May 2007

Migration watch, 06.15 – 09.15, sea watch 19.05 – 19.50. A little warmer of late with sunny spells and light S-SE winds.

A very quiet day with some light southerly passage and only a handful of migrants. Birds of interest were 5 Fulmar, 15 Gannet, 2 Shoveler, 4 Eider and 8 Common Scoter, 1 Marsh Harrier S, 1 Lapwing S, 21 Auk sp., 1 Cuckoo, 2 Swift S, 3 Sand Martin S, 80 Swallow S, 11 House Martin S, 1 flava Wagtail S, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 1 Redwing, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher.

A Small Clouded Brindle was the first of the year.

A fairly quiet day with at least some sunshine in the morning before cloud and showers came in for the afternoon, a smidgen of interest with a few birds south and the odd new arrival.

The highlight of the day were 2 immature Spoonbill S in the afternoon, other birds south were 2 Mallard, 1 Shoveler, 2 Common Scoter, 7 Lapwing, 1 Swift, 45 Sallow, 10 House Martin, 1 Flava Wagtail, whilst grounded birds of note included a Merlin (Warren), 3 Whimbrel, 2 Turtle Dove blogging, a Yellow Wagtail, a Black Redstart (Point), 3 Whinchat, 2 Redwing (Point/Blue Bell), 3 Willow Warbler, 5 Spotted Flycatcher and the Red-backed Shrike in the Triangle.

The only migrant moth in the traps was a Silver Y and Marsh Pug was 1st of the year.

At least the weather brightened up but could it have got any worse for May? A mainly cloudy day with just the occasional glimpse of the sun and odd shower in a moderate NW-W wind.

Less birds at sea with 2 Fulmar, 5 Manx Shearwater, 110 Gannet (95 N), 1 Eider N, an Arctic Skua S, 34 Kittiwake N and plenty of distant Auk’s.

On land 1 Little Egret (Humber), a Marsh Harrier S, 132 Ringed Plover, 223 Bar-tailed Godwit, 15 Curlew, 2 Cuckoo, a Swift S, 7 House Martin and 19 Swallow S, 2 Yellow Wagtail (Triangle), a White Wagtail (New Scrape), a Black Redstart (Point), 3 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 1 Wheatear, a Redwing (Point), 4 Willow Warbler, 6 Spotted Flycatcher, a Pied Flycatcher (Churchyard), 2 male Red-backed Shrike (Wire Dump/Triangle) both of which were singing. A Small Copper was the first of the year, whilst migrants in the moth traps were 3 Silver Y and a Broad-barred White was the first of the year.

Another cold day in constant heavy showers and a strong N-NE wind a day that started with a Bluethroat in the point trap and finished with a Rustic Bunting at the Green Beacon in the Point dunes and plenty of birds at sea with the spring Manx Shearwater record being beaten again! Late news for yesterday was a male Red backed Shrike at chalk bank which presumably moved north to Cliff Farm.

At sea birds were busy going mostly north with a Red-throated Diver, 197 Fulmar, 621 Manx Shearwater N, 431 Gannet (372 N), 2 Tufted Duck S, 4 Common Scoter, 416 Kittiwake (414 N), 63 Guillemot, 19 Razorbill and 4 Puffin N.

On land a Hobby u-turned N over the Triangle, 2 Swift over Chalk Bank, 12 House Martin (2 S), a Yellow Wagtail, a young female Bluethroat in the Point trap was released at the Warren, a Redstart (Wire Dump), 1 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, a Redwing (Point), 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Blackcap, a Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 7 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Pied Flycatcher (Kilnsea Road), a male Red-backed Shrike at Cliff Farm, and last but not least a male Rustic Bunting in the Point dunes at around 18.45, which never gave great views and was rather flighty but at least it was calling well. Whilst at Beacon Lagoons a Little Stint and a Common Sandpiper were observed.

