November 2006

A grey windy day with the sea being the only place with any birds in a strong southerly wind increasing to a force 6 by the evening.

At sea 18 Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver N, 1 Gannet, 7 Shelduck, 22 Wigeon, 27 Teal, 2 Mallard, 5 Pintail, 16 Eider all south, 13 Common Scoter, (7 N, 6 S) 1 Goldeneye, 5 Golden Plover, 14 Knot, 9 Dunlin S, a Snipe in, 6 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Curlew, 6 Little Gull, 7 Kittiwake also all south, 7 Guillemot & 2 Razorbill N.

Grounded birds were few with c200 Brent Geese including 1 pale-bellied bird, a Peregrine over the Humber, c100 Lapwing (Humber), 5 Stock Dove (2 S), 35 Blackbird and a Goldfinch. At Chalk Bank there was a late sighting of a Silver Y moth battling against the wind.

A good day for passage both at sea and overland in bright sunny conditions albeit with an increasing SW wind.

At sea 38 Red-throated Diver, 4 Cormorant, 1 Shag, 2 Whooper Swan S, 4 Shelduck, 56 Wigeon, 89 Teal all south, a Scaup N, 11 Eider, 20 Common Scoter, 1 Velvet Scoter S, 4 Goldeneye S, 2 Red-breasted Merganser N, 41 Lapwing in, 11 Knot & 37 Dunlin S, 2 Snipe in, a Kittiwake & a Puffin N.

Whilst overland 15 Stock Dove S, a Short-eared Owl, 25 Skylark S, the Shore lark (Salt Marsh), 62 Blackbird, a Chiffchaff (Potato Fields), 17 Tree Sparrow, 22 Greenfinch, 45 Goldfinch, 24 Siskin, 14 Linnet, 16 Twite and 2 Redpoll all south, 8 Snow Bunting (2 N, 6 Old Scrape) and 2 Yellowhammer made up an interesting day for the time of year.

Another bright and sunny day with lighter southerly winds inducing some movement at sea and a slight increase in thrushes.

At sea 34 Red-throated Diver, 1 Gannet, 1 Shag N, 2 Brent Geese, 11 Shelduck, 232 Wigeon, 219 Teal, 10 Shoveler, 1 Tufted Duck, 13 Eider, 1 Velvet Scoter, 4 Goldeneye, 3 Red-breasted Merganser all south, 7 Lapwing in plus 27 S, 116 Knot, 516 Dunlin, 6 Bar-tailed Godwit also south, 1 Kittiwake S, & 2 Razorbill.

Grounded birds of note were 5 Grey Partridge (Church Field), 83 Blackbird, 3 Fieldfare, 9 Redwing, 2 Goldcrest and 13 Goldfinch (7 S).

With clear skies a big clear out of birds with little of note today except a few birds at sea but a least it was a bright sunny day albeit with a strong southerly wind.

At sea 8 Red-throated Diver, 9 Gannet, a few ducks heading south including 2 Wigeon, 2 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 9 Pochard, 5 Scaup & 4 Common Scoter, 3 Little Gull, 1 Razorbill N.

Other notable sightings were 3 Snipe, 2 Stonechat, 51 Blackbird, 5 Redwing, a Goldcrest and a Brambling (Point), 8 Goldfinch (7 S). With the latest ever Red Admiral seen on the wing at the Point enjoying some late winter sunshine.

Spurn can be pretty unpredictable and today was just one of those days, full of surprises! With little change weather wise than the previous week, blue skies and SW winds some excellent birds appeared totally out of the blue.

The first highlight was a Swift which despite the date was a common albeit presumed to be of the eastern race pekinensis it flew around Sandy Beaches/Beacon Lane for around 20 minutes. The other highlight was a Pallas’s Warbler found in the Crown car park which later ended up at Kew the latest record for both of these species at Spurn. Some movement at sea with 38 Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver S, 29 Gannet, 5 Shag, 6 Teal, 6 Pintail, a Velvet Scoter N, 3 Goosander in, a 1st year Med Gull went out onto the sea, 2 Little Gull S and a Puffin N.

Other sightings worth mentioning are a Little Egret S, 2 Jack Snipe (Salt Marsh), a Short-eared Owl (Canal), the Shore Lark was very flighty around the Triangle southwards, 5 Stonechat, 110 Blackbird, 11 Redwing, 2 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff and 6 Goldfinch (5 S).

