May 2009

Migration/sea watch 06.00 – 08.00. A lovely warm sunny day with no clouds and a force 2 NE-NNE wind.

The highlight of the day was an Icterine Warbler singing at Kew Villa first thing, it was trapped and ringed and shown in the Crown car park before release. The only other migrants were 2 Cuckoo, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Whinchat, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler and a Spotted Flycatcher.

Birds on the move (south unless stated) were 1 Red-throated Diver, 18 Fulmar + 7 N, 1 Manx Shearwater, 1 Marsh Harrier, 38 Bar-tailed Godwit out, 1 Arctic Skua, 8 Auk sp N, 14 Swift, 6 Swallow and 2 Bar-headed Geese! North of the area there were 2 Avocet at Beacon Ponds and a Redstart in Easington.

Migration/sea-watches 06.15 – 09.15, 17.00 – 19.30. Warm and sunny with no clouds seen all day, a light to fresh ESE wind blew all day.

Another pretty unremarkable day, although a Quail flushed in the Point dunes early morning was an addition to the year list. The only other migrants seen were 1Cuckoo, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler and 1 Spotted Flycatcher.

The few birds on the move (south unless stated) included 3 Canada Goose out, 6 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 34 Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Diver, 13 Fulmar, 1 Manx Shearwater, 49 Gannet, 1 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 2 Hobby, 5 Knot out, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 38 Kittiwake, 4 Little Tern, 2 Common Tern out, 16 auk sp, 2 Razorbill, 2 Swift, 37 Swallow, 1 flava Wagtail and 2 Goldfinch.

There has been a huge clear out in waders over the last couple of days and the only waders seen on the Humber were 12 Oystercatcher, 2 Grey Plover, 48 Sanderling, 40 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Whimbrel, 7 Turnstone and surprisingly no Dunlin.

Migration watch 06.10 – 09.30, 17.55 – 20.00. Clear blue skies all day, a light NE wind to start freshened and veered ESE.

Another very quiet day until the evening sea-watch. Migrants present during the day were 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Black Redstart at the Point, 1 Blackcap and 5 Chiffchaff. Birds on the move (south unless stated) included 33 Fulmar + 5 N, 11 Manx Shearwater, 20 Gannet, 2 Cormorant, 8 Grey Plover out, 5 Black-headed Gull, 4 Lesser B.B.Gull, 22 Kittiwake, 10 Sandwich Tern, 3 Arctic Tern out, 113 auk sp N, 4 Razorbill, 25 Wood Pigeon, 32 Swift, 1 Skylark, 2 Sand Martin, 50 Swallow, 15 House Martin, 1 flava Wagtail, 10 Jackdaw, 6 Carrion Crow and 11 Goldfinch.

The main feature of the evening sea-watch was the unprecedented numbers of Little Terns flying south about half a mile offshore. The Little Tern record is 150 set in May in 1950 in the breeding colony at the Point and is one of the oldest standing records – until tonight, when a minimum of 168 flew south (only started counting at 7pm) and plus the local breeding population of 50-60 from Beacon Ponds which were feeding up and down all day. It is baffling to us, are they disturbed breeding populations from further south or maybe birds from the continent blown over in the strong easterlies and trying to make their way back? Who knows! On the moth front there were 11 Diamond-backs and 1 Dark Sword Grass.

Migration watch 06.00 – 08.30, 11.55 – 12.15, 17.20 – 19.00. A cloudy start and a light shower mid-morning, clearing to leave a warm sunny afternoon in a light WNW wind.

A very uneventful day, no sign of the Bee-eater today and the only other migrants were a Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaff.

Only light passage today apart from Grey Plovers which totalled 410 moving out east. Other birds on the move (south unless stated) were: 1 Greylag Goose out, 2 Tufted Duck, 13 Fulmar, 5 Gannet + 10 N, 1 Grey Heron in, 7 Lapwing, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 8 Lesser B.B.Gull, 71 Kittiwake, 11 Sandwich Tern, 1 Stock Dove, 20 Wood Pigeon, 4 Swift, 2 Sand Martin, 80 Swallow, 49 House Martin, 3 Jackdaw and 9 Goldfinch. In the moth traps were 4 Diamond-backs.

Migration/ sea-watches 05.20 – 10.30, 15.30 – 17.00. A very blustery day with a force 4-5 gusting 6 at times SW wind but dropping to a 2 in the evening, light rain on and off from mid-morning, interspersed with sunny spells.

