March 2007

A cool day in a moderate NE wind with the undoubted highlight and disappointment being a RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL being found at Willow Cottage in Easington at 16.10, the bird seemed fine and healthy as it fed in a horse paddock showing well on top of fence posts for almost 2 hours before disappeared into the hedge, after it had not appeared for a long time, a closer inspection found it dead on the ground with no apparent injuries.

Some passage south with 2 Stock Dove, 2 Meadow Pipit plus 17 in then NW, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Alba Wagtail, 24 Rook, 200 Starling, 116 Chaffinch, 41 Greenfinch, 15 Goldfinch, 8 Linnet and a Redpoll. Other sightings included 2 Shoveler (Clubley’s), a Peregrine N, the adult Iceland Gull (Blue Bell), 2 Black Redstart (Point), 1 Wheatear (Point), only 18 Redwing, 2 Chiffchaff, 12 Goldcrest, 2 Long-tailed Tit (Point), 36 Chaffinch, the Common Redpoll still in the Crown and a Yellowhammer (Point).

North of the area at Beacon Lagoons there were 2 Jack Snipe, whilst also in Easington a Firecrest was seen.

With weather conditions similar to yesterday dull with a moderate NE wind a good number of Redwings appeared today but little else.

Birds of note were 4 Teal (Clubley’s), 5 Snipe, a Rock Pipit (Salt Marsh), 2 Black Redstart (Point), 1 Wheatear (Point), 13 Fieldfare (12 Point), 200 Redwing (85 Point, 70 North Field), 3 Chiffchaff, 16 Goldcrest, 18 Chaffinch, 5 Goldfinch, 3 Siskin and the Common Redpoll (Crown).

More poor visibility today with constant low cloud in light N winds some light passage and an increase in some species.

On the move south were a Lapwing, 86 Black-headed Gull, 46 Meadow Pipit, 2 Alba Wagtail, 1 Rook, 2 Siskin, 2 Linnet and a Redpoll.

Notable grounded birds included a Merlin (Sheep Field), a Water Rail (South Field Farm), 1 Snipe, the 2nd year Iceland Gull (Chalk Bank), a Rock Pipit, 1 Black Redstart (Point), 3 Wheatear at the Point the 1sy of the year, 44 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 57 Redwing, 7 Chiffchaff, 18 Goldcrest, 4 Firecrest (2 Warren, 1 Little Hedge/Rose Cottage), 2 Long-tailed Tit (Point), 43 Chaffinch, the Common Redpoll still in the Crown and a Corn Bunting blogging around the Warren.

Thick fog on and of for most of the day, visibility was poor but still a few new birds were seen and with the odd bird on the move in the clear spells.

Birds of note included 12 Common Scoter N, 2 Water Rail (South Field Farm/Rose Cottage), 5 Snipe, the 2nd year Iceland Gull (Chalk Bank), 2 Wood Pigeon S, 1 Skylark S, 5 Meadow Pipit in then NW, 1 Rock Pipit (Salt Marsh), a Grey Wagtail S, 6 Alba Wagtail S, 2 Black Redstart (Point/Narrows), 2 Fieldfare, 19 Redwing, 9 Chiffchaff (4 Point), 27 Goldcrest, 4 Firecrest (1 Chalk Bank, 1 Canal, 2 Little Hedge, 1 Rose Cottage), 2 Long-tailed Tit (Point), 1 Great Tit S, 3 Chaffinch S, 5 Goldfinch (1S), yesterdays Common Redpoll was still present in the Crown, and a Yellowhammer. 3 Small Tortoiseshell were also seen today.

Although cold to start with a slight frost the day soon warmed up with plenty of sunshine in a light – moderate ESE wind, quiet a few firsts for the year today a light trickle south and more grounded birds than of late.

On the move south were 19 Wood Pigeon, 3 Skylark, 4 Meadow Pipit plus 4 in then NW, 1 Rock Pipit, 6 Alba Wagtail, 1 Rook, 3 Chaffinch, 5 Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch, 4 Linnet and a Redpoll.