An excellent days birding for the time of year with plenty of variety and a small arrival of thrushes in a generally nice sunny day with light SW winds.

Birds moving at sea included 80 Red-throated Diver, 56 Gannet, 7 Brent Gees S, 147 Wigeon (2 N, 130 S & 15 in), 3 Gadwall in, 42 Teal, 4 Pintail, 3 Shoveler, 1 Pochard, 4 Tufted Duck, 4 Scaup all south, 8 Eider, 14 Common Scoter, 3 Velvet Scoter S, 4 Goldeneye, 2 Red-breasted Merganser S, a Purple Sandpiper S, 194 Dunlin S, 57 Little Gull N, 16 Razorbill N. Grounded birds of note were a Peregrine (Humber), 1 Water Rail, a Woodcock (Sheep Field), the Shore Lark which flew south over the Warren, 3 Stonechat, 200 Blackbird, 9 Fieldfare, 25 Redwing, 4 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, 1 Brambling (Point), 5 Siskin S.

North of the area at Beacon Ponds there were a Long-tailed Duck, 2 Short-eared Owl and 12 Twite.

As per previous days a bright start deteriorated becoming full cloud cover and rain in an increasing SW wind reaching force 6 by the evening.

The main highlight today was a Richard's Pipit flushed from Clubley’s at 13.50 which flew over to the Humber salt marsh but sadly could not be re-found.

Other notable sightings were 2 Merlin (1 S), a Jack Snipe and yesterdays Shore Lark (Salt Marsh), 4 Stonechat, 7 Redwing, 10 Goldfinch and 3 Siskin S and 23 Snow Bunting went NW over the Warren.

A day that started with rain petering out leaving clear blue skies but an increasing force 6+ SW wind made birding difficult.

There were two main highlights today with 7 Bewick Swan heading south at sea and yesterdays Shore Lark being found on the Salt Marsh just south of the Tank Blocks.

Other birds of note were 18 Pink-footed Geese (Humber), 5 Grey Partridge (Church Field), 1 Rock Pipit S, 3 Fieldfare, 5 Redwing, 2 Chiffchaff (Point), 2 Goldcrest and 3 Goldfinch at the Crown.

A much improved day with some passage south and some birds arriving of the sea and general more birds visible in sunny conditions in the morning but clouding up and rain by 15.00 in an increasing SW wind.

At sea 32 Red-throated Diver, 3 Gannet N, a Little Egret seemed to come in of the sea and land on the Humber, 128 Common Scoter, 2 Goldeneye came in, 3 Dunlin S, 2 Snipe in, 900 Herring Gull, 2 Rock Pipit, 6 Fieldfare and 6 Starling also came in. Heading south overland were 155 Pink-footed Geese, 5 Stock Dove, 9 Skylark, 7 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, 9 Fieldfare, 1 Rook, 6 Chaffinch, 43 Greenfinch, 38 Goldfinch, 18 Siskin, 12 Linnet, 2 Redpoll and 2 Snow Bunting with another N.

Other birds of note were 2 Merlin, 400 Golden Plover (Humber), 11 Lapwing (Walker Butts), a Jack Snipe & 2 Snipe (Salt Marsh), 1 Woodcock (Point), 7 Black-tailed Godwit (Humber), a 2nd year Med Gull (Lighthouse), a Shore Lark north over the Warren probably landing on Old Scrape, 2 Rock Pipit, 79 Blackbird, 5 Fieldfare, 16 Redwing, single Blackcap, Chiffchaff & Goldcrest (Point) and 2 Snow Bunting (Lighthouse).

A very quiet day in a strong SW wind and building cloud given a few light showers late on.

Birds of note today were few and far between with 48 Mallard (Humber), 5 Grey Partridge (Church Field), 7 Lapwing (Walker Butts), a Short-eared Owl (Triangle), 5 Skylark (4 S), a Rock Pipit (Tank Blocks), a Goldcrest (Point), 4 Goldfinch (3 S).

Another bright sunny day but feeling rather chilly in a moderate SW wind, a few birds trickled south both at sea and over land but overall rather quiet.

Birds on the move south were a Gannet, 1 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 1 Common Scoter, 3 Lapwing came in, 6 Knot, 4 Sanderling, 14 Dunlin, 2 Skylark, 1 Rock Pipit, 12 Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch and a Redpoll.

