July 2010

Sea-watch 0715-0930, 1430-2110 No showers today just variable amounts of cloud in a force 2 W wind.

A few birds on the move and a few new arrivals so all in all not a day wasted.

Highlights for the day were 24 Shelduck out, a Shoveler (Canal Scrape), the Scaup (Borrow Pit), a Black-throated Diver N at sea, a Sooty Shearwater N, 8 Manx Shearwater, 7 Little Egret (1 in, 6 Humber), a Marsh Harrier S, single Merlin and Peregrine, 6000 Knot (Humber), 325 Sanderling (Chalk Bank), 4500 Dunlin, a Snipe, 28 Black-tailed Godwit (15 S, 13 in), 440 Bar-tailed Godwit and a Greenshank (Humber), 54 Turnstone (49 Narrows), terns going to roost included 1 Black, 6100 Common and a Roseate, a Cuckoo blogging, a Short-eared Owl blogging, 20 Swift S, a Great Spotted Woodpecker (Warren), 32 House Martin S, 30 Willow Warbler (20 Point), a juvenile Treecreeper at Kew.

Sea-watch 0630-0830, 1630-2045

Sunny spells with frequent showers in the afternoon in a light-moderate W-SW wind. Of note today were the Scaup blogging, 78 Oystercatcher (37 S), 356 Sanderling (350 Chalk Bank, 6 S), 4000 Dunlin, 46 Whimbrel (34 S, 2 in and 10 on the Humber), 80 Curlew (5 S), a Little Gull S, 4618 Common Tern and an adult Roseate Tern went to roost, 183 Swift S, 560 Swallow (260 S, 300 blogging), a Grasshopper Warbler (Chalk Bank), a Sedge Warbler (Point), 8 Willow Warbler.

North of the area along Beacon Lane there was a Wood Warbler in the late evening.

Sea-watch 1810-2040

Sunny spells with showers in the evening in a decreasing NW wind, of note today were the Shoveler (Canal Scrape), 3 Tufted Duck S, the Scaup (Borrow Pit) , 3 Fulmar, 77 Oystercatcher S, 16 Sanderling S, 2 Snipe on Clubley’s, 2 Black-tailed Godwit S, 50 Whimbrel S plus 8 on the Humber, 378 Sandwich and 1138 Common Tern going to roost, a Cuckoo blogging, a Great Spotted Woodpecker S, a Garden Warbler (Warren), 9 Willow Warbler (5 Warren).

Late moth news is on the 21st a Coleophora clypeiferella was trapped at light being new for Yorkshire.

Migration/sea-watches 0730-0930, 1815-2030. Mostly sunshine in the morning and showers in the afternoon in a moderate WNW wind.

Just a trickle of movement and the odd new arrival with the best of it being 73 Gannet, a Grey Heron S, 22 Sanderling S, 2 Whimbrel S plus 6 on the Humber, 2 Redshank S, 464 Sandwich Tern and 589 Common Tern going to roost, a Cuckoo blogging, 34 Swift S, a Great Spotted Woodpecker N at the Warren, 56 Sand Martin S, 434 Swallow S plus 300 blogging, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Black Redstart (Point), a Wheatear (Canal Scrape), single Blackcap and Garden Warbler (Warren), 11 Willow warbler (6 Warren).

Amazingly another SUN FISH was seen heading S at sea this one slightly larger than the last one.

Migration/sea-watches 0730-1030, 1730-2140. Some light drizzle in the morning cleared by midday leaving some sunny spells in a force 2 variable wind.

Of note today were 14 Shelduck out, the Scaup on the Borrow Pit, 181 Common Scoter (39 N, 142 S), 10 Manx Shearwater S, 2 Kestrel (1 S, 1 in), a Merlin (Clubley’s), a Snipe in, 5 Whimbrel S plus 6 on the Humber, a Greenshank (Humber), 286 Sandwich and 3312 Common Tern S to roost, a Short-eared Owl (Clubley’s), 84 Swift (75 S), a Great Spotted Woodpecker at Kew, 60 Sand Martin and 1000 Swallow blogging, 8 Yellow Wagtail (Clubley’s), 2 Black Redstart (Point), a Blackcap (Point), 5 Willow Warbler (3 Warren).

