October 2007

Narrows watch 07.30 – 10.00 Warren watch 14.15 – 16.45. A cloudy day with occasional sunny spells and a light to fresh SW wind turning west by afternoon.

Activity today included a reasonable passage of birds moving south in the morning: 20 Whooper Swan, 70 Pink-footed Geese, 6 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 2 Pintail N, 2 Tufted Duck, 5 Common Scoter, 2 Goldeneye, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Common Snipe, 4 Skylark, 1 House Martin, 45 Meadow Pipit, 6 Rock Pipit, 5 alba Wagtail, 3 Jackdaw, 5 Rook, 144 Starling, 31 Chaffinch, 123 Greenfinch, 48 Goldfinch, 165 Siskin, 16 Linnet, 3 Twite, 1 Lapland Bunting and 1 Snow Bunting.

In the afternoon birds coming in/off the sea were; 5 Wigeon, 10 Lapwing, 237 Fieldfare, 454 Redwing, 1 Siskin, 4 Snow Bunting. Other birds of note included; 4 Red-throated Diver, 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Little Egret, 2 Merlin, 1 Woodcock, 5 Arctic Tern, 2 Razorbill, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Black Redstart, 4 Stonechat, 5 Goldcrest, 1 Brambling.

Migration watches 07.00 – 07.30, 07.45 - 09.15. Bright sunny day with fresh north-westerlies dropping by the afternoon.

An uneventful day, a few birds moved south including 7 Whooper Swan, 300 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Eider, 10 Skylark, 3 Meadow Pipit, 4 Rock Pipit + 7 in, 2 Jackadw, 8 Rook, 18 Starling, 23 Tree Sparrow, 37 Greenfinch, 14 Goldfinch, 5 Siskin, 2 Linnet, 1 Redpoll.

Other birds of note included, 9 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Shag, 2 Water Rail, 1 Short-eared Owl, 3 Stonechat, 2 Fieldfare, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 7 Goldcrest, 20 Siskin.

Narrows watche07.15 – 09.00, 09.30 – 10.-00, 10.45 – 12.45. Clear blue skies with fresh WNW winds all day.

A good passage of Whooper Swans and some light southerly passage, otherwise very quiet. A total of 64 Whooper Swans moved south, with a flock of 27 sat on the Humber for a large part of the day, other birds moving south included; 135 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Sparrowhawk, 163 Black-headed Gull, 174 Herring Gull, 57 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 6 House Martin, 23 Meadow Pipit, 7 Rock Pipit, 1 Jackdaw, 91 Starling, 24 Tree Sparrow, 2 Chaffinch, 30 Greenfinch, 28 Goldfinch, 79 Siskin, 5 Linnet, 13 Redpoll, 4 Snow Bunting.

Other birds of note were; 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Kingfisher flew into a mist net at Kew and was ringed, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Waxwing in Canal Hedge left south, 7 Stonechat, 113 Blackbird, 7 Fieldfare, 5 Song Thrush, 26 Redwing, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 9 Goldcrest, 5 Brambling, 2 Yellowhammer.

Sea watches 06.00 – 10.15, 11.30 – 13.30, 14.25 – 16.50. A cloudy windy day with rain (heavy at times) in the morning and clearing to leave a sunny afternoon.

The Dusky Warbler was still at the Point, although rarely seen, other birds of note included; 6 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 39 Gannet, 12 Whooper Swan S, a single Bean Goose flew south, 59 Pink-footed Geese S, 8 Wigeon S, 1 Mallard in, 4 Tufted Duck S, 1 Common Scoter S, 1 Water Rail, 4 Lapwing S, 1 Jack Snipe, 2 Woodcock, 2 Pomarine Skua over the Humber, 1 Arctic Skua N, 5 Little Gull S, 497 Black-headed Gull S, 3 Lesser B.B.Gull S, 1374 Herring Gull S, 48 Great B.B.Gull S, 4 Auk sp. S, 17 Guillemot N, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Skylark S, 1 Rock Pipit S, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Stonechat, 94 Blackbird, 6 Fieldfare, 22 Redwing, 1 Blackcap, 7 Goldcrest, 9 Greenfinch S, 6 Goldfinch S, 67 Siskin S, 1 Redpoll S.

The American Golden Plover was in the fields at Sammy’s Point again and a Waxwing flew south over Easington.

Narrows/Warren watches – 07.45 – 11.45, 12.15 - 14.15, 16.00 – 17.45. A cloudy day with some sunny spells in a light to fresh SW wind.

The Pallas’s Warbler and Dusky Warbler were still proving elusive in the Point dunes and other migrants included; 5 Woodcock, 2 Black Redstart, 3 Stonechat, 105 Blackbird, 28 Fieldfare, 16 Song Thrush, 42 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 21 Goldcrest, 2 Jay over the Triangle were the first of the year, 400 Starling, 8 Chaffinch, 7 Brambling, 9 Goldfinch, 2 Redpoll.

