March 2009

Migration watch 06.30 – 14.00. A nice mild day, generally cloudy with sunny intervals in a light west wind.

highlight of the day was of 2 single Red Kites which flew south at 07.20 and 10.05 and another feature was the spring record of Jackdaws was smashed (previously 95) when 280 flew south inc flocks of 130 and 105! Other birds on the move (south unless stated) were; 2 Greylag Geese, 3 Shelduck, 2 Teal, 5 Tufted Duck, 3 Common Scoter + 5 N, 2 Red-throated Diver N, 1 Gannet, 1 Cormorant + 4 N, 1 Lapwing, 3 Common Snipe, 1 Stock Dove, 30 Wood Pigeon, 2 Swallow, 36 Meadow Pipit + 85 in and NW, 1 Grey Wagtail, 8 alba Wagtail, 41 Rook, 16 Carrion Crow, 330 Starling, 2 Tree Sparrow, 41 Chaffinch, 23 Greenfinch, 8 Goldfinch, 4 Siskin, 103 Linnet, 2 Yellowhammer U-turned and 1 Reed Bunting.

On the ground the Firecrest was still around Kew, while other birds of interest included; 1 Merlin, 3 new Robin, 1 Black Redstart at the Point, 1 Stonechat, 5 Wheatear, 37 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare, 40 Redwing, 10 Song Thrush, the first Blackcap of the year at Kew, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Brambling at Kew. A rare moth at Spurn – Red Swordgrass was caught overnight.

Migration watch 06.30 – 13.30. A pleasant day with regular sunny spells in a fresh to light SW wind backing W in the afternoon

The south-westerlies didn’t really produce the passage we were expecting but there was a trickle and the main feature of the day was Meadow Pipits coming in off and continuing north which totalled a minimum of 470 (more than last years spring passage total). Other birds on the move (south unless stated) were: 2 Greylag Geese NW, 3 Shelduck + 1in, 1 Eider, 9 Common Scoter + 3 N, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Gannet + 1 N, 2 Cormorant N, 1 Grey Heron in, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Avocet in, 2 Curlew in and 1 out, 102 Black-headed Gull, 3 Lesser B.B.Gull, 1 Auk sp N, 2 Guillemot N, 1 Razorbill N, 1 Stock Dove, 12 Wood Pigeon, 3 Skylark, 1 Sand Martin, 2 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 alba Wagtail, 3 Jackdaw, 10 Rook, 225 Starling, 7 Tree Sparrow, 9 Chaffinch, 26 Greenfinch, 14 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 79 Linnet, 3 Yellowhammer and 1 Corn Bunting.

The Firecrest was still present around the Churchyard and Kew Villa, while other migrants included 2 Swallow blogging, a Black Redstart at the Blue Bell, 2 Stonechat, 9 Wheatear, 1 Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Brambling and 3 Yellowhammer. Other birds of note included 1 Merlin, 1 Black-tailed Godwit. North of the area were a Short-eared Owl at Long Bank and 2 Wheatears and a Chiffchaff.

Migration watch 06.30 – 14.20. A lovely, bright and sunny day with light WNW wind backing SW-SSE wind.

The nice weather brought with it the first Firecrest of the year along with the first 2 Swallows which appeared to fly south. Other birds on the move (south unless stated) were; 2 Common Scoter N, 2 Red-throated Diver N, 5 Cormorant N, 1 Shag N, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kittiwake N, 1 Auk sp N, 1 Stock Dove, 6 Wood Pigeon, 2 Skylark, 6 Meadow Pipit + 14 in, 1 Grey Wagtail N, 2 Jackdaw, 10 Rook, 70 Starling, 2 House Sparrow, 6 Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch, 23 Linnet, 1 Snow Bunting N.

Other notable birds included; 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Redwing, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Siskin and a Yellowhammer. North of the area a Jack Snipe was seen at Beacon Ponds and a White Wagtail, Wheatear and Chiffchaff were at Sammy’s Point.

Sea-watch 07.00 – 10.30, 10.45 - 16.50. A wild day with blustery showers of rain and hail in a cold force 6+ NNW-N wind

Activity over the sea saw 2 Wigeon N, 7 Common Scoter S, 1 Goosander N, 1 Red-throated Diver S, 23 Fulmar S, 6 N, 26 Gannet S, 85 N, 1 Cormorant N, 1 Bonxie S, 84 Herring Gull S, 2 Lesser B.B.Gull S, 30 Kittiwake N, 2 S, 11 Auk sp S, 2 N, 13 Guillemot S.

