first Common Sandpiper of the year was seen at Beacon Ponds.

Migration watches – 06.00 – 07.20, 13.10 – 15.10. A dull, grey start with some nice long sunny spells in the afternoon, the NE wind had dropped to about a force 2 today.

Late news for yesterday was of a Spoonbill which flew north over Beacon Ponds late afternoon. The Subalpine Warbler at the Point showed well on a few occasions and the Hawfinch and ‘Continental’ Coal Tit were still at the Point, the ‘Continental’ Stonechat was still south of the Warren, a male Blue-headed Wagtail was on Canal Scrape and was later joined by 3 female types in Walker Butts, other migrants seen included 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 9 Robin, 2 Redstart, 2 Black Redstart, 7 Wheatear, 4 Fieldfare, 7 Song Thrush, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 15 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Brambling, 3 Siskin, 1 Mealy Redpoll..

There was some light passage (south unless stated); 2 Common Scoter + 10 N, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Fulmar N, 6 Gannet + 2 N, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Whimbrel + 3 out east, a total of 301 Curlew out east, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Sandwich Tern, 3 Arctic Tern N, 15 Auk sp N, 1 Razorbill N, 1 Puffin N, 57 Swallow, 1 Yellowhammer.

North of the area a Hen Harrier, Green Sandpiper and Short-eared Owl were at Long Bank, a Goosander was on Beacon Ponds and a Black Redstart was at Sammy’s Point.

Sea-watches – 06.20 – 08.15. A dull, cloudy, hazy start with the sun poking through occasionally throughout the day, feeling cold in a force 3 NE wind.

The star bird was the 22nd Subalpine Warbler for Spurn, which showed well to a few birders early morning at the Point, a ‘Continental’ Coal Tit at the Point was also new for the year and the Hawfinch was seen again at the Point after a couple of days absence. All three birds were found by the same observer who was trying to make amends for his Ruddy Shelduck last night! Other migrants included 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Tree Pipit, 3 Robin, 2 Black Redstart, 1 Redstart, 1 Stonechat, the ‘Continental’ Stonechat still at the Warren, 4 Wheatear, 3 Song Thrush, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 22 Chiffchaff, 10 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 8 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 10 Siskin, 1 Mealy Redpoll and 1 Lesser Redpoll.

A few birds seen over the sea early morning included 1 Eider N, 14 Common Scoter S and 5 N, 2 Red-throated Diver (1 N, 1 on sea), 9 Fulmar N, 11 Gannet N, 1 Bonxe N, 3 Arctic Tern N, 2 Guillemot N. Other birds of note were 244 Brent Geese + 3 pale-bellied, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Merlin, 2 Whimbrel.

Sea-watches 07.10 – 09.10, 18.15 – 18.45. Another misty, cloudy start which cleared by late morning to leave a sunny day although still cold in a fresh NE wind.

A Woodlark which U-turned over the Triangle got the ‘bird of the day’ although only seen by one person, not to be outdone another observer had the worst bird of the day – a Ruddy Shelduck flying south in the evening. The ‘Continental’ Stonechat was seen again briefly by the gate and a Mealy Redpoll was lingering at Kew. Other migrants included: 1 Sand Martin, 10 Swallow and 1 House Martin, a White Wagtail, 7 Robin, 3 Black Redstart, 2 Redstart, 7 Wheatear, 5 Song Thrush, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 19 Chiffchaff, 7 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Brambling, 9 Siskin.

There was some light movement over the sea which included 16 Fulmar, 22 Gannet, 1 Lesser B.B.Gull, 75 Herring Gull, 35 Great B.B.Gull, 1 Sandwich Tern N, 5 Auk sp N. A Whimbrel and a Green Sandpiper were seen in the Triangle.

A big feature of the spring at Spurn is watching the emigrating waders and from mid-March to mid-April is the best time to witness Curlew passage. They become very noisy, calling continuously and then lift up and head off out east in varying sized flocks. This afternoon was a good day to witness this when a total of 225 flew out east in about 12 different flocks the largest being 45.

Migration/sea-watches 06.50 – 11.00, 16.00 – 17.00 Another generally grey day, misty all day but with the sun breaking through occasionally, and feeling cold in a fresh NE wind

A few more new arrivals included a lovely male ‘Continental’ Stonechat S.t.rubicola, ranging from the Canal to south of the Warren, a Great Spotted Woodpecker over the Warren was the first of the year. There was no sign of the Hawfinch and Firecrest today but other migrants present were 2 Tree Pipit, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 7 Robin, 4 Black Redstart, 4 Redstart, 7 Wheatear, 1 Fieldfare, 6 Song Thrush, 3 Grasshopper Warbler, 11 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 21 Chiffchaff, 12 Willow Warbler, 3 Brambling, 22 Siskin, 3 Mealy Redpoll (1 Point, 2 Crown car park), 2 Lesser Redpoll ( Point and Crown car park).