Birds moving south included 26 Whooper Swan, 87 Pink-footed Geese, 17 Brent Geese, 21 Wigeon + 49 in, 6 Teal, 1 Pintail in, 5 Shoveler, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Goldeneye + 1in, 2 Kestrel, 2 Golden Plover, 3 Common Snipe in, 13 Wood Pigeon, 250 Skylark, 1 Shore Lark, 1 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 92 Meadow Pipit, 5 Rock Pipit, 3 alba Wagtail, 20 Rook, 5 Carrion Crow, 260 Starling, 87 Tree Sparrow, 41 Chaffinch, 7 Brambling, 125 Greenfinch, 338 Siskin, 2 Linnet, 12 Redpoll, 2 Lapland Bunting, 3 Reed Bunting. Birds north of the area included 2 Yellow-browed Warblers in Easington, a Hooded Crow at the north end of Beacon Lane and a Lapland Bunting there.

Another cloudy dull day but with the wind switching to the W-SW inducing a good passage of Siskin, with a few rare birds around.

Highlights today were a Little Egret on the Humber, 31 Brent Geese S, 237 Shelduck and 48 Wigeon (Humber), 3 Red-breasted Merganser, a Jack Snipe ( Clubley’s), 4 Woodcock, an adult Med Gull of the Point, the Tawny Owl re-appeared at Kew, a Woodlark over Church Field, 32 Meadow Pipit S, 3 Rock Pipit, 2 Black Redstart (Point), 4 Stonechat, 164 Blackbird, 61 Fieldfare, 2 Blackcap, a Yellow-browed Warbler (Point), 4 Chiffchaff, 33 Goldcrest, a Hooded Crow on the Point beach that flew N, 238 Starling S, 17 Brambling (9 S), 55 Greenfinch S, 654 Siskin S, 2 Snow Bunting, yesterday’s Dusky and Pallas’s Warbler were joined by a Little Bunting in the Point dunes albeit with all three being rather elusive at times.

A similar day to yesterday with overcast conditions and a few spots of rain in a moderate E-Se wind, thrushes were coming and going most of the morning and a few rarities were found making a rather enjoyable day.

Of note today were 10 Eider out, a Velvet Scoter S, 3 Water Rail, 24 Woodcock, a 2nd summer Med Gull, a Little Auk landed on the road late in the evening and was released after dark, 1 Swallow S, 4 Rock Pipit, 2 Black Redstart (Point), 4 Stonechat, 450 Blackbird, 81 Fieldfare, 210 Redwing, a Mistle Thrush (Point), 3 Blackcap, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler (Point), 46 Goldcrest, 24 Brambling, 3 Redpoll, a Snow Bunting (Point) whilst the best of the day was a Dusky Warbler along with a Pallas’s Warbler both in the west dunes at the Point.

Little passage in stiff SE-E winds with full cloud cover but some more arrivals albeit nothing on the rare front except for a couple of Yellow-browed Warblers (Point/Kew).

On the move south were 110 Brent Geese plus 1 in, 13 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 12 Eider, 56 Common Scoter plus 17 N, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, single Arctic Skua and Bonxie, 1 Med Gull, 25 Little Gull, 2 Skylark, 4 Meadow Pipit, a Mistle Thrush, 270 Starling, 4 Brambling, 4 Greenfinch, 1 Siskin and 5 Redpoll.

Grounded birds included a Red-breasted Merganser (New Scrape), 1 Merlin, a Water Rail (Canal Scrape), 18 Lapwing, 29 Woodcock (10 Point), a Short-eared Owl (Clubley’s), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Rock Pipit, a Black Redstart (Point), a Wheatear (New Road), 247 Blackbird, 10 Fieldfare, 15 Song Thrush, 30 Redwing, single Blackcap and Chiffchaff, 26 Goldcrest, 8 Brambling and 3 Redpoll. Whilst at Sammie’s there were 7 Twite and a Redstart plus another at Vicars Lane. A lone migrant Silver Y was in the moth traps.

Narrows watch 08.30 – 11.30. Generally clear skies, light S-SW wind to start going SE-E 2-3 by mid-afternoon. A quiet day with some light passage and an increase in Goldcrests.

Birds moving south were; 3 Pink-footed Geese, 13 Brent Geese out, 13 Wigeon, 9 Teal, 13 Eider, 13 Common Scoter, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Goosander, 2 Merlin, 1 Lapwing, 1 Stock Dove, 12 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 16 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 65 Meadow Pipit, 9 Rock Pipit, 1 alba Wagtail, 4 Rook, 5 Carrion Crow, 3 Chaffinch, 110 Greenfinch, 21 Goldfinch, 65 Siskin, 35 Linnet, 2 Redpoll, 1 Snow Bunting, 5 Reed Bunting.

Other birds of note were; 7 Red-throated Diver, 5 Gannet, 1 Shag, 3 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine, 3 Woodcock, 3 Rock Pipit, 4 Stonechat, 192 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare, 12 Song Thrush, 26 Redwing, 35 Goldcrest, 1300 Starling, 5 Brambling, 4 Siskin and 12 Reed Bunting. North of the area the moulting adult American Golden Plover was seen at Sammy’s Point late afternoon.

Narrows watch 07.25 – 10.45. Sea watches 09.15 – 10.15, 11.15 – 12.15, 14.10 – 15.40, 16.00 – 17.40. Cloudy for most of the day with a light S – SE wind.

A reasonable day for wildfowl passage and some passerines on the move, an increase in thrushes but little out of the ordinary. Birds moving south included; 2 Grey Heron, 10 Whooper Swan, 18 Brent Geese, 19 Shelduck, 70 Wigeon, 97 Teal, 1 Mallard, 10 Shoveler, 3 Scaup, 1 Eider, 9 Common Scoter, 1 Velvet Scoter, 3 Goldeneye, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Goosander north, 4 Lapwing in/off, 6 Knot, 2 Sanderling, 1 Woodcock in/off, 27 Bar-tailed Godwit in/off, 2 Curlew, 39 Wood Pigeon, 4 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 45 Meadow Pipit, 4 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 alba Wagtail, 110 Blackbird south off the Point, 167 Redwing south off the Point, 15 Rook, 14 Carrion Crow, 194 Starling + 147 in/off, 4 Tree Sparrow, 4 Chaffinch, 6 Brambling, 205 Greenfinch, 42 Goldfinch, 67 Siskin, 8 Linnet, 1 Twite and 6 Redpoll.

Seabirds seen included; 9 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Gannet, 1 Shag, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Little Gull, 3 Lesser B.B.Gull, 1 Sandwich Tern, 5 Arctic Tern, 2 Auk sp., 1 Guillemot and 3 Razorbill. Other birds of note were; 1 Pink-footed Goose, 1 Water Rail, 2 Woodcock, 1 Greenshank, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Stonechat, 135 Blackbird, 38 Fieldfare, 22 Song Thrush, 86 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, 2 Brambling, 7 Siskin and 2 Redpoll.

A bright and sunny day with very little wind.

A fairly quiet day with just a few new migrants in. Birds moving south included; 11 Brent Geese in, 4 Wigeon, 2 Goldeneye out, 43 Wood Pigeon, 6 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 7 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 alba Wagtail, 33 Blackbird, 7 Fieldfare, 8 Redwing, 3 Jackdaw, 10 Rook, 2 Carrion Crow, 22 Starling, 4 Brambling, 32 Greenfinch, 20 Goldfinch, 7 Siskin, 7 Linnet, 3 Redpoll.

Other birds of interest were; 12 Little Grebe (a new record count), 1 Little Egret, 230 Brent Geese, 136 Wigeon, 1 Scaup, 2 Merlin, 2 Water Rail, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Woodcock, 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher, 7 Rock Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtail, 4 Stonechat, 120 Blackbird, 22 Fieldfare, 31 Redwing, 4 Blackcap, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler (Crown and Warren), 2 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, 7 Long-tailed Tits at Kew. North of the area 2 Yellow-browed Warblers were seen on Beacon Lane and a Snow Bunting at Beacon Ponds.

Narrows watch 07.30 – 09.30. Clear skies all day feeling nice and warm with a light SW breeze. A good day for rarities but very little passage.

The star bird was a Penduline Tit which flew south over Wire Dump calling and was heard calling as it flew south over the Point five minutes later. An Ortolan Bunting proved to be very elusive in the Point dunes early morning and a Water Pipit flew south off the Point late morning. Other birds flying south included; 3 Grey Heron, 350 Pink-footed Geese, 15 Wigeon, 4 Goldeneye, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Merlin, 15 Skylark, 10 Meadow Pipit, 15 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 alba Wagtail, 2 3 Rook, 7 Brambling, 82 Greenfinch, 15 Goldfinch, 4 Siskin, 5 Redpoll, and 2 Reed Bunting.

Other birds of note were; 6 Red-throated Diver, 1573 Shelduck, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Hobby, 1 Jack Snipe, 2 Woodcock, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Long-eared Owl in off the sea, 1 Short-eared Owl in off the sea, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Black Redstart, 3 Stonechat, 180 Blackbird, 22 Fieldfare, 44 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush in, 1 Blackcap, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler (Crown car park and Point), 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest.

Narrows watch 07.45 – 12.30. Clear blue skies all day with a light north-westerly dropping by late afternoon and just a light onshore breeze.