. Grounded birds of note were 9 Little Grebe, a Great Crested Grebe of Chalk Bank, 4 Wigeon and 32 Teal (Chalk Bank), 11 Coot, a 2nd year Iceland Gull first at Chalk Bank, 3 Stock Dove, a White Wagtail (Walker Butts), the 1st Black Redstart of the year (Point), a Fieldfare (Point), 20 Redwing, 5 Chiffchaff (4 Point), 29 Goldcrest, 4 Firecrest (Chalk Bank/Canal Hedge/Beacon Lane/Crown), 2 Long-tailed Tit (Point), 13 Chaffinch, a Brambling (Point) also 1st for the year, 2 Goldfinch, 18 Linnet, a Common (Mealy) Redpoll feeding in the Crown car park and a Yellowhammer (Warren). At Beacon Lagoons an adult Med Gull was seen and the only butterfly seen was a Peacock at Kew.

Very spring like today even if the moderate E wind kept a chill on things, a better day for birds with some very light passage and a few new arrivals.

Highlights were 2 Grey Heron on the Humber, 169 Brent Geese plus 1 pale-bellied bird, a Common Buzzard went N over Kew, the Adult Iceland Gull hugging the tide line around the Blue Bell, 2 Stock Dove S, 2 Skylark S, 3 Meadow Pipit S plus 8 in then NW, a Grey Wagtail blogging around, 1 White Wagtail (Walker Butts), 26 Blackbird, 4 Redwing, a Mistle Thrush S, 3 Chiffchaff, 13 Goldcrest, a Firecrest that was first seen at the Narrows but moved north really fast, 2 Long-tailed Tit (Point), 1 Great Tit S, 115 Starling, a Goldfinch (Point), 5 Linnet S and a Yellowhammer blogging around.

On a worrying note a Mink was seen heading into the Fourways ditch and a Small Tortoiseshell was enjoying the sunshine at Kew.

A much better day weather wise with plenty of sunshine in a decreasing E wind, although few new birds were seen.

Of note today were 91 Brent Geese (Humber), a Wigeon (Walker Butts), the Merlin, a Rock Pipit (Point), 1 Stonechat (Triangle), 2 Redwing, 2 Chiffchaff (Potato Fields/South Field Farm), 5 Goldcrest, 2 Long-tailed Tit (Point), 120 Starling and a Goldfinch blogging around.

A raw cold overcast day with light rain or drizzle for most of it in a stiff N wind, producing very little of note.

Birds of interest were 42 Brent Geese (Humber), the Wigeon (Walker Butts), a Merlin (Narrows), a Jack Snipe on Clubley’s, 1 Redwing, a Chiffchaff (South Field Farm), 1 Goldcrest, 19 Chaffinch, 1 Goldfinch S and a Snow Bunting on the Humber shore by the Tarmac Road.

A cloudy start with light rain or drizzle brightening up later on in a cold force 4 NE wind with a few new birds in giving more hope than of late.

Notable sightings today were a Goosander out from the Humber, the Iceland Gull also came of the Humber and heading towards the Lagoons, a Kittiwake (Narrows), a Long-eared Owl in the Crown car park, 4 Meadow Pipit came in and went NW, 4 Stonechat (3 Middle Camp, 1 Blue Bell), a Redwing (Wire Dump), a Blackcap (Middle Camp), 1 Chiffchaff (Kew), 2 Goldcrest, 4 Long-tailed Tit (Point) and a Yellowhammer (Church Field).

At Long Bank, there were 2 White-fronted Geese with 8 Pink-footed Geese.

A much quieter day weather wise with low cloud and drizzle for most of it and a force 2 N wind with a few more birds were seen.

Of note today were a Merlin blogging around the Warren area, 14 Meadow Pipit in then NW, a Littoralis Rock Pipit with a bright shiny ring on its left leg, a White Wagtail at Chalk Bank before heading N, 38 Blackbird, a Mistle Thrush (Warren), 1 Chiffchaff (South Field Farm), 8 Goldcrest, a Firecrest (Point), 2 Goldfinch and a Yellowhammer (Church Field).

At Beacon Lagoons the adult Iceland Gull was still present along with 4 Goldeneye whilst on Long Bank yesterdays White-fronted Goose was with 4 Pink-footed Geese.

On inspection this morning the tarmac road around post 20-21 has been lifted and ripped away along the edge, some of the temporary road surface has been lifted and under mined and around a foot of sand has been deposited in some places with other large pieces of debris festooning the area. This evenings tide did come onto the exposed road but was not as destructive as the night before due to less wind.

A few new birds around with 7 Pink-footed Geese (Triangle), a Wigeon (Walker Butts), 24 Meadow Pipit (1 S), 3 Rock Pipit (New Road/Gate/Blue Bell), 4 Redwing, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Long-tailed Tit (Point), a Coal Tit (Warren), 1 Snow Bunting N and a Yellowhammer singing in Church Field.