Notable sightings were few with the best being a Water Rail (Canal Scrape), a Short-eared Owl (Canal Zone), a Rock Pipit (Wire Dump), 2 Stonechat, 56 Blackbird, 5 Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, a Chiffchaff (Kew), the Dusky Warbler at the Point, 2 Goldcrest, a Firecrest and 5 Siskin at Kew.

The first real frost of the year soon melted under clear blue skies although it was cold in a moderate SW wind, a few birds went south but very few new arrivals in.

Birds heading south included a Whooper Swan, 50 Pink-footed Geese, 8 Stock Dove, 2 Wood Pigeon, 9 Skylark, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 22 Goldfinch and a Twite.

Other birds of note were 2 Red-breasted Merganser of the Point, a Woodcock (Kew), 17 Redwing, 2 Blackcap, a Chiffchaff the Dusky Warbler & 3 Goldcrest all at the Point, and 3 Siskin at the Crown.

Very Blustery today with a few showers resulted in very few birds being seen

The Dusky Warbler was still at the point and the Firecrest was heard at the south end of Beacon lane. The only other birds of note were 3 Red throated Diver, 2 Wigeon, 4 Stonechat, 86 Blackbird, 3 Fieldfare, 23 Redwing, 1 Goldcrest and 3 Brambling.

An excellent days birding for the time of year with a small arrival overnight and birds coming in of the sea all day with the weather being a mixed bag of sunshine and showers in a moderate SW wind.

Sea passage today saw 119 Red-throated Diver, 3 Gannet, a Shag, 22 Wigeon in plus 2 S, 6 Teal S, 6 Red-breasted Merganser in, 5 Lapwing in, 3 Snipe in, 24 Razorbill S, whilst birds coming in were 44 Skylark, a Rock Pipit, 65 Blackbird, 31 Fieldfare, 62 Redwing, 6500 Starling and 3 Brambling.

Grounded birds included a Water Rail (Point), 22 Robin, 2 Stonechat, 275 Blackbird, 28 Fieldfare, 63 Redwing, 3 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, the Dusky Warbler on the Parade Ground still very elusive, a Firecrest (Blue Bell), 1500 Starling, 7 Brambling whilst 2 Siskin and a Twite went S. The most interesting sightings was a large long-tailed Whitethroat along Beacon Lane possibly from the race Icterops found late in the afternoon, hopefully it will still be here tomorrow for further investigation.

A few more birds around especially thrushes although still no large numbers, bright and sunny most of the day in a strengthening SW wind.

At sea 92 Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver S, 22 Gannet, 4 Shag, 1 Pochard, 2 Common Scoter S, 23 Razorbill. Other notable sightings included a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 1 Woodcock (Point), 2 Black-tailed Godwit and a Greenshank (Humber), 29 Collared Dove, 3 Skylark, 3 Stonechat, 74 Blackbird, 3 Fieldfare, 6 Song Thrush, 15 Redwing, a Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Brambling (Warren), a Lapland Bunting (Old Scrape) and the Dusky Warbler was still at the Point albeit rather flighty.

Also of note was a late Common Darter still on the wing.

Another quiet day as you would expect for the time of year, some light passage in a force 2 SW wind although there was full cloud cover by midday and some light rain.

Notable sightings today were 61 Shelduck, 5 Wigeon & 41 Mallard (Humber), 3 Water Rail (Point, 2 Canal area), 4 Stonechat, only 47 Blackbird, 4 Fieldfare, a Blackcap (Point), 2 Chiffchaff with the Dusky Warbler showing well and calling a lot on the right hand side of the parade ground at the Point, 6 Tree Sparrow went south along with 9 Greenfinch, 11 Goldfinch and a Lesser Redpoll.

Even quieter today with a few birds at sea but little else with showers first thing clearing by mid-morning in a force 4 W-NW wind.

At sea 13 Red-throated Diver, 2 Gannet, 1 Shag N, 8 Pintail S, 2 Common Scoter N, 5 Goldeneye S, a Guillemot & Little Auk N.

Elsewhere notable sightings were 2 Skylark (Clubley’s), 1 Rock Pipit S, 3 Stonechat, 4 Fieldfare (1 in), a Chiffchaff and Goldcrest (Crown), 5 Goldfinch S and a Snow Bunting over Wire Dump, also of note were 2 Red Admirals on the wing.