Late moth news is a Haworth’s Pug trapped on the 20th was a 1st for Spurn. Whilst were sure other ringers are catching these birds we at Spurn are often intrigued by the different colour phases of Sand Martins and there origins. The usual birds trapped at Spurn are the browner ones with the occasional colder looking grey ones.

Migration/sea-watches 0630-1000, 1800-2015. Bright and sunny for most of the time but clouding over late on with light drizzle in a swinging NW-SE force 3-1.

The main event of the day was 3 PILOT WHALES heading south early morning, relatively close in shore, spouting and breaching as they went.

On the bird front of note was 2 Teal N, the Shoveler (Canal Scrape), the Scaup blogging, 10 Little Egret with a flock of 9 S, a Peregrine over the Humber, 2 Oystercatcher S plus 27 in, a Lapwing (Borrow Pit), 22 Whimbrel (14 S), a Short-eared Owl hunting Clubley’s, a Great Spotted Woodpecker at Kew, 250 Swallow S plus 700 blogging, 26 House Martin S, 7 Flava Wagtail (4 S), 2 Black Redstart (Point), 2 Chiffchaff (Kew), 2 Willow Warbler.

Migration/sea-watches 0645-1200, 1530-2030. Another mainly sunny day with some cloudy periods in a light variable wind hovering around WNW-N.

A few highlights today with a CORY’S SHEARWATER S at 08.55 and a SUNFISH waving as it went southward in the evening.

Other notable sightings were 34 Teal (23 S), 160 Common Scoter, a Grey Heron out, a Hobby and Peregrine blogging, 27 Oystercatcher S, a Curlew Sandpiper (Chalk Bank), 2 Snipe (1 S), 31 Whimbrel (20 Humber, 8 S and 3 in), a Spotted Redshank and 2 Greenshank (Humber), a Green Sandpiper (Canal Scrape), 24 Little Gull N, 147 Swift (127 S), 99 Sand Martin S, 1319 Swallow S plus 300 blogging, 8 Flava Wagtail S, a Black Redstart Point, a juvenile Blackcap (Point), 2 Willow Warbler. The first Ruddy Darter of the year was along the Canal Zone.

Migration/sea-watches 0645-1245, 1550-1930. A mainly sunny day with some cloudy periods in a light variable wind.

Of note were 6 Teal S, a Shoveler (Canal Scrape), a Tufted Duck, the Scaup on the Borrow Pit, 6 Manx Shearwater N, 15 Cormorant (Chalk Bank), 5 Little Egret, 2 Marsh Harrier S, 38 Oystercatcher S, 2 Little Ringed Plover (Canal Scrape), 372 Sanderling (22 S), 1521 Knot (21 S), 3800 Dunlin, a Snipe (Canal Scrape), 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Whimbrel (9 S), a Spotted Redshank (Humber), a Common Sandpiper (Borrow Pit), 7 Arctic Skua, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker S, 167 Sand Martin S, 158 Swallow S, 15 Flava Wagtail S, a Black Redstart (Point), 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler.

2 Humming-bird Hawkmoth were at Kew.

Migration/sea-watches 05.40 – 09.30, 10.30 – 11.30, 18.00 – 20.15. A bright and sunny day with a few cloudy periods, a light NE to SE wind.

The only migration was over the sea: 13 Shelduck in, 30 Teal S, 170 Common Scoter, 2 Red-throated Diver N, 8 Fulmar N, 56 Manx Shearwater N, 2 Balearic Shearwater N at 18.50 and 19.15, 150 Gannet blogging, 220 Oystercatcher S, 16 Sanderling S, 4 Whimbrel S, 5 Arctic Skua blogging, 13 Little Gull N, 64 Kittiwake N, 7 Sandwich Tern S, 12 Common Tern S, 20 auk sp N, 1 Puffin N.