An awful day for birding until the evening when a Bee-eater was found on wires in the Triangle, it slowly made its way north and up to 19.30 it was at Easington Cemetery. A reasonable passage of Swifts mainly in the first few hours (355) and a few other birds were on the move (south unless stated): 1 Tufted Duck in, 18 Common Scoter, 2 Red-throated Diver, 6 Fulmar + 24 N, 65 Gannet + 15 N, 1 Cormorant, 1 Merlin, 1 Hobby, 19 Lesser B.B.Gull, 10 Kittiwake N, 90 Auk sp N, 2 Guillemot, 23 Razorbill + 5 N, 1 Sand Martin, 170 Swallow, 155 House Martin, 43 Goldfinch and 12 Linnet.

On the ground there were just 3 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo at Wire Dump, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler and 3 Spotted Flycatcher. The moth traps just produced 1 Diamond-back.

Migration/ sea-watches 06.45 – 12.30, 16.00 – 18.00, 19.10 – 20.00. Rain overnight and into the morning, some long sunny spells in the afternoon but feeling cold in a fresh NW force 4-5 wind.

The hope that the overnight rain would put some birds down failed to produce and the only migrants seen in the blustery conditions were 8 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler and 6 Spotted Flycatcher.

However the sea produced some good numbers and also a few birds moving over the land (all south unless stated): 1 Barnacle Goose, 1 Pale-bellied Brent, 9 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 1 Pochard, 5 Tufted Duck + 1 N, 17 Common Scoter, 1 male Velvet Scoter, 1 Red-throated Diver, 180 Fulmar + 4 N, 35 Manx Shearwater, 390 Gannet + 44 N, 1 Little Egret, 1 male Hen Harrier, 2 Hobby, 408 Grey Plover out, 20 Bar-tailed Godwit out, 1 Bonxie out, 18 Lesser B.B.Gull, 61 Kittiwake, 17 Sandwich Tern, 11 Arctic Tern N, 129 Auk sp + 12 N, 22 Guillemot, 245 Razorbill + 4 N, 157 Swift, 148 Swallow, 30 House Martin. North of the area a Curlew Sandpiper was at Beacon Ponds.

Migration watch 06.20 – 10.00, 13.53 – 16.53. A bright and sunny start to the day, with band of fog moving through mid-morning, then clouding over and a few light showers mid-afternoon. A light southerly veered ESE by late morning.

Another very quiet day with little passage and very few migrants. Birds moving (south unless stated) were: 3 Tufted Duck, 9 Fulmar, 49 Gannet, 3 Cormorant, 1 Avocet, 44 Grey plover out, 2 Whimbrel out, 1 Curlew, 11 Lesser B.B.Gull, 45 Kittiwake, 158 Auk sp, 46 Guillemot, 7 Razorbill, 2 Turtle Dove, 23 Swift, 1 Skylark, 2 Sand Martin, 250 Swallow, 173 House Martin.

Other birds of note today included 1 Hobby, 354 Sanderling, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 7 Reed Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler and 8 Spotted Flycatcher. North of the area there was still a Marsh Warbler on Beacon Lane and 2 Avocet at Beacon Ponds.

Migration watch 06.30 – 09.00. A hot sunny day with no clouds and a light NW wind backing SE in the afternoon.

A very quiet day for passage with 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Wood Pigeon, 19 Swift, 1 Sand Martin, 187 Swallow, 43 House Martin, 1 flava Wagtail, 16 Jackdaw, 5 Rook, 17 Carrion Crow and 5 Chaffinc, all south.

There was a reasonable fall of Spotted Flycatchers – 19, and a slight increase to 11 Chiffchaff, otherwise the only migrants were1 Turtle Dove, the Black Redstart still at the Point, 4 Wheatear, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler.

North of the area the Marsh Warbler was seen on Beacon Lane and there was a Little Stint and 2 Curlew Sandpipers at Beacon Ponds.

Migration watch – 05.20 – 11.00, 14.45 – 17.00. Cloudy with long sunny periods in a SW-S-SE wind force 2.

Star birds today were an Icterine Warbler seen and heard briefly early morning but was seen much better and in full song later in the morning and was re-identified as a Melodious Warbler, which continued to show to mid-evening. An elusive singing Marsh Warbler was hard to see on Beacon Lane and another was found near the Listening Dish next to Beacon Ponds late afternoon. A few new migrants arrived during the day including a male Black Redstart and a Ring Ouzel at the Point, while other migrant totals were 1 Cuckoo, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 1 Garden Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Mealy Redpoll

There was some passage south: 1 Red-throated Diver, 20 Fulmar, 73 Gannet, 2 Cormorant, 1 Hobby, 9 Sanderling and 15 Turnstone out, 7 Black-headed Gull, 74 Lesser B.B.Gull, 27 Sandwich Tern, 1 Stock Dove, 27 Swift, 14 Sand Martin, 700 Swallow, 350 House Martin, 3 flava Wagtail, 2 Jackdaw, 2 Rook, 12 Carrion Crow, 16 Greenfinch, 71 Goldfinch, 15 Linnet and 2 Corn Bunting.

