February 2008

Some light passage early on before the winds picked up touching gale force of note today were 19 Pink-footed Geese N, 318 Brent Geese, 3 Wigeon, the Pochard, Tufted Duck and Scaup have not moved, 17 Red-throated Diver (16 N), a Spotted Redshank on the Humber off the Gate, a Barn Owl in Church Field, a Rock Pipit S, 3 Stonechat, 7 Song Thrush, a Redwing (Point), the 1st Goldcrest of the spring at Wire Dump, 2 Jackdaw and 3 Rook S, 280 Starling (100 S), 2 Chaffinch S, 2 Greenfinch S, 2 Goldfinch (Point) and a Siskin S.

On Long Bank the White-fronted Goose was seen after being missing yesterday.

Another bright and sunny start but cloud formed later on in a light S wind, a few birds on the move as well as new in so all in all a pleasant day.

Of note were 290 Pink-footed Geese NW, 3 Wigeon, 9 Teal, the Tufted Duck and the Scaup, 84 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Rock Pipit (3 S, 2 Canal Scrape), 4 Stonechat, 26 Blackbird, 2 Redwing (Point), 4 Long-tailed Tit at the Warren then went back N, 17 Great Tit the start of migration season for this species, 2 Jackdaw S, 180 Starling, 6 Chaffinch, 10 Goldfinch (2 S, 6 Point), a Linnet in the Triangle.

20 Newts were in Church Field Pond.

Plenty of sunshine with a decreasing WNW wind producing a few birds south and just the odd new arrival.

Highlights today were 36 Pink-footed Geese N, 2 Wigeon, the Tufted Duck and the Scaup (New Scrape), 11 Red-throated Diver, a Merlin S, 1 Snipe, 3 Stock Dove (Church Field), a Meadow Pipit came in, 2 Fieldfare (Warren), a Redwing (Kew), 18 Jackdaw S plus 4 u-turned, 140 Starling (Church Field) plus 5 S, 6 Chaffinch (2 S, 4 Kew), 6 Greenfinch S, 6 Goldfinch and 15 Reed Bunting.

The earthquake was also felt at Spurn and even woke the warden up at 01.00!

Heavy overnight rain gave way to glorious sunshine albeit in a very strong W wind gusting force 7-8 by the evening, some more early passage and some birds at sea.

The best of the day included the usual ducks on the New Scrape (2 Wigeon, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Scaup), 3 Common Scoter S, 47 Red-throated Diver, 16 Fulmar (2 N, 14 S), 9 Gannet, 25 Lapwing, 40 Black-tailed Godwit (Humber), 22 Kittiwake on the Humber, 220 Auk sp. S in an hour, 27 Guillemot and 5 Razorbill S, 3 Stock Dove S, 3 Sky Lark S plus 8 in the Triangle, 3 Rock Pipit S, 3 Stonechat, the Mistle Thrush, a Jackdaw and 2 Rook u-turned, 62 Starling S, 6 Goldfinch (5 Point), 3 Linnet S and a female Bullfinch in Little Hedge before heading N.

18 Frogs were in the pond at Kew including a red one. North of the area there were 562 Brent Geese and 1 Pale Bellied bird and at Beacon Lagoons 1 Goldeneye was seen.

A nice sunny day although a brisk chilly SW wind blew all day, a few birds on the move with the highlights being 130 Pink-footed Geese N, the White-fronted Goose was at the Tank Blocks with around 500 Brent Geese, the semi-resident 3 diving ducks Pochard, Tufted Duck and Scaup (New Scrape), the Shoveler (Walker Butts), 2 Grey Partridge (Church Field), 106 Red-throated Diver (57 N), 3 Gannet N, a Marsh Harrier u-turned back N,3 Kestrel (1 S), a Peregrine over the Humber, 6 Lapwing S, 50 Black-tailed Godwit (Humber), a 2nd year Med Gull also on the Humber, 7 Stock Dove S, 18 Sky Lark (1 in, 11 S) 6 Rock Pipit (2 S, 3 NW), 4 Stonechat, the Mistle Thrush reappeared at the Point, 2 Jackdaw S, 78 Starling S plus 140 in Church Field, a Brambling at Rose Cottage, 3 Greenfinch S, 2 Siskin S, 3 Linnet S.

On Long Bank the Brent Goose count was up to 722 plus 2 pale-bellied birds.

The odd sunny spells to start with but full cloud cover and some rain late on in a decreasing SW wind, a few more birds around with 585 Pink-footed Geese NW, a White-fronted Goose by the Tank Blocks, 13 Teal and the Shoveler (Walker Butts), the usual three ducks Pochard, Tufted Duck and Scaup (New Scrape), 36 Red-throated Diver, 2 Gannet, a Peregrine over the Humber, 2 Water Rail, 42 Lapwing S and 130 (Humber), 2 Snipe, 120 Black-tailed Godwit, a Stock Dove S, 6 Sky Lark (Triangle), 2 Meadow Pipit (1 S), 2 Pied Wagtail S, 3 Stonechat, a Fieldfare (Church Field), 37 Starling S plus 90 (Church Field), a Yellowhammer u-turned N, 22 Reed Bunting.