An awful day weather wise with torrential rain at times in leaden skies and a stiff N-NE wind, sea-watching was the order of the day with a record spring number of Manx Shearwaters on the move, very poor elsewhere due to the conditions.

Sightings at sea included 4 Red-throated Diver, 188 Fulmar (156 S, 32 N), 459 Manx Shearwater (458 S), 544 Gannet (398 S), 2 Teal, 2 Shoveler N, 37 Common Scoter, 1 Bonxie S, 3 Little Gull, 52 Lesser Black-backed Gull S, 46 Kittiwake, 5 Sandwich Tern, 3 Common Tern, 2 Arctic Tern S, 34 Guillemot, 15 Razorbill and a Puffin (S).

Elsewhere 2 Cuckoo ( Wire Dump and a hepatic bird at the narrow neck) and 4 Spotted Flycatcher was the only notable migrants recorded.

Continuing the quiet theme with plenty of coverage producing very little, with over 3 hours Narrows and sea watching to pass the time away.

At sea 2 Red-throated Diver, 5 Fulmar, 8 Manx Shearwater S, 73 Gannet, 6 Tufted Duck S, 22 Common Scoter, an Arctic Skua S, 1 Little Gull out, 62 Kittiwake (60 S), 3 Sandwich Tern, 6 Common Tern N, 3 Guillemot, 22 Razorbill (7 N, 15 S), 2 Puffin N.

Whilst elsewhere a Grey-lag Goose S, 2 Avocet u-turned back to Beacon Lagoons, 91 Ringed Plover, 67 Bar-tailed Godwit went out plus 115 N, 3 Whimbrel, a Cuckoo (Church Field), 1 Swift S, 46 Swallow (21 S), 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Wheatear, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Spotted Flycatcher (Point/Wire Dump/Warren), a Goldfinch and 5 Linnet S were about the best of it!

Another quiet day as you would expect for late May, with just a light passage and a few new arrivals although an hours sea watching produced a few birds.

At sea 1 Red-throated Diver S, 9 Fulmar, 11 Manx Shearwater S, 11 Gannet S, 2 Common Scoter, 26 Kittiwake, 2 Common Tern and 10 Razorbill were observed.

Heading south were a Little Egret, 25 Swallow and 9 House Martin whilst new birds in included 2 Tufted Duck (Humber), 5 Wheatear, 2 Willow Warbler and 4 Spotted Flycatcher. More migrant moths were trapped with 4 Silver Y and 4 Dark Sword Grass with 1st for the year being Middle-barred Minor, Obscure Wainscot and Gold Spot.

A quiet day although it was rather warm and pleasant in plenty of sunshine and light winds, a few birds went south with just a scattering of migrants around.

On the move south were 2 Little Egret, 4 Oystercatcher, 2 Swift, c100 Swallow, 32 House Martin, 3 Flava Wagtail, 2 Goldfinch and 5 Linnet.

Other notable sightings included 2 Fulmar, going out east were 38 Grey Plover, 2 Whimbrel and 3 Curlew, a Turtle Dove was at Chalk Bank, 1 Cuckoo (Triangle), 2 Swift blogging, a Yellow Wagtail (Triangle), 4 Wheatear, the Grasshopper Warbler was singing at Rose Cottage again, 7 Willow Warbler and 7 Spotted Flycatcher. On the moth front new for the year were Tawny Marbled Minor, Lime Speck Pug, White-pinion Spotted, Vine’s Rustic, Freyer’s Pug, Drinker, Brown-silver Line and Currant Pug whilst 2 Silver Y were the only migrants.

Just a trickle of migration with bright sunny skies making it rather warm in an increasing S-SW wind touching force 4.

On the move today were 2 Fulmar S, 15 Brent Geese out E, 4 Avocet S, 262 Swallow, 43 House Martin and 2 Goldfinch all S. Other birds of note included 188 Bar-tailed Godwit and 2 Whimbrel on the Humber, 2 Cuckoo, a White Wagtail (New Scrape), 1 Whinchat (Walker Butts), 4 Wheatear, 6 Reed Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler and 3 Spotted Flycatcher.