There was some light passage over the sea and land (birds were moving south unless stated otherwise), 2 Wigeon N, 12 Common Scoter, 1 Red-throated Diver N, 1 Fulmar + 6 N, 3 Gannet + 8 N, 2 Sparrowhawk, 20 Little Gull N, 30 Herring Gull, 10 Arctic Tern out, 3 Auk sp N, 2 Guillemot N, 1 Skylark, 1 Sand Martin, 11 Swallow, 26 Meadow Pipit + 32 NW, 1 alba Wagtail, 2 Rook, 8 Goldfinch, 3 Siskin, 56 Linnet. Other birds of note included a Merlin and a Peregrine

Sea-watch 12.00 – 13.10. Thick fog until 11am then in started to burn off but remained misty all day, the sun created some warmth in a cold, fresh ENE wind.

The Hawfinch was still present at the Point where it was trapped and ringed in the afternoon, the Mealy and Lesser Redpoll and Firecrest were still in the Crown car park and 2 Grasshopper Warblers were still singing. Other migrant totals included; 2 House Martin, 1 Tree Pipit, 20 Meadow Pipit, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 7 Robin, 3 Black Redstart, 4 Redstart, 1 Stonechat, 17 Wheatear, 8 Fieldfare, 7 Song Thrush, 1 Redwing, 1 Sedge Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 19 Chiffchaff, 13 Willow Warbler, 4 Goldcrest, 5 Brambling, 21 Siskin.

The only birds moving (when the fog had cleared) were 2 Common Scoter S and 3 N, 1 Fulmar N, 3 Gannet S, 1 Merlin S, 1 Sand Martin, 11 Swallow, 1 House Martin all south, 36 Meadow Pipit N, 2 Jackdaw and 1 Rook S. Other birds of note were 1 Canada Goose, 2 Tufted Duck, 214 Sanderling, 1 Whimbrel, while north of the area there was a Short-eared Owl, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Redstart and 6 Wheatear at Sammy’s Point.

A sea-watch 15.50 – 17.00 produced very little, 1 Fulmar and 2 Gannet S. Thick fog in the morning hampered viewing, lifted a little in the afternoon but always poor visibility and a light E-ESE wind.

A few of yesterdays birds lingered today, namely the Hawfinch which was found in the Sheep Field and later seen at the Point, a Mealy and 2 Lesser Redpolls were feeding in the Crown car park, 2 Crossbill flew over Middle Camp and a Firecrest was also in the Crown car park. Other migrant totals included; 1 Sand Martin, 10 Swallow, 170 Meadow Pipit, 1 flava Wagtail, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 17 Robin, 2 Black Redstart, 2 Redstart, 15 Wheatear, 1 Ring Ouzel, 11 Fieldfare, 24 Song Thrush, 9 Redwing, 3 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 36 Chiffchaff, 19 Willow Warbler, 5 Goldcrest, 11 Chaffinch, 10 Brambling, 20 Goldfinch, 26 Siskin.

Other birds of note seen included 1 Canada Goose, 1 Brent Goose + 1 pale-bellied, 2 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Merlin, 1 Jack Snipe and 1 Whimbrel. North of the area a male Mealy Redpoll was at Sammy’s Point.

Migration watch 07.00 – 12.00 A grey misty day with a sea fret moving in which dropped quite a few common migrants ins and then thick fog moved in late afternoon.

The pick of the day was the first Hawfinch of the year at the Point which was mobile and elusive, other firsts for the year were Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat. Migrant totals (grounded) for the day were 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 White Wagtail, 15 Robin, 1 Black Redstart at the Point, 3 Redstart, 1 Stonechat, 18 Wheatear, 2 Ring Ouzel at the Point, 7 Blackbird, 75 Fieldfare, 13 Song Thrush, 11 Redwing, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 36 Chiffchaff, 27 Willow Warbler, 9 Goldcrest, 35 Brambling, 10 Siskin, 1 Mealy Redpoll and 1 Lesser Redpoll at Kew and later the Warren.

Birds on the move (south unless stated) were; 4 Wigeon, 11 Common Scoter, 4 Goosander, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Fulmar, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 8 Common Snipe and 1 in, 164 Black-headed Gull, 1 Sandwich Tern N, 1 Skylark, 6 Sand Martin, 5 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 40 Meadow Pipit + 16 in, 7 alba Wagtail, 2 Jackdaw U-turned, 9 Rook, 12 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch, 40 Goldfinch, 10 Siskin, 148 Linnet, 1 Snow Bunting. Other birds of note included 1 Canada Goose, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Moorhen on the frog pond at Kew! A Common Buzzard flew north over Easington.