The road was fine today and open to the public.

A dull cloudy day with a few spots of rain, in a stiff force 4-5 SW wind very few little change with the best being 4 Brent Geese S, 7 Wigeon, 14 Teal and a male Shoveler (Walker Butts), the Pochard, Tufted Duck and Scaup (New Scrape), 28 Red-throated Diver, 2 Gannet N, a Water Rail (Canal), a Snipe and 2 Jack Snipe (Salt Marsh) and 3 Stonechat (Triangle).

The road remained closed for most of the day until it was cleared late on.

Not as windy as yesterday but still very strong with variable cloud cover, little new around so of note was 12 Teal (Walker Butts), single Pochard, Tufted Duck and Scaup (New Scrape), 4 Lapwing N over the Warren, 103 Sanderling on the beach by the Warren, 7 Snipe, 20 Blackbird, 3 Song Thrush, 17 Starling S plus 40 at the Crown.

The most important event today was the Humber came onto the temporary road depositing lots of sand and debris making the road impassable and having to be closed.

A very windy day reaching force 6+ from the SW mainly cloudy with only a the odd glimpse odd the sun, highlights today were on the New Scrape 3 Wigeon and single Pochard, Tufted Duck and Scaup, 8 Teal on Walker Butts, 1 Snipe, a Stonechat, 3 Song Thrush and 6 Goldfinch (5 Point).

Back to poor visibility today with log cloud and distant fog, very little change with 4 Wigeon, 11 Teal (Walker Butts), the Pochard and the Scaup (New Scrape), the Tufted Duck (Canal), a Merlin (Sheep Field), 3 Water Rail, 400 Golden Plover and 42 Black-tailed Godwit (Humber), 5 Sky Lark (New Scrape), 3 Stonechat, 6 Song Thrush, 5 Goldfinch (4 Point) and 17 Reed Bunting (12 Church Field).

Better visibility today with just the odd sunny spell but with fog coming in late afternoon in a light SW wind of note today were 62 Shelduck, 3 Wigeon S plus 8 on the Humber, a Pochard has joined the Scaup on the New Scrape, 130 Golden Plover and 2 Lapwing (Walker Butts), 3 Snipe, a Rock Pipit (Point), 22 Blackbird, 5 Song Thrush, 3 Goldfinch (Point), a Yellowhammer u-turned over the Warren and 15 Reed Bunting were in Church Field.

Thick fog all day with visibility down to less than 50 yards at times, with little wind to clear it and a heavy overnight haw frost what was seen included 16 Teal (Canal Scrape), the Tufted Duck (Canal), 4 Water Rail (2 Canal, 1 Canal Scrape, 1 Blue Bell ditch), 2 Snipe, a Sky Lark (Point), 2 Stonechat (Warren0, 5 Song Thrush, 110 Starling and 2 Goldfinch.

Another fine sunny day with an initial heavy frost more work was carried out mainly on the Point trap, birds of note were 27 Wigeon (Humber), 15 Teal (Walker Butts), the Tufted Duck (Canal), a female Scaup on the New Scrape which was also present the day before, 3 Eider (Humber), 2 Water Rail, 12 Ringed Plover (Narrows), 2 Snipe, a 2nd year Med Gull, 2 Wood Pigeon and a Pied Wagtail S, 3 Stonechat, 5 Song Thrush, the Mistle Thrush (Point0, 9 Goldfinch (6 Point), a Siskin S.

A better day with plenty of sunshine but slightly chilly in a moderate SE wind of note today were 400 Brent Geese and 25 Wigeon on the Humber, 11 Teal, the Tufted Duck (Canal), 13 Red-throated Diver, 400 Golden Plover (Humber), 38 Lapwing (32 N), 4 Stonechat, the Mistle Thrush (Point), 8 Goldfinch (6 Point) and 18 Reed Bunting (15 Church Field).

Sunny spells in a cold force 2-3 E-Se wind very little of note except 15 Wigeon on the Humber, 7 Teal, the Tufted Duck along the Canal, 23 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Song Thrush, the Mistle Thrush and 3 Goldfinch (Point).

Cloudy for most of the day with just the odd glimpse of the sun in the afternoon in a cool NE force 2, of note today were a White-fronted Goose N at 15.00, 150 Brent Geese and 14 Wigeon on the Humber, 12 Teal (Walker Butts), a Tufted Duck first seen at the Point and later on the Canal, 6 Snipe, 51 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Song Thrush, 4 Redwing (South Field Farm), a Mistle Thrush at the Point and 6 Goldfinch (Church Field).

Thick fog all day curtailing any serious birding of note was 14 Teal (Walker Butts), 66 Black-tailed Godwit, a Stock Dove (Church Field), 4 Stonechat, 4 Song Thrush, 5 Goldfinch and a Siskin (Church Field), 15 Reed Bunting. At Beacon Lagoons there were a Little Egret, 3 Goldeneye and 6 Jack Snipe.