Other birds of note were a Teal and a Shoveler on Canal Scrape, the drake Scaup still on the Borrow Pit, 1 Green Sandpiper and 3 Common Sandpiper on Canal Scrape, 3 Swift at the Point, 2 Chiffchaff and 2 Willow Warbler.

Some light drizzle amongst some sunny periods with the wind switching to the N curtailing most of the passage birds.

Watches were most of the day with sightings of note being 3 Shoveler (Canal Scrape), the Scaup (Borrow Pit), 95 Common Scoter S, a Great Crested Grebe S, 70 Manx Shearwater (63 S), 5 Little Egret (Humber), a Marsh Harrier S, 120 Oystercatcher S plus 20 in, 3 Lapwing (Humber), 177 Sanderling (67 S), a Snipe (Canal Scrape), 450 Bar-tailed Godwit (Humber), 46 Whimbrel (42 Humber, 3 S), a Greenshank (Humber), a Common Sandpiper (Tank Blocks), 2 Arctic Skua, 2 adult Med Gull on the Point beach, 8 Little Gull, a Cuckoo (Wire Dump), 12 Swift S, 3 Chiffchaff (Kew) and a Willow warbler (Chalk Bank).

The first Migrant Hawker of the year was seen at the Point.

More of the same really with plenty of warm sunshine decreasing W-SW winds and some birds on the move, with watches from 0600-1615, 1730-2100.

Heading south (unless stated) were 72 Shelduck out, 1 Wigeon, 73 Teal, 1 Scaup, 277 Common Scoter plus 44 N, 10 Manx Shearwater plus 1 N, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier plus 1 u-turned, 50 Oystercatcher, 6 Lapwing, 472 Knot plus 122 in, 156 Sanderling, 167 Dunlin plus 18 in, 9 Snipe, 27 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit, 89 Whimbrel plus 16 in, 22 Curlew, 78 Redshank plus 23 in, 2 Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 29 Turnstone, 5 Arctic Skua, 26 Little Gull out, 562 Sandwich Tern, 817 Common Tern, 10 Arctic Tern, 1200 Swift, 1243 Sand Martin, 170 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 12 Meadow Pipit, 20 Flava Wagtail.

Elsewhere 3 Shoveler (Canal Scrape), the Scaup was on the Borrow Pit, 2 Little Egret (Humber), 4 Greenshank (Humber), a Blackcap (Point) and a Chiffchaff (Crown).

Another really humid day remaining mostly cloudy with a force 2 SSW-SE wind, watches were more or less all day through to 2030.

Of note south (unless stated) were 3 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 22 Teal plus 13 in, 5 Pintail, 510 Common Scoter N, a Great Northern Diver, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 20 Oystercatcher, a Lapwing came in, 108 Knot plus 32 in, 337 Sanderling plus 21 in, 228 Dunlin plus 24 in, 3 Snipe, 39 Whimbrel plus 20 in, 73 Redshank, 1 Greenshank came in, 1 Green Sandpiper, 23 Turnstone, 141 Common Tern, 4 Arctic Tern, 103 Swift, 564 Sand Martin, 77 Swallow, 2 Meadow Pipit, 2 Goldfinch.

Elsewhere of note the Scaup was on the Borrow Pit, 35 Whimbrel (Humber), a Little Gull blogging, 5 Flava Wagtail (Triangle), a Blackcap (Kew), a Chiffchaff (Crown).

After early morning cloud cleared a very hot day, but 8/8 cover by the evening in a light – moderate SW wind, producing a good day for passage both at sea and overland.

On the move south (unless stated) was 2 Wigeon, 16 Common Scoter plus 119 N, 14 oystercatcher, 2 Lapwing, 24 Knot plus 10 in, 104 Sanderling, 54 Dunlin plus 3 in 2 Black-tailed Godwit came in, 3 Whimbrel, 5 little Gull went out, 208 Sandwich Tern, 398 Common Tern, 1 Roseate Tern, 9 Arctic Tern, 639 Swift, 1810 Sand Martin, 20 Swallow, 7 House Martin, 12 Flava Wagtail, 1 Mistle Thrush.

