May 2010

Another cool day with a few more migrants: 1 Cuckoo, 4 Swift, 2 Wheatear, 1 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff and 7 Spotted Flycatcher. 2 Curlew Sandpipers were on the Humber.

Over the sea were 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Teal, 108 Common Scoter, 26 Fulmar, 29 Manx Shearwater, 113 Kittiwake, 1 Arctic Tern, 27 auk sp, 29 Guillemot, 263 Razorbill, 2 Puffin.

Sea-watch 07.00 – 09.30. A cool day with a fresh NW-N wind.

The only migrants seen were 2 Wheatears, the only other activity was over the sea, 41 Fulmar, 17 Manx Shearwater, 210 Gannet, 2 Arctic Skua, 156 Kittiwake, 1 Common Tern, 137 auk sp, 97 Guillemot, 389 Razorbill, 5 Puffin.

2 Dark Swordgrass and the first Diamond-back of the year were caught overnight.

Sea-watches 05.30 – 08.00, 13.30 – 18.45. Cloudy day with light but persistent rain in the afternoon, a light SE-S wind.

Most activity was over the sea with another record breaking Razorbill count – 835. Other totals were 2 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, 11 Eider, 8 Common Scoter, 2 Red-throated Diver, 17 Fulmar, 43 Gannet, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Glaucous Gull, 187 Kittiwake, 5 Sandwich Tern, 20 auk sp, 23 Guillemot and 9 Puffin.

The only other birds of note were a Hobby, 1 Wheatear, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 4 migrant Reed Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and a Redpoll sp. 2 Curlew Sandpipers were at Beacon Ponds.

Migration watch 05.45 – 10.30, 13.45 – 15.45, 16.10 - 1730. Mainly cloudy with some sunny spells and a couple of very light showers, a fresh WSW-W wind.

A reasonable passage today the highlights being a Common Crane which flew south as far as Canal Scrape before turning back and slowly flying west back up river, also the first Osprey of the year flew south in the evening. Other totals of birds moving south (unless stated otherwise) were 2 Canada Geese, 22 Brent Geese out east, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron + 2 N, 1 Marsh Harrier + 1 N, 1 Common Buzzard N, 205 Grey Plover out east, 80 Dunlin out east, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit out east, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Turtle Dove, 55 Swift, 9 Sand Martin, 1200 Swallow, 526 House Martin, 2 flava Wagtail, 8 Chaffinch, 20 Linnet, 1 Corn Bunting N.

Grounded migrants were few again-5 Wheatear, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler and a Spotted Flycatcher. The sea was quiet with 6 Fulmar, 133 Gannet, 3 Manx Shearwater, 135 auk sp, 26 Razorbill and 1 Guillemot. A Dark Swordgrass was caught overnight.

Sea-watch 06.40 – 11.55, 16.00 – 17.30, 18.30 – 19.15. Cool with cloud for most of the day and a fresh ENE wind.

Most activity was over the sea, a breeding plumage Long-tailed Duck which flew south was the highlight, but also the day record for Razorbill was broken by more than 200 when 525 were logged, other seabird numbers were 2 Eider, 19 Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Diver, 28 Fulmar, 4 Manx Shearwater, 526 Gannet, 142 Kittiwake, 11 Sandwich Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 220 auk sp, 37 Guillemot.

The only migrants seen were 2 Turtle Dove, 30 Swallow S, 2 House Martin S, 1 Whinchat, 5 Wheatear, 1 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Spotted Flycatcher. A Glaucous Shears was a new moth for Spurn, typically a moorland species.

Migration/sea-watches 06.30 – 09.00, 12.00 – 17.00. Cloudy for most of the day with the occasional appearance of the sun, much cooler with a force 2-3 ENE wind.

An Icterine Warbler was trapped at the Warren early morning and then spent most of the day singing there, a ‘green’ Golden Oriole was seen over Canal Scrape going south but couldn’t be relocated. The only other migrants seen were 2 Wheatear, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff and 3 Spotted Flycatcher. Only light passage today with 7 Sand Martin, 168 Swallow, 3 House Martin and a Tree Pipit.

Over the sea were 3 Red-throated Diver, 9 Fulmar, 2 Manx Shearwater, 38 Gannet, 1 Glaucous Gull, 54 Kittiwake, 53 auk sp, 40 Guillemot and 81 Razorbill. A Curlew Sandpiper off the Warren was the first of the year and a male Blue-headed Wagtail was at Sammy’s Point.