Yet more lovely sunshine albeit with a heavy overnight frost, with birds of interest being a Pink-footed Goose and 25 Wigeon S, 9 Teal (Walker Butts), 3 Water Rail, 188 Black-tailed Godwit, a Guillemot on the Humber, 4 Song Thrush (3 Point), 130 Starling, 2 Greenfinch S and Goldfinch at the Crown.

Another very nice bright sunny day in light winds, some light passage with the highlights being 31 Pink-footed Geese NW, 53 Wigeon, 2 Water Rail, 29 Ringed Plover including some displaying at Chalk Bank, 1 Snipe, 154 Black-tailed Godwit, 17 Turnstone (New Road), a Stock Dove, 2 Skylark (Scrape Field), a Rock Pipit N, 5 Stonechat, 30 Starling S plus 52 (Triangle), a Greenfinch S, a Goldfinch S plus 2 in the Crown, a Linnet S and a Siskin N.

A lovely bright sunny day with light winds just right for the wader count albeit a little early! Of note were 3 Shelduck S, 28 Wigeon (Humber), 11 Teal and a Pintail (Walker Butts), 28 Common Scoter S, 29 Red-throated Diver, 203 Black-tailed Godwit (Humber), an adult Med Gull up river, 11 Skylark (3 S), 5 Stonechat, 2 Rook and 50 Starling S, a Goldfinch in the Triangle. At Beacon Lagoons a Little Egret was seen.

Also of interest was 10 Newts in Church Field pond.

Another bright and sunny day with a light southerly wind. At sea were 54 Red-throated Diver, 84 Black-headed Gull S, 1 Lesser B.B.Gull S, 34 Herring Gull S.

Other birds of interest included; 12 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 34 Mallard and 1 Pintail + 6 south, 9 Shelduck south, 1 Water Rail, 18 Lapwing, 1 Barn Owl, 9 Skylark S, 4 Stonechat, 2 Mistle Thrush south and 5 Jackdaw U-turned.

A bright and sunny day with light south-westerly winds made it feel almost spring-like. 135 Pink-footed Geese flew NW and one was still in Walker Butts, which also held 8 Teal. At sea were a Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver. 200 Black-tailed Godwits were off the Tank Blocks, a Barn Owl was in Clubley’s and 3 Goldfinch were at the Point.

A cooler day that began cloudy but gave way to sunnier conditions in a moderate SW wind just a few birds about with 536 Pink-footed Geese NW plus 1 in Walker Butts, 8 Teal and a Pintail in Walker Butts, 3 Common Scoter S, 15 Ringed Plover and 160 Black-tailed Godwit on the Humber, 2 Stock Dove S, 3 Stonechat, a Rook and 15 Starling S, 5 Chaffinch (Kew), 1 Goldfinch, a Lapland Bunting S and 15 Reed Bunting (14 Church Field).

A lovely sunny day although slightly chilly in a moderate NW wind, a few birds at sea including 2 Mallard in, 8 Common Scoter S, 51 Red-throated Diver (39 S), a Great Crested Grebe N, 1 Fulmar S, 3 Gannet, a Curlew and 2 Knot in, 4 Kittiwake S and 4 Razorbill S. Elsewhere 40 Pink-footed Geese went N, 6 Teal and a Pintail (Walker Butts), 2 Stock Dove and a Barn Owl in the Triangle, 4 Skylark (2 S), 2 Stonechat and a Redwing was in Church Field. In Long Bank there were 507 Brent Geese and 1 pale bellied bird and 200 Black-tailed Godwit.

A sunny start before heavy showers moved in with the wind still in the W gusting force 6 at times birds of interest were 9 Teal, 28 Mallard and a Pintail in Walker Butts, 1 Red-throated Diver S, a Sparrowhawk in the Triangle and a Goldfinch at the Crown.

Still very windy from the W but plenty of sunshine little in the way of bird life with 6 Teal and 6 Lapwing in Walker Butts, 1 Stonechat, 3 Song Thrush (2 Point), 2 Jackdaw S, and a Goldfinch at the Point being of note.

Some sunny spells with the wind being the dominant feature yet again with gust up to force 6+, sea-watching produced most of the sightings with 13 Red-throated Diver N, a Fulmar S, a Leach’s Petrel N although it was lost in the troughs now and again, 1 Gannet, a juvenile Pomarine Skua N, 3 Kittiwake S elsewhere notable sightings were the Pink-footed Goose and 9 Teal in Walker Butts, a Stonechat and single Song Thrush and Goldfinch (Point).

A much calmer day with just the odd wintry shower, bird highlights were a Pink-footed Goose and 7 Teal on Walker Butts, 57 Red-throated Diver (43 N), 1 Gannet N, 9 Coot, 13 Lapwing, 40 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Stonechat, 4 Song Thrush, 2 Goldfinch and 14 Reed Bunting (13 Church Field).

Another poor day weather wise with gale force winds and wintry showers in the afternoon with some snow admixed. Of note were 9 Teal in Walker Butts, 2 Eider on the Humber, a Great Northern Diver on the sea, 3 Lapwing S, 40 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Kittiwake S and 8 Guillemot. The road was closed today because of sand blowing onto the road causing 3-4 drifts, it was cleared for a short while but closed again later on but should re-open tomorrow morning.