2007 Spurn wildlife report out now and available from the vistitor centre or Kew Villa £7

May 2008

Migration watches 08.00 – 09.00, 15.50 – 17.00, rain overnight then skies slowly cleared to leave a warm and sunny day in a light northerly wind.

Another good day with some more new migrants in, a Nightjar was flushed out of a garden in Kilnsea and flew around Kew a few times, two new Marsh Warblers were seen, the Golden Oriole flew high north from Wire Dump and shortly afterwards one was found at Sammy’s Point, 3 Crossbill were at the Point and 9 flew west up the river, a Firecrest was at the Point, an Icterine Warbler was still near Rose Cottage while common migrant numbers were; 1 Long-eared Owl and 1 Short-eared Owl in the Triangle, a White Wagtail at the Point, 2 Whinchat, 5 Wheatear, 7 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackap, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 12 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Siskin at the Warren.

Birds moving (south unless stated) included 8 Barnacle Geese!, 11 Common Scoter, 1 Marsh Harrier + 1 north, a male Montagu’s Harrier first over Easington and later high over the Triangle + a female which flew north to Long Bank and then turned back south, an Osprey, 3 Stock Dove, 23 Swift, 50 Swallow, 40 House Martin, 7 Jackdaw U-turned, 5 Goldfinch. Other birds of note included 2 Canada Geese, 1 Hobby over the Triangle, 1 Little Ringed Plover at Middle Camp and 2 Curlew Sandpiper by the Tank Blocks.

Migration watches, Overcast morning in a cold northerly wind but warming up when blue skies appeared in the afternoon.

A big clear out overnight, with just the odd bird remaining and a few new ones appearing, a male Red-backed Shrike joined the female in the Triangle, an adult male Golden Oriole was seen at post 55 mid-afternoon and the immature male was still at post 63, while a Nightjar was reported at post 61, a Marsh Warbler continued to sing in the Church Field and the Icterine Warbler was still at Rose Cottage/ Church. A Long-eared Owl was found in the evening roosting in Rose Cottage hedge, while other migrant totals today included; 3 Tree Pipit, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Grey-headed Wagtail, 1 Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, 3 Garden Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 12 Spotted Flycatcher, and 2 Siskin.

Some light passage (south unless stated) included; 8 Wigeon out, 1 Shag N, 1 Marsh Harrier U-turned, 1 Hobby, 1 Lapwing, 1 Greenshank, 8 Swift, 1 Sand Martin, 55 Swallow, 65 House Martin, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Rook, 5 Chaffinch and 3 Goldfinch. North of the area a Nightjar was flushed from fields by the riding school, the Ortolan Bunting was still at the south end of the bushes at Sammy’s Point where a Marsh Warbler was found mid-morning, there was much confusion over a Bee-eater heard calling at Sammy’s Point, apparently it was heard before the Marsh Warbler was found, which was doing very good Bee-eater mimicry!Also another Marsh Warbler was found on Beacon Lane early morning. A female Red-backed Shrike was at Sammy’s Point and a male was along Peter Lane, Easington. 2 Avocets were at Beacon Ponds. In the moth traps were 1 Silver Y and 1 Diamond-back moth.

Migration watches 05.30 – 10.00, a largely sunny day with occasional cloud cover and then rain from early evening, a light SSW wind to start turning SE then E by the afternoon.

There was a big clear out of migrants overnight, with just the odd bird still present but a fresh arrival of migrants, including a new Thrush Nightingale singing at Chalk Bank in dense cover, however it was trapped and ringed and shown to a reasonable sized crowd of birders at 07.30. There were three new Marsh Warblers, 2 along Kilnsea Road and 1 in the Church Field, there were four Icterine Warblers at the Point and 1 at Rose Cottage, and there were 2 Red-backed Shrikes (Point and Triangle), 2 Wood Warblers (Crown and Warren), a Grey-headed Wagtail was in the Church Field, a Golden Oriole was still at post 63 and 1 probably the bird that roosted at Kew flew south over Chalk Bank. While common migrants were lower than last few days: 8 Cuckoo, 2 Tree Pipit, 1 Blue-headed Wagtail, 1 Black Redstart at the Point, 2 Redstart, 6 Whinchat, 4 Wheatear, a Ring Ouzel at Cliff Farm,1 Redwing, 4 Blackcap, 9 Garden Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler, 27 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Siskin, and a singing Mealy Redpoll at the Point.