A much quieter day bird and weather wise with some sunny spells in the morning but clouding up later in a decreasing SW wind.

At sea 29 Red-throated Diver, 15 Gannet, 4 Cormorant, 2 Shag, 1 Eider N, a female Long-tailed Duck S, 108 Common Scoter, 3 Bonxie (1 N, 2 S), 465 Herring Gull S 5 Razorbill N were the best of it.

Whilst on land 230 Lapwing u-turned over the Triangle, 2 Black-tailed Godwit (Tank Blocks), 7 Stock Dove S, a Short-eared Owl (Triangle), the Kingfisher was along the Canal, 2 Blackcap, 2 Brambling and 4 Snow Bunting went north were the best of today’s sightings. North of the area a Purple Sandpiper was at Sammies Point.

A day of deteriorating weather which had started of bright and sunny with a moderate SW wind ending up with squalling showers and some heavier rain and a force 7+ W wind.

A few birds moving at sea with 68 Red-throated Diver, 7 Gannet, 5 Shag S, 23 Wigeon, 21 Pochard in, 1 Scaup S, 5 Eider N, 65 Common Scoter, 2 Goldeneye S, 3 Red-breasted Merganser S, an adult Med gull blogging, 2 Little Gull N, 7 Kittiwake and 2 Little Auk.

Other birds of note were 2 Whooper Swan S down the Humber, a Peregrine (Humber), 2 Water Rail, 7 Woodcock, 2 Skylark in, 5 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail S, 2 Stonechat, 110 Blackbird, 3 Blackcap, the Dusky Warbler showed and called briefly before the strong winds got up but it was being very elusive, 3 Brambling, 1 Siskin, 1 Redpoll S. At Beacon Lagoons there were 3 Long-tailed Ducks on the sea.

A big clear out of birds overnight in clear skies with no sign of the Dusky Warbler and just a few birds coming in. A day that started sunny and bright but clouded up late on giving some rain by dusk in a moderate force 4 SW wind.

Some passage at sea including 58 Gannet, 4 Cormorant, 1 Shag, 58 Pink-footed Geese S, 11 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 2 Pintail, 6 Scaup, 5 Goldeneye, 1 Little Gull N and 2 Little Auk N.

Other notable sightings were 2 Water Rail, 3 Woodcock, a Short-eared Owl (Point), 3 Rock Pipit S, a Waxwing at Kew at dawn before touring the Triangle, 3 Stonechat, 117 Blackbird, 14 Fieldfare, 37 Redwing, 4 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 6 Brambling, a Lapland Bunting (Chalk Bank), 1 Yellowhammer (Warren).

An excellent days birding in clear blue skies and a decreasing NW wind from a force 4-1, a good arrival of thrushes and a few birds heading south with the highlight being a Dusky Warbler turning up at the Point.

Birds moving at sea included 3 Red-throated Diver, 5 Gannet, 3 Shag, 1220 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Eider, 76 Common Scoter, a Bonxie S, 1 adult Med Gull N and 8 Little Auk.

Other notable sightings were a Peregrine (Humber), 6 Stock Dove (Point), a newly arrived Barn Owl at the Point, a Short-eared Owl (Clubley’s), 2 House Martin N, 4 Stonechat, 514 Blackbird, 635 Fieldfare, 61 Redwing, a Lesser Whitethroat at the Point, possibly of more eastern origin but a more detailed sighting is needed, 10 Blackcap, a Dusky Warbler that was found in the Point trap at 13.05, and was heard calling until just before dusk on the parade ground, 22 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Siskin, 2 Snow Bunting and 3 Yellowhammer, also on the wing was 4 Red Admiral, 1 Painted Lady and 2 Siler Y along with 5 Common Darter.

A quiet day for passage, in a showery, dull day with light to moderate south-westerly winds, although a few birds came in/off the sea, notably Woodcocks and Starlings.

Birds of note seen during the day were; 7 Red-throated Diver, 2 Gannet, 26 Pink-footed Geese, 5 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall south, 4 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Woodcock, 1 Jack Snipe, 2 Razorbill, 2 Stonechat, 130 Blackbird, 10 Song Thrush, 39 Redwing, 41 Fieldfare, 6 Blackcap, 6 Goldcrest, 750 Starling, 16 Chaffinch, 2 Snow Bunting and a Yellowhammer.