Migrant moths attracted to light were 2 Silver Y and a Dark Sword Grass whilst first of the year was Agdistis Bennetii (14 days early), Phycitodes maritima (6 days early) and Straw Dot (15 days early) Flame, Grey Pug and V.Pug.

A bright hot sunny day with plenty of sunshine in light westerly winds, some passage south mainly hirundines but no lengthy watches were undertaken as there were a few new migrants in.

On the move were 2 Marsh Harrier S, 22 Grey Plover, a Whimbrel and 2 Arctic Skua out, 23 Wood Pigeon, 11 Swift, 8 Sand Martin, 183 Swallow, 23 House Martin, a Flava Wagtail and 5 Chaffinch all south.

Grounded birds included 2 Wigeon (Canal Scrape), 486 Grey Plover, 161 Sanderling, 127 Bar-tailed Godwit, 5 Stock Dove, 2 Cuckoo (Point, Warren), 2 Swift, 37 Wheatear, a Garden Warbler (Potato Fields) and 4 Spotted Flycatcher. At Beacon Lagoons there were 6 Little Egret. A Painted Lady at the Narrows was the first of the year and in the moth traps a Common Marbled Carpet was the earliest record by 4 days.

A mild warmish day in a light NNE wind hardly a migrant to be found anywhere and just the odd bird on the move, probably the quietist day of the spring.

Birds of any note were 2 Fulmar, a Shag N, 3 Common Scoter N, a Curlew Sandpiper off the Crown, 10 Black-tailed Godwit S, a Bonxie S, an adult Yellow-legged Gull N past the Blue Bell, 3 Cuckoo, 2 Swift N, 2 Sand Martin S, 150 Swallow S, 15 House Martin S, a Wheatear (Point), 3 Chiffchaff. Whilst migrant moths in the traps were single Dark Sword Grass and Silver Y.

Watches 05.10 – 10.35. A fine bright sunny day with light south-easterly winds.

Some light passage again and a few new grounded migrants, the highlight of the day was a Spoonbill which flew south at 07.30. Other birds on the move (south unless stated) were: 2 Red-throated Diver + 1 N, 1 Fulmar out, 1 Gannet N, 1 Greylag Goose, 70 Common Scoter + 9 N, 1 Goldeneye N, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Whimbrel, 11 Black-headed Gull, 16 Lesser B.B.Gull, 23 Kittiwake, 4 Sandwich Tern, 3 Common Tern, 13 Wood Pigeon, 2 Swift, 4 Sand Martin, 250 Swallow, 18 House Martin, 2 flava Wagtail, 4 Rook, 9 Carrion Crow, 2 Goldfinch, 4 Linnet and 2 Reed Bunting.

Other birds of note were; 16 Brent Geese, 2 Wigeon, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Eider, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Razorbill, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 13 Wheatear, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Yellowhammer. North of the area a Little Egret and a Curlew Sandpiper were at Beacon Ponds and a Spotted Flycatcher at Sammy’s Point. Just 1 Silver Y in the moth traps overnight.

Watches 05.30 – 07.30, 08.15 – 15.00, 17.10 – 19.25. Bright and sunny all day with a strong south-westerly wind.

Despite good conditions for visible migration, there was little on the move apart from reasonable numbers of Swallows. Birds that moved south (unless stated) were; 8 Brent Goose + 1 N, 1 Tufted Duck, 11 Common Scoter, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Oystercatcher, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Curlew, 1 Turstone, 1 Turtle Dove, 92 Swift + 13 in, 3 Sand Martin, 379 Swallow, 91 House Martin, flava Wagtail, 2 Jackdaw, 3 Goldfinch, 46 Linnet.

Seabirds seen included, 12 Fulmar, 2 Manx Shearwater, 9 Gannet, 4 Cormorant, 3 Arctic Skua blogging, 28 Black-headed Gull, 16 Lesser B.B.Gull, 9 Kittiwake, 15 Sandwich Tern, 17 Auk sp. Other birds of note were; 2 Wigeon, 1 Hobby over the Crown, an Avocet on the Humber, a Long-eared Owl in the Triangle, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Wheatear, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Siskin.

Watches 06.20 – 12.30, 15.10 – 17.40. A clear sunny day with occasional cloud and a force 4 SW – W wind. A steady passage of hirundines, but very little else on the move and very few migrants in the breezy conditions.

Birds moving south unless stated were; 14 Brent Geese out east, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Goosander N, 1 Marsh Harrier + 1 N, 1 Kestrel, 12 Dunlin + 9 in, 4 Curlew, 1 Greenshank, 39 Black-headed Gull, 4 Lesser B.B.Gull, 5 3 Wood Pigeon, 10 Swift, 19 Sand Martin, 490 Swallow, 89 House Martin, 5 flava Wagtail, 1 Chaffinch, 22 Goldfinch, and 45 Linnet.

Other birds of note were; 1 Fulmar, 9 Gannet including 1 picked up exhausted in the Triangle, fed and later released on the sea, a Roseate Tern flew north and presumably the same bird south later on, 2 Redstart, 14 Wheatear, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff and 3 Willow Warbler. At Beacon Ponds the 2 Little Egrets were still present and 2 Avocets were there early morning. The only moths caught overnight were 2 Silver Y.

Light NE winds all day backing southerly in the evening. No migration watches today. A similar day to yesterday with a trickle of southerly passage and just a few grounded migrants and for the second time this week the highlight of the day was only heard, when a Bee-eater called about four times over the North Field but couldn’t be seen from the position of the ‘listeners’.

Other birds of note were 1 Merlin, 2 Avocet flew over the Triangle onto the Humber, 3 Whimbrel + 12 out, 2 Arctic Skua out, 4 Turtle Dove, 3 Cuckoo, 1 Tree Pipit, 3 flava Wagtail, 4 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 13 Wheatear, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Redwing, 10 Sedge Warbler, 5 Reed Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 11 Willow Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Corn Bunting.

Birds on the move south were; 7 Gannet, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Swift, 1 Skylark, 200 Swallow, 25 House Martin, 4 flava Wagtail, 2 Jackdaw, 6 Rook, 3 Goldfinch.

Migration watches 08.40 – 10.00 NE veering E wind force 2 all day. Only a trickle of southerly passage and very few grounded migrants, although a superb male Bluethroat was seen by one lucky day visitor.

Other migrants were 3 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Tree Pipit, 4 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 11 Wheatear, 1 Redwing, 7 Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 10 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 7 Willow Warbler.

While on the move (south unless stated) were; 8 Black-headed Gull, an adult Roseate Tern flew out NE with 2 Common Tern, 145 Swallow, 21 House Martin, 2 flava Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Jackdaw, 11 Rook, 4 Carrion Crow, 1 Tree Sparrow, 1 Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch. Moths trapped overnight were 2 Silver Y and a Pearly Underwing.

Migration watch 12.20 – 13.20 Light winds SW 2 veering SE and finishing ENE, generally a cloudy day with some showers in the morning and threatening all day.

There was a big clear out of migrants from yesterday and just some light passage. Birds on the move south unless stated were: 1 Great Northern Diver N, 1 Fulmar N, 12 Gannet N, 2 Tufted Duck N, 6 Common Scoter, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Hobby, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit and 8 Whimbrel out NE, 7 Black-headed Gull, 52 Lesser B.B.Gull N, 1 Kittiwake, 17 Auk sp. + 3 N, 4 Swift, 1 Sand Martin, 580 Swallow, 6 House Martin, 2 flava Wagtail, 6 Jackdaw, 2 Rook, 19 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin and 5 Linnet.

Other birds of note were: 1 Merlin, 4 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Tree Pipit, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Redstart, 9 Whinchat, 34 Wheatear, 3 Ring Ouzel, 1 Redwing, 19 Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 20 Willow Warbler.

A superb arrival of migrants after heavy overnight rain which carried on until mid-morning before brightening up with the wind being in the NE before swinging NW and decreasing.

Numbers of grounded birds included 5 Common Sandpiper, 6 Turtle Dove, 6 Cuckoo, 6 Tree Pipit, a White Wagtail (Point), a singing Nightingale in the Crown Car Park, a Black Redstart (Cliff Farm), 8 Redstart, 26 Whinchat, 141 Wheatear, 9 Ring Ouzel, a Redwing (Point), 23 Sedge Warbler, 7 Reed Warbler, 8 Garden Warbler, 2 Wood Warbler (Point), 133 Willow Warbler, 17 Spotted Flycatcher, 9 Pied Flycatcher and 2 Corn Bunting (Big Hedge).

Other birds of note were 24 Gannet (Humber), 2 Gadwall (Canal Scrape), 4 Grey Partridge, 50 Swallow S, 60 House Martin N and 5 Jackdaw and 3 Rook S. North the area migrant totals were a Curlew Sandpiper (Beacon Lagoons), 9 Common Sandpiper, a Hobby, 6 Cuckoo, 150 Wheatear, 3 Redstart, 3 Ring Ouzel and 3 Pied Flycatcher. Migrant moths in the traps were in short supply with a Dark Sword Grass and 2 Silver Y.

After a bright start heavy rain set by the afternoon curtailing any serious birding.

Highlights today were 2 Gadwall on the sea, 10 Tufted Duck (Humber), a Marsh Harrier S, 3 Sparrowhawk S, a Curlew Sandpiper on the Humber of the Gate, 1 Ruff S, 15 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpiper, a Little Gull out, 36 Wood Pigeon S, 3 Turtle Dove, 17 Swift S, 2 Sky Lark S, 250 Swallow S plus 42 grounded, 83 House Martin S, 5 Flava Wagtail (4 S), a White Wagtail (Warren), a Waxwing that trickled south from the Churchyard, 2 Whinchat, a Stonechat (Chalk Bank), 26 Wheatear, a Ring Ouzel (Wire Dump), the usual Grasshopper Warbler (Rose Cottage), 3 Reed Warbler, 11 Sedge Warbler, 6 Garden Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 26 Willow Warbler, a Spotted Flycatcher (Middle Camp), 5 Jackdaw, 3 Rook and a Corn Bunting S.

North of the area at Beacon Lagoons there were 2 Curlew Sandpiper and a Green Sandpiper, whilst at Sammie’s single Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher and Pied Flycatcher were seen. A Brown Argus was seen at Chalk Bank and it the earliest record. Whilst late news for yesterday was a Nightjar seen coming in of the sea at Beacon Lagoons.

A better day for birds all round with an increase in movement as well as grounded birds, in a light SW wind with some showers.

Heading south were 2 Little Egret at 07.10, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Lapwing, 2 Whimbrel plus 2 out, 3 Curlew, 35 Swift plus 11 in, 10 Sand Martin, c1000 Swallow, 37 House Martin, 4 Flava Wagtail, 2 Jackdaw, 6 Rook, 9 Carrion Crow, 10 Tree Sparrow, 46 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 46 Linnet and a Corn Bunting. At sea a Great Northern Diver went N, 29 Gannet, 2 Goldeneye S, a 1st summer Med Gull was of the Point, 1 Little Gull S, 24 Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Kittiwake S.

Grounded birds of note were a Teal, 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Turtle Dove (Triangle), 2 Cuckoo (Point/New Scrape), a Shore Lark on New Scrape, a Grey Wagtail N, 3 Whinchat, 37 Wheatear, 2 Ring Ouzel, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 16 Willow Warbler, a Spotted Flycatcher (Little Hedge), a Pied Flycatcher (Cliff Farm). North of the area at Beacon Lagoons 2 Little Egret, 2 Curlew Sandpiper and a Hobby were observed. Migrant moths in the traps were 3 Silver Y.

A changeable day with some sun light winds and showers a few birds on the move both at sea and overland and just the odd new arrival.

At sea 6 Fulmar, 8 Manx Shearwater (7 N), 3 Cormorant, 3 Common Scoter N, 17 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 8 Kittiwake, 7 Sandwich Tern, 12 Common Tern, 4 Guillemot and 20 Razorbill were observed.

Moving south overland were 9 Swift, 43 Swallow, a Tree Pipit, 1 Flava Wagtail, 3 Rook and 3 Goldfinch whilst other birds of note included 78 Brent Geese, 400 Grey Plover, 190 Sanderling, 204 Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 House Martin blogging, 5 Wheatear, 4 Ring Ouzel (2 Sheep Field/2 Walker Butts), 5 Sedge Warbler, a Reed Warbler (Canal), 2 Garden Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler and a Corn Bunting (Warren). The only migrant moths in the traps were 5 Silver Y.

A sunny but very windy day with a strong SW-W wind, very few grounded birds seen but a bit of passage, particularly of birds coming in/off the sea.

The highlight was a Common Crane which flew north at 11.05, other birds on the move were 23 Fulmar (17 N, 6 S), 12 Gannet (11 N, 1 S), 2 Common Scoter N, 3 Ringed Plover S and 13 in, 1 Golden Plover in, 52 Grey Plover in and 2 south, 61 Dunlin in and 4 south, 2 Whimbrel and 2 Curlew in, 14 Turnstone south, 49 Black-headed Gull an 13 Lesser B.B.Gull south, 22 Swift S and 193 north-west, 3 Sand Martin NW, 61 Swallow south and 3 NW, 7 House Martin S, 6 flava Wagtail S, 9 Goldfinch and 14 Linnet south. Other birds of interest were; 1 Wheatear, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Blackcap 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler.

At Beacon Ponds the Little Egret was still present and a Hobby flew over west. The only moths trapped overnight were 2 Silver Y.

A bright sunny start to the day , clouding over by mid-day and showers in the evening. A quiet day for passage and grounded migrants. Migration watch 07.00 – 08.40

Passage today included 3 Greylag Geese and 7 Common Scoter north, while moving south were 1 Kestrel, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Lapwing, 1 Whimbrel, 57 Wood Pigeon, 1 Sand Martin, 62 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 13 flava Wagtail, 3 Jackdaw, 19 Rook, 8 Carrion Crow, 5 Chaffinch, 17 Goldfinch and 24 Linnet.

Other birds of interest were; a Hobby, 1 Peregrine, 292 Sanderling, 1 Little Gull, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Whinchat, 8 Wheatear, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler (1st of year), 8 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler. Migrant moths caught overnight were 4 Silver Y and 4 Dark Sword Grass.

Migration watches:06.30 – 09.45, 11.30 – 12.30, 14.45 – 17.30. A fresh south-westerly all day with heavy rain around lunch time.

Birds on the move were in smaller numbers and were going south unless stated; 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar, 2 Manx Shearwater N, 1 Cormorant, 4 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, 18 Common Scoter, 1 Marsh harrier, 3 Whimbrel, 6 Curlew, 17 Lesser B.B.Gull, 15 Herring Gull, 1 Kittiwake, 4 Common Tern, 21 Auk sp., 112 Wood Pigeon, 124 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 1 Tree Pipit, 29 flava Wagtail, 1 alba Wagtail, 2 Jackdaw, 2 Rook, 8 Carrion Crow, 23 Chaffinch, 4 Greenfinch, 23 Goldfinch, 85 Linnet.

Other birds of interest; 1 Turtle Dove, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Wheatear, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Redwing, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler. 6 Silver Y were trapped overnight.

Migration watches: 06.30 – 12.00. A reasonable day with some light passage and still a few grounded migrants about, although the highlight went to a partial summer-plumaged Black-throated Diver drifting south past the Narrows.

Birds on the move were going south unless otherwise stated; 4 Gannet N, 1 Brent Goose, 16 Common Scoter, 3 Marsh Harrier + 1 in, 4 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 2 Lapwing, 25 Sanderling in, 3 Whimbrel and 2 Curlew out, 51 Black-headed Gull, 17 Lesser B.B.Gull, 3 Stock Dove, 136 Wood Pigeon, 1 Swift, 1 Skylark, 4 Sand Martin, 277 Swallow, 8 House Martin, 5 Meadow Pipit, 31 flava Wagtail, 23 Jackdaw, 9 Rook, 36 Carrion Crow, 8 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch, 23 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 84 Linnet, 1 Corn Bunting.

Other birds of interest were: an adult Hobby over the Triangle, 284 Sanderling, 10 Whimbrel, 1 Common Sandpiper,15 Sandwich Tern, 1 Tree Pipit, 12 Wheatear, 3 Ring Ouzel, 2 Redwing, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 7 Sedge Warbler, 10 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Garden Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Siskin, 1 Corn Bunting. North of the recording area were a Little Egret, 1 Ring Ouzel and 2 Reed Warblers. The first Holly Blue and Blue-tailed Damselflies of the year were seen while 6 Silver Y’s were trapped overnight.

A reasonable day for passage, particularly raptors and hirundines but fewer grounded migrants about in the variable blustery wind.

Birds moving south (unless stated otherwise) were; 1 Tufted Duck north, 82 Common Scoter, 2 Marsh Harrier + 2 in/off the sea, 8 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard in and then south later, 1 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 6 Oystercatcher, 1 Lapwing, 9 Sanderling north, 7 Whimbrel + 2 in, 4 Stock Dove, 1 Swift, 1 Skylark, 22 Sand Martin, 635 Swallow, 36 House Martin, 1 Tree Pipit, 4 Meadow Pipit, 61 flava Wagtail, 9 Carrion Crow, 2 Tree Sparrow, 52 Chaffinch, 137 Goldfinch, 84 Linnet

Grounded birds included; 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Whinchat, 5 Wheatear, 4 Ring Ouzel, 2 Fieldfare, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler. Seabirds seen were; 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar, 2 Manx Shearwater, 5 Gannet, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 8 Little Gull, 48 Lesser B.B.Gull, 21 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Tern, 10 Auk sp, 2 Guillemot, 1 Puffin. North of the area there was a Blue-headed Wagtail and a Reed Warbler at Sammy’s Point.

Still a good sprinkling of migrants and a record breaking number of Barnacle Geese on the move, a minimum of 148 in 4 flocks passed over the area breaking the previous record of 90 set in late April 1972.

Seabirds today were; 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Manx Shearwater, 48 Lesser B.B.Gull, 1 Kittiwake, 4 Sandwich Tern, 15 Arctic Tern, 4 Auk sp, 1 Razorbill. Birds on the move south (unless stated) were 2 Little Egret, 3 Eider, 17 Common Scoter N, 2 Goosander out, 1 Kestrel, 1 Hobby + 1 north, 25 Oystercatcher out, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Swift, 1 Skylark, 6 Sand Martin, 242 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 1 Tree Pipit, 4 flava Wagtail.

Grounded birds included; 1 Little Egret, 2 Tree Pipit, 2 Black Redstart, 1 Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 32 Wheatear, 9 Ring Ouzel, 3 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler, 12 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 1 Pied Flycatcher. North of the area last years pale flava Wagtail was present again at Sammie's Point.

Still with north-easterly winds and full cloud cover, similar to yesterday, with an increase in some species and a decrease in others, there was also some light passage again.

Birds on the move included; 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Manx Shearwater, 7 Gannet, a Marsh Harrier, 11 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 16 Sandwich Tern, 71 Auk sp., 6 Guillemot, 2 Razorbill, and 1 Swift all north. Southerly passage included; 1 Greylag Goose, 2 Eider, 243 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 5 flava Wagtail, 9 Goldfinch.

Grounded birds included; 1 Black-tailed Godwit on the Humber, a Common Sandpiper on Canal Scrape, 3 Tree Pipit, 2 Yellow Wagtail, a Black Redstart at the Point, 1 Whinchat, 15 Wheatear, 6 Ring Ouzel, 2 Fieldfare, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 8 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher at Kew and a Pied Flycatcher there. A male Common Rosefinch sang briefly at Wire Dump in the morning and a Little Egret was seen at the ponds.

A strange day considering little had changed weather wise, with full cloud cover all day and a slightly less NE wind a few new birds appeared and there was even some passage early on.

On the move were 4 Eider N, 5 Marsh Harrier plus another u-turned back N, a Little Gull and 108 Arctic Tern went out, 31 Sand Martin, 324 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 5 Flava Wagtail, 2 Rook, 4 Starling and 4 Goldfinch all south.

Whilst the scattering of new birds included a Great Crested Grebe on the sea, a Pink-footed Goose (Triangle), 2 Snipe, 6 Whimbrel, 5 Tree Pipit (1 Point/Chalk Bank, 3 Church Field), 2 Yellow Wagtail (Triangle), 2 Black Redstart (Point/Blue Bell), a Redstart (Triangle), 6 Wheatear, 8 Ring Ouzel, 4 Fieldfare, a Garden Warbler (Point), 6 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler, a Spotted Flycatcher (Cliff Farm), a Brambling and a Siskin (Kew) and a Yellowhammer (Church Field). At Sammie’s 2 Black Redstart and a Spotted Flycatcher were recorded. In the moth traps 6 Silver Y were recorded.

The only change today was that it was 8/8 cloud cover all day with the cold NE wind blowing, very little passage observed with just the odd new arrival.

At sea single Fulmar and Manx Shearwater, 4 Gannet, 1 Kittiwake and a handful of Terns were about it whilst on land 3 Golden Plover S, 1 Snipe, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit and 4 Whimbrel went out, a Common Sandpiper (Canal), a Tree Pipit (Triangle), a Black Redstart (Point), 2 Redstart (Point/Kew), single Whinchat and Stonechat (Triangle), 9 Wheatear, 4 Ring Ouzel (1 Sheep Field, 3 Walker Butts), 2 Fieldfare, a Garden Warbler (Point), 8 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler and the bird of the day turning up in a net at Kew the 1st Spotted Flycatcher of the year.

With the wind easing a little and becoming slightly warmer a few birds were heading south, with just the odd new arrival in.

O n the move south were 2 Shelduck, 3 Wigeon, a Marsh Harrier, 4 Oystercatcher went out, 1 Swift, 2 Sand Martin, c500 Swallow, 2 Flava Wagtail, 18 Jackdaw, 6 Rook, 2 Carrion Crow and a Hooded Crow far out at sea, 29 Goldfinch, 3 Siskin and 13 Linnet. Whilst grounded birds included 3 Golden Plover, 9 Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper (Triangle), a Yellow Wagtail, 1 Black Redstart, a Redstart all at the Point, a Whinchat and Stonechat (Triangle), 9 Wheatear, 4 Ring Ouzel (1 Sheep Field, 3 Walker Butts), 1 Fieldfare, a Redwing, 7 Chiffchaff and 4 Willow Warbler.

A Wall Brown was the 1st of the year at the Blue Bell but the biggest highlight today was a moth found in a spiders web at the Warren of a BUTTON SNOUT the 2nd Yorkshire record with last one being 1886.