Birds on the move (south unless stated) included 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard U-turned, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hobby, 4 Avocet, 19 Lapwing, 30 Golden Plover out, 37 Grey Plover out, 120 Dunlin out, 26 Wood Pigeon, 250 Swift, 5 Sand Martin, 300 Swallow, 305 House Martin, 4 flava Wagtail, 5 Jackdaw, 1 Rook, 2 Carrion Crow, 22 Chaffinch, 6 Goldfinch, 10 Siskin, 10 Linnet, 2 Corn Bunting. Other birds of note included a Mediterranean Gull North of the area a Bee-eater flew south over Easington, a male Ortolan Bunting was still at Sammy’s in the morning and it is believed there were only two yesterday. An Icterine Warbler was still by Easington Cemetery.

Migration watches, after heavy rain at first light which soon cleared and gave a mostly sunny day with occasional cloud cover.

Another awesome day with even more records broken and the highlight today was a singing Thrush Nightingale in the Crown car park, unfortunately it never showed itself very well. Icterine Warbler numbers increased even further with an amazing 10, as did Marsh Warbler totalling 6 by the end of the day. 2 Bluethroats – a female briefly at post 21 early morning and an elusive female at post 63 seen on and off. 2 Common Rosefinch (Point and Chalk Bank). At least 2 female Red-backed Shrikes still present in the Triangle and a male at post 60. The Red-breasted Flycatcher was seen again briefly at post 61, the Golden Oriole was still there and was even singing at one point, a new Golden Oriole was seen on Beacon Lane and later at Kew, a Wood Warbler at the Crown was the first of the year, 4 Grey-headed Wagtails were seen, a Crossbill at Wire Dump and late the Point, a Mealy Redpoll still at the Point, while common migrant numbers included; 9 Tree Pipit, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Black Redstart, 9 Redstart, 6 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 24 Wheatear, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 7 Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 7 Garden Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 15 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 46 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Brambling, 5 Siskin. A few birds started to move when the wind turned SE, incl. 32 Swift, 3 Sand Martin, 500 Swallow, 35 House Martin, 3 Jackdaw.

North of the area 3 Ortolan Buntings (a male and 2 female) were at Sammy’s Point with Icterine Warblers at Sammy’s, Easington Cemetery and Beacon Lane, 3 Marsh Warblers were seen – Willow Cottage, Easington Cemetery and Beacon Lane, 3 Red-backed Shrikes at Long Bank, a Serin flew south over Easington

No migration watches, overcast all day, rain to start then fret and drizzle for most of the day in a strong easterly wind dropping to force 3 by late afternoon.

A superb day with several spring records being broken, birds were arriving at dawn and continued all day. The biggest surprise was 6+ Icterine Warblers (2 Point, 2 Wire Dump area, 1 post 47 and 1 at the Crown), also 6 Red-backed Shrike (2 Wire Dump, 1 Warren, 3 Cliff Farm), 3 Marsh Warblers (Cliff Farm and post 67) with another still singing at dark along Beacon Lane, a male Bluethroat between post 49 and 52, a Quail flushed at the Point, a Red-breasted Flycatcher at the Potato Fields, 1 Serin at Kew and later at the Point, 3 Grey-headed Wagtail and a Blue-headed Wagtail at the Point, 2 Mealy Redpoll at the Point, the Golden Oriole still present in the Wire Dump area. Common migrants were also in good numbers for Spurn in the spring notably Spotted Flycatcher with a minimum of 53 more than doubling the previous spring record, other migrants included, 9 Tree Pipit, 11 Redstart, 6 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 22 Wheatear, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 11 Garden Warbler (new spring record), 2 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler inc. 2 acredulas, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Brambling and 12 Siskin. Other birds of note were; 1 Hobby, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank and 6 Common Sandpiper.

Wader numbers had dropped drastically overnight and there was no sign of the Broad-billed Sandpiper.

Sea-watches – 07.00 – 08.00, 11.00 – 12.00, 13.40 – 14.20, 18.30 – 18.50, a cool day with cloud cover for most of the day with the sun only occasionally showing itself, a force 4-5 NE wind all day.

The 200th bird of the year for the Observatory was recorded today when 2 Icterine Warblers were found, a very elusive bird at the Point and a more obliging bird south of Wire Dump trap, both of which were singing. Another new bird was a female type Red-breasted Flycatcher in the Cliff Farm area and could be quite showy at times. The Broad-billed Sandpiper continued to entertain people throughout the morning and the Golden Oriole was seen several times between post 61 and 65. Other migrants included; 2 Tree Pipit, 4 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 8 Wheatear, 2 Garden Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 21 Spotted Flycatcher, and 5 Siskin.

Seabirds noted today included 33 Fulmar, 1 Manx Shearwater, 43 Gannet, 1 Arctic Skua, 9 Lesser B.B.Gull, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 4 Kittiwake and 1 Auk sp. While other birds of note were 1 Wigeon, 4 Golden Plover, 200 Sanderling and 2 Curlew Sandpiper.