Migration watch 06.30 – 13.15 A cold grey day with a few spots of rain and a light to fresh NE wind

Another good day with plenty of birds but nothing out of the ordinary. The first Arctic Terns and Arctic Skua were recorded moving out east. Birds on the move (south unless stated) were 11 Wigeon out, 2 Goldeneye west, 1 Red-breasted Merganser and 4 Goosander out, 3 Red-throated Diver N, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Bonxie N, 224 Black-headed Gull, 31 Herring Gull, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Skylark, 12 Sand Martin, 56 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 81 Meadow Pipit + 7 in, 5 flava Wagtail + 3 N, 2 Grey Wagtail, 3 alba Wagtail, 12 Redwing, 15 Jackdaw, 40 Rook, 33 Carrion Crow, 25 Starling, 31 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 5 Greenfinch, 18 Goldfinch, 17 Siskin, 300 Linnet and 1 Corn Bunting N.

Land migrants included 1 Water Rail, 1 Jack Snipe, 2 Tree Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Blue-headed Wagtail in the Triangle, 2 White Wagtail, 16 Robin, a male Redstart in Triangle (1st of year), 1 Stonechat, 12 Wheatear, 1+ Ring Ouzel, 56 Fieldfare, 6 Song Thrush, 9 Redwing, 4 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 10 Blackcap, 25+ Chiffchaff, 15 Willow Warbler, 4 Goldcrest, 12 Brambling. 6 Siskin,. Other birds of note included 2 Canada Geese, 20 Wigeon, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Eider, 45 Common Scoter, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Fulmar, 1 Merlin. North of the area there was a Short-eared Owl, a Grasshopper Warbler and a Black Redstart. Moth-wise there were 2 Diamond-backs and an Acleris cristana (3rd record for Spurn and Yorkshire).

Migration watch 06.40 – 13.30 A grey day with heavy rain at dawn and light rain on and off all day, still to start with a light NE wind picking up from mid-morning.

A good days birding with several features, including 8 new birds for the year and a total of 95 species seen during the day. The highlight (well for most) was an Egyptian Goose which U-turned over the Triangle mid-afternoon, this is only the 6th record for Spurn and a welcome addition to many a Spurn birders’ list. There was ‘grounding’! of ducks on the Humber (probably caused by the heavy overnight rain) which included 28 Wigeon, 180 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 10 Tufted Duck, 60 Common Scoter, and 3 Red-breasted Merganser, a pair of Garganey were seen on Canal Scrape and Clubley’s Scrape (1st of year). Grounded migrants included 1 Long-eared Owl, 1 Sand Martin, 4 Swallow, 50 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 3 new Robin, 1 Black Redstart at the Point, 20+ Wheatear, 9 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, a Sedge Warbler at Canal Scrape (1st of year), 6 Blackcap, 15 Chiffchaff, 21 Willow Warbler, 3 Goldcrest, 9 Siskin and 2 Lesser Redpoll (1st of year).

Birds on the move (south unless stated) were; 2 Wigeon, 5 Teal + 40 N, 2 Mallard, 2 Shoveler, 20 Eider, 20 Common Scoter N, 2 Goosander N, 1 Red-throated Diver, 3 Great Crested Grebe N, 4 Fulmar, 1 Gannet, 6 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 5 Common Snipe, 1 Greenshank (1st of year), 133 Black-headed Gull, 2 Lesser B.B.Gull, 1 Little Tern N, 1 Sandwich Tern (1st of year), 23 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 18 Meadow Pipit + 10 in, 4 flava Wagtail, 3 alba Wagtail, 11 Rook, 5 Carrion Crow, 16 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling in, 9 Goldfinch, 150 Linnet. Other birds of note seen included the Canada Goose still on Borrow Pit, 2 Merlin, 1 Ruff (1st of year), 1 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper (1st of year). North of the area a Greenshank and a Little Tern was at Beacon Ponds, while at Sammy’s Point there was a Hen Harrier, 4 Ring Ouzel, a Grasshopper Warbler, and a Sedge Warbler. On the moth front a Blossom Underwing was caught and is the first Yorkshire record since 1885.

Migration watch 06.00 – 13.30 A nice bright day with long sunny periods in a light southerly wind.

