June 2008

A nice hot sunny day with a light-moderate W-SW enticing some passage with a Manx Shearwater N, 8 Dunlin S plus 15 in, 17 Curlew in, a Arctic Skua S, 500 Swift S, 404 Sand Martin S 1st brood birds, 5 House Martin S, 6 Jackdaw S, 11 Chaffinch S, 7 Siskin S, and a Crossbill.

The highlights were raptors with a Red Kite S at 11.15 and a Honey Buzzard S at 08.15.

Elsewhere the Pochard was on Canal Scrape, 2 Curlew Sandpiper (Chalk Bank), a Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper (Canal), a Turtle Dove (Blue Bell) and a Short-eared Owl (Clubley’s). A Small Skipper was on the wing being the 1st of the year.

Some pleasant warm sunshine but heavy showers in the afternoon still some unexpected birds appearing and some light passage.

On the move south (unless stated) were 2 Grey-lag Geese, 6 Wigeon, 9 Eider, 11 Common Scoter N, 1 Hobby, 2 Oystercatcher, 37 Grey Plover plus 80 in, 40 Knot, 29 Dunlin came in, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Curlew plus 90 in, 3 Redshank in, 25 Common Tern, 8 Arctic Tern, 900 Swift, 4 House Martin, 2 Flava Wagtail and 7 Siskin.

Elsewhere of note were the Pochard on the Canal Scrape, 1 Little Egret and 2 Greenshank (Humber), a Green Sandpiper (Triangle), a 1st summer Med Gull and a 3rd summer Yellow-legged Gull (Humber), 3 Cuckoo, 1 Blackcap (Point), and a Common Rosefinch singing at the Warren.

Migration watch 07.00 – 17.00. A generally cloudy day with occasional sunny spells and a force 3 W-NW wind.

Some light passage south including the first reasonable movement of Sand Martins which suggests they have had a good first brood, also wader numbers starting to build again including the first juvenile Dunlins.

Birds on the move included (south unless stated), 1 Shelduck in, 2 Tufted Duck, 147 Common Scoter, 2 Red-throated Diver N, 1 Grey Heron + 1 in, 4 Oystercatcher in, 6 Lapwing, 50 Dunlin in, 11 Black-tailed Godwit in, 9 Curlew + 5 in, 9 Redshank in, 227 Swift, 223 Sand Martin, 6 House Martin, 2 flava Wagtail, 6 Siskin in. Other birds of note were 1 Brent Goose, 1 Pochard, 1 Little Egret, 4 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Turtle Dove and 5 Cuckoo. The first Ringlet and Common Darters were on the wing today, the only migrant moth was a Silver Y.

Migration watch from the sea-watch hut 04.05 – 12.00, 14.00 – 17.30, 19.00 – 20.00.

Light to fresh SW wind picking up in the evening, some sunny spells during the day with the occasionally shower passing through.

Very quiet today with just 250 Swifts flying south, other birds of note included; 1 Gadwall in, 1 Pochard on the Canal, 1 Little Egret in the Triangle, 2 Grey Heron in, 1 Hobby S, 4 Grey Plover in, 40 Black-tailed Godwit in and south, 5 Curlew in, 2 Arctic Tern off the sea-watch hut, 2 House Martin S, 1 Blackcap at Kew and 2 Siskin S.

Wow! What an amazing day. The PACIFIC SWIFT was seen again this afternoon as it flew south as far as the new road before u-turning back north, it then hung around the triangle for a few minutes before drifting off up the Humber and heading towards Easington. Just a few minutes after it was lost to view the observer who picked it up then picked up Spurns first and long predicted LITTLE SWIFT over Clubley's field which flew within six feet of the assembled observers at the seawatching hutt, this bird flew straight through going as far as the narrows then heading out over the sea towards the Lincs coast. Despite a few keen Yorkshire and Spurn listers coming down and a passage of about 700 Swift moving through in front of rain in the evening neither bird was seen again, although all are predicting the Pacific will be seen again in the coming days

Other birds of note were 2 Little Egret (1 S), 1 Hobby S, 5 Dunlin in plus 2 S, a Whimbrel S, 8 Curlew S plus 16 in, a Yellow-legged Gull (Tank Blocks), and a bird showing some features of Caspian Gull at Chalk Bank, a Turtle Dove N, 2 Cuckoo, 1200 Swift S, 28 Starling S, a Siskin S and a Crossbill S.