A few birds on their way south and good numbers of Starlings coming in/off the sea, with at least 419 and another 900 tired looking birds in the fields looking as though they had just come in. Other birds moving south or coming in were (south unless stated); 1 Grey Heron in, 4 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 4 Goldeneye, 1 Red-breasted Merganser N, 1 Short-eared Owl in, 11 Skylark + 21 in, 1 Swallow, 25 Meadow Pipit + 2 in, 8 Rock Pipit + 4 in, 1 Grey Wagtail + 1 in, 3 alba Wagtail, 2 Jackdaw, 9 Rook, 20 Tree Sparrow, 3 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling + 5 in, 68 Greenfinch, 37 Goldfinch +16 in, 1 Siskin + 2 N, 14 Linnet, 6 Redpoll, 1 Lapland Bunting in, 2 Reed Bunting.

Other birds of note were; 4 Red-throated Diver, 153 Brent Geese, 53 Wigeon, 2 Water Rail,1 Little Stint, 1 Jack Snipe, 2 Woodcock, 1 Kingfisher north along the peninsula, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 11 Rock Pipit, 1 Stonechat, 190 Blackbird, 45 Fieldfare, 10 Song Thrush, 60 Redwing, 1 Blackcap, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler along the Canal with another on Beacon Lane late afternoon, 2 Goldcrest, 9 Chaffinch, 11 Brambling, 220 Greenfinch, 8 Lesser Redpoll.

Warren watch 07.30 – 09.00. Fresh north-westerlies calming as the day wore on, blue skies for most of the day. A generally quiet day with just a few new birds in including the first Hawfinch of the year at the south end of Beacon Lane before flying off west.

Other birds of note were; 23 Pink-footed Geese out, 164 Brent Geese on the Humber, 1 ring-tail Hen Harrier blogging around, 2 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 3 Woodcock, 1 Arctic Skua, 5 Little Gull, 1 Stock Dove S, 33 Wood Pigeon S, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 16 Skylark S, 1 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 9 Rock Pipit S, 1 Grey Wagtail S, 10 Stonechat, 102 Blackbird, 13 Fieldfare, 13 Song Thrush, 51 Redwing, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler at the Lighthouse, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Coal Tit at Kew, 9 Rook S, 7 Brambling, 30 Greenfinch S, 20 Goldfinch S, 10 Redpoll (3 S).

Warren watch 07.20 – 11.00. Fresh NW wind, and clear skies most of the day.

An uneventful day apart from the first Crossbill of the year flying south, other birds moving south were 7 Eider, 1 Lapwing, 1 Stock Dove, 6 Skylark, 6 Meadow Pipit, 4 Rock Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtail, 5 alba Wagtail, 30 Greenfinch, 15 Goldfinch, 6 Siskin, 1 Twite, 9 Redpoll.

Other birds of note were; 9 Red-throated Diver, 4 Gannet, 3 Shag, 2 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Hen Harrier blogging, 3 Sparrowhawk, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 70 Razorbill, 1 Short-eared Owl, 3 Rock Pipit, 3 Stonechat, 13 Fieldfare, 44 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, 4 Goldcrest, 80 Tree Sparrow, 15 Chaffinch, 5 Redpoll, 1 Yellowhammer.

Migration watches 07.30 – 12.40, 13.00 – 16.00. A misty start, soon clearing, then rain from 16.00, SW wind force 2-3 all day.

A good day for southerly passage but very little action anywhere else. Birds moving south were; 1 Grey Heron, 85 Pink-footed Geese, 6 Brent Geese, 1 Mallard, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Common Buzzard west, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 8 Wood Pigeon, 137 Skylark, 11 Swallow, 134 Meadow Pipit, 80 Rock Pipit, 14 alba Wagtail, 1 Rook, 2 Carrion Crow, 80 Starling, 2 House Sparrow, 164 Tree Sparrow, 6 Chaffinch, 849 Greenfinch, 1275 Goldfinch, 112 Siskin, 169 Linnet, 6 Twite, 31 Redpoll, 1 Lapland Bunting, 1 Yellowhammer, 4 Reed Bunting.

Other birds of note seen today included; 16 Red-throated Diver, 4 Gannet, 1 Little Egret, 57 Wigeon, 1 Water Rail, 1 Purple Sandpiper still on Canal Scrape, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, 21 Fieldfare, 41 Redwing, 4 Goldcrest, 2 Lapland Buntings and 2 Snow Buntings. There was no sign of the American Golden Plover today.

Narrows watch 07.00 - 12.00. Overcast in the morning and murky visibility, the sun threatened to come out in the afternoon and the wind was a SSW –SW 2-3 all day.

Passage was the main feature of the day and the highlight was a Bittern which flew high east and then turned north and lost to view – the sixth record for Spurn. Other birds on the move (south unless stated) included; 2 Grey Heron, 2 Greylag Geese, 13 Wigeon + 26 N, 1 Pintail, 19 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, 3 Common Scoter, 4 Velvet Scoter, 1 Common Snipe, 102 Black-headed Gull, 76 Herring Gull, 2 Wood Pigeon, 17 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 9 House Martin, 195 Meadow Pipit, 3 Grey Wagtail, 5 alba Wagtail, 3 Blackbird, 5 Jackdaw, 9 Rook, 5 Carrion Crow, 275 Starling, 35 Tree Sparrow, 6 Chaffinch, 450 Greenfinch, 490 Goldfinch, 296 Siskin, 214 Linnet, 1 Twite, 48 Redpoll, 1 Lapland Bunting, 3 Reed Bunting.

Other birds of note were; 12 Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Shag, 2 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Pomarine Skua, 12 Arctic Tern, 1 Razorbill, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Wheatear, 9 Stonechat, 90 Blackbird, 37 Fieldfare, 6 Song Thrush, 58 Redwing, 1 Blackcap, 4 Goldcrest. The American Golden Plover was in the fields between Kilnsea and Easington and a Black Redstart was at Sandy Beaches caravan site.

Narrows watch 06.45 – 10.00. Light cloud cover with occasional sunny spells in a light SW – S wind. A good day with species added to the Observatory year list – the American Golden Plover was seen on the Humber off the Warren late morning and then again at Sammy’s Point late afternoon. Two Bearded Tits flew south over the Warren late morning and a Richard’s Pipit flew north over the Lighthouse. Other birds of note included; 1 Little Egret, a Goldeneye, 1 Water Rail, a Purple Sandpiper feeding on Canal Scrape!, 1 Jack Snipe, the Tawny Owl at Kew, 7 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, 2 Ring Ouzel, 208 Blackbird, 114 Fieldfare, 19 Song Thrush, 128 Redwing, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Blackcap, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler at the Blue Bell, 2 Chiffchaff, 9 Goldcrest, 7 Chaffinch, 7 Brambling, 3 Siskin, a Lapland Bunting in the Triangle, a Snow Bunting on Clubley’s.

Birds on the move south today were; 1 Grey Heron, 2 Whooper Swan, 42 Pink-footed Geese, 19 Wigeon, 15 Teal, 1 Pintail, 1 Shoveler, 2 Scaup, 3 Common Scoter, 2 Wood Pigeon, 1 Collared Dove, 9 Skylark, 5 Swallow, 88 Meadow Pipit, 12 Rock Pipit, 1 flava Wagtail, 3 Grey Wagtail, 8 alba Wagtail, 2 Great Tit, 3 Jackdaw, 2 Rook, 7 Carrion Crow, 101 Starling + 8 in/off the sea, 4 Brambling, 524 Greenfinch, 98 Goldfinch, 50 Siskin, 102 Linnet, 3 Redpoll, 6 Snow Bunting, 17 Reed Bunting.

Seabirds seen included; 1 Red-throated Diver, 3 Gannet, 1 Shag, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Pomarine Skua over the Humber, 2 Bonxie S, 1 Mediterranean Gull S, 1 Lesser B.B.Gull, 96 Herring Gull S, 9 Kittiwake, 15 Arctic Tern. North of the area was a Scaup, 2 Pochard and 2 Little Stint on Beacon Ponds and a Yellow-browed Warbler at the gas terminal.

Point migration watches 08.20 – 10.00 and 12.30 – 14.10. A day of overcast skies with light drizzle for most of the morning, giving way to patchy sunshine by late afternoon, light WNW wind turning SE early afternoon. A good days birding with good numbers of thrushes coming in and moving off throughout the day, with the following day totals: 2 Ring Ouzel, 448 Blackbird, 557 Fieldfare, 48 Song Thrush, 3030 Redwing and 2 Mistle Thrush. Other grounded birds were; 1 Short-eared Owl, 4 Skylark, 16 Meadow Pipit, 5 Rock Pipit, 11 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Yellow-browed Warbler (1 post 20 , 1 post 41, 1 Blue Bell), 1 Chiffchaff, 7 Goldcrest, 5 Brambling, 3 Redpoll, 1 Lapland Bunting, 1 Snow Bunting, 5 Reed Bunting, a Little Bunting which flew south over the Warren was later seen flying over Chalk Bank and then on wires at the Point.

Birds moving south included 3 Barnacle Geese, 6 Brent Geese, 23 Wigeon + 32 in, 9 Teal + 1 in, 2 Pintail, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Velvet Scoter, 4 Goldeneye, 4 Red-breasted Merganser out, 4 Lapwing, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Stock Dove, 17 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 36 Meadow Pipit, 8 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 190 Starling, 31 Greenfinch, 7 Siskin, 1 Twite, 2 Redpoll, 1 Yellowhammer, 4 Reed Bunting. Other birds of note were; 2 Red-throated Diver, 5 Gannet, 8 Cormorant, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Water Rail, 1 Purple Sandpiper on New Scrape, 3 Jack Snipe, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Common Tern.