With the majority of the regular birders taking part in the East End Cancer charity bike ride and the jollities that followed, left few people looking after mid-morning. However it was a good day for early first arrivals, the best of which was a Little Tern which was the earliest ever by four days! Other firsts for the year included a Canada Goose on the Borrow Pit, 3 Whimbrel (1 south), a Grasshopper Warbler singing at the Warren and 2 Crossbill at Kew. Other birds on the move (south unless stated otherwise) were; 2 Shoveler, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Lapwing, 50 Common Gull out, 2 Lesser B.B.Gull, 28 Wood Pigeon, 3 Skylark, 11 Sand Martin, 11 Swallow, 25 Meadow Pipit, 1 flava Wagtail + 3 N, 10 alba Wagtail, 13 Jackdaw, 36 Rook, 25 Carrion Crow, 7 Starling, 3 Tree Sparrow, 21 Chaffinch, 13 Greenfinch, 56 Goldfinch, 3 Siskin + 2 in, 554 Linnet, 3 Yellowhammer and 4 Corn Bunting.

There was an obvious increase in grounded migrants too which included 3 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 1 Rock Pipit, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 3 Robin, 4 Wheatear, 1 Fieldfare, 4 Song Thrush, 7 Blackcap, 9 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest in Canal Hedge, 1 Brambling. Other birds of note were 1 Greylag Goose, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Eider, 2 Gannet, 1 Merlin, and north of the area a Black Redstart was on Sandy Beaches caravan site.

Migration watch 06.30 – 07.30 Rain at first petering out mid-morning but remaining full cloud cover in a force 3-4 southerly wind

A quiet day, passage was very light (southerly unless mentioned otherwise); 1 Common Scoter N, 1 Cormorant, 1 Gannet N, 22 Black-headed Gull, 1 Swallow, 6 Meadow Pipit + 6 in, 4 Starling, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Siskin, 8 Linnet.

The only other birds of note were 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Stonechat, 3 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Brambling.

Migration watch 06.40 – 09.00 A mix of sunny spells and cloud in a gusty force 4-6 W wind

Some light passage produced three new birds for the year; an Osprey south at10.20, 1 Swift south and a Mealy Redpoll at the Point which left south, other birds moving south included 1 Marsh Harrier, 31 Common Gull, 12 Wood Pigeon, 6 Meadow Pipit, 2 alba Wagtail, 16 Rook, 4 Starling, 6 Chaffinch, 5 Greenfinch, 4 Goldfinch, 29 Linnet.

Other migrants included 1 Swallow, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Wheatear, 1 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, 2 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, and 1 Goldcrest.

A day with variable sun and cloud cover in a moderate gusting force 5 W wind inducing some light passage plus a few new arrivals.

On the move S were 2 Pintail, a Marsh Harrier, a Swallow, 8 Meadow Pipit plus 9 in, 12 Jackdaw plus 19 u-turned, 5 Rook, 16 Carrion Crow, 2 Chaffinch, 8 Goldfinch, a Siskin and 34 Linnet.

Grounded birds of note included single Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Merlin, a Stonechat, 7 Wheatear, 2 Ring Ouzel (Point/Wire Dump), a Fieldfare, 3 Redwing (Point), 6 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest and 45 Linnet

A day of poor visibility with sea fret moving in, a trickle of passage first thing and just a handful of new arrivals made up the day.

. Notable sightings were 2 Tufted Duck (Canal Scrape), a Stock Dove S, 3 Swallow S, 59 Meadow Pipit (6 S, 23 in), a Fieldfare (Point), 4 Redwing, 6 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest (Canal Hedge), 3 Jackdaw and 3 Rook S, 145 Starling (105 S), 9 Goldfinch (4 S), 66 Linnet (36 S) and a Yellowhammer blogging.

Migration watch 06.30 – 12.00, blue skies and sun all day but feeling cool at times with a light NW wind backing SE by lunchtime.

There was a big clear out of birds overnight but another arrival from late morning, the pick of which was Firecrest which came in off the sea and landed at the finders feet! It then moved into Big Hedge where it started feeding. Other migrant totals were 2 Short-eared Owls, a Kingfisher in the Triangle, 2 Swallow, 2 Black Redstart (Narrows and Point), 1 Stonechat, 14 Wheatear, 5 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing, 2 Blackcap, 8 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler, and 3 Goldcrest.