Other birds of note were 4 Little Egret, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank. North of the area there was 8 Little Egrets, a Little Stint and a Curlew Sandpiper at Beacon Ponds.

After most of the regulars had already had a Spurn tick with Melodious Warbler (only 2 previous records), it turned into a red-letter day when most were able to get a Yorkshire tick just 6 miles upriver in the form of a Terek Sandpiper at Patrington Haven.

Migration watch 05.10 – 13.45, 16.00 – 18.00. A cloudy day with showers and only the occasional appearance of the sun, a light to fresh W - SWwind.

The Common Crane flew off south from the Triangle at 05.15, and a Golden Oriole flew west up river at 06.40. Migration was slacker than the last few days with totals including 1 Greylag Goose, 12 Tufted Duck, 10 Eider, 14 Fulmar + 4 N, 7 Gannet, 28 Cormorant, 8 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 2 Avocet, 25 Grey Plover out, 14 Black-headed Gull, 72 Lesser B.B.Gull, 200 Herring Gull, 14 Kittiwake, 18 Sandwich Tern, 5 Razorbill, 112 Wood Pigeon, 6 Collared Dove, 2 Turtle Dove, 71 Swift, 1 Skylark, 23 Sand Martin, 880 Swallow, 955 House Martin, 1 Tree Pipit in then south, 2 flava Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Rook, 12 Carrion Crow, 7 Chaffinch, 8 Greenfinch, 43 Goldfinch, 19 Linnet, 2 Corn Bunting.

The few migrants around were: 1 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 5 Spotted Flycatcher, and 1 Redpoll sp. Other birds of note included 1 Grey Heron, 4 Little Egret, 1 Hobby, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, and north of the area there was a Curlew Sandpiper at Beacon Ponds.

Migration watch 05.40 – 11.45, 14.00 – 16.00, 19.15 – 20.00. A very mixed day for weather with long sunny spells and lots of squally showers, heavy rain showers and thunder storms moving through from late morning to late afternoon. Wind a fresh SW-W wind.

There was no sign of any Golden Orioles today but new migrants in included a Hawfinch at the Warren which flew off high south, 6 Wheatear and 6 Spotted Flycatchers. Other migrant totals were 3 Cuckoo, 1 Redwing, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler.

It was another good day for passage: another Red-rumped Swallow that flew south at 08.25 was the pick of the day. Other birds moving (south unless stated), 1 Canada Goose, 1 Ruddy Shelduck mid-afternoon, 4 Tufted Duck, 50 Common Scoter, 2 Fulmar, 2 Gannet, 3 Hobby, 2 Kestrel, 18 Knot out, 7 Sanderling in, 4 Whimbrel out, 2 Curlew out, 18 Black-headed Gull, 143 Lesser B.B.Gull, 400 Herring Gull, 10 Wood Pigeon, 1 Short-eared Owl, 75 Swift, 3 Skylark, 27 Sand Martin, 1700 Swallow, 1250 House Martin, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 flava Wagtail, 7 Jackdaw, 1 Rook, 17 Carrion Crow, 12 Chaffinch, 45 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin, 1 Redpoll sp, 10 Linnet.

North of the area a singing Icterine Warbler was on Green Lane, Easington late afternoon, along with a Redstart and 4 Spotted Flycatcher. A Common Crane flying south over Grimston at 19.30 was picked up over Beacon Ponds 25 minutes later and landed in a field south of there, presumably to roost. On Beacon Ponds there was 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank and a Little Gull.

Migration watch 05.30 – 18.30, a bright and sunny day with occasional cloud cover and a sharp shower early evening, a fresh SW wind eased as the day went on.

Another good passage of hirundines today, which included the fourth Red-rumped Swallow of the spring when it flew south at 07.25. There was a good selection of other birds on the move (south unless stated) which included: a record breaking 328 Lesser B.B.Gulls, 10 Tufted Duck, 30 Common Scoter, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Fulmar, 11 Gannet, 13 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 ring-tail Hen Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 2 Whimbrel out, 1 Curlew + 2 in, 12 Black-headed Gull, 600 Herring Gull, 120 Kittiwake, 13 Sandwich Tern, 14 auk sp, 3 Stock Dove, 96 Wood Pigeon, 1 Cuckoo, 97 Swift, 26 Sand Martin, 1950 Swallow, 800 House Martin, 3 flava Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 9 Jackdaw, 12 Carrion Crow, 25 Chaffinch, 45 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin and 37 Linnet.