The bird of the day however was north of the area when an American Golden Plover was found in the fields north of Long Bank mid-morning but flew off south and not seen again until it was relocated in a field at Sammy’s Point late afternoon. In Easington there was a Firecrest and a Yellow-browed Warbler, with another 2 at Pancho Pond in Kilnsea and at least 4 Little Stints were at Beacon Ponds.

A generally cloudy day with occasional sunshine and some light drizzle at dusk. Narrows watches 07.40 – 10.30.

A good day for Tree Sparrows when at least 1120 flew south, with another 150+ around the area and a total of 84 ringed. Other birds moving south were; 4 Grey Heron, 363 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Wigeon, 159 Black-headed Gull, 64 Herring Gull, 60 Skylark, 5 Swallow, 125 Meadow Pipit, 12 Rock Pipit, 15 alba Wagtail, 2 Fieldfare, 3 Rook, 13 House Sparrow, 1 Chaffinch, 259 Greenfinch, 108 Goldfinch, 10 Siskin, 79 Linnet, 20 Redpoll, 9 Reed Bunting.

Grounded birds included; 3 Rock Pipit, 9 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, 78 Blackbird, 49 Fieldfare, 21 Song Thrush, 63 Redwing, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 7 Chaffinch, 7 Brambling, 2 Common Rosefinch (1 trapped at Kew early morning and retrapped there later in the day and the other still at the Point), 3 Snow Bunting and the Little Bunting still at post 58 until mid-day at least. The Dusky Warbler was still showing well on and off on Vicar’s Lane. Note if going to see this bird – DO NOT park on Vicar’s Lane or in the gas terminal car park, please park in the square and walk up Vicar’s Lane.

A cloudy day with occasional sunny spells in a SW 4 dropping to 3. A light southerly passage was noted between 07.30 and 12.40 and included; 2 Teal, 1 Pintail, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Golden Plover, 1 Snipe, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 76 Skylark, 23 Swallow, 355 Meadow Pipit, 11 Rock Pipit, 7 Grey Wagtail, 8 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, 1 Rook, 33 Starling, 109 Tree Sparrow, 2 Chaffinch, 469 Greenfinch, 424 Goldfinch, 9 Siskin, 7 Redpoll, 1 Reed Bunting.

There had been a clear out of a lot of migrants but ones remaining included; 2 Swallow, 30 Meadow Pipit, 11 Rock Pipit, 6 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, 45 Blackbird, 46 Fieldfare, 15 Song Thrush, 59 Redwing, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler at the Point, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 4 Chaffinch, 8 Brambling, 1 Common Rosefinch still at the Point, and 2 Little Bunting (1 at the Point and 1 between Canal Scrape and the Warren). Other birds of note were; 1 Little Egret, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Eider, 1 Mediterranean Gull, the Tawny Owl again at Kew.

Birds north of the area were 5 Little Stint at Beacon Ponds, a Kingfisher at Long Bank and the Dusky Warbler showing well at times on Vicar Lane, Easington. Moths trapped overnight included 1 Pearly Underwing and 1 Silver Y.

A better day with cloud clearing leaving some lengthy sunny spells in a light NE wind, a few birds coming in plus some light passage with the odd rarity thrown in.

Of note today were 1 Sooty Shearwater N, a Whooper Swan N, 17 Wigeon, 3 Teal and a Pintail S, 43 Common Scoter, single Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser and Merlin S, a Peregrine over the Humber, 1 Water Rail, 2 Jack Snipe, 1200 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Sandwich Tern out, 14 Skylark S, 8 Swallow S and 3 in the Triangle, 47 Meadow Pipit S, 15 Rock Pipit (13 S), 3 Grey Wagtail S, 4 Alba Wagtail S, 11 Stonechat, 4 Ring Ouzel (3 Point), 77 Black bird, 67 Fieldfare, 34 Song Thrush, 475 Redwing, 5 Blackcap, 4 Yellow-browed Warbler (1 Point, 3 Crown), 10 Chiffchaff, 22 Brambling (15 Point), 48 Goldfinch (18 S), 22 Siskin (13 S), 3 Redpoll (Point), a Common Rosefinch (Kilnsea Road area), a Snow Bunting blogging, 10 Reed Bunting S, the BLYTH’S REED WARBLER reappeared at South Field Farm and 2 Little Bunting were found 1 on the beach between Chalk Bank and the Sheep Field the other on the wires at South Field Farm.

A day of heavy rain sometimes torrential, in a moderate southerly wind making birding extremely difficult but with some thrushes coming in.

Of note today were 2 Pink-footed Geese in, 20 Teal, 52 Common Scoter, a Goldeneye in, 1 Lapwing, a Jack Snipe (Clubley’s), 1 Little Gull, 5 Swallow S, 2 House Martin S.

12 Stonechat, a Wheatear (Point), 3 Ring Ouzel, 116 Blackbird, 178 Fieldfare, 50 Song Thrush, 1720 Redwing, a Yellow-browed Warbler (Crown), 7 Chiffchaff, 7 Goldcrest, 9 Brambling (5 in), the Rosefinch at the Point and a Little Bunting at the Narrows area.