On the moth front a daytime flying micro caught on the 23rd was new for Spurn being Coleophora tamesis.

A big Swift day today with 11000 birds heading south up to 1900 hrs in a day of sunny spells and the odd heavy shower in the afternoon in a strengthening WSW wind.

Elsewhere birds of note were 6 Teal and 40 Common Scoter S, 3 Little Egret, 3 Hobby all S, 6 Lapwing in plus 7 S, 27 Curlew S plus 2 in, 2 Green Sandpiper (1 in), 6 Cuckoo, 32 Sand Martin, 38 Swallow and 39 House Martin all S, 4 Yellow Wagtail (1 S), a Grey Wagtail S, a Blackcap (Cliff Farm), 3 Siskin and 3 Crossbill S.

An Avocet and a Green Sandpiper came in at Beacon Lagoons and the only migrant moths trapped were single Silver Y and Dark Sword Grass.

A cloudy day with variable wind in speed and direction ending up as a force 4 SE a trickle of passage with a few new birds around.

Of note today was a juvenile Pochard (Canal Scrape), 1 Tufted Duck on the sea, 43 Common Scoter, 2 Manx Shearwater N, 279 Gannet (242 N), 102 Golden Plover, 7 Lapwing S, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank (Humber), a Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Common Tern, 7 Wood Pigeon, 25 Swift and 20 Sand Martin S, 4 Yellow Wagtail (3 Warren), a Blackcap (Kew), 2 Rook S, 2 Siskin blogging, with the best saved to last being a Nuthatch that flew S as far as the New Road before returning back N.

Late news for yesterday was that there was 4 Storm Petrels feeding just of the Lighthouse area and a Little Owl was along the Easington Straight.

With the wind easing overnight a much more pleasant day was had by all, with plenty of sunshine in light variable winds.

Of note today were 7 Eider S, 7 Common Scoter N, a Common Sandpiper (Borrow Pit), a Long-eared Owl trapped at the Warren, 30 Swift N plus 250 blogging late in the evening, 2 Blackcap, a Jackdaw at Kew and 9 Siskin S.

The highlight of the today came from a Large Skipper at Pallas’s Pond the first record in the recording area since 1994, and a Red-veined Darter was on Clubley’s.

Gale force W winds made birding difficult with some good movement of birds even in the wind.

The undoubted highlight seen by four lucky observers was Spurns second record of PACIFIC SWIFT that flew low over Beacon Lagoons and the top part of Beacon Lane before disappearing and not reaching the waiting observers at the Warren, or they just couldn’t pick it up!

Other birds on the move south were 3 Gadwall, 17 Teal, 5 Tufted Duck, 71 Common Scoter, 2 Manx Shearwater, 1 Little Egret, 1 Hobby, 36 Curlew, 21 Sandwich Tern, 5000 Swift, 5 Sand Martin and 20 Hose Martin. The only other notable sightings were 2 Curlew Sandpiper at Chalk Bank, a Newt in the moth trap! Late moth news is that two moths caught by day on the 21st were new for Yorkshire after being identified after dissection being Coleophra adjunctella.

A bright start soon clouded over becoming full cover with drizzle or heavier rain by midday, in a light SW wind.

Highlights in a poor day were a Brent Goose, 1 Common Scoter S, 4 Grey Heron blogging, a Hobby S, a Lapwing S, 2 Curlew Sandpiper (Chalk Bank), 2 Little Gull (Humber), 5 Cuckoo including 2 S, a Barn Owl (Church Field), 200 Swift (170 S), 2 Blackcap.

The only migrant moth in the MV’s was a Silver Y.

A bright sunny day albeit in a strong force 5 W-WNW wind, an interesting day that ended strongly.

Of note today was a Little Egret (Humber), a Red Kite ambled about before going south a different bird to yesterday as this bird was wing-tagged, 2 Marsh Harrier S, 8 Lapwing S, 50 Redshank on the Humber, 21 Wood Pigeon S, a Turtle Dove (Point), a Long-eared Owl at the Warren in the late evening, 40 Swift S plus 1 in, 4 House Martin S, a Blackcap (Point), and a Nightjar flying around Canal Hedge before heading of S at height.