A spectacular sight was had with some insects, with White butterflies coming in of the sea with c3000 in a 20 minute spell along with 140 Peacock and a Banded Demoiselle S, a small dark Pollen Beetle was also coming in of the sea in huge numbers must have been millions if not more and in the evening most were lifting of and heading inland. In the traps a Bordered Beauty (1st for Spurn).

Showers clearing early but remaining cloudy in a force 4 W wind, some more wader passage but little else, watches were 0500-1000, 1415-1930.

On the move S (unless stated) were 5 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 5 Manx Shearwater plus 17 N, a Shag N, 36 Oystercatcher, 99 Knot, 129 Sanderling, 180 Dunlin plus 30 in, 14 Black-tailed Godwit, 52 Whimbrel plus 1 in, 5 Curlew, 80 Redshank plus 30 in, 4 turnstone, 3 Arctic Skua, 86 Common Tern, the 1st Roseate Tern of the autumn, 65 Swift, 251 Sand Martin, 1 Flava Wagtail.

Other sightings of note were the Scaup on the Borrow Pit, 3240 Dunlin, 24 Whimbrel, a Spotted Redshank and 2 Greenshank (Humber), 2 Little-ringed Plover in the triangle, 2 Cuckoo, a Wheatear (Chalk Bank) and a Grasshopper Warbler near the Lighthouse.

A mixed day weather wise with some lengthy sunny spells and some blustery showers a good day for southerly passage with watches from 0515-1215, 1430-2040.

On the move south (unless stated) were 105 Shelduck out, 1 Gadwall, 1 Teal, 1 Pochard, 36 Manx Shearwater plus 4 N, 20 Oystercatcher, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Ringed Plover, 4 Lapwing, 148 Knot plus 90 in, 135 Sanderling plus 14 in, 219 Dunlin plus 64 in, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, 85 Whimbrel plus 9 in, 138 Redshank plus 10 in, 700 Sandwich Tern, 2264 Swift, 534 Sand Martin, 4 Flava Wagtail with the highlight of the day being a CORY’S SHEARWATER S in the afternoon.

Also of note were a Scaup and 2 Little Ringed Plover on the Borrow Pit, 4 Little Egret and a Spotted Redshank on the Humber, a Common Sandpiper (Borrow Pit) and a Corn Bunting u-turned back N. 2 Humming-bird Hawkmoth were seen today at Beacon Lane and at Kew.

A day of strong winds and occasional heavy showers.

Highlights of the day included a Great-crested Grebe on the sea in front of the sea-watch hut, a Short-eared Owl in off, Grasshopper Warbler reeling at Wire Dump and a Lesser Redpoll at the point.

Birds moving S were 4 Tufted Duck, 1300 Swift as well as good numbers of waders.

A mixed day of sunshine and showers some heavy, in a strong force 5-6 SW wind inducing some southerly passage. Watches were 0530-1630, 1900-2000.

Heading S were 16 Shelduck plus 106 out, 44 Teal, 6 Tufted Duck, 50 Common Scoter, 4 Manx Shearwater plus 3 N, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 1 Peregrine, 41 Oystercatcher, 12 Golden Plover plus 1 in, 271 Knot plus 63 in, 18 Sanderling, 55 Dunlin plus 4 in, 1 Ruff in, 11 Bar-tailed Godwit, 45 Whimbrel, 34 Curlew, 49 Redshank, 2 Greenshank plus 4 in, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Pomarine Skua, 308 Sandwich Tern, 11 Common Tern, 5000 Swift, 142 Sand Martin with the only other bird of note being a Flava Wagtail at the Point.

A cloudy day with rain by the afternoon, in a cool force 3-4 SE wind, some passage mainly waders and a few oddities arriving making a rather interesting day.