Other birds of note included; 2 Teal and 1 Shoveler, 6 Snipe, 1 Woodcock in the Triangle, 2 Wheatear (Borrow Pit and Sheep Field), 1 Fieldfare, 1 Goldcrest, and 1 Brambling at Kew.

Gale force W wind veering NW by mid-morning, bright and sunny most of the day with cloud cover moving through on and off. Migration watch from the sea-watching hut 06.00 – 10.00.

Birds moving (south unless stated) were: 1 Curlew + 6 out, 3 Wood Pigeon, 5 Meadow Pipit + 63 in and NW, 3 alba Wagtail, 2 White Wagtail at the Warren left south, 2 Jackdaw + 1 U-turned, 14 Rook, 490 Starling, 185 Chaffinch, 22 Greenfinch, 4 Goldfinch, 39 Linnet. Seabirds seen included 4 Red-throated Diver (3 N, 1 S), 1 Fulmar S, 4 Cormorant (2 N, S), 78 Black-headed Gull S, 15 Lesser B.B.Gull (12 N, 1 S, 2 in), 2 Kittiwake N, 1 Auk sp S, 17 Guillemot N.

Other birds of note were; 2 Teal, 2 Merlin, 2 Rock Pipit, 2 Stonechat, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 350 Starling and 23 Reed Bunting.

Sea-watch 07.40 – 09.00. Strong NW winds again all day with rain at first and then squally wintry showers throughout the day.

The few birds on the move included: 2 Wigeon S, 2 Red-throated Diver N, 2 Sand Martin, 3 Meadow Pipit, 2 Linnet and 2 Jackdaw U-turned.

The only other birds of note were 1 Fieldfare and 1 Redwing at the Point, 2 Chiffchaff and a Goldcrest also at the Point and 13 Chaffinch in the area.

No watches today, a cool fresh NW wind easing in the afternoon with a few passing showers.

The only birds of note today were 1 Lapwing in, 25 Blackbird, 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Goldcrest.

Sea-watch 08.50 – 09.20. Another very blustery day with a strong Northerly wind blowing in the morning and easing in the afternoon, cloudy with long sunny spells.

Very few birds seen again, the best of which were: 1 Common Scoter S, 1 Guillemot N, 1 Long-eared Owl at the Point, 1 Meadow Pipit in, 1 Blackbird in, 1 Redwing, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Jackdaw S, 2 Carrion Crow S, 118 Starling S, 12 Chaffinch and 2 Siskin.

Sea-watch 07.00 – 08.05. An awful day with near gale force WNW-NW winds, squally wintry showers and the occasional bout of sunshine.

Need less to say there were very few birds seen, the best of which being: 4 Wigeon, 6 Common Scoter (5 N, 1 S), 2 Red-breasted Merganser N, 11 Red-throated Diver (10 S, 1 N), 1 Gannet S, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Merlin, 1 Woodcock at the Point, 4 Guillemot (2 sea, 2 N), 6 alba Wagtail S, 2 Redwing, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Starling in and 2 Linnet in.

Migration watch 06.05 – 09.45. Mainly cloudy with some sunny spells in a cold and increasing WNW-NW wind.

Birds on the move (south unless stated) were: 2 Shelduck, 3 Eider, 13 Common Scoter, 4 Red-throated Diver + 8 N, 1 Fulmar, 1 Gannet, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Buzzard at 08.30, 1 Common Snipe, 4 Guillemot + 1 N, 3 Stock Dove, 2 Wood Pigeon, 1 Sand Martin, 9 Meadow Pipit + 19 in, 3 Rock Pipit + 1 in, 6 alba Wagtail, 27 Jackdaw + 9 U-turned, 12 Rook, 5 Carrion Crow, 800 Starling, 1 Tree Sparrow, 2 Chaffinch + 1 in, 8 Greenfinch, 3 Goldfinch + 1 in, 1 Siskin, 17 Linnet + 2 in, 1 Reed Bunting + 2 in.

Other birds of note seen today were: 1 Greylag Goose, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Merlin, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 400 Common Gull, 2 Stonechat, 58 Blackbird, 12 Blackbird, 3 Goldcrest. Of note last night Redwings were calling in the dark from 2100 to midnight at least.