The only migrant moth in the traps was a Siler Y but a Privet Hawkmoth is notable and possibly breeding here now.

Another day of strong SW winds gusting force 6 + but at least there was plenty of sunshine, highlight of the day was a Red Kite that landed on a post at Big Hedge for about ½ an hour before heading of south.

Other sightings of note were a Grey Heron on the Humber, single Marsh Harrier and Sparrowhawk S, 10 Golden Plover, 5 Lapwing S, 200 Swift S, a Siskin at Kew and 3 Crossbill S.

Also of note was a Coot with small young that drowned a Common Gull on Canal Scrape.

A real blustery day with a force 6 gusty SW wind and frequent showers, more Swifts S today with 2700 but little else.

The rest of the sightings included 5 Manx Shearwater S, a Little Egret S, a 1st summer Hobby S, 58 Golden Plover (Humber), 38 Curlew (20 in), 5 Cuckoo and 18 House Martin S.

The first big Swift day of the year with 2250 S, in a stiffening SW wind and sunny spells with a continuous watch from 0610-1930.

Other birds of note were 10 Greylag Geese S, 5 Teal S, 15 Common Scoter (6 N, 9 S), 12 Cormorant, 3 Grey Heron (1 in, 2 Humber), 2 Hobby S, 50 Grey Plover out, 16 Lapwing S, 7 Whimbrel in, a Little Gull (Humber), 5 Sand Martin S, 14 Swallow S, 36 House Martin S, the Blackcap (Point), 3 Jackdaw and 2 Rook S, 185 Starling blogging and 2 Siskin S.

New on the wing today were 2 Meadow Brown butterflies.

Little change in weather, or birds with just a trickle on the move, mainly at sea with the occasional heavy shower and lengthy sunny spell and a light NE wind.

At sea 19 Shelduck S, 30 Common Scoter blogging, 6 Fulmar, 5 Manx Shearwater (4 N), 122 Gannet (100 N), a Grey Heron N, 1 Whimbrel S, 2 Arctic Skua N, 1 Black Tern N elsewhere birds of note were a Little Egret (Humber), 50 Swift S, 7 House Martin S, a Blackcap (Point), a Chiffchaff (Church Field), 3 Jackdaw (2 S) and a Rook S.

As per previous days rather changeable with some heavy showers and warm sunny periods little change on the bird front with 43 Common Scoter (28 N, 15 S), 3 Red-throated Diver S, a Manx Shearwater N, 50 Gannet (49 N), a Little Egret blogging on the Humber, 3 Whimbrel on the Humber, an Arctic Skua out, 22 Sandwich Tern, 37 Wood Pigeon S, 15 Swift S, 13 Swallow and 29 House Martin also S, 2 Chiffchaff (Chalk Bank/Kew) being noteworthy.

Only 8 Silver Y were the only migrants in the moth traps.

Another changeable day one not to get caught out in the showers, with a cool Northerly wind all day, very little highlights except a Crossbill at the Crown.

Other notable sightings were 23 Common Scoter (13 N), 5 Fulmar, 4 Manx Shearwater N, 43 Gannet, a Little Egret (Chalk Bank), 7 Golden Plover, 315 Grey Plover mostly 1st summer birds, 150 Sanderling, a 2nd summer Yellow-legged Gull (Humber), 21 Swift S plus 80 blogging, a Reed Warbler and Chiffchaff at Kew, 2 Spotted Flycatcher (Point/Chalk Bank).

A day of mixed showers and sunshine in a cool northerly wind, apart from a few birds at sea very little of note.

Highlights were 2 Grey Partridge (Walker Butts), 2 Fulmar N, 125 Gannet (117 N), an Arctic Skua N, 7 Kittiwake N, 4 Cuckoo and a Chiffchaff at Kew. The only migrant moth trapped was a Silver Y.

The only migrant moth trapped was a Silver Y.