A cold day with a fresh NE wind. Migration watches 06.20-07.20, 09.55-11.55, 12.20-12.55 & 13.45-18.45

The Broad billed Sandpiper was still present on both tides today delighting many visitors, whilst the Golden Oriole was still present at Wire Dump though proving elusive. The wind produced some interest on the sea with the highlights being 5 common scoter S, 1 Velvet Scoter N, 71 Fulmar (including 8 blue birds), 3 Manx Shearwater S, 134 Gannet, 1 Arctic Skua N, 26 Kittiwake, 3 Sandwich Tern out, 1 Common Tern N, 45 Auk sp, 13 Guillemot, 4 Razorbill, 1 Puffin.

Grounded birds included 3 Wheatear, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 10 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Siskin.

Migration watches, a cold day in a very fresh ENE – NE wind, cloudy all day with occasional sunny spells.

The highlight of the day was Spurns second ever Broad-billed Sandpiper found off the Warren early morning on the rising tide and then showed on and off all morning and then again in the evening on the rising tide. The Golden Oriole was found again between posts 58 and 65 in the afternoon, while other afternoon arrivals included a brown Common Rosefinch which turned up in a net at Kew and a male Bluethroat on the Canal Bank, which proved to be very elusive. Another first of the year for the Observatory recording area was a ring-tail Hen Harrier which flew south past the Point. Other migrants seen today included; 1 Redstart at the Narrows, 4 Wheatear, 1 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 11 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Siskin.

Birds on the move (south unless stated) included; 3 Goosander out, 1 Red-throated Diver N, 2 Fulmar N, 9 Gannet, 1 Grey Heron, 10 Arctic Tern out, 2 Swift, 1 Sand Martin, 600 Swallow, 45 House Martin, 4 flava Wagtail, 27 Goldfinch.

Migration watches 08.30 – 10.00, 14.30 – 15.30. Bright and sunny with some high cloud cover at times and hazy all day, in a light to fresh NE-E wind.

A Hoopoe was seen late afternoon as it flew south past one spawny observer at post 61, also a new Golden Oriole was seen there a few times before that also flew off south. Other migrants included; 1 Tree Pipit, 2 Wheatear, 1 Reed Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 acredula Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 7 Spotted Flycatcher and a Siskin.

Birds on the move (south unless stated) included; 3 Gannet, 3 Lesser B.B.Gull, 14 Arctic Tern out, 500 Swallow, 50 House Martin, 2 Jackdaw and 11 Goldfinch. Other birds of note included; 6 Brent Geese, 3 Golden Plover, 352 Sanderling, 3 Cuckoo and 2 Turtle Dove.

Migration watches 09.50 – 10.50, 14.15 – 15.15. Hazy sunshine with cloud building as the day went on in a force 3 SE-E wind.

The Golden Oriole was reported again at Sammy’s Point and the Red-backed Shrike was seen well in the afternoon.

Otherwise fairly quiet the only birds of note being a Grey Heron, 4 Golden Plover, 1 Arctic Tern out, 1 Sand Martin, 700 Swallow and 60 House Martin all south, 1 Whinchat and Wheatear, 2 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, a Goldcrest, 5 Spotted Flycatcher and a Siskin.

Sammie’s was the place to be today where the Golden Oriole showed well all being a bit flighty, this bird was also reported late last night, also a Red-backed Shrike was observed by one lucky birder but disappeared although searching proved fruitless.

Sea watches from 0610-0745 and 1715-1900 had not improved much and a Narrows watch counted a few Swallow with 240 being logged. Of note today were 22 Fulmar, 34 Gannet, 2 Little Egret up river, a Grey Heron blogging, a Golden Plover of the Crown, 2 Lapwing (Walker Butts), 312 Sanderling, 14 Sandwich Tern N, 45 Arctic Tern out plus 2 N, 25 Razorbill, 2 Cuckoo, 10 House Martin S, a Flava Wagtail S, 1 Wheatear, a Blackcap (Point), a Garden Warbler (Potato Fields), 10 Chiffchaff, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Jackdaw S, 7 Chaffinch S, a Siskin at Kew.

Four escapees today in the form of 3 Bar-headed Geese and a Snow Goose all heading S. Also on the wing were the 1st of the year for Brown Argus and Small Heath, whilst in the moth trap a Tawny Pinion was the 3rd for Spurn.

Sea watches from 0630-0720 and 1750-1930 produced very little and migration watches from 0520-0930 and 1215-1415 produced similar results.

On the move at sea were 9 Common Scoter N, 2 Red-throated Diver N, 10 Fulmar, 3 Manx Shearwater N, 12 Gannet, 6 Cormorant N, 31 Kittiwake and 19 Razorbill (15 N).