North of the area on Long Bank a White-fronted Goose was with c500 Brent Geese and 1 pale-bellied bird. The road remains closed and will not be open in the foreseeable future until the road has been repaired which may be up to a month’s time.

The tide height and the extreme weather conditions were the main focus of the day, with force 6+ N winds pushing a swell down onto an already high tide there was only going to be one outcome. By 17.00 the sea was washing over onto the road between posts 18-21 and also further along the temporary road surface, with high tide due at gone 18.00 there was still a long way to go. The tide was also coming in at the Warren and over at the Blue Bell cliffs flooding the new flood defence borrow pit. The Humber was also creeping onto the road and by 18.10 there was flowing water from the Warren down to about post 31, damage will have to be assessed in the morning.

On the bird front 3 Fulmar at sea, a Wigeon (Canal Scrape), 1 Common Scoter S, 2 Peregrine (Humber), 8 Golden Plover (Humber), 1 Chiffchaff (Wire Dump), a Goldcrest (Point) were about the best that could be found in these conditions.

Another winters day with the tide being the most interesting part of the day, last nights inundation was cleared in the morning showing little damage only some slight under-mining in places but today’s high was on from both sides albeit not a great deal from the Humber like yesterday, the sea was flooding on around post 19-21 and covered the road from post 17-25 depositing lost of debris and sand, tomorrow morning it will have to be inspected for any serious damage.

Meanwhile birds of note were few because of the gale force winds and heavy snow showers with a Fulmar blogging, the 6 Pink-footed Geese still present, a Rock Pipit (New Road), 1 Fieldfare (Chalk Bank), 2 Redwing and 3 Long-tailed Tit.

A raw blustery day with westerly winds gusting force 8-10 overnight and remaining a constant force 6 much of the day, making birding near impossible.

. A few birds seen at sea including 3 Red-throated Diver, 9 Fulmar, 1 Gannet, 2 Cormorant, a Teal N, 1 Common Scoter S, 427 Black-headed Gull S, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull S, 1600 Herring Gull S, the Iceland Gull was blogging along the tide line eating Pipefish, 2 Kittiwake N and 2 Guillemot N.

On the land a Fieldfare (Church Field), 16 Redwing, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest and the 2 Long-tailed Tits were about the best of it. The main story of the day was the Humber coming onto the road in the strong winds depositing lots of sand and possible doing some damage this forced the road to be closed to all vehicles and with bigger tides predicted in the next few days the outlook for the road looks grim.

Some more passage today but with cloud building giving light rain by the late afternoon birding was on the whole rather quiet.

Heading south were a Grey-lag Goose, 58 Black-headed Gull, c1000 Herring Gull, 1 Stock Dove, 4 Meadow Pipit plus 7 in, 5 Rook, 50 Starling, 48 Chaffinch, 14 Greenfinch, 1 Goldfinch and 3 Linnet.

The only other notable sightings were the adult Iceland Gull (Blue Bell), a Rock Pipit (Salt Marsh), a Fieldfare (Church Field), 7 Redwing, a Chiffchaff (Blue Bell), 3+ Long-tailed Tit (Point) and 18 Linnet.

Continuing in the same pattern with some southerly passage first thing in bright sunny conditions with a few new birds in but then dropping of around midday.

On the move south were a Marsh Harrier, 5 Stock Dove, 94 Wood Pigeon, 5 Meadow Pipit plus 3 in then NW, 2 Alba Wagtail, 2 Blue Tit, 5 Jackdaw, 9 Rook, 4 Carrion Crow, 200 Starling, 4 Chaffinch, 10 Greenfinch, 21 Linnet, 4 Reed Bunting.

Elsewhere birds of note were 2 Grey Partridge (Kew), 12 Redwing, 4 Chiffchaff, 7 Goldcrest and 2 Long-tailed Tit (Point). A Common Frog was seen at Kew which makes a change from all the Marsh Frogs of late.

Sunny to start with although the moderate W wind had a chill to it, some passage south but very few new grounded birds.

On the move southwards were 2 Eider, 12 Common Scoter, a Velvet Scoter, a 1st winter Med Gull, 390 Black-headed Gull, 2 Stock Dove, 65 Wood Pigeon, 4 Skylark, 5 Meadow Pipit plus 5 in, 12 Alba Wagtail, 7 Jackdaw, 155 Starling, 6 Tree Sparrow, 37 Chaffinch, 39 Greenfinch, 4 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin, 16 Linnet, 7 Reed Bunting.

Other notable sightings were 4 Gadwall (Canal Scrape), a Merlin (Warren), a Peregrine (Humber), a Water Rail (Salt Marsh), a Woodcock (Kew), 8 Redwing, only 1 Chiffchaff (Chalk Bank), 6 Goldcrest, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 22 Linnet and a Yellowhammer. The adult Iceland Gull was present along the beach adjacent to Beacon Lagoons.

A beautiful day with plenty of sunshine and light winds, fewer birds on the move and also grounded but the warm weather makes up for that.

Movement toady was mainly overland early on with 1 Eider, 155 Black-headed Gull, 10 Stock Dove, 97 Wood Pigeon, 1 Skylark, 6 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Alba Wagtail, 3 Blue Tit, 4 Jackdaw, 21 Rook, 5 Carrion Crow, 330 Starling, 6 Tree Sparrow, 3 Chaffinch, 12 Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch, 7 Linnet and a Reed Bunting all south.

Grounded highlights included 2 Grey Partridge (Warren), 6 Redwing, 3 Chiffchaff, 12 Goldcrest, yesterdays Firecrest (Point), 4 Long-tailed Tit (Point), 18 Chaffinch and a Snow Bunting on the beach just south of the Blue Bell. The Marsh frog count increased by one to 31 at Kew and a Red Admiral was by the Blue Bell.

A gorgeous spring day with plenty of blue skies and a light variable wind inducing some passage with a few more grounded birds around as well, all in all rather pleasant.

On the move south today were 9 Golden Plover, 227 Black-headed Gull, 11 Stock Dove, 186 Wood Pigeon, 12 Skylark, 26 Meadow Pipit, 14 Alba Wagtail, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Great Tit, 31 Jackdaw, 30 Rook, 4 Carrion Crow, 319 Starling, 7 Tree Sparrow, 20 Chaffinch, 51 Greenfinch, 42 Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting, and 2 Corn Bunting.

Highlights of grounded birds included 2 Wigeon, 2 Grey Partridge, 93 Wood Pigeon (85 Church Field), 21 Meadow Pipit, 1 Fieldfare, 31 Redwing, 7 Chiffchaff (1 Point, 2 Middle Camp/ Warren/Triangle), 5 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest (Point/Wire Dump), plus another in Easington, a Long-tailed Tit (Point), a Goldfinch (Kew), a male Bullfinch (Rose Cottage), 1 Yellowhammer (Church Field) and 19 Reed Bunting. In the ponds there were 15 Newts and 30 Marsh Frogs making a huge noise! Also on the wing was a Small White the earliest record by 12 days, a Small Tortoiseshell and a Peacock. Whilst in the moth trap at Kew 24 moths were trapped with the best being a Grey Shoulder Knot.

Continuing in the same theme with plenty of sunshine and light passage to start with petering out by mid-morning in a decreasing SW force 5 to a NW force 1.

A few more grounded birds around with the usual 6 Pink-footed Geese, a Merlin (Warren), a Peregrine hunting the Humber, 15 Meadow Pipit, 2 Redwing (Point), 3 Chiffchaff (Point/Chalk Bank/South Field Farm), 9 Goldcrest, the Firecrest at Chalk Bank, 12 Chaffinch (8 Kew) and 6 Linnet.

On the move today were a Grey-lag Goose S, 2 Skylark, 9 Meadow Pipit plus 6 NW, 2 Alba Wagtail, 1 Rook, 3 Chaffinch, 4 Greenfinch and 4 Linnet.

More sunshine and a light trickle of passage with the odd new arrival thrown in.

Birds on the move were 16 Whooper Swan NW up the Humber, 5 Eider N, 5 Stock Dove, 2 Wood Pigeon, 2 Skylark, 4 Meadow Pipit, 6 Alba Wagtail, 4 Great Tit, 6 Jackdaw, 6 Rook, 140 Starling, 14 Chaffinch, 11 Greenfinch and 4 Linnet.

Other highlights of the day were a Merlin (Warren), the presumed same Iceland Gull blogging around the tide line by the Blue Bell, an increase in Meadow Pipit with 16, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, a Firecrest at Chalk Bank also presumed the same bird as last week, and a Long-tailed Tit at Kew. Along Beacon Lane another Firecrest was seen albeit a bit elusive.

Another bright and sunny day with some light high wispy clouds and a stiff W wind, some passage south early on but the strong wind curtailed that after a while with little in the way of new grounded birds.

Birds heading south were 2 Stock Dove, 1 Wood Pigeon, 6 Skylark, 7 Meadow Pipit plus another 5 in then NW, 12 Alba Wagtail, 4 Great Tit, 8 Jackdaw, 2 Rook, 94 Starling, 5 Tree Sparrow, 26 Chaffinch, 38 Greenfinch, 17 Linnet, a Lapland Bunting and 3 Reed Bunting.

At sea 26 Red-throated Diver, 3 Great Crested Grebe sat on the sea, 6 Teal N, 5 Common Scoter N, 2 Curlew S, 3 Turnstone came in, 54 Black-headed Gull and 5 Guillemot were seen. Grounded birds included a Merlin (Warren), 9 Meadow Pipit, a Stonechat (Triangle), 2 Fieldfare, 16 Redwing (14 Point), 2 Goldcrest, a single Long-tailed Tit roaming the Triangle and Crown area and 3 Linnet (Point). In the pond at Kew there are now 25 Marsh Frogs and plenty of spawn with more to come.

A bright sunny day with some light southerly passage to start with which stopped when the winds reached a force 6.

On the move south were 2 Stock Dove, 42 Wood Pigeon, 1 Skylark, 3 Meadow Pipit plus 1 NW, 28 Redwing, 10 Rook, 6 Starling, 9 Chaffinch, 7 Greenfinch and 2 Linnet.

Other sightings worth mentioning are the 6 Pink-footed Geese, 31 Blackbird, a Fieldfare (Chalk Bank), 5 Redwing, a Chiffchaff at Kew, a Goldcrest and a Linnet (Point). A Hebrew Character was trapped overnight at Kew equalling the earliest record for this species at Spurn.

A beautiful sunny day that sadly clouded up in the afternoon with rain by late evening, a good day for movement and just the odd new arrival.

On the move were 139 Pink-footed Geese NW, 1 Grey-lag Goose, 3 Wigeon, 2 Eider, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 2 Lapwing, 13 Dunlin, 7 Stock Dove, 44 Wood Pigeon, 29 Skylark, 4 Meadow Pipit all south another 14 Meadow Pipit in then NW, whilst also going south were 7 Alba Wagtail, 1 Dunnock, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Blue Tit, 7 Great Tit, 31 Jackdaw, 12 Rook, 745 Starling, 1 Tree Sparrow, 29 Chaffinch, 44 Greenfinch, 1 Goldfinch, 15 Linnet, 3 Yellowhammer, 1 Reed Bunting and 2 Corn Bunting.

Grounded birds included a Merlin (Salt Marsh), 2 Peregrine over the Humber, 4 Fieldfare (Point), 28 Redwing, a Stonechat (Warren), 3 Long-tailed Tit (Kew), 280 Starling and a Linnet (Warren). Other fauna of note were a Common Lizard (Warren) and two of each Small Tortishell and Peacock butterflies.

After the rain petered out by early morning a lovely bright sunny day in light winds prevailed a good day for early passage plus a few grounded birds around making life rather pleasant.

south were 87 Red-throated Diver, a Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Lapwing, 78 Black-headed Gull, 32 Skylark, 7 Meadow Pipit plus 3 in then NW, 3 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Alba Wagtail, 2 Blue Tit, 12 Rook plus 9 u-turned back N, 570 Starling, 34 Greenfinch, 1 Goldfinch, 9 Linnet, 1 Yellowhammer and a Corn Bunting.

Grounded birds included 2 Black-tailed Godwit (Tank Blocks), a Short-eared Owl (Chalk Bank), 8 Meadow Pipit, a Rock Pipit, a Stonechat (Warren),39 Blackbird, 11 Fieldfare, 34 Redwing, 3 Goldcrest, a Firecrest at Chalk Bank, 23 Great Tit, 5 Linnet and 13 Reed Bunting.

A lovely bright sunny day feeling rather spring like although a force 4 W wind decreased slowly to a force 2 by the afternoon, a few birds on the move south with 2 Grey-lag Geese, 3 Brent Geese, 5 Curlew, 6 Wood Pigeon, 11 Meadow Pipit, 1 Alba Wagtail, 4 Rook, 2 Carrion Crow, 2 Starling, 15 Greenfinch and 5 Linnet. Little at sea with 26 Red-throated Diver and a Great Crested Grebe sat on the sea being the best.