A cool day with some sunny spells and some showers and a force 4-5 N wind taking the edge of it, sea watching produced any notable sightings with 23 Fulmar (18 N), 83 Manx Shearwater (79 N), 101 Gannet (82 N), an Arctic Skua S, 38 Kittiwake, 6 Sandwich Tern 2 Arctic Tern, 38 Guillemot, 26 Razorbill and 3 Puffin.

Elsewhere of note were 2 Little Egret (Chalk Bank), 40 Redshank, 2 Yellow-legged Gull (Humber), 4 Cuckoo, 2 Chiffchaff and 60 Starlings mostly Juvs.

North of the area at Sammy’s a Common Buzzard went N and a Little Gull was at Beacon Lagoons.

A quiet day with plenty of sunshine in a cool N-NE wind of note today was 10 Brent Geese (Humber), 7 Common Scoter S, 8 Gannet, 2 Little Egret (1 N, 1 W), an adult Yellow-legged Gull on the Humber, 5 Turtle Dove (2 Point, 3 Church Field), 30 Swift blogging, 7 Jackdaw S, 5 Rook S plus 3 u-turned.

Whilst migrant moths caught were 7 Silver Y and a Rusty Dot Pearl.

A Nightjar was present at Beacon Ponds all afternoon.

A foggy start which burnt off by mid-morning to leave a warm and sunny day in a light NE – E wind.

The highlight of the day was a female or 1st summer male Rustic Bunting which was found opposite Canal Hedge and then flew into Walker Butts where it showed intermittently for about 20 minutes before flying further into the field and out of view, it later sat up on a fence and then disappeared and wasn’t seen again.

Other highlights today included a ring-tail Hen Harrier which flew south, a Common Buzzard U-turned, a Hobby flew south, a Spotted Redshank flew down the Humber, 25 Gannet on the Humber, a Blackcap at the Point and 3 Siskin. Good numbers of Silver Y’s present today with at least 270 recorded.

A cold wet start to the day, with light rain for most of the morning, the sun came out in the afternoon but the N wind remained cool.

Highlights today included a ring-tail Montagu’s Harrier south at 8.30 am, 3 Spoonbill on the Humber which eventually left south, a Common Rosefinch trapped and ringed at Kew Villa, a Golden Oriole flew north over Beacon Lane, 3 Yellow-legged Gull on the Humber, a Hobby was seen at the Point, 1 Little Egret flew north, while other birds of note were 1 Teal, 1 Common Scoter, 7 Fulmar, 18 Gannet, 1 Marsh Harrier in, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Green Sandpiper in the Triangle, 28 Kittiwake N, 2 Common Tern, 10 Razorbill, 20 Swift, 1 Skylark S, 21 Swallow S, 5 House Martin S, 1 flava Wagtail S, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 15 Siskin.

Migration watch 05.40 – 08.15, cloudy all day with rain from early afternoon, light SE wind in the morning backing NE in the afternoon.

Back to very few migrants but with good birds thrown in, the highlight being a Stone Curlew which flew south at 17.00 – ninth record for Spurn. Other highlights included a Hawfinch at Kew briefly late morning and 9 Crossbills at the Point mid-afternoon.

Other birds of note included 2 Little Egret on the Humber, 2 Avocets were on the Borrow Pit for a short while as was a Tufted Duck and 7 Teal. 2 Greylag Geese, 3 Eider and 12 Common Scoter S, 1 Fulmar S, 3 Lapwing S, 15 Swift S, 22 Swallow S, 5 House Martin S, 11 Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 1 Siskin.

Migration watch – 07.30 – 11.30. A very still start and largely sunny day, a light NE wind picked up from mid-morning, going SE in the afternoon.

A much quieter day today, new birds included a singing Marsh Warbler which was quite mobile at the Point and a Golden Oriole was singing in the Crown car park before flying to the Warren and then leaving south, there was no sign of the bird at the Point today. Other highlights included a Common Buzzard north over the Church, an Avocet N, 425 Sanderling, 1 Turtle Dove, 5 Cuckoo, 9 Swift S, 2 Skylark S, 25 Swallow S, 9 House Martin S, 1 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 1 Siskin S.

Overnight immigrant moths included 11 Silver Y and 2 Diamond-back and a new micro for Yorkshire – Celypha rivulana.