Migration watch 06.15 – 09.15. A bright and sunny day, with a light SW wind veering NW later in the morning.

The highlight of the day was a winter plumage Slavonian Grebe and a drake Long-tailed Duck on the sea off Beacon Ponds, both birds slowly drifted south into the Observatory recording area (nice to get Long-tailed Duck early on as we didn’t see one last year!). Other birds seen at sea included: 12 Wigeon, 15 Eider (6 N, 9 S), 18 Common Scoter and a Goldeneye S, 19 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Gannet N, 2 Cormorant S, 15 Guillemot.

The best of migrants on the move were a Woodlark north over the Humber and Riverside Hotel (may have dropped down near Sammy’s Point), and a Lapland Bunting flew north early morning, other birds moving (south unless stated) were: 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Wood Pigeon, 5 Skylark, 6 Meadow Pipit + 33 in, 13 Jackdaw, 17 Rook, 13 Carrion Crow, 1080 Starling, 8 Chaffinch, 9 Greenfinch, 1 Siskin, 10 Linnet and 1 Reed Bunting. Other birds of note were 1 Peregrine, 4 Common Snipe, 1 Black Redstart at the Warren, only 24 Blackbird, 6 Redwing, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest and 3 Brambling.

Migration watch 06.15 – 08.45. A cloudy start which cleared mid morning to leave a bright and sunny day, the wind was a light SSW backing SE by early afternoon.

A clear out of Blackbirds overnight left just 40, but 8000+ Starlings were seen in the morning, other migrants included 1 Stonechat, 6 Redwing, 3 Goldcrest, 9 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling and 1 Siskin.

Birds on the move (south unless stated) were; 1 Greylag Goose, 4 Wigeon, 2 Teal, 5 Common Scoter N, 4 Red-throated Diver N, 4 Gannet + 2 N, 1 Cormorant, 3 Oystercatcher, 1 Avocet at 16.30, 2 Auk sp, 7 Guillemot, 8 Meadow Pipit, 1 alba Wagtail, 3 Greenfinch and 1 Siskin.

No migration watch due to fog and easterly winds. The day started still and misty, followed by quite dense fog for a short while until the easterly wind picked up to force 2, cloud rolled in for the rest of the day.

There were two features of the day: an arrival of Blackbirds when the wind picked up, with birds dropping in from over 200 feet up, the total for the day was 165 most of which were males, other migrants around during the day included 1 Sand Martin (flew south in afternoon), 1 Rock Pipit, 3 Meadow Pipit flew south and 1 came in off, 12 alba Wagtail flew south, a Black Redstart at the Point, a Stonechat at Sheep Field, 1 Fieldfare, 3 Song Thrush, 15 Redwing, 11 Goldcrest, 5 Chaffinch and a Brambling.

The other feature of the day was a large gathering of Starlings, 580 flew south in the morning but in the afternoon a flock of 9,000+ were feeding in the Triangle before flying off to the north to roost.

Migration watch 06.15 – 08.15. A beautiful, warm sunny day with a light SSW wind, a little haze in the afternoon.

The highlight was the first Black Redstart of the spring by the Crown & Anchor, also 2 Chiffchaff (Point and Kew), other migrants included 2 Rock Pipit, 30 Blackbird, 2 Goldcrest and 5 Chaffinch.

Birds on the move (south unless stated) were; 16 Common Scoter + 103 N, 3 Red-throated Diver + 21 N, 3 Gannet, 10 Herrring Gull out east, 1 auk sp, 2 Stock Dove, 1 Skylark, 20 Meadow Pipit + 1 in, 2 alba Wagtail, 4 Jackdaw, 5 Rook, 1375 Starling, 7 Tree Sparrow, 10 Chaffinch, 14 Greenfinch, 3 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, and 29 Linnet. North of the area 2 Wheatear were reported at Chalky Point.

No migration watches due to a cold NE force 3 blowing, the day was cloudy all day with some occasional hazy sunshine.

There had been a clear out of most migrants overnight and the only birds of note seen were 345 Brent Geese + 6 Pale-bellied, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Merlin, 2 Stonechat, 40 Blackbird, 1 Redwing, 1 Goldcrest and 12 Chaffinch.

Migration watch 06.30 – 10.00. A warm and sunny day with some wispy cloud cover in a light SW wind.

An overnight arrival of migrants, mainly Goldcrests (24) and Blackbirds (70), but also 1 Woodcock, 6 Robin, 3 Stonechat, 4 Song Thrush, 20 Redwing, 2 Chiffchaff (Canal and Potato Fields), and 11 Chaffinch.

Birds on the move (south unless stated) included; 8 Whooper Swan N, 15 Common Scoter N, 2 Cormorant, 9 Skylark + 1 in, 11 Meadow Pipit + 27 in, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtail N, 5 alba Wagtail, 3 Great Tit, 24 Jackdaw + 7 U-turned, 7 Rook, 520 Starling, 3 Tree Sparrow, 14 Chaffinch, 22 Greenfinch, 6 Goldfinch, 3 Siskin, 16 Linnet. At Sammy’s Point there was another Chiffchaff.

Migration watch 06.30 – 10.15. A nice bright and sunny day with some occasional cloud cover, a fresh NW wind eventually backed W and dropped to almost still by the afternoon.

A Chiffchaff was the first of the year while other migrants included 2 Woodcock, 6 Stonechat, 48 Blackbird, 18 Redwing, 2 Goldcrest, 700 Starling, 14 Chaffinch, 1 Siskin and 1 Snow Bunting. Birds on the move (south unless stated) included; a flock of Whooper Swans flying north at 02.00 (heard only), 230 Pink-footed Geese N, 12 Greylag Geese, 21 Wigeon in, 1 Common Scoter, 3 Cormorant + 1 N, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 12 Oystercatcher out east, 15 Golden Plover out east, 87 Black-headed Gull, 2 Guillemot, 7 Stock Dove, 8 Wood Pigeon, 11 Skylark + 3 in, 2 Meadow Pipit + 19 in, 12 alba Wagtail, 6 Blackbird, 8 Great Tit, 3 Magpie, 31 Jackdaw + 53 in, 9 Rook, 2 Carrion Crow, 370 Starling, 22 Chaffinch, 5 Greenfinch, 3 Goldfinch, and 21 Linnet.

Other birds of note included; 4 Red-throated Diver, 1 Water Rail while at Beacon Ponds there was 4 Goldeneye, 2 Red-legged Partridge and a Jack Snipe.

Migration watch from 06.45 – 10.00. A murky start with some light rain showers but clearing to leave a sunny afternoon however cool in the freshening W-WNW wind.

The first summer migrants arrived today; a Sand Martin flew south and a male Wheatear was in the Sheep Field, while other migrants down were 2 Stonechat, 30 Blackbird, 15 Redwing, 5 Fieldfare, 2 Goldcrest, and 20 Chaffinch.

Birds on the move (south unless stated) were; 1 Shelduck, 1 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 9 Common Scoter N, 1 Fulmar, 2 Gannet N, 1 Grey Heron N, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Avocet, 4 Lapwing + 1 in, 136 Black-headed Gull, 273 Herring Gull, 12 Meadow Pipit + 14 in, 3 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail + 3 in, 2 alba Wagtail, 9 Jackdaw, 2 Rook, 4 Carrion Crow, 100 Starling, 71 Chaffinch, 15 Greenfinch, 8 Goldfinch, 7 Linnet and 1 Yellowhammer.

A much calmer day that slowed migration south with little wind but lots of sunshine made it a rather pleasant spring day.

On the move (south unless stated) were 166 Pink-footed Geese NW, 3 Wigeon N, 2 Eider, a Marsh Harrier, a Merlin, 2 Stock Dove, 11 Wood Pigeon, 2 Collared Dove, 6 Sky Lark, 3 Meadow Pipit plus 6 in, a Grey Wagtail, 2 Great Tit, 6 Jackdaw plus 5 u-turned, 8 Rook, 3 Carrion Crow, 293 Starling, 16 Chaffinch, 14 Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch, 39 Linnet, 4 Yellowhammer plus 2 u-turned, 6 Reed Bunting. Grounded birds of note included a Snipe, 3 Stock Dove, 4 Rock Pipit on the Salt Marsh, 6 Song Thrush, 200 Starling, 11 Chaffinch, 3 Linnet and 15 Reed Bunting.

Also of note Thursday night’s hide tide deposited some sand and debris onto the road from the Humber side, but no damage was caused and the road remained open.

A rather blustery day with a stiff W wind most of the time brightening up later on.

Some light passage S with 3 Wigeon, 2 Curlew plus 1 in, 2 Stock Dove, 2 Sky Lark, 5 Meadow Pipit plus 6 in, 1 Rock Pipit, 5 Alba Wagtail, 4 Jackdaw plus 2 u-turned, 8 Rook, 2 Carrion Crow, 1120 Starling, 4 Tree Sparrow, 191 Chaffinch, 17 Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch, 3 Siskin, 16 Linnet.

Other notable sightings were a Grey-lag Goose blogging, 80 Cormorant including a flock of 70 which came in then headed N, 3 Shag were also in the flock, 2 Merlin, 120 Sanderling on the Warren Beach, 3 Rock Pipit (Humber) 2 of which were Scandinavian types, 1 Stonechat, 30 Blackbird, 18 Redwing, 60 Starling, 19 Chaffinch (14 Crown), a Brambling at Kew the 1st of the spring, 2 Linnet, 17 Reed Bunting.

A better day for passage with one or two highlights in a day of plenty of sunshine and light winds.

On the move S (unless stated) were a Grey-lag Goose, 10 Teal, 2 Stock Dove, 18 Wood Pigeon, a Woodlark at 08.30, 34 Sky Lark plus 1 in, 8 Meadow Pipit plus 1 in, 2 Rock Pipit, 2 Great Tit, 8 Jackdaw plus 3 u-turned, 9 Rook plus 1 in and 5 u-turned, 5 Crow plus 3 u-turned, 330 Starling, 2 House Sparrow, 9 Chaffinch, 14 Greenfinch, 1 Goldfinch, 39 Linnet, 6 Yellowhammer, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Corn Bunting u-turned.

The highlight of the day being a Raven that u-turned back N over the Triangle. Elsewhere of note were single Kestrel, Merlin and Peregrine hunting, a 2nd year Med Gull on the sea, 2 Rock Pipit (Warren), 3 Stonechat, 12 Redwing (11 Kew), 120 Starling, 10 Chaffinch, 4 Goldfinch, 20 Reed Bunting (10 Church Field).

A day with plenty of sunshine albeit in a cold light northerly wind.

Some light passage with a Grey-lag Goose and a Gadwall N, 2 Meadow Pipit, a Rock Pipit, 4 Jackdaw, 3 Rook, 5 Tree Sparrow, 3 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch S.

Elsewhere 2 Peregrine were hunting over the Humber, 600 Bar-tailed Godwit and 120 Curlew (Humber), 350 Common Gull, 16 Guillemot N, 30 Meadow Pipit (25 Church Field), 2 Rock Pipit (Warren), 2 Stonechat, 28 Blackbird, 17 Redwing (9 Point, 8 Kew), 9 Song Thrush, 11 Chaffinch were the best bits.

Strong force 5-6+ W winds hampering most activities today but at least there were some sunny spells as well.

Of note were 2 Wigeon, a Gadwall and 2 Teal (Canal Scrape), 23 Red-throated Diver S, a Merlin N, a Black-tailed Godwit (Clubley’s), 188 Herring Gull S, 2 Meadow Pipit, 12 Chaffinch (10 Kew).

Weather wise typical for early March with some sunshine, heavy showers of rain and hail and a strong W wind gusting force 5+.

Of note were 1 pale-bellied Brent Goose, 21 Common Scoter S, 62 Red-throated Diver, a Merlin blogging, 14 Lapwing S, a Little Stint S, an adult Med Gull S, 170 Black-headed Gull S, 5 Stock Dove (Church Field), a Short-eared Owl (Clubley’s), 25 Meadow Pipit (North Field), 2 Redwing, 14 Chaffinch (10 Kew), 2 Siskin (Crown).

The most alarming sighting must be the Mink that was seen along the Canal!

Another mild day with a moderate SW wind and sunny spells producing some passage S with 2 Shelduck, 1 Gadwall, 2 Mallard, 1 Shoveler N, 1 male Scaup, 4 Oystercatcher, 2 Lapwing, 10 Dunlin, 2 Stock Dove, 2 Sky Lark 6 Meadow Pipit, 3 Rock Pipit, 1 Magpie, 8 Jackdaw, 3 Rook, 159 Starling, 2 Tree Sparrow, 42 Chaffinch, 30 Greenfinch, 1 Siskin, 13 Linnet, 1 Yellowhammer and 3 Reed Bunting.