On the ground, a 'green' Golden Oriole was very mobile around the Triangle and down to the Warren, where it was heard singing during the afternoon, proving itself to be a young male, a second bird was watched while the first one was flying away and may have been the male from yesterday. The green bird was trapped and ringed late afternoon, but with so little information on these birds it couldn't be aged any more confidently than an immature male. Other migrants were thin on the ground: 2 Cuckoo, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Whinchat, 4 Wheatear, 1 Redwing, 1 Reed Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, and 1 Lesser Redpoll.

Other birds of note included 2 Shoveler, 1 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine and 2 Whimbrel.

Migration watch 05.40 – 13.00. Sunny spells with the odd shower in the afternoon, a light SW wind picked up to moderate in the afternoon.

The male Golden Oriole was seen several times during the day ranging widely over the area from the Churchyard to Sammy's Point and Beacon Lane, the only other migrants seen were 4 Turtle Dove, 3 Wheatear, 1 Redwing, 1 Blackcap, 8 Chiffchaff, and a Redpoll sp at the Point.

Moving south included the first Montagu's Harrier – a second summer bird at 07.25, also good numbers of Lesser B.B.Gulls (134) and Swallows (1800). Other birds on the move (south unless stated) were 1 Greylag Goose, 24 Common Scoter, 2 Fulmar, 6 Cormorant, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 1 Hobby, 2 Lapwing, 9 Knot, 13 Black-headed Gull, 54 Kittiwake, 114 Wood Pigeon, 32 Swift, 24 Sand Martin, 320 House Martin, 3 flava Wagtail, 2 Jackdaw, 5 Carrion Crow, 17 Chaffinch, 6 Greenfinch, 57 Goldfinch, 3 Siskin, 37 Linnet, 2 Corn Bunting.

North of the area were 2 Avocet, 1 Little Egret and a Whinchat at Beacon Ponds and the 'Continental' Stonechat at Sammy's Point.

Migration watch 05.35 – 17.00. A mixed day of blustery SW winds, sunshine and occasional heavy showers.

The blustery winds kept migrants low or invisible with a male Golden Oriole on Beacon Lane late afternoon being the star bird, the only other migrants were 2 Wheatear, 1 Garden Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher.

There was some reasonable passage throughout the day which included (south unless stated): 1 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck + 2 in, 1 Red-throated Diver N, 2 Fulmar out, 4 Gannet S, 1 Marsh Harrier + 1 in and 2 U-turned, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Whimbrel, 1 Curlew, 71 Lesser B.B.Gull, 9 Wood Pigeon, 3 Collared Dove, 6 Turtle Dove U-turned, 1 Cuckoo, 76 Swift + 30 in, 75 Sand Martin, 1200 Swallow, 175 House Martin, 2 flava Wagtail, 51 Goldfinch, 24 Linnet.

Other birds of note: 1 Hobby, 2 Common Sandpiper and a Little Stint at Beacon Ponds.

Migration watch 05.15 – 10.15, A cloudy day with some sunny spells and showers, feeling cold in the fresh SE-S wind.

No sign of the Thrush Nightingale today and only a few migrants hanging on: 1 Tree Pipit, 2 Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, 2 Redwing, 4 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Corn Bunting.

There was some passage in the morning which (south unless stated) included: 1 Goosander in, 8 Tufted Duck in, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Gannet, 3 Marsh Harrier, 2 Hobby, 2 Avocet, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit out, 1 Whimbrel, 12 Lesser B.B.Gull, 6 Razorbill, 4 Collared Dove, 1 Turtle Dove, 13 Swift, 2 Sand Martin, 1000+ Swallow, 131 House Martin, 4 flava wagtail, 1 Jackdaw, 7 Greenfinch, 89 Goldfinch, 11 Linnet and 2 Corn Bunting.

North of the area an Icterine Warbler was reported at Easington Cemetery, the Continental Stonechat was still at Long Bank and a Little Stint was at Beacon Ponds.

Migration watches 05.30 – 09.30, 12.30 – 13.50. A cloudy day with some sunny spells in a fresh southerly wind.

There had been a big clear out of migrants during the night, but the nightingale sp was seen heard again and this went into full song revealing itself to be a Thrush Nightingale, it was also seen briefly mid-morning. There were very few new migrants and remaining ones were 1 Turtle Dove, 4 Tree Pipit, 1 Blue-headed Wagtail, 4 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, 1 Redwing, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Icterine Warbler on Beacon Lane, 2 Blackcap, 4 Garden Warbler, 10 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Wood Warbler, 11 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatcher at the Point, 1 Pied Flycatcher at Kew, 1 Mealy Redpoll at the Warren.