A Pearly Underwing was caught overnight.

A better day after the fog had lifted, when at least some wildfowl were on the move south, as were a few other migrants.

Birds moving south were; 48 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Shelduck, 58 Wigeon + 2 in, 11 Teal, 95 Mallard + 7 in, 6 Pintail, 5 Shoveler, 1 Pochard, 16 Common Scoter, 2 Dunlin, 20 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 5 Meadow Pipit, 4 Rock Pipit, 2 Jackdaw, 6 Rook, 330 Starling + 325 in, 7 Greenfinch, 7 Goldfinch, 1 Linnet, 5 Twite, 4 Snow Bunting. Seabirds included; 3 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 9 Gannet, 4 Cormorant, 260 Common Gull, 2 Lesser B.B.Gull and a Little Auk.

Other birds of note; 1 Peregrine, 2 Woodcock, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Swallow, 1 Rock Pipit, 5 Stonechat, 140 Blackbird, 4 Fieldfare, 9 Song Thrush, 18 Redwing, 3 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, 13 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 1 Lapland Bunting at the gate.

Very similar to yesterday, with a little light passage and just a few grounded birds.

Birds moving south were; 3 Brent Geese, 1 Eider, 2 Common Scoter, 2 Sparrowhawk, 70 Stock Dove + 23 U-turned, 6 Skylark, 3 Meadow Pipit, 3 Rock Pipit, 2 alba Wagtail, 99 Starling, 6 Chaffinch, 11 Greenfinch, 12 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 12 Linnet, 1 Twite, 2 Redpoll.

Other birds of note; 4 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Manx Shearwater, 4 Water Rail, 1 Short-eared Owl, 3 Stonechat, 77 Blackbird, 3 Fieldfare, 9 Redwing, 2 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, 5 Brambling. A Delicate moth was caught overnight.

Another quiet day, with westerly winds and very few birds again. Belated news came in the form of a Raven seen Flying south along the Humber, the bird was seen by a previous warden of Walney Island in Cumbria who is very familiar with the species but probably didn't realise the rarity value at Spurn, it is only the second sighting. One local birder heard it calling but couldn't see the bird and didn't beleive his ears!

Southerly passage included; 17 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Mallard, 18 Common Scoter, 17 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 20 Meadow Pipit, 5 Rock Pipit + 11 north, 5 alba Wagtail, 3 Jackdaw, 2 Rook, 55 Starling, 29 Tree Sparrow, 3 Chaffinch, 11 Greenfinch, 12 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin, 5 Linnet, 1 Redpoll, 1 Snow Bunting +3 N.

Other birds of note seen were; a Little Egret west up the Humber, 1 Short-eared Owl, 15 Redwing, 3 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest, 16 Chaffinch.

Fresh westerly winds and clear skies, but hardly any birds.

Birds moving south were; 16 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Brent Goose, 4 Wigeon + 18 in, 1 Teal in, 17 Eider N, 37 Common Scoter +75 N, 2 Velvet Scoter, 1 Goldeneye, 10 Skylark +10 in, 4 Meadow Pipit + 4 in, 2 Rock Pipit, 5 alba Wagtail, 7 Blackbird in, 1 Song Thrush in, 1 Redwing in, 13 Rook, 450 Starling in, 2 Chaffinch in, 21 Greenfinch, 27 Goldfinch, 6 Siskin. Over the sea were; 5 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Arctic Skua and 6 Little Auk.

Other birds of note included; 1 Avocet at Chalk Bank, 1 Jack Snipe, 3 Woodcock, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Stonechat, 120 Blackbird, 3 Fieldfare, 25 Redwing, 4 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 10 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling.

Light north-westerlies and clear skies, so as expected a much quieter day for birding. There were still remnants of yesterdays activity – over the sea were 4 Red-throated Divers, 7 Gannet, 5 Cormorant, 13 Shag, 4 Auk sp., 2 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill, 77 Little Auk (70 N, 1 S, 4 in with Starlings, 1 dead on the road at Wire Dump and 1 eaten by a Great B.B.Gull at the Point).