Passage was slow but included: 2 Teal, 1 Gannet, 7 Cormorant N, 1 Grey Heron in, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Lapwing, 6 Curlew out, 2 Lesser B.B.Gull, 150+ Herring Gull, 17 Wood Pigeon, 1 Skylark, 1 Sand Martin, 17 Meadow Pipit + 70 in, 4 alba Wagtail, 18 Jackdaw, 22 Rook, 27 Carrion Crow, 46 Starling, 28 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 10 Greenfinch, 19 Goldfinch, 3 Siskin, 53 Linnet and 1 Yellowhammer. Other birds of note were 334 Brent Geese, 1 Shoveler and 2 Tufted Duck on Canal Scrape, while north of the area there was a Ring Ouzel, 4 Wheatear, 1 Blackcap and a White Wagtail at Sammy’s Point and a Jack Snipe at Beacon Ponds.

Migration watch 07.00 – 09.30 It was a misty cool start with a light SW wind, brightening up as the day went on, ending with blue sky and sunshine and a blustery W-NW wind. Spring has teased us over the last week or so but today it arrived in force. The bird of the day went to a White Stork which flew south down the peninsula. Always a contentious bird with the free-flying Harewood birds causing confusion, however this bird appeared to be wearing NO rings or so the birders who needed it for their Spurn lists claimed!

Other firsts for the year included a Tree Pipit (2nd earliest record) came in off the sea, a Yellow Wagtail at the Point (also very early for Spurn), a Ring Ouzel at the Point, and 2 Willow Warblers. Other migrants included: 3 Swallow, 9 Robin, 3 Black Redstart, 3 Stonechat, 17+ Wheatear, 12 Fieldfare, 11 Redwing, 2 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 18 Goldcrest, 10 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, and 3 Siskin.

Birds on the move (unless stated) included; 2 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 2 Pintail, 1 Eider, 4 Red-breasted Merganser + 1 N, 1 in, 3 Cormorant N, 1 Shag N, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard U-turned, 3 Lapwing + 7 out, 1 Little Stint, 7 Curlew out, 32 Black-headed Gull, 5 Lesser B.B.Gull, 8 Wood Pigeon, 3 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 54 Meadow Pipit + 27 in, 9 alba Wagtail, 6 Jackdaw, 15 Rook, 16 Carrion Crow, 38 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 23 Greenfinch, 23 Goldfinch, 4 Siskin, 308 Linnet and 1 Corn Bunting. Other birds of note were 1 Peregrine and 1 Merlin while north of the area were a Hen Harrier over Long Bank, a Ring Ouzel in Kilnsea, and Willow Warblers at Sammy’s Point and Beacon Lane.

No migration watches again due to the cool, damp, foggy day which only cleared a little in the afternoon and hardly a breath of wind all day.

There was a slight increase in migrants but nothing to get excited about, the best of which were; 1 Rock Pipit, 6 Meadow Pipit flew south, 2 Black Redstart, 4 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, 35 Blackbird, 13 Fieldfare, 16 Redwing, 7 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, 10 Chaffinch, 17 Siskin, 1 Redpoll sp (probably a Mealy), 1 Yellowhammer and 1 Corn Bunting flew south. Other birds of note included 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Little Egret U-turned.

North of the area the 3 Little Egrets were in Long Bank Marsh and Black Redstarts were at Grange Farm, Kilnsea and Sammy’s Point.

No migration watches due to the awful weather: cool, overcast and foggy with light drizzle all day with a fresh ESE-ENE wind.

The only birds worth mentioning were 2 Wigeon, 20 Teal, 3 Snipe, 4 Rock Pipit, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Wheatear, 3 Fieldfare, 8 Redwing, 5 Chiffchaff, 10 Goldcrest and a Yellowhammer.

Migration watch 06.25 – 11.30. A still, misty clear start and remaining largely sunny and warm all day, a light SE wind picked up from mid-morning but never more than force 1.

Not surprisingly passage was a bit slow but did included the first House Martin of the year, while other birds passing (south unless stated) were; 10 Greylag Geese, 3 Cormorant, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Stock Dove, 20 Wood Pigeon, 6 Skylark + 1 in, 1 Sand Martin, 19 Meadow Pipit + 9 in, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 alba Wagtail, 380 Starling, 28 Jackdaw, 38 Rook, 9 Carrion Crow, 15 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling U-turned, 17 Greenfinch, 6 Goldfinch, 70 Linnet, 1 Yellowhammer, 2 Corn Bunting.

There was a small fall of Goldcrests – numbering 23 in total; other migrants included the Firecrest still in the Crown car park, 2 Stonechat, 1 Black Redstart at Cliff Farm, 1 Wheatear, 30 Blackbird, 6 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, 5 Chiffchaff, while other birds of note included 1 pale-bellied Brent with 130 dark-bellied; 3 Wigeon, 46 Teal, and 2 Great Crested Grebe all on the Humber. North of the area there were 3 Wheatear at Sammy’s Point and a Blackcap in Easington.