A Hooded Crow which flew south early morning was the first of the year, otherwise there was a heavy hirundine passage which included a bare minimum of 3000 Swallow, 450 House Martin and 31 Sand Martin, other birds moving (south unless stated) were 6 Tufted Duck, 5 Eider, 4 Fulmar, 6 Gannet, 4 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Hobby, 3 Lapwing, 17 Dunlin out, 2 Whimbrel out, 1 Redshank out, 1 Bonxie, 53 Black-headed Gull, 35 Lesser B.B.Gull, 2 Kittiwake, 2 Arctic Tern, 20 Wood Pigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Turtle Dove, 35 Swift, 1 Skylark, 9 flava Wagtail, 2 Jackdaw, 16 Carrion Crow, 20 Greenfinch, 92 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 19 Linnet.

Other birds of note included a Little Egret, 580 Sanderling, 3 Common Sandpiper and a Barn Owl. While north of the area there were Icterine Warblers at Sammy’s Point and Easington Cemetery, a Wood Warbler, ‘continental’ Stonechat, Blue-headed Wagtail, Redstart and 2 Spotted Flycatchers all at Sammy’s Point and a Hen Harrier over Long Bank.

On the moth front a Purple Cloud was the first for Yorkshire and about the 21st for Britain, there were also 11 Diamond-back and 2 Silver Y’s.

Sea-watch 05.30 – 07.00. Persistent rain from 06.00 which continued until mid-day in a fresh E wind and certainly not a pleasure to be out in. Then around mid-day the wind dropped the rain stopped and there were sunny spells and showers all afternoon, but more importantly - birds, and lots of them which turned out to be a great afternoons birding.

A Nightingale sp was heard and seen briefly at Kew was probably a Thrush Nightingale but couldn’t be confirmed, at least 3 Icterine Warblers were found in the afternoon, one ranging between Beacon Lane and the Blue Bell, 1 at the Warren and 1 at post 62, a Golden Oriole was seen late on in the evening as it flew from the Crown to the Blue Bell. Migrant totals were 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Cuckoo, 15 Tree Pipit, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Blue-headed Wagtail, 11 Redstart, 5 Whinchat, 6 Wheatear, 1 Redwing, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 9 Garden Warbler, 15 Lesser Whitethroat, 20 new Whitethroat, 3 Wood Warbler, 14 Chiffchaff, 13 Willow Warbler incl several acredulas, 15 Spotted Flycatcher, 10 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Mealy Redpoll.

Birds on the move included 16 Common Scoter, 4 Fulmar, 50 Gannet, 3 Hobby, 2 Grey Plover out, 20 Whimbrel out, 1 Little Gull out, 8 Swift, 2 Sand Martin, 6 House Martin. Other birds of note were 2 Marsh Harrier and 1 Hobby blogging, 1 Little Stint, 11 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper and 3 Common Sandpiper on the Humber and a Black Tern on Borrow Pit.

North of the area in the Sammy’s Point/ Long Bank area were 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 ‘Continental’ Stonechat, 1 Redstart, 4 Whinchat, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Wood Warbler, 3 Spotted Flycatcher and 2 Pied Flycatcher.

Migration watches 06.00 – 11.30, 14.40 – 15.40. Rain overnight, cloudy all day and cold in the fresh east wind.

There were hardly any new migrants in during the morning, but a few odd birds dropped in late afternoon, namely 1 Tree Pipit, 2 Redstart, 2 Wheatear, 1 Wood Warbler at the Warren and 1 Spotted Flycatcher at the Point, other migrants already present included 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Redwing, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 13 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler and 1 Mealy Redpoll.

The main feature of the day was of Arctic (255)and Black Terns (46) moving out east, with the bulk during the morning. Other birds moving (south unless stated) were 2 Red-throated Diver out, 1 Fulmar, 3 Gannet, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Hobby, 1 Common Sandpiper, 12 Lesser B.B.Gull, 3 Kittiwake out, 25 Swift, 7 Sand Martin, 370 Swallow, 27 House Martin, 1 flava Wagtail, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Linnet.

No migration watches. The morning was sunny without a cloud in the sky, however clouds built up in the afternoon and a few spots or rain fell in the evening, a stiff easterly wind blew all day.

The Greenish Warbler from yesterday was refound today further up Beacon Lane, and after better views and hearing it call several times, it was thought to be a Hume’s Warbler. A net was erected and eventually it was trapped and taken to the Warren for confirmation and processing. After being shown to the collected crowd, it was taken back to Beacon Lane and released.

There were hardly any migrants around, although a Wood Warbler and Redstart turned up in the nets at Kew late afternoon and 2 Mealy Redpolls were at the Warren early evening, the only other migrants noted were 1 Swift S, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Sand Martin S, 200 Swallow S, 9 House Martin S, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Wheatear, 1 Redwing, 1 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Siskin, and 1 Corn Bunting S.

Other birds of note included 3 Fulmar, 13 Gannet, 12 Whimbrel, 45 Arctic Tern out east, while north of the area a ring-tail Harrier was seen over Beacon Ponds, and a Whinchat and 5 Wheatear were at Sammy’s Point.