Elsewhere 2 pale-bellied Brent Geese (Chalk Bank), a Hen Harrier u-turned, single Merlin and Peregrine hunting, a Water Rail (Blue Bell), 83 Sanderling, 2 Black-tailed Godwit (Humber), 3 Stock Dove, a Long-eared Owl (Point), a Rock Pipit (Borrow Pit), 23 Blackbird, 2 Redwing, 9 Long-tailed Tit (Warren), 10 Chaffinch, 14 Reed Bunting.

Whilst at Beacon Lagoons 3 Med Gulls were seen.

A heavy overnight frost at first light and lots of sunshine in a light W wind, inducing some light passage S with a Grey-lag Goose, 2 Meadow and 2 Rock Pipit, 8 Jackdaw plus 11 u-turned, 11 Rook plus 3 u-turned and 1 came in, 2 Carrion Crow, 67 Starling, 1 House Sparrow, 4 Chaffinch, 12 Greenfinch, 7 Linnet and a Snow Bunting.

Elsewhere of note were a Jack Snipe and Short-eared Owl on the Salt Marsh, 24 Meadow Pipit (North Field), 4 Long-tailed Tit blogging, 7 Chaffinch (Kew).

After some wintry showers of hail/sleet to start with plenty of warm sunshine in light variable winds, with the best of it being 8 Teal (Walker Butts), a Woodcock (Potato Fields), 7 Meadow Pipit, a Rock Pipit (Salt Marsh), 2 Stonechat, 7 Song Thrush, 4 Long-tailed Tit at Kew, 1 Tree Sparrow S, 200 Starling (Triangle), 13 Chaffinch (3 S, 10 Kew), 6 Goldfinch (Kew) and 11 Reed Bunting (1 S).

A cloudy start brightened up as the day wore on with just the odd shower in an increasing SW-W force 1-3.

The best of the sightings today were 300 Brent Geese plus 3 pale-bellied birds, 2 Wigeon S, a Fulmar S, 2 Merlin blogging, 3 Lapwing S, 4 Snipe, a Long-eared Owl at Chalk Bank, 6 Sky Lark (Clubley’s), 7 Meadow Pipit (1 S, 5 North Field), 6 Stonechat, a Fieldfare (Church Field), 5 Redwing (4 Warren), 18 Chaffinch (15 Kew), 5 Goldfinch (Kew), 9 Linnet (4 S, 5 Church Field).

A dull cloudy day with frequent light showers in a cold force 3 increasing 5+ W-SW wind of note today was 11 Teal (Walker Butts), 16 Red-throated Diver, a Woodcock (Wire Dump), 7 Guillemot, 9 Meadow Pipit (Church Field), a Stonechat (Church Field), a Goldcrest (Point), 2 Jackdaw u-turned, 9 Chaffinch (8 Kew), 4 Goldfinch (Kew), a Linnet S.

A lovely bright sunny start unfortunately clouded up later on in a force 3 NW wind a lot less around today with the highlights being 10 Teal (1 S, 9 Triangle), 5 Eider blogging, 8 Red-throated Diver, 2500 Golden Plover (Humber), a Woodcock (Church Field), 8 Sky Lark (2 S, 6 Clubley’s), 13 Meadow Pipit (North Field), 13 Jackdaw (3 S, 10 u-turned), a Goldcrest (Point, the 1st of the spring), 120 Starling, 4 Goldfinch (Kew) and a Yellowhammer (Warren).

Some more light passage early on, although hampered by murky misty conditions, heading south unless stated were 3 Pink-footed Geese plus 82 NW, 3 Wigeon plus 13 in, 2 Gadwall, 8 Teal plus 11 N, 5 Shoveler, 62 Black-headed Gull, a Glaucous Gull, 13 Stock Dove, 3 Wood Pigeon, 1 Sky Lark, 13 Meadow Pipit, 6 Rock Pipit, 2 Rook, 43 Starling, 5 Chaffinch, 6 Greenfinch, 12 Linnet and 3 Yellowhammer.

Whilst elsewhere of note were 700 Brent Geese, 10 Teal (Triangle), 2 Grey Heron, single Merlin and Peregrine hunting, a Water Rail (Fourways ditch), a Barn Owl (Triangle), 13 Meadow Pipit (10 North Field), 5 Stonechat, 23 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare, a Redwing (Crown), 80 Starling, 12 Chaffinch. 25+ Newts were seen in Church Field pond.

North of the area were 2 Jack Snipe at Beacon Ponds and a Stonechat was unbelievably caught in a wader net at 9pm over deep water!! What it was doing we will never know.