Migration watch from the Narrows 06.00 – 10.00. WNW wind to start switching to SE force 2 the afternoon, cloudy start but some long sunny spells and a light shower early evening.

Still new birds keep arriving, the pick of the bunch for one birder at least was Spurn’s 5th Nuthatch which was seen at the Warren then flew north and appeared to land in Canal Hedge but wasn’t seen again. An Icterine Warbler was new at the Warren and was trapped and ringed, an adult male Golden Oriole at Wire Dump eventually flew off south and the immature male was still at the Point, a Common Rosefinch was at post 68 and a female Red-backed Shrike was still at post 67, with a male still in the Triangle. The Hawfinch was refound at post 63 before that flew off south. A probable Short-toed Lark flew south over the Warren early morning. Other birds of note included; 2 Little Egret, 400 Sanderling, 1 Whimbrel, a Green Sandpiper on Canal Scrape, 1 Wheatear, 1 Blackcap, 3 Garden Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Yellowhammer.

While birds moving south were; 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Wigeon, 1 Fulmar, 17 Lapwing, 2 2nd summer Mediterranean Gull, 5 Little Gull, 48 Black-headed Gull, 16 Lesser B.B.Gull, 4 Common Tern out, 8 Wood Pigeon, 8 Swift, 1 Skylark, 2 Sand Martin, 150 Swallow, 16 House Martin, 1 Mistle Thrush, 3 Goldfinch. North of the area a Red-backed Shrike was reported from Sammy’s Point.

No migration watches, light rain all morning, stopping for a few hours early afternoon and then more persistent rain from late afternoon well into the evening, in a light to fresh NW- N wind.

New birds today included a Common Rosefinch trapped and ringed at the Warren and another was seen at Southfield Farm, a female Hawfinch at the Point which flew off north, a male Red-backed Shrike at the Warren and one still in the Triangle, and a female at Horseshoe Cottage, the Golden Oriole was still at the Point. The only common migrants seen were 7 Cuckoo, 2 flava Wagtail, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, and a Corn Bunting.

Other birds of note were 4 Wigeon N, 8 Common Scoter on the Humber, 3 Curlew Sandpiper at Chalk Bank and a Little Gull there too.

Migration watch 12.00 – 15.30, generally cloudy with some long sunny spells although always hazy, a still start picking up to a force 2 SE wind in the afternoon.

Only a few new birds in today, what was reported as an Ashy-headed Wagtail was probably a flava Wagtail which was caught at the Point, it was a first summer male Grey-headed Wagtail with some other mix in it, possibly Blue-headed! At least one Golden Oriole was at the Point, as was an Icterine Warbler, a Marsh Warbler was seen briefly at Rose Cottage and a male Red-backed Shrike was still in the Triangle. An Avocet and 2 Curlew Sandpiper were at Chalk Bank at high tide, while common migrants included; 9 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Spotted Flycatcher. Other birds of note were, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Fulmar, 5 Gannet, 363 Sanderling, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank and 1 Arctic Tern.

North of the area; 1 male Red-backed Shrike at the gas terminal and a female at Sammys but no sign of the Marsh Warbler there.

No migration watches, overcast all day with a light northerly wind.

Another day and more new birds; a Nightingale sp. was seen to fly across the Canal bank and dive into bushes and wasn’t seen again, two male Red-backed Shrikes together in the Triangle, a Golden Oriole at the Point, a Marsh Warbler and Icterine Warbler still at the Point, other migrants today included; 7 Cuckoo, 3 Tree Pipit, 1 Wheatear, 1 Redwing, 9 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler,1 Pied Flycatcher, 8 Spotted Flycatcher, a Siskin and 2 Redpoll sp. No passage today apart from 2 Swift and an Osprey which was perched at Beacon Ponds eventually flew south, alighting on a post at post 44 for a few minutes before continuing.

Other birds of note included 2 Teal,1 Grey Heron, 1 Hobby, 3 Curlew Sandpiper and the first Tawny Owl of the year. North of the area a new Red-backed Shrike was found by the gas terminal and a new Marsh Warbler was opposite the riding school. A Redwing was at Beacon Ponds and two Avocets flew south from Sammy’s Point.