Sea-watch 07.00 – 10.15, heavy cloud for most of the morning then clearing to leave a bright and sunny afternoon in a fresh 4-5 E wind.

A stunning singing male Bluethroat was found on the Canal bank at about 14.00 hrs and showed well for a while before flying into the cover of thick buckthorn, amazing the same birders (one a shadow of his former self!) found a Greenish Warbler on Beacon Lane where it showed for 30 minutes before flying into one of the hedgerows and being lost – this is the first spring record since 1992 and the first ever record in May. Neither bird were seen again before dusk (re-identified as a Hume's Warbler on 13th - see above). There was only a handful of other migrants showing, namely 1 Cuckoo, 6 Wheatear, 1 Redwing, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 3 Garden Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 2 Pied Flycatchers.

Over the sea were 35 Common Scoter, 5 Red-throated Diver N, 1 Manx Shearwater N, 250 Gannet (80 N, 170 S), 31 Fulmar S, 30 Kittiwake S, 37 Auk sp S +27 N, 4 Guillemot S, 7 Razorbill N. Other birds of note included 1 Marsh Harrier U-turned, 9 Whimbrel and 1 Greenshank on the Humber. 1 Swift, 2 Sand Martin, 110 Swallow and 6 House Martin all flew south.

North of the area a Whinchat and 8 Wheatear were at Sammy’s Point.

Migration/sea watches 05.15 – 11.30, 17.15 – 20.00. Long sunny spells with occasional cloud cover but a cool strong NE wind blew all day.

Due to the strength of the wind very few migrants were showing, the ones that were included 2 Cuckoo, 11 Wheatear, 1 Redwing, 1 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 male Pied Flycatcher at the Crown & Anchor and 2 Lesser Redpoll. The only migrants moving south were 1 Swift, 270 Swallow, and 5 House Martin.

Not surprisingly the best action was over the sea or for one observer in the sea when a Minke Whale breached at about 18.00 hrs. Birds moving over the sea were 6 Tufted Duck S, 1 Eider N, 26 Common Scoter N + 36 S, 5 Red-throated Diver N + 1 S, 1 Great Northern Diver N, 11 Fulmar N + 22 S (inc 1 ‘Blue’ phase), 15 Manx Shearwater N +14 S, 389 Gannet N +35 S, 1 Shag S, 1 Bonxie N, 1 Mediterranean Gull S, 66 Kittiwake N + 239 S, 4 Sandwich Tern N, 5 Arctic Tern N, 3 Common Tern N, 210 Auk sp N + 76 S, 12 Guillemot N +35 S, 24 Razorbill S, 1 Puffin S.

Migration watch 09.00 – 10.30. A bright, sunny and still morning, clouding over from mid-day when also a wind picked up to a fresh SE-NE breeze.

The highlight were 2 Dotterels at Sammy’s Point, found early morning while conducting the WeBS count, they showed well before flying off to the south. There was also a slight increase in migrants which included the first 2 Spotted Flycatchers of the year, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Yellow Wagtail, the ‘Continental’ Stonechat still present, 18 Wheatear, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 14 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 1 Mealy Redpoll and 1 Lesser Redpoll.

Passage was very light with just (south unless stated) 3 Tufted Duck, 12 Common Scoter, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 22 Kittiwake, 5 Swift, 50 Swallow, 2 flava Wagtail, 3 Jackdaw, 5 Rook and 23 Carrion Crow. Other birds of note included 1 Merlin, 3 Curlew Sandpiper, 10 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper.

Migration watch 05.30 – 14.30, 16.30 – 19.30, a bright and sunny day with occasional cloud cover in a fresh force 4 SW wind.

More southerly passage was the main feature of the day, Swallows providing the bulk of passage, including an unusual plumaged bird which had a complete bright white chin and throat contrasting with an orangie-buff breast and belly. A total of 650 Swallows moved south and other birds doing the same (unless stated otherwise) included two late skeins (total 135) of Pink-footed Geese which flew NW; an Osprey flew south at 09.25, 4 Manx Shearwater (1st of year), 3 Red-throated Diver N, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Gannet, 5 Cormorant, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 9 Whimbrel + 8 in, 4 Arctic Skua out east, 120 Kittiwake, 10 Sandwich Tern, 6 Razorbill N, 8 Stock Dove, 185 Wood Pigeon, 33 Swift, 2 Skylark, 18 Sand Martin, 650 Swallow, 16 House Martin, 7 flava Wagtail, 4 Jackdaw, 1 Rook, 9 Carrion Crow, 12 Chaffinch, 42 Goldfinch, 55 Linnet.