Birds moving south included; 2 White-fronted Geese, 250 Pink-footed Geese, 4 Shelduck, 7 Wigeon +4 N, 8 Scaup, 12 Eider N, 60 Common Scoter + 99 N, 3 Goldeneye N, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Common Snipe in, 2 Woodcock in, 14 Skylark + 12 in, 2 Meadow Pipit, 5 Rock Pipit, 3 alba Wagtail, 12 Rook, 1280 Starling in, 3 Tree Sparrow, 4 Brambling + 2 in, 14 Greenfinch, 7 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 2 Redpoll, 2 Snow Bunting + 10 in, 1 Yellowhammer.

Other birds of note seen were; 1 Pintail, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Goosander, a Common Buzzard north over the Crown, 3 Water Rail, 3 Woodcock, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Grey Wagtail, a Waxwing at the Warren left north, 4 Stonechat, 420 Blackbird, 25 Fieldfare, 46 Redwing, 5 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, 23 Brambling, 1 Yellowhammer. On Easington Lagoons a Long-tailed Duck and a Little Auk.

Another good days sea-watching with more sea-duck and seabirds, and even more Little Auks than yesterday. Also a good selection of birds coming in off the sea.

Most activity at sea was of birds moving north unless stated; 8 Red-throated Diver +1 S, 1 Great Northern Diver, 43 Gannet, 9 Cormorant S, 2 Shag + 7 S, 900 Pink-footed Geese S, 7 Shelduck in, 23 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 15 Mallard, 6 Scaup + 1 S, 2 Eider, 2 Long-tailed Duck, 1476 Common Scoter + 148 S, 1 Velvet Scoter, 16 Goldeneye +5 S, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Goosander, 3 Lapwing in, 15 Dunlin in, 4 Common Snipe in, 4 Woodcock in, 20 Little Gull, 450 Common Gull, 11 Kittiwake, 21 Auk sp, 4 Guillemot, 11 Razorbill, 1036 Little Auk + 9 S, 6 out and 17 on the Humber, 2 Puffin. Other birds coming in off the sea were; 1 Long-eared Owl, 3 Short-eared Owl, 18 Skylark + 8 S, 7 Meadow Pipit + 3 S, 330 Starling, 10 Brambling, 2 Twite, 9 Snow Bunting, 1 Yellowhammer, 3 Reed Bunting.

There was a good arrival of Blackbirds, with good numbers going over high west, some dropping in and staying a short while before carrying on west and 250+ grounded, an estimate of 1500+ was logged. Other birds of note were; 1 Jack Snipe, 11 Woodcock, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Little Owl in the Triangle, 1 Black Redstart, 5 Stonechat, 58 Fieldfare, 10 Song Thrush, 90 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, 7 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, 16 Brambling, 1 Twite, 2 Redpoll, 1 Yellowhammer.

A good day sea-watching, with a good selection of sea-duck and seabirds, with large numbers of Little Auks. A few new migrants in, mainly Fieldfares.

Birds at sea included; 7 Red-throated Diver, 1 Manx Shearwater N, a Storm Petrel N, 69 Gannet, 3 Shag S, 3 Pink-footed Geese S, 37 Wigeon (3 N, 34 S), 12 Teal, 5 Mallard N, 4 Tufted Duck N, 1 Scaup S, 2 Eider S, 3 Long-tailed Duck (2 N, 1 S), 667 Common Scoter (646 S, 21 N), 6 Velvet Scoter (3 N, 3 S), 32 Goldeneye (26 N, 6 S), 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Goosander (1 N, 1 S), 1 Purple Sandpiper N, 4 Common Snipe in, 1 Jack Snipe in, 1 Woodcock in, 1 Bonxie S, 10 Little Gull N, 1 Lesser B.B.Gull S, 240 Kittiwake (203 S, 37 N), 76 Auk sp. (72 N, 4 S), 7 Guillemot N, 5 Razorbill (3 N, 2 S), 314 Little Auk (283 N, 25 S, 25 on sea), 2 Blackbird in, 2 Fieldfare in, 110 Starling in, 3 Chaffinch in, 3 Snow Bunting in.

Other birds of note were; 1 Little Owl still at the Point, a Waxwing flew north over Canal Scrape, 80 Blackbird, 17 Fieldfare grounded and 684 over going west, 8 Song Thrush, 78 Redwing grounded and 56 S, 5 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, 14 Chaffinch, 6 Brambling, 1 Yellowhammer.