On land the 6 Pink-footed Geese remain, 2 Grey Partridge, 13 Skylark, 7 Meadow Pipit, 2 new Stonechats appeared (Sheep Field/Triangle), 28 Blackbird, 4 Redwing and a Goldcrest (Wire Dump) were about it.

A Peacock butterfly was on the wing at Kew.

A bright start soon clouded up giving rain by late afternoon in a strong SW veering W and reaching force 5, a few birds at sea with 81 Red-throated Diver, 12 Shelduck S, 2 Pintail and 2 Velvet Scoter N, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull S plus a few Auks but mostly distant.

. On land a Grey-lag Goose went N, a Jack Snipe was on the Salt Marsh, 2 Skylark S plus 6 Clubley’s, 3 Meadow Pipit S, a Stonechat (Warren), 9 Redwing (6 Point, 3 Church Field), a Goldcrest (Point), 3 Greenfinch S plus a Linnet blogging.

On the mammalian front a Fox was sunning itself in Walker Butts.

Some passage to start with until driving rain and a force 6 SW which sadly halted any further observations. On the move were 37 Red-throated Diver (33 S), a Red-necked Grebe N, 2 Cormorant came in, a Shag N, 5 Wigeon, 2 Teal and1 Tufted Duck S, 5 Eider N, 21 Common Scoter S, a Purple Sandpiper S, 2 Stock Dove, 4 Wood Pigeon, 7 Skylark, 4 Meadow Pipit, 1 alba Wagtail, 33 Starling, 2 Chaffinch, 68 Greenfinch and 8 Linnet all south.

Other notable birds are a colour ringed Little Egret on the Humber (green (C) left leg, yellow (U) right leg), the almost resident 6 Pink-footed Geese, 9 Skylark, 5 Meadow Pipit, a Stonechat (Chalk Bank) and around 250 Starling (Triangle).

Another bright sunny start to the day but with cloud building as the day wore on in a light SW wind, a few birds on the move but on the whole rather quiet.

On the move today were 8 Red-throated Diver (6 N), a Common Scoter, a Merlin, 2 Skylark, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Jackdaw, 4 Rook, 11 Starling, 4 Greenfinch and 3 Linnet all south. The 6 Pink-footed Geese were still present and the adult Iceland Gull was seen foraging the tide line by the Blue Bell other birds of note were a Fieldfare (Kew), 11 Song Thrush, a Goldcrest (Point) and a Goldfinch (Crown). In the pond at Kew the croakers have now amassed 12 individuals.

A Black Swan was observed flying from the sea over the Triangle onto the Humber and possibly continued over towards Lincolnshire.

A lovely spring like day with plenty of blue skies and sunshine, clouding up later with a fresh SW wind, a few birds on the move both at sea and overland.

At sea highlight were 91 Red-throated Diver (57 S), a Fulmar N, 12 Wigeon S, 2 Mallard N, a Common Scoter N, 70 Black-headed Gull S, whilst birds heading south overland were 46 Skylark, 1 Meadow Pipit plus 2 in, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Rook, 71 Starling, 2 Tree Sparrow, 5 Chaffinch, 14 Greenfinch, 1 Goldfinch and 4 Linnet.

Other notable reports were of the 6 Pink-footed Geese still here, 5 Grey-lag Geese N, 15 Oystercatcher and 3 Curlew out E, 4 Stock Dove, 2 Stonechat , 26 Blackbird, 9 Song Thrush, 2 Jackdaw, 650 Starling, 2 Goldfinch (Church Field) and 2 Linnet. A Small Tortishell butterfly was seen on the wing in North Field, whilst at Easington there was an un-confirmed report of a Goshawk.

With driving rain in force 6 winds birding was predictably difficult with sea watching taking the centre stage.

At sea 33 Red-throated Diver (17 S), a Fulmar N, 1 Common Scoter N, 87 Black-headed Gull S, 91 Herring Gull S, plenty of distant Auk sp, 22 Guillemot were the best of today’s sea watching, whilst on land very few birds of note except the 6 Pink-footed Geese (Walker Butts), a Wigeon (Canal Scrape), 2 Sparrowhawk (Kew), 2 Meadow Pipit, 22 Blackbird and a Redwing (Point).