Migration/sea-watches 06.30 – 09.00, 12.00 – 17.00. Bright and sunny all day with a force 2 W wind swinging east and decreasing.

A male Bluethroat was singing at Kew early morning but soon disappeared, an adult male Golden Oriole sang on a few occasions there and was seen briefly late afternoon, the Red-backed Shrike was seen early morning in the Triangle and at least 15 Spotted Flycatchers were present. Other migrants remained scarce: 5 Wheatear, 3 new Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff and 2 Willow Warbler. There were reports on the pagers of a Red-rumped Swallow south and Red-backed Shrike at the Point, but there was no other information to confirm the sightings.

On the move were 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Swift, 13 Sand Martin, 546 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 1 flava Wagtail and 2 Chaffinch. Other birds of note were 1 Hobby and 2 Turtle Dove.

Things starting to happen today with a couple of sub-rarities and some light passage with plenty of warm sunshine to go with it. Migration watches were 0515-1100, 1400-1600

The list of sightings included 5 Grey-lag Geese N, 7 Barnacle Geese S, 2 Tufted Duck S, a Grey Partridge (Sheep Field), 4 Marsh Harrier and a Common Buzzard S, a Hobby blogging, a Common Sandpiper (Borrow Pit), a Arctic Skua out, 137 Wood Pigeon S, 2 Cuckoo (Triangle), 4 Sky Lark S, 10 Sand Martin, 953 Swallow and 87 House Martin S, 9 Flava Wagtail S, 4 Wheatear, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, a female Red-backed Shrike in Walker Butts, a Yellowhammer S, a Corn Bunting blogging, a Red-rumped Swallow S.

Also of note is that a white Starling chick is in the same box as three white chicks last year.

A lovely warm bright and sunny summer’s day with a force 2 SE wind by the afternoon, some light passage mainly Hirundines plus a few new arrivals making it rather pleasant. Migration watch was 0600-1150

Sightings were 4 Gadwall S, 2 Marsh Harrier S, a Common Buzzard S then W up river, a Hobby and Peregrine hunting the area, 14 Oystercatcher S, a Golden Plover (Triangle), 7 Whimbrel (3 S), the Glaucous Gull was blogging, 2 Cuckoo (Triangle), 13 Swift S plus 1 in, 21 Sand Martin S, 1300 Swallow S, 44 House Martin S, a Tree Pipit (Sheep Field), 11 Wheatear, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Garden Warbler (Point), 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Chaffinch, 7 Goldfinch S, 2 Corn Bunting blogging with the highlight of the day being a very skulky femaleBluethroat at Chalk Bank.

North of the area at Beacon Lagoons there were 3 Temminck’s Stint and 2 Common Sandpiper.

Still no change with Swallows being the main activity in bright sunshine feeling warm in light NE winds. Migration watches 0600-1000

Of note were 2 Red-legged Partridge (Church Field), 22 Gannet S, 2 Little Egret (Humber), a Marsh Harrier S, 2 Hobby N, 5 Oystercatcher and 7 Bar-tailed Godwit out, 4 Whimbrel and a Greenshank (Humber), 2 Stock Dove (Church Field), 3 Turtle Dove (2 S, 1 Kew), a Cuckoo (Church Field), 3 Swift (2 S, 1 in ), 7 Sand Martin, 950 Swallow, 14 House Martin, 2 Flava Wagtail all S, a Redstart and a Whinchat (Wire Dump), 7 Wheatear, a Grasshopper Warbler (Old Inn), 7 Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, a Firecrest (Warren), 3 Spotted Flycatcher, a Corn Bunting u-turned at the Warren.

Very much the same as yesterday with more Swallow passage and little else as least the weather was nice.

Migration watch was 0600-1300 with the highlights of the day being 3 Barnacle Geese NW, 3 Tufted Duck in, a Marsh Harrier, 14 Oystercatcher out, a Greenshank (Humber), 20 Sand Martin S, 1050 Swallow S, 23 House Martin S, 2 Flava Wagtail S, 2 Whinchat (Big Hedge), 6 Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler (Kew), 2 Spotted Flycatcher (Point/Kew), 3 Jackdaw blogging, a Rook S, 9 Goldfinch and a Siskin S, a Corn Bunting blogging.

Very similar to previous days with mainly Swallow passage being the highlight. Watches were 0600-1500 with all areas well checked.