Whilst overland birds heading south included a Marsh Harrier, a Common Buzzard, 8 Oystercatcher went out, 2 Lapwing, 1 Swift, 1 Sand Martin, 121 Swallow, 5 House Martin and 4 Goldfinch. Elsewhere of note was 4 Shag feeding of the Point, a Grey Heron blogging, a Golden Plover (Humber), 1 Snipe (Triangle), 3 Cuckoo, a Whinchat (Walker Butts), 4 Wheatear (Sheep Field), a female Blackcap (Crown), 3 Chiffchaff and 3 Siskin at Kew.

Migration watches 06.00 – 09.30, 13.30 – 14.30. Another largely sunny day, with some cloud building in the morning, a light to fresh NE wind all day.

Migrants included; a Wood Sandpiper over the Triangle, 4 Cuckoo, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, 4 Reed Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 acredula Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Siskin.

The few birds moving today were (south unless stated), 4 Shelduck in, 16 Common Scoter + 8 N, 25 Gannet N, 11 Cormorant, 2 Shag, 1 Marsh Harrier, 25 Common Gull out, 4 Lesser B.B.Gull, 174 Arctic Tern out, 1 Swift, 1 Skylark, 2 Sand Martin, 200 Swallow, 25 House Martin ,1 Tree Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtail, 3 Jackdaw, 1 Rook, 6 Carrion Crow, 26 Chaffinch, 14 Goldfinch, 10 Linnet. There was no sign of the Raven today but a Wood Warbler was at Rose Cottage.

Migration watches 12.15 – 13.15, 15.20 – 16.20, Another day with long sunny periods, although a short shower mid-morning and still a cool force 2-3 wind all day.

A quiet day with very few new birds around, the few birds around included; 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Eider, 2 Common Scoter, 1 Red-throated Diver, 8 Fulmar, 21 Gannet, 2 Avocet flew west up river, 300 Sanderling, 1 Greenshank, 1 Arctic Skua, 26 Kittiwake, 2 Razorbill, 1 Long-eared Owl at post 63, 1 Swift, 250 Swallow S, 3 House Martin S, 1 White Wagtail, 8 Wheatear, 1 Redwing, 1 Garden Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 10 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Pied Flycatcher, the Raven came into the recording area on several occasions, 13 Chaffinch S, 4 Siskin S, 1 Corn Bunting.

North of the area a Curlew Sandpiper and 3 Greenshank were at Beacon Ponds, a Ruff was on Long Bank Marsh and 2 Fieldfare and a Garden Warbler were at Sammy’s Point.

Sea-watches 06.45 – 08.15, 14.30 – 15.30, 18.50 – 19.30. Mainly sunny after a cloudy start in a cool force 2 NE wind.

North of the area, a ‘green’ Golden Oriole was seen by Long Bank Marsh briefly mid-morning, the Raven was still showing well in fields off Beacon Lane and a Hobby was at Beacon Ponds. Activity over the sea produced the first 2 Puffin of the year, a Great Northern Diver flew north while other seabirds included; 15 Fulmar, 69 Gannet, 1 Bonxie S, 7 Lesser B.B.Gull, 34 Kittiwake, 9 Sandwich Tern, 9 Commic Tern, 35 Arctic Tern, 23 Auk sp, 27 Guillemot, and 7 Razorbill.

While other birds of note were; 6 Tufted Duck in, 1 Eider, 13 Common Scoter, 1 Marsh Harrier S, 1 Merlin, 1 Lapwing, 1 Ruff S, 3 Swift S, 100 Swallow S, 2 flava Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 2 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 4 Wheatear, 2 Fieldfare, 4 Blackcap, 3 Garden Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 10 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Pied Flycatcher and 1 Yellowhammer. An Adela reaumurella found in the moth traps overnight was a first for Spurn.

No migration watches today. Cloudy all day with a few spots of rain mid-morning and a short but sharp shower around mid-day but it didn’t bring in the birds expected.

A very quiet day, there was no sign of the Red-breasted Flycatcher and most other migrants had cleared out. The Raven was seen again all day in the fields off Beacon Lane, while other birds of note included; 4 Tufted Duck S, 1 Shag, 1 Merlin, 1 Hobby, 20 Dunlin out, 2 Whimbrel out, 1 Greenshank, 2 Arctic Skua out, 10 Black-headed Gull out, 1 Auk sp. N, 4 Cuckoo including a hepatic bird, 2 Swift S, 50 Swallow S, 1 House Martin S, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Black Redstart at Canal Scrape, 5 Wheatear, 4 Reed Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest at Wire Dump, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Rook S, 9 Goldfinch S, 1 Siskin and 1 Yellowhammer.

grounded

Migration watches 06.00 – 07.00, 10.30 – 11.30, 13.10 – 14.45. Bright and sunny with occasional cloud cover in the afternoon, a fresh NE wind.