On the bird front 39 Teal S, a Garganey S at 13.35, 317 Common Scoter (246 S), 23 Manx Shearwater (18 N), 148 Oystercatcher S plus 1 in, 13 Knot S, 87 Sanderling S, 3000 Dunlin (Humber), 18 Whimbrel S plus 13 on the Humber, 34 Redshank S, 2 Greenshank on the Humber, 2 Green Sandpiper came in, 2 Common Sandpiper S, 150 Sandwich Tern blogging, 130 Swift and 101 Sand Martin S, 6 Flava Wagtail (Warren), 2 Crossbill first at the Warren then at Kew.

Insects of note were a Brown Hawker S past the Warren, and a single Humming-bird Hawk moth.

A cool day with a moderate NE wind becoming Se later on with some rain in the late evening. Not a lot of note except 8 Common Scoter N, 22 Manx Shearwater (2 N, 20 S), 85 Gannet, 1 Sparrowhawk S, 7 Oystercatcher S, 3 Lapwing, an adult Spotted Redshank and a Little Gull on the Humber, a Blackcap at Kew. A Humming-bird Hawk moth was at Kew and migrants in the MV’s were 42 Silver Y and 4 Diamond-back Moth.

A day of rain with a cool force 4 NNE wind very few birds to be seen apart from sea watching. Of note were 7 Teal S, 68 Common Scoter, 4 Manx Shearwater N, 83 Gannet, 2800 Dunlin on the Humber along with 15 Whimbrel and a Greenshank, 1 Arctic Skua S, 1 Little Gull N. In the traps a Hedya Salicella was the 2nd for Spurn and 3rd for VC61.

Remaining rather humid with some sunny spells but plenty of cloud cover in a strong but decreasing WSW-W wind. Migration watch was from 0630-1800 with the highlight being an Alpine Swift S at around 11.30.

Other notable sightings were 80 Common Scoter blogging, 62 Manx Shearwater (58 S), 92 Oystercatcher S, a Little Ringed Plover blogging, 2500 Dunlin (38 S, 14 in), 16 Whimbrel S plus 15 on the Humber, a Spotted Redshank (Humber), a Arctic Skua blogging, 3 Med Gull blogging, 55 Little Gull (43 S, 12 in), 120 Sandwich Tern, 5000 Swift S, a Great Spotted Woodpecker at Kew, 533 Sand Martin S and 6 Flava Wagtail S. In the traps a Maidens Blush (2nd for Spurn)

Another Humming-bird Hawkmoth was at Kew.

A hot humid day with a force 3 SW-S with rather quiet on the bird front but some unusual insects. Migration watch was 0600-1230 with all areas covered well.

Of note were single Teal and Shoveler (Canal Scrape), 3 Little Egret, 2 Lapwing blogging, 14 Black-tailed Godwit plus 25 went S, 7 Whimbrel (1 S), a Spotted Redshank and a Greenshank (Humber), 414 Swift S, 469 Sand Martin S, 2 Flava Wagtail S and a Chiffchaff at Kew.

At sea a Dolphin sp. was seen probably a Bottle-nosed according to size and shape. Huge increase in Large White butterflies with c1000 along the peninsula, a Humming-bird Hawkmoth was along Beacon Lane and in the traps were a Blackneck (2nd for Spurn) and a Beautiful Hook-tip (1st for Spurn), whilst a large 2 inch long beetle was seen coming in of the sea and landing on somebody and after examination was found to be Aromia moschata of European origin.

Some early morning sea fret came and went leaving clear blue skies being very warm in a light – moderate SW-WSW wind. Watches were 0730-0815, 1100-1200, 1600-1945.

On the whole rather quiet with the best bits being 21 Manx Shearwater (9 N, 12 S), 1800 Dunlin (19 S), 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Whimbrel (2 S, 6 Humber), an adult Mediterranean Gull on the Humber, 31 Little Gull N, 63 Sandwich Tern, 1060 Swift S, 433 Sand Martin (413 S), a Flava Wagtail blogging.