Of note today were 3 Gadwall and a Teal S, 14 Sanderling went out, 6 Whimbrel (2 out), a Greenshank (Humber), 9 Sandwich Tern, a Turtle Dove S, a Cuckoo (Triangle), 2 Barn Owl (Triangle), a Swift S, 1100 Swallow S, 29 House Martin S, 4 Flava Wagtail S, a Whinchat (Big Hedge), 2 Wheatear, 5 Reed Warbler, 7 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Jackdaw blogging, 2 Greenfinch and 17 Goldfinch S.

Watches were from 0615-1500 with more Swallows moving through but little else of note.

Notable sightings were 2 Teal (Humber), 9 Fulmar (8 S), 3 Grey Heron (2 N), 2 Marsh Harrier S, a Merlin and Hobby hunting the area, 2 Whimbrel out, the Glaucous Gull blogging, 5 Razorbill N, 2 Stock Dove blogging, 4 Turtle Dove (3 S, 1 Kew), 3 Swift (1 S, 2 in), 900 Swallow S, 12 Wheatear (6 Sheep Field), 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, a Spotted Flycatcher (Point), 10 Jackdaw (5 S, 5 u-turned), 11 Carrion Crow S, 11 Chaffinch (6 S), a Corn Bunting at the Warren.

The Purple Heron was still in the ditch at Welwick, but flushes easily and goes onto private land with no viewing.

Watches were all day with more Swallows picking up late morning throughout the afternoon plus a few other birds on the move but little in the way of new birds in.

Highlights of the day were 41 Brent Geese including 1 pale-bellied bird, 2 Tufted Duck S, 2 Eider (1 S, 1 Humber), 142 Common Scoter (127 S), a Great Northern Diver S, 3 Little Egret blogging, 2 Grey Heron S, 11 Marsh Harrier (9 S, 2 in off), a Hobby came in off, 370 Sanderling (Chalk Bank), 5 Black-tailed Godwit came in off, 5 Whimbrel, a Greenshank (Humber), the 1st summer Glaucous Gull blogging, 2 Turtle Dove (1 S, 1 Triangle), 7 Swift (5 in off, 2 S), 14 Sand Martin S, 1500 Swallow S, 18 House Martin S, 6 Flava Wagtail S, a Black Redstart (Triangle), 2 Whinchat, 18 Wheatear, a Reed Warbler (Church Field), 2 Blackcap, a Garden Warbler (Point), 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, a Spotted Flycatcher (Potato Fields), a Hooded Crow S, 5 Goldfinch and 22 Linnet S, the Common Redpoll (Sheep Field), a Corn Bunting (Warren).

The Purple Heron was showing well in the ditch at Welwick.

Watches were 0530-1100, 1300-1400 more Swallows today with 353 and a few other movers south being 2 Pintail out, 2 Pochard, 2 Little Egret (1 N, 1 S), a Grey Heron in, 3 Marsh Harrier, a Stock Dove, 128 Wood Pigeon, a Swift, 3 Flava Wagtail, 3 Jackdaw, 3 Rook and 5 Chaffinch.

Other sightings worth mentioning are 3 Fulmar S, 25 Manx Shearwater S (incl a flock of 21), 8 Whimbrel, a Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper (Borrow Pit), a Glaucous Gull blogging, 18 Arctic Tern N, a Barn Owl (Triangle), 2 Redstart (Point/Warren), 4 Whinchat (Walker Butts), 16 Wheatear, a Reed Warbler (Kew), 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Spotted Flycatcher (Point/Canal Hedge/Churchyard) and the Common Redpoll (Wire Dump).

The biggest highlight was the finding of a Purple Heron in a ditch at Welwick.

Watches were 0645-1045; 1245-1745 a day of mainly Swallow passage with 193 S but little else.

Of note were still 94 Brent Geese present on the Humber, 1 Teal (Canal Scrape), 2 Tufted Duck blogging, a Great Northern Diver S, 2 Little Egret blogging, a Peregrine over the Humber, 350 Sanderling, 20 Dunlin out, 10 Whimbrel (4 N), one of the Glaucous Gulls blogging, 2 Swift S, a Black Redstart (Point), 3 Whinchat (Triangle), 4 Wheatear, a Grasshopper Warbler (Old Inn), 5 Blackcap, 2 Garden warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler and the Mealy Redpoll (Wire Dump).

Sea-watch, Bright and sunny all day, still to start picking up to a light NW then switching to the SE late morning and picking up to a force 3.

