November 2008

A dull grey cloudy day with rain by late afternoon produced a few birds at sea but little else, highlights of the day were 11 Teal, 7 Eider N, 51 Common Scoter, 51 Red-throated Diver (40 N), 9 Gannet, 20 Kittiwake N, lots of Auk sp. at distance, 4 Guillemot N, 2 Stonechat, 32 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare (Point), 2 Starling in, a single Snow Bunting (Clubley’s).

A small arrival of birds today but thick fog hampered observations for most of the day of note were 2 Woodcock, 380 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Sky Lark (Triangle area), 8 Meadow Pipit S, a Waxwing (Crown), 18 Robin, 6 Stonechat, 35 Blackbird, 2 Redwing, 2 Goldcrest, 6 Chaffinch, 10 Goldfinch and 12 Snow Bunting (Clubley’s).

A much better day after a light frost with some passage and more grounded birds, highlights today were 140 Brent Geese (Humber), 2 Teal S, a Great Northern Diver N, single Merlin and Peregrine, 4000 Golden Plover, a Snipe, 3 Woodcock, 530 Black-tailed Godwit, 450 Bar-tailed Godwit, 10 Sky Lark, 3 Meadow Pipit S, 3 Rock Pipit, 6 Stonechat, 42 Blackbird, 4 Song Thrush, 3 Redwing, a Mistle Thrush (Kew), 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest (Point), a Brambling (Church Field), 7 Goldfinch S, 5 Siskin S, 10 Linnet S, a Redpoll (Church Field), a Crossbill S, 14 Snow Bunting (Clubley’s), 24 Reed Bunting.

Rain by mid-afternoon curtailed the observations with notable sightings being 6 Whooper Swan S, 2 Common Scoter, 80 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Wood Pigeon S, 27 Blackbird, a Fieldfare (Point) and the Snow Bunting (Clubley’s).

A very quiet day in mostly cloudy conditions with lights winds of note were a Woodcock (Point), 43 Blackbird which is a slight increase to recent days, 2 Redwing (Point/Kew), a Snow Bunting (Clubley’s), 19 Reed Bunting of which 18 were in the crop in Church Field.

More wintry showers with the sea holding most interest with 15 Wigeon (14 N), 91 Eider N, 3 Velvet Scoter N, a Shag S, a Purple Sandpiper N, whilst other notable sightings were a Water Rail (Canal Scrape), 1 Lapwing, 1 Fieldfare (Point), 2 Redwing, 2 Chiffchaff (Point), 2 Goldcrest and a lone Snow Bunting (Clubley’s).

A changeable day with some wintry showers and some sunny spells in a cold force 3-5 N wind, of note today was mostly at sea with 2 Teal S, a Pintail S, a Shovelor N, 5 Tufted Duck N, 42 Eider N plus 2 S, 207 Common Scoter (128 N, 79 S), 2 Velvet Scoter S, 9 Goldeneye, 15 Red-throated Diver N, 5 Fulmar N, 4 Sooty Shearwater, 49 Gannet, 16 Shag S, 246 Kittiwake (176 N). Elsewhere 2 Water Rail, a Woodcock (Church Field), a Waxwing (Church Field), 3 Fieldfare, 2 Goldcrest (Point), a Brambling (Kew), a Lesser Redpoll (Kew), a Snow Bunting (Clubley’s) were notable.

More heavy snow flurries from dawn until mid-morning in a cold force 3-4 SW veering NW by the afternoon and increasing to force 5

A few new arrivals around with 5 Pink-footed Geese and 3 Grey-lag Geese blogging, 11 Wigeon S, 4 Scaup blogging, 153 Common Scoter (145 N), 7 Goldeneye, 2 Great Northern Diver N, a Great Crested Grebe S, 3 Shag, 2 Water Rail (Fourways), 6 Lapwing (Triangle), 11 Dunlin S, 5 Snipe and 2 Woodcock, (Triangle), 250 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Sky Lark (2 S), 1 Rock Pipit, 4 Stonechat, 133 Blackbird (48 in, 40 Kew area), 2 Fieldfare (1 S), 5 Song Thrush (1 in, 3 Warren), 4 Redwing (1 in), single Blackcap and Chiffchaff, 237 Starling (7 in), a Common Redpoll (Triangle), a Lesser Redpoll S, 22 Snow Bunting blogging and 23 Reed Bunting (5 S, 15 Church Field).

Frequent heavy snow showers made visibility poor and with a force 4-5 NNW wind making it feel even colder it was not surprising that not a lot could be found even with an almost unbroken Seawatch all day.

Of note was 5 Wigeon, 4 Teal, a Scaup N, 24 Common Scoter, 11 Goldeneye N, a Shag S, 4 Lapwing (Triangle), a Woodcock (Cliff Farm), 3 Bonxie S, 43 Kittiwake (33 N, 10 S), 4 Stonechat, 30 Blackbird (1 in, 12 Kew), 2 Song Thrush (Warren), 2 Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, 16 Snow Bunting. North of the area 2 Jack Snipe (Beacon Lagoons) and single Black Redstart, Chiffchaff and Snow Bunting (Sandy Beaches) were notable.

More of the same today with showers in a strong cold NW wind with 6 Wigeon S, 10 Teal, 2 Eider S, 12 Common Scoter (10 S), a Sooty Shearwater N, 32 Gannet, a Water Rail (Canal Zone), a Purple Sandpiper N, a Bonxie S, 30 Blackbird, a Fieldfare (Point), a Redwing, a Goldcrest, 5 Chaffinch and 4 Goldfinch (1 S)

Another quiet day with some sunny spells in a cold stiff NW wind that increased as the day wore on.

Little of note to be seen except a Tufted Duck N, 71 Common Scoter, 8 Gannet S, a Woodcock (Point), 162 Herring Gull S, an Owl sp. flushed from the Point was probably a Short-eared, 2 Stonechat, 36 Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush, a Redwing, a Chiffchaff (Warren), 2 Goldcrest, 7 Long-tailed Tit were new in Church Field, a Siskin (Crown) and only 1 Snow Bunting (Clubley’s).

The quietest day of the month so far although plenty of sunshine was had in an increasing NW wind reaching force 6.

Birds of note were 5 Wigeon S, 4 Goldeneye (1 N, 3 S), a Little Egret (Humber), 1 Merlin and 2 Peregrine hunting, 4 Snipe, 560 Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Sky Lark (6 S), 3 Meadow Pipit, 3 Rock Pipit (1 S), 3 Stonechat, 42 Blackbird, 2 Blackcap (Warren/Kew), 3 Goldcrest, 66 Starling, 8 Goldfinch (1 S), 2 Siskin (1 S), 30 Snow Bunting (1 S, 29 Clubley’s).

Plenty of sunshine in a light SW wind made it a rather pleasant day with some late light passage but less grounded birds.

Of note were 195 Pink-footed Geese S, 26 Wigeon (23 S), 9 Teal (7 S), 4 Eider, 331 Common Scoter, 2 Goosander in, a Great Northern Diver N, 2 Little Egret (Humber), single Merlin and Peregrine hunting the area, 2 Snipe (1 in), 3 Woodcock (1 in), 26 Sky Lark (9 S, 2 in), 1 Meadow Pipit S, 7 Rock Pipit N, 4 Stonechat, 74 Blackbird, 3 Fieldfare, 2 Blackcap (Warren), 3 Chiffchaff, 18 Starling in, 13 Goldfinch (8 S), 2 Siskin (1 S), a Linnet blogging, 2 Lesser Redpoll S, 31 Snow Bunting blogging, 11 Reed Bunting (Church Field).

Out in the sunshine were 4 Red Admiral butterflies.

A cool day with some showers and drizzle in a chilly moderate S wind, some light passage plus a few birds came in and a small fall of Blackbirds.

Highlights today were 34 Pink-footed Geese S, 106 Brent Geese, 21 Teal (20 S), 3 Pochard S, 165 Common Scoter, 2 Velvet Scoter N, 14 Goldeneye (8 S), a Red-breasted Merganser N, a Great Northern Diver S, 73 Gannet (69 N), a Grey Heron in, a Water Rail (Fourways), 10 Woodcock (2 in, 5 Cliff Farm-Kew area), 1 Little Auk N, 22 Wood Pigeon S, 4 Sky Lark (2 in, 1 S), 12 Meadow Pipit (9 S), 4 Waxwing in, 265 Blackbird (14 in, 100 Kew area), 21 Fieldfare (9 in), 13 Redwing (7 in), a Mistle Thrush (Church Field), single Blackcap and Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 93 Starling (37 in), a Brambling (Church Field), 62 Snow Bunting (38 S, 24 Clubley’s).

A much better day with some lengthy sunny spells albeit in a cool gusting force 2-4 W-NW wind with just a trickle of movement and a few grounded birds.

Of note today were 12 Pink-footed Geese (8 S, 4 blogging), 1 Eider N, 151 Common Scoter (110 S),3 Velvet Scoter S, 3 Goosander S, 35 Red-throated Diver S, 6 Great Crested Grebe (5 S, 1 on the sea), 2 Sooty Shearwater N, 2000 Golden Plover (Humber), 2 Snipe, 1 Woodcock in, 410 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Guillemot and 6 Razorbill N, 2 Stock Dove S, a Great Spotted Woodpecker (Triangle), 21 Sky Lark (12 S, 4 in), 11 Meadow Pipit (6 S), 2 Rock Pipit (1 S, 1 Spartina), 2 Pied Wagtail (1 S), the Black Redstart (Point), 12 Stonechat, 64 Blackbird, 5 Fieldfare, 4 Song Thrush, 3 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush blogging, the Yellow-browed Warbler (Warren), 4 Chiffchaff, 10 Long-tailed Tit blogging, 2 Brambling, 7 Goldfinch S, 3 Siskin S, a Twite N, 5 Lesser Redpoll (4 S), 20 Snow Bunting.

A cloudy day with just the odd glimpse of the sun from time to time and a gusty W wind made it feel on the cool side, some good numbers of Pink-footed Geese with 540 S and 350 blogging whilst other birds on the move were 4 Teal S, 18 Common Scoter N, 5 Red-breasted Merganser N, 6 Sky Lark, a Swallow, 13 Meadow Pipit, 3 Rock Pipit, 16 Goldfinch, 7 Siskin, 1 Linnet 6 Lesser Redpoll all S and 2 Snow Bunting N and 8 Reed Bunting S

Elsewhere notable sightings were 2 Peregrine over the Humber, a Water Rail (Canal Scrape), 2 Snipe, 2 Woodcock, 9 Stonechat, 78 Blackbird, 8 Redwing, a Blackcap (Kew), a Yellow-browed Warbler trapped at the Warren, 4 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, 14 Long-tailed Tit (Warren), 2 Brambling, 2 Linnet (Blue Bell), 14 Reed Bunting (10 Church Field).

Dry all day with various amounts of cloud with a moderate W wind producing only a few birds south and just the odd new arrival the best being 5 Waxwings at Kew.

Other notable sightings were 2 Little Egret (Humber), a Great Spotted Woodpecker (Kew), 2 Sky Lark S, 17 Meadow Pipit, the Black Redstart (Point), 5 Stonechat, 62 Blackbird, 16 Redwing, a Mistle Thrush (Point), 8 Goldcrest, 1+ Long-tailed Tit (Point), 11 Starling S, 2 Brambling (Kew), 4 Goldfinch and 3 Siskin S and a Lesser Redpoll (Church Field).

Very similar to yesterday in birds and weather with a bright start which clouded up giving rain by the afternoon, a light trickle of southerly passage and the odd new arrival.

Highlights today were 6 Whooper Swan S then onto the Humber, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose (Humber), a Water Rail (Canal Scrape), 4 Woodcock, a Great Spotted Woodpecker at Kew, 3 Sky Lark S, 14 Meadow Pipit S plus 29 (Clubley’s), a Waxwing S, a Black Redstart (Point), 84 Blackbird, 5 Fieldfare, 28 Redwing, single Blackcap and Chiffchaff, 12 Goldcrest, 7 Brambling, 24 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin, 18 Linnet and a Lesser Redpoll all S.

With the wind in the NW sector today but being only light-moderate a few birds were on the move S with 900 Pink-footed Geese, a Red-breasted Merganser, 27 Red-throated Diver, 3 Lapwing, a Snipe and a Short-eared Owl came in, single Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Grey Wagtail and Waxwing, 6 Goldfinch, 6 Siskin and 25 Lesser Redpoll.

Grounded birds of note were a Little Egret (Humber), a Water Rail (Canal Scrape), 4 Woodcock, 35 Meadow Pipit (Triangle), 2 Black Redstart (Point/Blue Bell), 5 Stonechat, 138 Blackbird, 18 Fieldfare, a Mistle Thrush (Kew), 4 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 26 Goldcrest, 14 Long-tailed Tit blogging, 22 Chaffinch, 9 Brambling. North of the area 2 Ring Ouzel were reported from Sammie’s.

Strong SW winds persisted all day with 8/8 cloud cover and rain by the afternoon, some light passage S with 2 Whooper Swan, 6 Common Scoter, a Gannet, 8 Turnstone, 6 Sky Lark, 5 Meadow Pipit, 11 Starling, 10 Chaffinch, 63 Goldfinch being of note.

Elsewhere 2 Little Egret (Humber), 350 Black-tailed Godwit, a Long-eared Owl (Church Field), 2 Black Redstart (Point), 125 Blackbird, 10 Fieldfare, 11 Redwing, single Blackcap and Chiffchaff, 7 Goldcrest, 20 Chaffinch, 8 Brambling, 16 Siskin (Crown), a Lesser Redpoll, 30 Snow Bunting roaming, a Yellowhammer (Point) and 15 Reed Bunting (11 Church Field).

Yet more gusty SW winds touching force 6+ and rain by late morning making birding rather unpleasant of note today were 2 Pink-footed Geese S, 2 Grey-lag Geese blogging, a Great Northern Diver S, a Merlin (Narrows), single Jack Snipe and Woodcock (Point), 2 Long-eared Owl (Church Field), 3 Meadow Pipit S, a Rock Pipit (Point), a Black Redstart (Point), 1 Stonechat, 140 Blackbird, 16 Fieldfare, 33 Redwing, 6 Blackcap, 17 Chaffinch, 17 Brambling, 6 Goldfinch S, 3 Siskin S, 56 Snow Bunting (45 Point), 2 Yellowhammer (Point/Church Field).

A day of gusting winds touching force 6+ from the SW inducing some passage with watches from 0800-1230 and 1325-1520 a few new arrivals was just enough to keep the interest going.

On the move S were 6 Whooper Swan, 600 Pink-footed Geese, 2 White-fronted Geese, 419 Wigeon, 630 Teal, 23 Pintail, 1 Shovelor, 1 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Scaup, 6 Goldeneye, 2 Goosander plus 4 in, a Great Crested Grebe, 1 Shag, 114 Knot, 29 Dunlin, a Snipe came in, 1 Woodcock came in, 1 Bonxie N, a Stock Dove, 61 Sky Lark, 2 Swallow, 11 Meadow Pipit, a Great Grey Shrike which was not hanging around, 5 Starling came in, 14 Chaffinch, 51 Goldfinch, 66 Siskin, 8 Linnet, 2 Lapland Bunting and 2 Snow Bunting.

Grounded birds of note included 2 Little Egret (Humber), 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Woodcock, a Med Gull blogging, 3 Black Redstart (2 Point, 1 Middle Camp), 200 Blackbird, 32 Fieldfare, 35 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush (Crown), 4 Blackcap, 2 very skulky Lesser Whitethroat (Point dunes), 7 Chiffchaff, 37 Goldcrest, another hard to see Great Grey Shrike (Middle Camp), 15 Brambling, 12 Siskin, 3 Mealy and 6 Lesser Redpoll (Point), 2 Snow Bunting (Tank Blocks) and 3 Yellowhammer (Point).

Sea-watches 08.10 – 13.00, 15.00 – 15.35. Rain at first petering out leaving broken sunshine in a strong SSW wind.

A few birds were on the move again (south unless stated) and included; 200 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Brent Geese, 1 Shelduck, 68 Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, 340 Teal, 4 Mallard, 4 Pintail, 12 Shoveler, 2 Eider, 7 Common Scoter, 2 Goldeneye, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Gannet N, 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 34 Knot, 20 Dunlin, 1 Common Snipe, 1 Lesser B.B.Gull, 2 Skylark, 29 Meadow Pipit, 3 Rock Pipit, 16 Starling, 24 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 3 Twite and 1 Corn Bunting. Grounded birds were in lesser numbers and less obvious due to the wind; 2 Long-eared Owl, 17 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Black Redstart, 10 Stonechat, 1 Ring Ouzel, 400 Blackbird, 270 Fieldfare, 3 Song Thrush, 47 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, 5 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 20 Goldcrest, 14 Chaffinch, 25 Brambling, 4 Siskin, 5 Lesser Redpoll and 10 Snow Bunting.

North of the area the Radde’s Warbler was seen again at the gas terminal, presumably yesterdays Great Grey Shrike had moved to Beacon Ponds, a Purple Sandpiper was at Beacon Ponds and 2 White-fronted Geese were in fields between Kilnsea and Easington.

Sea-watch 07.15 – 12.30. A day of two halves, murky, grey and rainy in the morning, sunshine with light clouds in the afternoon, a fresh SSE-SW wind blew dropping in the afternoon.

In the morning there was some good wildfowl passage with at least 19 species involved, all moved south; 1 Whooper Swan, 6 White-fronted Geese, 4 Pink-footed Geese, 17 Greylag Geese, 49 Brent Geese, 4 Shelduck, 88 Wigeon, 9 Gadwall + 2 N, 209 Teal, 2 Mallard, 7 Pintail, 5 Shoveler, 6 Pochard, 14 Tufted Duck, 2 Scaup, 13 Eider, 103 Common Scoter + 23 N, 37 Goldeneye, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Goosander. There was some light passage first thing before the rain became too heavy (south unless stated) and included; 4 Gannet+ 1 N, 36 Golden Plover, 34 Lapwing, 5 Knot, 1 Curlew, 2 Turnstone, 1 Little Gull, 31 Herring Gull, 1 Stock Dove, 62 Skylark, 103 Meadow Pipit, 4 Rock Pipit, 15 Waxwing, 16 Blackbird + 50 in, 180 Fieldfare + 14 in, 38 Redwing + 15 in, 1 Rook, 350 Starling + 470 in, 2 Tree Sparrow, 14 Chaffinch, 22 Brambling, 110 Greenfinch, 61 Goldfinch, 113 Siskin, 3 Linnet, 28 Redpoll sp, 8 Reed Bunting.

Grounded birds included; 5 Woodcock, 3 Long-eared Owl, 34 Meadow Pipit, 4 Rock Pipit, 20 Waxwing (+15 S = a new day record), 52 Robin, 1 Black Redstart at the Point, 11 Stonechat, 240 Blackbird, 95 Fieldfare, 13 Song Thrush, 140 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, 12 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, the Pallas’s Warbler still at Kew/Crown, 16 Chiffchaff, 70 Goldcrest, a Firecrest at Kew, 200 Starling, 10 Chaffinch, 24 Brambling, 3 Siskin, 6 Twite at Middle Camp, 1 Mealy Redpoll at the Point, 9 Lesser Redpoll in the Churchyard, 39 Snow Bunting along the new road. Other birds of note included, 3 Little Egret, 1 Purple Sandpiper on the Borrow Pit and 400 Black-tailed Godwit. North of the area again produced some new rarities, namely a Radde’s Warbler and a ‘Siberian Chiffchaff’ by Easington Gas Terminal, a Great Grey Shrike along Vicar Lane, Easington and a Yellow-browed Warbler and 17 Waxwing in Easington, also there was a flock of 10 Mealy Redpoll, while a Hen Harrier was between Easington and Kilnsea.

No migration/sea watches all day. A still, foggy, drizzly morning, clearing a little in the afternoon when a light south-westerly picked up.

Possibly a few birds cleared out overnight with another fresh arrival of thrushes, particularly Fieldfares. The Dusky Warbler had moved north again and was between post 29 and 30 – maybe it will be worth looking for it just south of the Warren tomorrow!!! The Pallas’s Warbler was still in the Crown car park, the Hawfinch was still by the gate/Canal Hedge and a minimum of 23 Waxwings were seen, the largest flock being 10. Another arrival of Woodcock saw at least 38 birds today, including 12 at the Point and 6 at Kew, while other migrant totals were; 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Long-eared Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Little Owl (1st of the year) 12 Meadow Pipit, 90 Robin, 1 Black Redstart, 22 Stonechat, 1 Ring Ouzel, 440 Blackbird, 1100 Fieldfare, 9 Song Thrush, 290 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, 22 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 18 Chiffchaff, 110 Goldcrest, 300 Starling, 18 Chaffinch, 43 Brambling, 26 Siskin, 4 Mealy Redpoll, 5 Lesser Redpoll, 43 Snow Bunting at post 29.

The few birds on the move (south unless stated) were; 8 Pink-footed Geese, 5 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 3 Pintail, 14 Common Snipe in, 1 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 8 Meadow Pipit. Other birds of note included 1 Gadwall, 1 Pochard, 2 Little Egret, 1 Merlin, 400 Black-tailed Godwit. North of the area the Siberian Stonechat was again at the gas terminal, 10 Waxwing were seen in Easington, 2 Ring Ouzel at Sammy’s Point and at least 12 Woodcock north of Kilnsea.

No migration/sea-watches again today, although there was a just a few birds noted moving south during the day. The day was another murky one with overcast conditions and drizzle first off and then again in the afternoon, but visibility was much better and the wind was a fresh force 3 ENE.

A Dusky Warbler was seen during the afternoon between posts 52 and 48 and I presumably the same bird as the last few days, the Pallas’s Warbler was seen in the Crown & Anchor again and a new one was found in Walker Butts ditch before moving to the Canal Scrape car park, one Hawfinch was seen by the gate again and Waxwings were wizzing about in different sized flocks and a conservative total of 31 was entered into the log. Mealy Redpolls had increased with a nice flock of five at the Point, two at Kew, two at Southfield Farm and four others flying south, while other totals included; a Water Rail found in a mist net at the Warren, a Lapwing on the parade ground at the Point, 2 Jack Snipe, 9 Woodcock, 2 Long-eared Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, a Kingfisher, 1 Skylark, 26 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, 95 Robin, 3 Black Redstart, 11 Stonechat, 2 Ring Ouzel, 780 Blackbird, 650 Fieldfare, 5 Song Thrush, 240 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, 14 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, 100 Goldcrest, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 500 Starling, 13 Chaffinch, 58 Brambling, 9 Goldfinch, 5 Siskin, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 12 Snow Bunting.

The few birds on the move (south unless stated) were; 7 Wigeon, 4 Teal out, 14 Common Scoter, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Red-throated Diver N, 10 Gannet N, 1 Pomarine Skua out, 3 Skylark, 3 Swallow, 15 Meadow Pipit, 3 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 alba Wagtail, 100 Fieldfare, 205 Starling in, 28 Goldfinch, 50 Siskin. North of the area a minimum of 20 Waxwings were seen including a flock of 15 south over Easington, also 6 Black Redstarts between Sammy’s Point and the Riverside Hotel and a wheatear by the gas terminal.

No migration watches due to the murky conditions all day, which became thick fog by mid-afternoon, the wind was a fresh easterly to start with and with drizzle, but this cleared to leave a cloudy, still foggy afternoon.

Another good days birding with a fresh arrival of migrants and a few birds lingering on. The Dusky Warbler was refound at post 61 and showed very well in the afternoon, a Pallas’s Warbler was found in a net at Kew and was later seen in the Crown car park, a Yellow-browed Warbler was found at post 41, Waxwing numbers increased to 13 with 10 going to roost in Sandy Beaches caravan site, 2 at the Warren and up to 3 at the Point, two of which presumably moved north, also the Hawfinch was still at the Warren and an un-ringed bird was seen by the gate early morning and last off in the evening. The Black-tailed Godwit record was smashed yet again this time 730 were counted; a Glaucous Gull flew north, while migrant totals included; 20 Woodcock, 1 Long-eared Owl, 10 Skylark, 32 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 107 Robin, 3 Black Redstart, 1 Redstart, 13 Stonechat, 1 Ring Ouzel, 560 Blackbird, 510 Fieldfare, 17 Song Thrush, 385 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, 16 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Chiffchaff, 120 Goldcrest, a Spotted Flycatcher at post 25 was very late (the latest record is 10th November), 4 Long-tailed Tit, 19 Chaffinch, 50 Brambling including 37 on the feeding station in Church Field, 11 Siskin, 1 Twite at Middle Camp, 8 Mealy Redpoll, 2 Crossbill, 17 Reed Bunting.

North of the area the Siberian Stonechat was still at Easington gas terminal.

Sea-watch 07.30 – 10.00, 15.20 – 16.20. Overcast all day with a fresh NE wind force 2-4. A much quieter day today with a big clear out of many species, although still plenty of birds to sift through. Of the scarcer birds remaining there was a minimum of 4 Waxwing (1 at the Point and 3+ around Kilnsea), a Yellow-browed Warbler was reported between the Church and the Blue Bell, the Scandinavian race Jackdaw was still present and was trapped in the Point Heligoland trap and ringed, the Hawfinch also turned up in the trap and was released at the Warren where it was still present late afternoon. Other migrant totals including; 11 Woodcock, 90 Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 90 Robin, 7 Black Redstart, 1 Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 13 Stonechat, 550 Blackbird, 125 Fieldfare, 7 Song Thrush, 280 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 12 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 15 Chiffchaff, 200 Goldcrest, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Hooded Crow north up the peninsula, 300 Starling, 21 Chaffinch, 41 Brambling, 230 Greenfinch, 35 Siskin, 1 Twite at the Point, 3 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Crossbill in the Crown car park, 8 Snow Bunting at the Point, 6 Yellowhammer.

There were a few birds moving (south unless stated) most of which was over the sea; 7 Pink-footed Geese, 5 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 7 Eider + 96 N, 34 Common Scoter + 13 N, 1 Velvet Scoter + 4 N, 1 Red-breasted Merganser + 1 N and 3 out, 1 Red-throated Diver N, 5 Gannet N, 15 Cormorant, 1 Shag, 1 Bonxie, 40 Herring Gull, 13 Auk sp N, 4 Guillemot N, 1 Little Auk N, 10 Skylark + 6 NW, 16 Meadow Pipit, 3 Rock Pipit, 8 Rook, 16 Siskin, 2 Crossbill, 12 Goldfinch and 3 Reed Bunting.

Other birds of note included 3 Little Egret, 1 Merlin, 1 Water Rail, 300 Black-tailed Godwit, while north of the area the Siberian Stonechat was still at Easington Gas Terminal and a Ring Ouzel at Sammy’s Point.

Sea-watch 07.00 – 11.30. A cloudy day with rain showers passing throughout the day, the wind was just a light north-easterly.

Today was a real ‘birders’ day, with birds everywhere, mainly common migrants but a few rare birds thrown in and a few unusual birds and very late common migrants. The most obvious feature today was the influx of Blackbirds and it was a fantastic sight watching flocks of 200 Blackbirds spiral out of the sky and into the bushes and fields to feed, the end total was a very conservative 2400. Other thrushes were also involved in the movement but in much smaller numbers and included 1 Ring Ouzel, 140 Fieldfare, 22 Song Thrush and 770 Redwing. There was a marked increase in Goldcrest with a minimum 450 and also Robin which totalled 140. Of the rarer birds a Dusky Warbler was found by a certain well known artist who had been so drunk the night before that he didn’t get up until 11am and the first bird he looked at was this! It showed well for a short period then disappeared, also at Wire Dump while looking for the Dusky, a Pallas’s Warbler and 2 Yellow-browed Warblers were found, with another Pallas’s Warbler at the Point with a Firecrest and a Yellow-browed Warbler the Point and one at the Crown car park. A ‘Siberian’ Chiffchaff was watched well at post 44 and a very grey brown, long winged Willow Warbler was found late afternoon in the Crown car park, the birders who saw it well before the light went were very struck by the distinctive appearance of this bird. Other migrant totals included 24+ Woodcock, 1 Jack Snipe, 3 Long-eared Owl, 3 Short-eared Owl, 1 Kingfisher over the Warren, a Tree Pipit at Wire Dump, 9 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 3 Waxwing (2 Warren, 1 Point), 8 Black Redstart, a Redstart at the Point, a Whinchat at Wire Dump, 14 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, 4 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 21 Chiffchaff, 4 Long-tailed Tit, a Scandinavian race Jackdaw for its second day, 1500 Starling, 120 Tree Sparrow, 14 Chaffinch, 2 Siskin, 2 Mealy Redpoll at Kew, a Hawfinch on the road by the lighthouse late afternoon, 8 Snow Bunting, 1 Yellowhammer.

There was also some action over the sea during the morning, all birds were south unless stated; 64 Wigeon + 6 N, 44 Teal + 5 N, 1 Pintail, 1 Tufted Duck, 8 Eider + 32 N, 155 Common Scoter + 38 N, 2 Velvet Scoter N + 2 out, 20 Goldeneye + 9 N, 2 Red-breasted Merganser + 1 N and 5 out, 1 Goosander N and 1 out, 1 Red-throated Diver + 2 N, 102 Fulmar N, 3 Sooty Shearwater N, 1 Manx Shearwater N, 1 Leach’s Petrel N + 1 lingering off the Point, 23 Gannet + 182 N, 4 Arctic Skua, 1 Bonxie + 1 N, 7 Little Gull N, 500+ Herring Gull, 2 Glaucous Gull, 1 juv Arctic Tern off the Point, 10 Auk sp + 97 N, 72 Guillemot N, 1 Razorbill N, 1 Little Auk + 4 N. Other birds of note included; 3 Little Egret, 1 Merlin, the Black-tailed Godwit smashed again – 521. North of the area the Siberian Stonechat was again at the gas terminal in Easington and there were 20 Snow Bunting and 2 Jack Snipe at Beacon Ponds.

Sea-watches 07.00 – 09.15, 11.30 – 12.30, 14.30 – 16.20. Rain at first then cloudy all day in a fresh to strong NE wind.

Another Pallas’s Warbler in the Crown car park was the highlight at Spurn, but a smart Siberian Stonechat stole the show north of the area at Easington gas terminal. Other migrant totals were 3 Jack Snipe, 17 Woodcock, 1 Long-eared Owl at Kew, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Rock Pipit, 7 Waxwing in Kilnsea, the best showing on Beacon Lane drinking in puddles, 28 Robin, 5 Black Redstart, 8 Stonechat, 1 Ring Ouzel at the Point, 230 Blackbird, 135 Fieldfare, 4 Song Thrush, 430 Redwing, 3 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 180 Goldcrest, a Firecrest at the Point, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Jackdaw, 1000 Starling, 19 Chaffinch, 10 Brambling, 2 Siskin, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Lapland Bunting over the Triangle, 5 Snow Bunting, 18 Reed Bunting.

Birds on the move (south unless stated) included; 17 Wigeon + 26 N, 7 Teal, 13 Eider + 71 N + 7 up river, 70 Common Scoter N, 4 Velvet Scoter + 1 N, 11 Goldeneye + 4 N, 4 Red-throated Diver + 3 N, 2 Fulmar + 4 N, 7 Sooty Shearwater N, 28 Gannet + 118 N, 1 Shag N, 1 Pomarine Skua S, 3 Bonxie + 3 N, 4 Little Gull N, 276 Kittiwake + 9 N, 18 Auk sp + 48 N, 13 Guillemot N, 1 Little Auk + 4 N, 3 Skylark, 2 Rock Pipit, 80 Jackdaw. Other birds of interest were 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Little Grebe on the sea, 1 Peregrine, 335 Black-tailed Godwit (a new record). North of the area was a ‘Siberian type’Chiffchaff in Easington and a Hen Harrier flew west along the Humber at Sammy’s.