Birds on the land included 1 Turtle Dove, 3 Cuckoo, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Whinchat, the ‘Continental’ Stonechat in the Triangle, 23 Wheatear, 1 Fieldfare, 1Redwing, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Redpoll at post 63 and a Corn Bunting.

Other birds of note included 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Little Gull. While north of the area was the first Curlew Sandpiper of the year at Beacon Ponds and there were 8 Wheatear at Sammy’s Point.

Migration watch more or less all day from 05.20 – 18.00, a strong to gale force SW wind blew for most of the day, dropping a little in the evening, largely sunny although a few sharp showers passed through in the afternoon.

Due to the strength of the wind, the few migrants around were keeping low but included 2 Turtle Dove in Church Field, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Whinchat, 18 Wheatear, 1 Sedge Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff and 4 Willow Warbler.

Birds moving (south unless stated) included 2 Greylag Geese, 1 Red-throated Diver N, 2 Fulmar, 12 Gannet, 3 Cormorant, 3 Little Egret, 1 Grey Plover in, 14 Knot in, 4 Dunlin in, 2 Whimbrel, 20 Lesser B.B.Gull, 2 Arctic Tern + 2 out, 11 Wood Pigeon, 3 Stock Dove, 5 Collared Dove, 155 Swift (most coming in off the sea and either turning south or continuing west), 12 Sand Martin, 550 Swallow, 7 House Martin, 11 flava Wagtail, 6 Jackdaw, 57 Goldfinch, 60 Linnet.

Other birds of note included 4 Whimbrel, 2 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Barn Owl. While north of the area 3 Shoveler and a Redstart were at Beacon Ponds.

Migration watch 05.40 – 10.40, 15.45 – 17.30. A cloudy start with long sunny spells from mid-morning, a fresh W-SW wind for most of the day.

The highlight of the day was a immature/female Serin which dropped in to the bushes at the Warren for a short while before appearing to fly off south. It reappeared from the north about 30 minutes later and stayed for 10 minutes before flying off to the north and was last seen flying west from Beacon Lane at about 10.30 am. The ‘Continental’Stonechat was still in the Triangle and a small arrival of migrants early afternoon included, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Whinchat, 15 Wheatear, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, a Garden Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff and 3 Willow Warbler.

Passage was light but varied, mainly Swallows which totalled 600+, but also (south unless stated) 8 Greylag Geese, 1 Fulmar, 6 Gannet, 11 Cormorant, 1 Sparrowhawk, 9 Whimbrel + 5 in and 3 north, 1 Curlew in, 27 Black-headed Gull, 7 Lesser B.B.Gull, 25 Swift + 42 in and NW, 14 Sand Martin, 3 House Martin, 1 Tree Pipit, 10 flava Wagtail, 2 Jackdaw, 7 Rook, 23 Carrion Crow, 36 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 46 Linnet.

Other birds of note included 2 Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper.

Migration watches 05.45 – 15.30, cloudy all day with very little sign of the sun, rain showers moved through on and off for most of the morning, a fresh W wind went NE-SE for a brief period and finished W again in the evening.

The first decent Swallow passage of the spring was the main feature of the day, which totalled 1400+ flying south by the end of the day, also caught up in this passage (south unless stated) were 2 Gadwall west, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Fulmar N, 29 Gannet + 6 N, 1 Marsh Harrier U-turned, 1 ring-tail Harrier sp, 1 Hobby, 1 Curlew N + 2 in, 1 Whimbrel in, 11 Black-headed Gull, 9 Lesser B.B.Gull + 11 N, 6 Kittiwake + 10 N, 2 Sandwich Tern + 2 N, 3 Swift + 5 N, 21 Sand Martin, 10 House Martin, 10 flava Wagtail, 2 Chaffinch, 33 Goldfinch, 1 Corn Bunting.

The highlight of birds on the land was the first Wood Sandpiper of the year which flew over Clubley’s Scrape first thing, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Whimbrel and a Greenshank were on the Humber and still just small numbers of migrants were around: 3 Cuckoo, 1 ‘continental’ Stonechat in the Triangle, 3 Wheatear, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler.

Migration/sea-watches 05.40 – 10.00, 16.30 – 17.30, 18.00 – 18.25. A bright start with a fresh WNW wind, but backing SW 4-5, clouded over by 7am then rain on and off for most of the day.

Birds on the move included 32 Common Scoter S, 6 Red-throated Diver (2 N, 4 S), 1 Great Crested Grebe N, 13 Gannet S, 1 Cormorant S, 1 Marsh Harrier S, 1 Common Tern N, 3 Sandwich Tern N, 1 Swift S, 220 Swallow S, 3 House Martin S, 3 flava Wagtail S.

The only other birds of note seen were 2 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Wheatear, 1 Redwing, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler. A Little Egret was at Beacon Ponds.