A mixed day with early morning rain and then lengthy sunny spells in light –moderate winds. Migration/sea watch was 0630-1230 with all areas covered.

Of note were 6 Teal (4 in, 2 S), 18 Manx Shearwater (8 N, 10 S), 5 Oystercatcher S, 1000 Dunlin (Humber), a Snipe (Clubley’s), 12 Whimbrel S plus 5 on the Humber, a superb summer plumaged Spotted Redshank (Humber), 11 Little Gull in, a Puffin S, 2200 Swift S, a Cuckoo (Warren), 616 Sand Martin S, 4 Flava Wagtail S, 2 Yellow Wagtail (Canal Scrape).

Sunny spells in a warm muggy sort of a day with a light – moderate W-SW wind blowing.

Migration watch was 0700-1030 plus a few short spells during the day.

Highlights were 35 Common Scoter (34 N), 4 Red-breasted Merganser out, 2 Manx Shearwater N, 69 Gannet, 1 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 17 Sanderling, 450 Dunlin, 4 Whimbrel, an adult Med Gull, 3 Puffin (2 N), 1 Cuckoo, 40 Swift S, 6 Flava Wagtail (5 S), 2 Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaff.

A bright and sunny but breezy day with a force 4 W wind, on the whole quiet with hardly any passage to speak of.

Of note were 3 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron and a Black-tailed Godwit (Humber), a Redshank S, 2 Med Gull blogging, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, 350 Swift S, a juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker (Kew), 2 Blackcap, a Chiffchaff.

A mainly bright and sunny day in a stiff WSW reaching force 5 by the evening, a record day for Swift passage with 21000 heading south albeit with a slow start. The migration watch started at 0630 and finished at dusk around 2120.

Highlights were 118 Shelduck out, 3 Tufted Duck S, 4 Eider S, 4 Manx Shearwater N, 19 Little Egret (17 S, 2 Triangle), 4 Grey Heron, a Hobby N, 2 Whimbrel S, 15 Curlew S plus 9 in, 3 Med Gull, 45 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Tern in, 21000 Swift S, 20 Sand Martin, 6 House Martin and 2 Flava Wagtail all S, 2 Blackcap and a Chiffchaff

More sunshine today in a light SW wind not as many movers today but still enough to keep some interest.

Highlights of the day were a Wigeon in then N, 60 Common Scoter, 4 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret (Humber), 120 Golden Plover, 9 Lapwing S, the Little Stint from yesterday at Chalk Bank, 253 Dunlin, a Snipe, a Greenshank, 6 Little Gull in, 2804 Swift S, 2 Cuckoo, 194 Sand Martin S, 16 House Martin S, 8 Flava Wagtail S, 3 Chiffchaff including the 1st juvenile of the year.

A Scallop Shell moth was trapped being a 1st for Spurn.

A cloudy day with a light SW wind inducing some southerly passage with watches from 0605-1300, 1600-1830.

Of note were 8 Teal s, 61 Common Scoter (60 N), 6 Little Egret (Humber), a Little Stint (Chalk Bank), 350 Dunlin, 8 Whimbrel (6 S), 2 Med Gull (Humber), 2 Little Gull, 7000 Swift S, a Flava Wagtail S, with the main highlight being 7 Spoonbill in then S.

A Coronet moth was trapped at light being the 1st for Spurn and 2nd for East Yorkshire.

Migration watch 06.45 – 20.15. A warm and sunny day with variable amounts of cloud cover and a few spots of rain, a light SW-S wind.

The bird of the day was a Bee-eater which flew south right over the sea-watching hut at 10.15, however the main feature of the day was again Swift passage with at least 8800 flying south. Also moving were 1 Hobby, 74 Sand Martin, 22 House Martin and 6 flava Wagtails.

A few waders were also on there way back in or south and included 1 Lapwing, 2 Golden Plover, 1 Dunlin, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Whimbrel and 26 Curlew. Other birds of note included 6 Little Egret, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Glaucous Gull, 4 Common Tern, 2 Razorbill, and 1 Chiffchaff.