Another interesting day with more grounded birds being found plus some light passage in overcast conditions with little wind.

Of note today were a Water Rail in the Point dunes, 2 Arctic Skua N, a Short-eared Owl (Point), 5 Skylark S, 8 Rock Pipit, 7 Grey Wagtail S, 4 Alba Wagtail S, 15 Stonechat, 3 Wheatear, 2 Ring Ouzel (Cliff Farm), 90 Redwing, yesterday’s Barred Warbler (Canal Scrape Car Park), a Garden Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 4 Yellow-browed Warbler, 13 Chiffchaff, 3 Brambling, 18 Goldfinch S, 2 Siskin S, 15 Linnet plus 80 in the Triangle, 3 Redpoll S, the Common Rosefinch turned up on the Point late in the afternoon again, 1 Snow Bunting, 3 Yellowhammer, a Little Bunting was found at the Narrows and moved south last being seen around the Wire Dump and the Blyth’s Reed Warbler showed well around the Blue Bell area.

North of the area a Dusky Warbler was located along Vicars Lane in Easington showing well from time to time and also a Shore Lark was at Beacon Lagoons. The only migrant moth trapped was a Delicate.

A lovely bright and sunny day with little wind, not very conducive for grounding birds, although a few new birds were seen and some light passage observed. Heading south were 6 Skylark, 6 Swallow, 25 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtail, 9 Alba Wagtail, 3 Magpie, 5 Rook, 80 Tree Sparrow, 70 Greenfinch, 4 Siskin, 2 Redpoll and a Snow Bunting.

Highlights elsewhere included 2 Little Egret, a Water Rail (Canal Zone), 3 Jack Snipe, a Tawny Owl (Kew), 2 Short-eared Owl, 16 Stonechat, 6 Wheatear, a Ring Ouzel (Lighthouse), 2 Fieldfare, 65 Song Thrush, 220 Redwing, a Barred Warbler (Little Hedge), 7 Blackcap, 9 Yellow-browed Warbler (2 Point/Warren/Blue Bell, 3 Crown), 8 Chiffchaff, 2 Brambling, a Common Rosefinch around the Point Parade Ground late in the day, a Lapland Bunting (Walker Butts), and the Blyth’s Reed Warbler at the Blue Bell.

North of the area 8 Yellow-browed Warbler around Easington and a very elusive BLYTH'S REED WARBLER at the south end of Gas site gave brief views to a handful of observers before going to ground late afternoon.

A day with hardly any wind and full cloud cover with obvious highlight being a BLYTH’S REED WARBLER at South Field Farm, which was trapped for identification purposes and released back at the Blue Bell where it was first seen.

A light trickle of birds south with 19 Pink-footed Geese, 4 Brent Geese, 1 Scaup, a Marsh Harrier, 17 Skylark, 3 Sand Martin, 18 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtail, 8 Fieldfare, 140 Redwing, 47 Starling, 19 Tree Sparrow, 13 Chaffinch, 62 Goldfinch, 10 Siskin, 30 Linnet, 11 Redpoll.

Elsewhere birds of note were 71 Brent Geese and 500 Shelduck (Humber), 7 Red-breasted Merganser, a Water Rail (Canal), a Curlew Sandpiper (Humber), 1 Jack Snipe, 2 Woodcock, a Pomarine Skua (Middle Camp), 11 Little Gull, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 19 Stonechat, 1 Ring Ouzel, 140 Blackbird, 3 Fieldfare, 40 Song Thrush, 290 Redwing, a Grasshopper Warbler (Narrows), 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 10 Yellow-browed Warbler (4 Crown), 9 Chiffchaff, 14 Goldcrest, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 12 Brambling and the Siberian Stonechat at the Point. Migrant moths to light were a White Point and 5 Diamond backs.

Another bright sunny start with light northerly winds with plenty of birds left over but as with the time a year some had obviously left overnight.

Highlights today were a Little Egret (Humber), 48 Brent Geese plus 1 pale bellied bird, a Pintail and 2 Scaup on the Humber, a Water Rail & 3 Jack Snipe (Canal Scrape), a 1st year Med Gull S, a Tawny Owl at Kew, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 21 Skylark S, 3 Swallow, 37 Meadow Pipit S, a Grey Wagtail S, 12 Stonechat, 5 Wheatear, 3 Fieldfare, 150 Redwing, a Lesser Whitethroat (Crown), 6 Yellow-browed Warbler (4 Crown), 7 Chiffchaff, 23 Goldcrest, 12 Brambling, 115 Goldfinch S, 5 Siskin S, 5 Redpoll S plus 4 grounded birds, 3 Lapland Bunting and the Siberian Stonechat was finally located in the afternoon opposite the Point Café in the dunes.

A Clouded Yellow was at the Warren and in the moth traps a Barred Sallow was the 2nd record for Spurn.

With plenty of sunshine and light W-NW winds passage was more prevalent today with all birds south unless stated; 65 Pink-footed Geese plus 220 N, 400 Wigeon plus 23 N and 54 in, 57 Teal, a Marsh Harrier S, 4 Sparrowhawk, 15 Knot in, 1 Stock Dove, 53 Wood Pigeon, 33 Skylark, 31 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 101 Meadow Pipit, 11 Rock Pipit, 1 Flava Wagtail, 4 Grey Wagtail, 8 Rook, 126 Tree Sparrow, 1 Chaffinch, 5 Brambling, 224 Greenfinch, 391 Goldfinch, 79 Siskin, 85 Linnet, 36 Redpoll, 2 Yellowhammer.

Grounded birds were less than previous days until later on when thrushes started to drop out of the sky with a Merlin (Point), a Peregrine (Humber), a Purple Sandpiper, 1 Jack Snipe, a Whimbrel (Chalk Bank), a Great Spotted Woodpecker (Kew), 7 Rock Pipit, 32 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, 5 Ring Ouzel, 5 Fieldfare, 36 Song Thrush, 364 Redwing, a Reed Warbler (Point), 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 11 Yellow-browed Warbler (4 Crown), 5 Chiffchaff, 32 Goldcrest, 40 Tree Sparrow, 5 Brambling, a Lapland Bunting (Point) whilst the Siberian Stonechat showed well just right of the green beacon at the Point.

A cloudy day better for grounded birds with rain in the afternoon, with birds appearing after 10.00 with a lot of Redwings not stopping long.

Of note today were 2 Little Egret (Humber), 33 Brent Geese included 1 pale-bellied race, 7 Wigeon S, 1 Pintail, a Merlin, 2 Jack Snipe (Clubley’s), 3 Black-tailed Godwit (Humber), a juvenile Pomarine Skua at the Point, a Short-eared Owl (Sheep Field), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Skylark S, 15 Swallow S, a Tree Pipit (Sheep Field0, 36 Meadow Pipit S, 3 Rock Pipit, 5 Grey Wagtail S plus 1 Church Field Pond, 31 Stonechat plus the Siberian Stonechat re-located near the green beacon on the Point, 6 Ring Ouzel, 15 Fieldfare (1 S), 68 Song Thrush, 185 Redwing (116 S), 2 Garden Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 11 Yellow-browed Warbler (4 Crown), 7 Chiffchaff, 36 Goldcrest, a Pied Flycatcher, 29 Brambling (26 S), 49 Siskin (39 S), 16 Linnet S, 60 Redpoll S, a Mealy Redpoll (Wire Dump), 3 Yellowhammer.

There were 2 more Yellow-browed Warbler north of the area (Sammie’s/Riverside).

More easterly winds but bright and sunny resulting in just a few new birds arriving but on the whole plenty to see and lots of high expectations.

Of note today were 3 Sooty Shearwater N, a Shag off the Point, 27 Brent Geese (Humber), 3 Bonxie, a 2nd year Med Gull (Point), a Kingfisher (Canal Scrape), a Great Spotted Woodpecker (Kew), 3 Skylark S, 6 Swallow S, 11 Meadow Pipit S plus 30 grounded, 2 Rock Pipit S plus 2 grounded, 3 Redstart, a Whinchat, 16 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, 2 Ring Ouzel (Point), 28 Fieldfare (Point), 1 Whitethroat, 2 Garden Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, a Red-breasted Flycatcher in the Crown, 6 Brambling, 39 Greenfinch S, 9 Goldfinch S, 20 Siskin S, 10 Linnet S, 3 Redpoll S and 4 Reed Bunting S.

The best highlights today were a Red-necked Phalarope that landed on the Salt Marsh at 08.30 just north of the Narrows before flying of with other waders and a very elusive Siberian Stonechat seen opposite the Point café but disappearing rather quickly not to be seen again.

A quieter day with a lot of birds moving out overnight in clear skies, a nice sunny day with a force 2-3 SE-E wind all day.

Of note today were 4 Sooty Shearwater N, 2 Grey Heron S, a Little Egret u-turned, 23 Pink-footed Geese S, a Peregrine over the Humber, a Little Stint (Chalk Bank), a Purple Sandpiper (Tank Blocks), a 2nd year Med Gull (Point), 43 Skylark S, 7 Swallow S, 80 Meadow Pipit S, 2 Rock Pipit S, 2 Grey Wagtail S, a Redstart (Sheep Field), 28 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, 2 Ring Ouzel (Point), a Mistle Thrush (Point), 2 Garden Warbler, 5 Blackcap, the Yellow-browed Warbler (Crown), 5 Chiffchaff, 26 Goldcrest, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Brambling, 75 Greenfinch S, 264 Goldfinch S, 105 Linnet S, 20 Redpoll S, 4 Yellowhammer (Church Field).