Migration watch 06.00 – 10.00, sea-watch 14.40 – 16.10. A cool, cloudy windy day with regular showers, SW force 4-5 wind all day.

Even though the wind was good for passage today, presumably heavy rain to the north and west of us stopped any passage, generally a poor day for early May. Over the sea were 1 Greylag Goose N, 45 Common Scoter S, 2 Red-throated Diver, 5 Fulmar and 10 Gannet all south, also 1 Whimbrel S, 3 Guillemot and 5 Razorbill S. Other birds noticed going south also included a Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Swift, 30 Swallow, 3 Rook and 5 Goldfinch.

Other birds of note were 1 Little Egret, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Yellow Wagtail, single Whinchat and Wheatear, the ‘continental’ Stonechat in Church Field, 2 Redwing, 1 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff and 5 Willow Warbler. Late news for yesterday was the first Garden Warbler of the year.

Migration watch 06.00 – 10.10, a fresh NW wind backing W and dropping in strength, with sunny spells and occasional spots of rain.

The worst winds at Spurn in the spring didn’t make for a good days birding, migrants were keeping low in the wind and birds on the move were trickling south (unless stated otherwise); 2 Gadwall west up the Humber, 3 Teal, 14 Common Scoter, 4 Fulmar, 3 Red-throated Diver, 38 Gannet, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Whimbrel, 12 Black-headed Gull, 1 Lesser B.B.Gull, 2 Arctic Tern, 8 Wood Pigeon, 4 Swift, 4 Sand Martin, 102 Swallow, 2 flava Wagtail, 2 Rook, 4 Carrion Crow, 1 Goldfinch.

Migrant totals included 4 Cuckoo, a ‘Continental’ Stonechat in the Triangle, 3 Wheatear, 2 Redwing, 6 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, and a Pied Flycatcher at Kew.

Other birds of note included 4 Little Egret and a Hobby.

Migration watches 05.55 – 10.00, 13.10 – 15.15. A hazy start and a nice warm sunny morning clouding over at lunchtime with occasional sunny spells in the afternoon, a light WNW wind backing S in the evening.

The bird of the day went to a Nightingale found by Canal Scrape mid-afternoon and then showed intermittently in Little Hedge/ Canal area, other firsts for the year were a Pied Flycatcher in the Churchyard and a Hobby blogging around. Migrants were in small numbers and totals included: 4 Cuckoo, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Black Redstart at the Point, 2 Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 14 Wheatear, 2 Redwing, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 9 Lesser Whitethroat, 9 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler.

The main feature of passage was the number of Carrion Crows moving south, a total of 129 flew south with 6 more still in the area, which was a new all time record, beating the 126 set in October 1994. Other birds on the move (south unless stated) were: 2 Tufted Duck N, 86 Common Scoter, 1 Red-throated Diver, 6 Fulmar + 8 N, 16 Gannet, 2 Cormorant, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Kestrel, 6 Oystercatcher, 6 Whimbrel + 4 out, 1 Spotted Redshank, 3 Auk sp N, 55 Wood Pigeon, 2 Swift, 3 Skylark, 7 Sand Martin, 68 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 3 flava Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 18 Jackdaw, 15 Rook, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin and 11 Linnet.

Other birds of note included 3 Greylag Geese, 2 Little Egret, 1 Merlin, 400 Sanderling, 1 Little Stint at Chalk Bank, 10 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank.

Migration watches 05.30 – 13.00, another murky, misty start but blue skies above, with cloud building from late morning, a fresh southerly veering west in the evening.

The best Swallow passage of the spring so far which totalled 440, it was no surprise with the number about that another Red-rumped Swallow should pass south in this movement. Also moving (south unless stated) were; 2 Shoveler, 1 Fulmar, 1 Gannet, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 3 Whimbrel, 5 Curlew out, 3 Sandwich Tern, 2 Swift, 10 Sand Martin, 4 House Martin, 16 flava Wagtail, 5 Jackdaw, 3 Rook + 4 U-turned, 51 Carrion Crow + 24 U-turned, 3 Starling, 3 Chaffinch, 5 Greenfinch, 114 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin N, 139 Linnet, 1 Lesser Redpoll N.

A male Black Redstart was new at the Point, otherwise it was just an average showing of migrants: 4 Cuckoo, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Blue-headed Wagtail, 9 Wheatear, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 11 Lesser Whitethroat, 48 Whitethroat, 10 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler.

A superb count of 930 Sanderling set a new all time record, the previous best was 808 on 19th August 2003 (this was southerly passage offshore), and best spring count was 686 on 18th May 1996 (a more typical date for high counts in the spring); other birds of note included 100 Brent Geese + 2 pale-bellied, 1 Little Egret, 1 Merlin, 15 Black-tailed Godwit.