Another quiet day, moving south were 59 Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 14 Fulmar, 32 Gannet, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestreil, 115 Swallow, 1 House Martin and 6 Goldfinch.

Grounded migrants included 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Wheatear, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler and a Mealy Redpoll. 4 Avocet flew from Beacon Ponds towards Sammy’s Point. A Dark Swordgrass was caught overnight.

Sea-watch 06.40 – 09.10, a quiet day with a cold fresh N-NE wind, cloudy with long sunny spells.

Migrants seen today were 2 Cuckoo, 2 Black Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 6 Wheatear, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Sedge Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, and 2 Willow Warbler.

Other birds of note were 4 Eider, 46 Common Scoter, 5 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 3 Fulmar, 1 Marsh Harrier, 67 Kittiwake, 86 Arctic Tern, 28 Razorbill and a Barn Owl.

Sea-watch 06.45 – 08.30. Still cold northerlies dominate, with some bright sunny spells and the odd spot of rain.

A Hooded Crow at the Point was new for the year, otherwise pickings were very slim: 1 Whinchat, 11 Wheatear, 2 Ring Ouzel, 2 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler and a Lesser Redpoll.

Over the sea were 1 Canada Goose, 17 Common Scoter, 7 Red-throated Diver, 5 Fulmar, 12 Gannet, 13 Kittiwake, 10 Arctic Tern, 233 Auk sp, 90 Razorbill.

Sea-watch 06.45 – 08.30, 09.30 – 10.00. A cool fresh day with some sunny spells, a fresh NNE-N 3 wind dropping to force 2 late in the day.

A Canada Goose flew south, 10 Arctic Tern flew out east, 233 auk sp and 90 Razorbills flew north, the only migrants seen were a Whinchat, 11 Wheatear, 2 Ring Ouzel, 2 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 redpoll sp.

Sea-watch 06.15 – 09.00. A nicer day with just some light drizzle at lunchtime, but still cool with a fresh NE wind.

The Nightingale showed briefly on a few occasions between posts 61 and 63, other migrants included 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 8 Wheatear, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Pied Flycatcher and a Lesser Redpoll.

Movement over the sea included 1 Eider, 55 Common Scoter, 3 Velvet Scoter, 1 Goosander, 5 Red-throated Diver, 3 Fulmar, 99 Gannet, 93 Kittiwake, 14 Arctic Tern, 199 auk sp, 4 Guillemot, 16 Razorbill and 1 Puffin.

The only visible passage noted was 3 Marsh Harrier south and 54 Whimbrel out east.

Sea-watch 06.45 – 09.15, 09.50 – 10.50, 11.25 – 12.10. Continuous rain, heavy at times until late afternoon when a few bright spells appeared, a strong force 4-5 NE wind.

The Nightingale from Thursday was seen again at post 63 mid-afternoon, the first Spotted Flycatcher of the year was seen in the Crown car park while other migrants were a Wood Sandpiper and 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Redstart, 8 Wheatear, 2 Ring Ouzel, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 7 Willow Warbler, 2 Pied Flycatcher and 2 Siskin.

The only birds moving south were 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Merlin, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Swift and 4 Swallow, while over the sea were 3 Red-throated Diver, 1 Manx Shearwater, 19 Fulmar, 112 Gannet, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Glaucous Gull, 96 Kittiwake, 40 Arctic Tern, 15 Guillemot and 47 Razorbill.

A cool day in a strong NE wind, but pleasant in the sunshine.

The first Turtle Dove of the year flew north in the afternoon, always a welcome sight seeing the first of this ever declining species. Other migrants included 1 Cuckoo, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Redstart, 7 Wheatear, 3 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler and 1 Pied Flycatcher.

On the move were 59 Arctic Terns out east, 33 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 3 flava Wagtail, 2 Jackdaw and a Rook all south. Other birds of note included 1 Canada Goose, 4 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 3 Common Scoter, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, and a Glaucous Gull.

Sea-watch 07.45 – 09.00. Cloudy with drizzle to start, then clearing to leave large blue skies from late morning. A light SE-NE wind.An increase in migrants with a Nightingale at post 63 being the highlight, other totals were 2 Cuckoo, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Black Redstart, 2 Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 24 Wheatear, 2 Ring Ouzel, 1 Redwing, 3 Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler, 1 Pied Flycatcher and a Redpoll sp.

Over the sea were 3 Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver,1 Great Crested Grebe, 10 Fulmar, 29 Gannet, 2 Guillemot and 6 Razorbill.