The Red-breasted Flycatcher was at the Warren first thing but moved to Canal Scrape and spent the rest of the day there, a Wood Sandpiper dropped onto Canal Scrape before leaving south otherwise fairly quiet, birds of note being: 1 Tufted Duck N, 1 Common Scoter, 2 Gannet, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harrier S, 72 ‘Tundra’ Ringed Plover, 13 Bar-tailed Godwit and 5 Whimbrel out east, 3 Arctic Tern out, c.600 Swallow S, 3 House Martin S, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail S, 1 continental Stonechat at the Point, 3 Wheatear, 1 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 6 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Pied Flycatcher at post 61 13 Goldfinch S and 3 Siskin at Kew.

North of the area the Ravenwas seen a few times in the fields between Beacon Lane and Kilnsea (best looked for from near the listening dish), a Green Sandpiper was on Long Bank Marsh and 6 Greenland Wheatear were at Sammy’s Point.

Migration watches 06.20 – 07.20, 09.30 – 10.00. Long sunny spells and a complete cloud cover a couple of times, and a fresh NE wind all day.

The highlight of the day was a Red-breasted Flycatcher found at the Warren by Nathan (he’s on a roll – Citrine Wagtail and Water Pipit in last few days!) late afternoon, it was trapped and ringed and released in the Warren bushes. The Raven was seen on and off again all day, while other new migrants included a Ring Ouzel and Black Redstart at the Point, a Pied Flycatcher at post 61 and Spotted Flycatchers increased to 8. Other migrants included; 1 Hobby, 5 Cuckoo, a female ‘Blue-headed type’ Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 6 Wheatear, 1 Redwing, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Chaffinch.

Other birds of interest included the first Manx Shearwater of the year north, and the first Curlew Sandpiper of the year by the Tank Blocks, 1 Eider, 3 Grey Heron, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Gull, 2 Arctic Tern

Migration watches: 06.25 – 08.25, 10.10 – 11.00. A cold NNE-NE wind force 3 all day, full cloud cover at times with long sunny spells in between.

Three good birds seen today, the first a summer plumaged Water Pipit (15th record for Spurn) found on Canal Scrape early morning which flew onto Walker Butts and showed to a small group of birders before flying off high to the south, it was then seen in the afternoon although flighty between Walker Butts and the field north of Borrow Pit. Then the Raven was seen again in fields between Beacon Lane and Kilnsea, it was seen on and off for most of the day and was finally twitchable for Spurn listers. The third good bird of the day was a Serin which flew south over Walker Butts.

Few other migrants seen today but included; 5 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 1 flava Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 4 Wheatear, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 7 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Siskin. 550 Swallows made their way south and the only other birds moving south were; 4 Jackdaw, 1 Rook, 1 Starling, 6 Goldfinch. While at sea there were 1 ‘blue’ Fulmar, 28 Gannet, 3 Cormorant, 15 Kittiwake, 5 Arctic Tern, 7 Auk sp., 1 Guillemot, 3 Razorbill.

No migration watches due to thick fog all day which never lifted, the wind was a very fresh, cold north-easterly.

One of the worst days of the spring and the only birds of note were: 4 Shoveler, 1 Common Snipe, 4 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 3 Turtle Dove, 3 Cuckoo, 150 Swallow south during the day, 2 flava Wagtail south, 2 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, and 3 Spotted Flycatcher.

Migration watches 05.00 – 10.00, 15.15 – 16.15. Another sunny day but cooler in a fresh NE wind.

No sign of the Woodchat today but the Common Crane U-turned over the Triangle before eventually leaving south at 09.40 and a second bird U-turned back north at 11.30. Two more new birds for the year were Serin and Crossbill, which both flew south during the morning. Other birds moving (south unless stated) were; 1 Canada Goose, 2 Common Scoter + 9 N, 2 Red-throated Diver, 8 Cormorant, 3 Marsh Harrier, 2 Hobby, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Lapwing U-turned, 3 Lesser B.B.Gull, 16 Common Tern out, 1 Arctic Tern out, 5 Swift, 6 Sand Martin, 600 Swallow, 5 House Martin, 4 flava Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Jackdaw, 7 Rook, 5 Carrion Crow, 8 Starling, 4 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch, 7 Goldfinch, 3 Siskin and a Corn Bunting U-turned.

Other migrants included; 3 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Arctic Skua, 7 Turtle Dove, 3 Cuckoo, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Black Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 5 Wheatear, 1 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler, 4 Spotted Flycatcher. North of the area a Short-eared Owl was at Long Bank and a Crossbill was seen in Easington.

Migration watches; 05.00 – 07.30, 11.00 – 14.00. Another warm and sunny day with some high wispy clouds and light variable winds in the easterly quarter.

Without a doubt the highlight of the day was a new bird for the Spurn area when a female Citrine Wagtail was found early morning in Walker Butts, it was flighty and then flew onto the Borrow Pit for a short while and then into the field south of there where it stayed for about 10 minutes before leaving south with a Yellow Wagtail. Other birds to brighten up the day included a Common Crane (which was first seen in fields near Skeffling), it flew south as far as the Narrows and then U-turned back north crossing paths with a male Golden Oriole which did the same. The bird dropped into a hedge at the back of Kew where it was last seen. The Woodchat Shrike remained all day and showed well to the many visitors, a Grey-headed Wagtail was seen late afternoon on the Borrow Pit, other migrants included; 1 Hobby, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Turtle Dove, 3 Cuckoo, 1 Tree Pipit, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 2 Black Redstart at the Point, 5 Wheatear, 2 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler, 6 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Siskin, 1 Yellowhammer.

Swallows were moving but in much smaller numbers and only 750 passing south during the day, other birds moving (south unless stated otherwise) were 3 Tufted Duck, 12 Common Scoter, 9 Gannet, 3 Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 1 Whimbrel + 4 out, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Little Gull out, 12 Arctic Tern out, 5 Swift, 1 Skylark, 10 Sand Martin, 13 House Martin, 1 Tree Pipit, 7 flava Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 White Wagtail, 1 Jackdaw, 6 Rook, 26 Carrion Crow, 4 Tree Sparrow, 8 Chaffinch, 10 Goldfinch, 5 Siskin, 17 Linnet, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Redpoll sp. North of the area a Ring Ouzel and Fieldfare were at Sammy’s Point and the Common Crane was seen in fields at Skeffling in the evening.

Migration watches 05.45 - 16.00. A warm and sunny day with some high wispy clouds, SE- E –SE 2

The Woodchat Shrike spent all day delighting birders in Walker Butts, a Spoonbill which flew south at 06.15 was the first of the year, while other good birds moving south were 4 Little Egret, a Hooded Crow. Swallows continued to move in good numbers, today’s total was 3000, while other birds moving south included; 2 Tufted Duck, 4 Cormorant, 1 Shag N, 1 Marsh Harrier N, 3 Kestrel, 9 Lesser B.B.Gull, 3 Black Tern out, 2 Common Tern out, 47 Arctic Tern out, 8 Swift, 23 Sand Martin, 98 House Martin, 1 Tree Pipit, 6 flava Wagtail, 2 Jackdaw, 2 Rook, 10 Carrion Crow, 8 Chaffinch, 44 Goldfinch, 43 Siskin, 63 Linnet.

Other migrants included; 47 ‘Tundra’ Ringed Plover, 6 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 3 Common Sandpiper, 2 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Tree Pipit, 2 Black Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 7 Wheatear, 3 new Sedge Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Jay at the Warren went back north, 1 Siskin. North of the area 1 Little Egret north of Long Bank and 2 Marsh Harriers seen.

Migration watches 05.55 – 11.00, Another cloudless day with a strengthening E-ESE wind from 1-3 gusting 4.

The highlight of the day was a male Woodchat Shrike found on the Canal Bank late morning, it moved into Walker Butts and showed well all afternoon, also there was a small arrival of migrants including; 2 Turtle Dove, 2 Tree Pipit, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Black Redstart (Point and Sheep Field), 2 Whinchat, 9 Wheatear, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Pied Flycatcher at Kew.

Swallows were also still moving in good numbers and today totalled 2100, also on the move (south unless stated otherwise) were; 3 Eider, 7 Gannet, 6 Bar-tailed Godwit out, 3 Whimbrel, 7 Lesser B.B.Gull, 47 Kittiwake, 6 Black Tern out, 33 Arctic Tern out, 1 Stock Dove, 5 Wood Pigeon, 3 Swift, 9 Sand Martin, 12 House Martin, 3 Tree Pipit, 7 flava Wagtail, 12 Jackdaw + 9 U-turned, 4 Rook, 15 Carrion Crow, 24 Chaffinch, 28 Goldfinch, 5 Siskin and 57 Linnet. North of the area there was a Ring Ouzel and 2 Garden Warbler at Sammy’s Point.

Migration watches 05.30 – 11.00, 11.55 – 12.55, 14.45 – 16.15. Another cloudless day, cool with a SE 2 wind blowing but very warm out of the wind. More Swallows moving was again the main feature of the day – totalling 2,900 by late afternoon when they had more or less stopped moving.

Other birds moving (south unless stated otherwise) were; 1 Pochard, 5 Eider, 7 Gannet, 2 Grey Plover out, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit out, 2 Whimbrel out, 1 Little Gull, 8 Black-headed Gull, 9 Lesser B.B.Gull, 13 Kittiwake north, 22 Arctic Tern out, 1 Stock Dove, 7 Collared Dove, 5 Swift, 2 Skylark, 23 Sand Martin, 23 House Martin, 1 Meadow Pipit, 7 flava Wagtail, 1 alba Wagtail, 2 Jackdaw, 3 Rook, 13 Carrion Crow, 1 Hooded Crow at 09.05 may have turned west up the Humber, 1 House Sparrow, 1 Tree Sparrow, 7 Chaffinch, 61 Goldfinch, 57 Siskin, 126 Linnet and 7 Corn Bunting + 1 U-turned.

Other migrants included; 4 Common Sandpiper, 3 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Tree Pipit, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 13 Wheatear, 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 15 Willow Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatcher. While other birds of interest included; 2 Avocet flew north to Beacon Ponds where they joined another bird, a Mediterranean Gull at the Point. North of the area a Ring Ouzel was still at Sammy’s Point.

Migration watches from 05.30 – 17.30. Clear blue skies all day with SE 1-3 wind. The highlight of the day was Spurn’s 13th Marsh Tit, found by day visitors at the Point.

A Common Buzzard flew south at 12.15 (reported as a Honey Buzzard on the pager), while other birds moving south included 2500 Swallows which moved nearly all day again, 4 Greylag Geese, 3 Gannet, 8 Cormorant, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 24 Grey Plover out, 2 Lapwing, 1 Whimbrel out, 9 Curlew, 12 Lesser B.B.Gull, 9 Kittiwake, 3 Black Tern out, 9 Sandwich Tern, 42 Commic and 24 Arctic Tern out, 12 Swift, 84 Sand Martin, 66 House Martin, 1 Tree Pipit, 8 flava Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 Jackdaw, 8 Rook, 11 Carrion Crow, 2 Tree Sparrow, 17 Chaffinch, 43 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 69 Linnet, 1 Yellowhammer, 2 Corn Bunting.

New migrants today included; 1 Hobby, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 12 Whimbrel, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Tree Pipit, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 13 Wheatear, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Siskin. North of the area a Wood Sandpiper was on Long Bank Marsh and 3 Ring Ouzels at Sammy’s Point.

Migration watches 06.00 – 18.00 After some light rain early on, the clouds cleared to leave a large blue sky for the rest of the day, although cool in a light SE wind.

A surprise that there weren’t more migrants about with the wind direction and overnight rain, however it was a good day for hirundines moving, particularly Swallow which continued moving nearly all day and produced the best day total in the spring for several years - 3630, also in the movement a Red-rumped Swallow went through at 13.30, along with 122 House Martins and 160 Sand Martins. Other birds moving (south unless stated otherwise) included; 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Gadwall, 6 Tufted Duck, 1 drake Velvet Scoter, 2 Fulmar, 50 Gannet, 5 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Sparrowhawk, 2 Oystercatcher out, 1 Grey Plover out, 2 Whimbrel, 30 Black-headed Gull, 3 Lesser B.B.Gull, 68 Herring Gull, 1 Kittiwake out, 4 Black Tern out, 8 Common and 54 Arctic Tern also out, 11 Swift, 2 Tree Pipit, 26 flava Wagtail, 1 male Grey-headed Wagtail, 4 alba Wagtail (inc. 1 White), 5 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch, 53 Goldfinch, 7 Siskin, 202 Linnet and 1 Yellowhammer.

Grounded migrants were; 3 Cuckoo, 1 Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 7 Wheatear, 13 Sedge Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Siskin at Kew. Other birds of note included; 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Merlin, 5000 Dunlin, 7 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpiper. North of the area were a Little Gull and 6 Common Sandpiper on Beacon Ponds, 3 Ring Ouzel and 14 Wheatear at Sammy’s Point.

Migration watches 06.10 – 08.30, 10.30 – 16.25. A overcast murky day with poor visibility and a few very light showers, the wind was a light south-easterly most of the day.

Birds moving south (unless stated otherwise) were; 6 Greylag Geese, 1 drake Garganey, 1 Pochard, 10 Tufted Duck, 1 Shag, 2 Little Egret, 1 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 5 Oystercatcher, 3 Avocet U-turned back north, 47 Black-tailed Godwit in one flock, 9 Turnstone, 12 Lesser B.B.Gull, 100+ Herring Gull, 3 Kittiwake, 25 Commic Tern out, 4 Common Tern, 15 Arctic Tern out, 2 Guillemot, 9 Swift, 38 Sand Martin, 867 Swallow, 35 House Martin, 2 Meadow Pipit, 12 flava Wagtail, 2 Greenfinch, 10 Goldfinch, 10 Siskin, 25 Linnet, 1 Redpoll sp.

Other migrants included; 5 Black Tern off the Point (1st of year), 2 Cuckoo, 1 Yellow and the Grey-headed Wagtail still at the Point until mid-day, 3 Whinchat, 11 Wheatear, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 12 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler, a Spotted Flycatcher in the Crown car park (1st of year), 7 Siskin at Kew. North of the area there was no sign of the Green-winged Teal but there was a Wood and Green Sandpiper on Long Bank Marsh and a Pied Flycatcher at Sammy’s Point.

Light SSE wind all day until late afternoon when it swung more SE, large blue skies for most of the day.

The Red-rumped Swallow was not seen all day, and passage was light. The number of grounded migrants was also low, the highlight being a Grey-headed Wagtail at the Point from late afternoon, other migrants included; 2 Cuckoo, 15 Wheatear, 1 Redwing, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 43 Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler, 7 Chaffinch, 1 Siskin, 1 Corn Bunting.

Birds moving (south unless stated otherwise) were; 1 Greylag Geese, 1 Shoveler, 2 Scaup, 5 Tufted Duck, 14 Common Scoter, 1 Red-throated Diver N, 8 Gannet, 4 Cormorant, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 29 Black-headed Gull, 100 Common Gull, 24 Lesser B.B.Gull, 4 Common Tern, 3 Stock Dove, 4 Wood Pigeon, 1 Turtle Dove, 7 Swift, 2 Skylark, 20 Sand Martin, 319 Swallow, 19 House Martin, 9 flava Wagtail, 4 alba Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 6 Jackdaw U-turned, 1 Rook, 11 Carrion Crow, 3 Starling, 1 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch, 60 Goldfinch, 53 Siskin, 164 Linnet, 1 Mealy Redpoll. North of the area the Green-winged Teal was still on Long Bank Marsh and a Ring Ouzel was at Sammy’s Point.

Migration watches 06.00 – A bright and sunny day and warmer than of late in the light WSW to SSW wind, a rain shower passed through at lunchtime and then the wind swung to the south-east. The highlight of the day was a Red-rumped Swallow which was found in the Triangle late afternoon and then moved to the Blue Bell where it sat on the wires for the rest of the evening and presumably roosted.

Passage was light apart from corvids moving south, which included 2 Hooded Crow, 63 Carrion Crow, 4 Rook, 28 Jackdaw and a Jay which dropped into the Warren. Other birds going south included; 3 Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 11 Oystercatcher out, 1 Whimbrel and 1 Curlew out, 32 Black-headed Gull, 3 Lesser B.B.Gull, 5 Skylark, 137 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 14 flava Wagtail, 5 alba Wagtail, 1 Mistle Thrush, 3 Chaffinch, 17 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin and 120 Linnet.

A few new migrants arrived during the morning including, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 2 Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 17 Wheatear, 8 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest and 2 Siskin. North of the area the Green-winged Teal was still on Long Bank Marsh.

Migration watches; 05.45 – 12.05, 12.40 – 14.00, 15.10 – 18.00. SW 4 dropping to 2 by late afternoon, long sunny periods but the cool wind made it feel much colder than the temperatures suggested. The best birds of the day were seen north of the Observatory recording area, the Raven was again seen over Kilnsea and returned north last being seen over Easington, and a ring-tail Hen Harrier flew north over Long Bank, where the Green-winged Teal was still present.

Very few grounded migrants, but a steady passage in the morning and Swallows going for most of the day, totalling 470. Other birds moving (south unless stated) were; 2 Canada Geese N, 3 Shelduck, 2 Gannet N, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Marsh Harrier, 5 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hobby, 5 Oystercatcher, 2 Whimbrel, 17 Black-headed Gull, 12 Lesser B.B.Gull, 29 Herring Gull, 1 Swift, 1 Skylark, 18 Sand Martin, 7 House Martin, 3 Meadow Pipit, 16 flava Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 6 alba Wagtail, 7 Jackdaw, 4 Rook, 36 Carrion Crow, 4 Chaffinch, 4 Greenfinch, 72 Goldfinch, 20 Siskin, 247 Linnet, 1 Reed Bunting and 1 Corn Bunting.

Migrants included; 2 Cuckoo, 1 Tree Pipit, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail on the Borrow Pit, 7 Wheatear, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 8 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 7 Willow Warbler, 1 Pied Flycatcher in the Crown car park, 2 Siskin.