There was no visible passage and other birds of note included a Red-legged Partridge, a late Jack Snipe along the Canal, 7 Whimbrel anda Greenshank.

Sea-watch 06.45 – 09.25. Bright and sunny all day, a light WNW wind to start with veered NE late morning.

The change in wind brought in a handful of migrants: 1 Cuckoo, a Long-eared Owl at Kew, 1 Tree Pipit, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Black Redstart and 2 Redstart at the Point, 6 Wheatear, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff and 2 Willow Warbler. Over the sea were 1 Eider, 10 Common Scoter, 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar, 1 Manx Shearwater, 33 Gannet, 4 Arctic Tern, 77 Razorbill.

The only passage south saw 1 Kestrel, 45 Swallow, 2 flava Wagtail, 7 Chaffinch, 8 Goldfinch and 15 Linnet. Other birds of note included 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Snipe and 4 Whimbrel.

Sea-watch 07.15 – 11.15. Bright and sunny all day, a light NNW wind dropped to almost still in the afternoon.

Apart from about 150 Swallows which went south in the afternoon, the only birds moving were over the sea and all north: 3 Goosander, 3 Red-throated Diver, 10 Fulmar, 2 Manx Shearwater, 130 Gannet, 163 Kittiwake, 11 Sandwich Tern, 13 Arctic Tern, 3 Guillemot, 277 Razorbill, 1 Puffin.

The only migrants were 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 2 Ring Ouzel, 4 Reed Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff and 1 Willow Warbler.

Sea-watch 06.20 – 07.30. A cold blustery day with long sunny spells and occasional light rain showers.

Another quiet day with most activity over the sea: 3 Eider, 12 Common Scoter, 1 Red-throated Diver, 15 Fulmar, 4 Manx Shearwater, 29 Gannet, 35 Kittiwake, 33 Little Tern, 7 Arctic Tern, 110 auk sp, 2 Razorbill.

The only other birds of interest were single Greenshank and Spotted Redshank, 2 Wheatear, 2 Ring Ouzel, 1 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler and a Siskin.

Sea-watch 06.20 – 09.30, 18.30 – 19.15, a cold blustery northerly wind with some rain showers throughout the day.

The weather conditions dictated the birding today, with most action over the sea. 3 Teal, 20 Common Scoter, 6 Red-throated Diver, 26 Fulmar, 15 Manx Shearwater, 155 Gannet, 1 Arctic Skua, 76 Common Gull, 194 Herring Gull, 159 Kittiwake, 15 Sandwich Tern, 27 Arctic Tern, 294 auk sp, 15 Guillemot, 8 Razorbill.

The only migrants seen were 2 Cuckoo, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Whinchat, 6 Wheatear, 1 Ring Ouzel, 3 Grasshopper Warbler, 7 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff and 5 Willow Warbler.

Migration watch 06.00 – 13.30, sea-watch 18.00 – 19.00. Sunny spells, with some showers in the evening. A fresh W wind veered NNE by late morning.

The bird of the day went to a Cory’s Shearwater which flew south at 18.50, it was seen by four observers and is the first spring record for Spurn. Two more seabirds were additions to the year list, Puffin (1 N) and Manx Shearwater (4 N, 1 S), while other seabird totals included 5 Fulmar, 44 Gannet, 8 Lesser B.B.Gull, 35 Kittiwake, 20 Little Tern, 10 Sandwich Tern, 1 Common Tern, 14 auk sp, 8 Guillemot and 36 Razorbill. The main feature of the morning was the raptor passage, the second highest total of Marsh Harriers flew south in the morning (11), and also a 1st year Montagu’s Harrier, 2 Common Buzzard, 5 Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel all moved through.

Other birds moving south were 1 Canada Goose, 1 Greylag Goose, 11 Common Scoter, 1 Goosander, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Whimbrel out, 3 Swift in and north, 25 Sand Martin, 412 Swallow, 13 House Martin, 14 flava Wagtail, 8 Jackdaw, 6 Rook, 7 Carrion Crow, 5 Chaffinch, 16 Goldfinch, 20 Linnet.

Grounded migrants were still lingering: 1 Cuckoo, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Black Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 23 Wheatear, 2 Ring Ouzel, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 3 Garden Warbler, 8 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler, a Pied Flycatcher.

Other birds of note included 240 Sanderling, 6 Whimbrel, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank.