October 2008

Sea-watches 07.10 – 09.10, 10.30 – 11.00, 15.00 – 15.45. Showers which were heavy at times moved through all day with some sunny spells in between, the wind was fresh NNE backing NW for a few hours early afternoon.

An increase in Goldcrests and still plenty of thrushes around, at least 6 Waxwings were seen along Kilnsea Road between the Crown and the Blue Bell, the expected Pallas’s Warbler was found in a net at the Warren mid-morning and showed for a while after its release and taking the Observatory year list to 242, a Yellow-browed Warbler sp was seen briefly at Wire Dump before moving off south, while other migrant totals were; 11 Woodcock, 1 Short-eared Owl, 32 Robin, 6 Black Redstart, 11 Stonechat, 1 Ring Ouzel at the Point, 260 Blackbird, 130 Fieldfare, 7 Song Thrush, 290 Redwing, 13 Blackcap, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 11 Chiffchaff, 150 Goldcrest, 7 Long-tailed Tit, 200 Starling, 140 Tree Sparrow, 15 Chaffinch, 12 Brambling, 1 Siskin, 2 Mealy Redpoll (Point/ Kilnsea Road), 1 Snow Bunting just south of the Warren.

Birds on the move (south unless stated (included), 1 Greylag Goose, 43 Wigeon + 12 N, 1 Teal + 12 N, 1 Mallard N, 3 Pintail, 1 Shoveler N, 63 Eider N, 8 Common Scoter + 60 N, 2 Goldeneye + 1 N, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 19 Red-throated Diver, 15 Gannet + 38 N, 1 Shag N, 1 Bonxie, 2 Kittiwake N, 22 Auk sp N, 12 Guillemot N, 3 Razorbill N, 3 Little Auk N, 19 Skylark in, 1 Rock Pipit + 2 in, 2 Brambling, 1 Siskin and 2 Redpoll sp. North of the area a Richard’s Pipit was found in the listening dish field on Beacon Lane, a Waxwing was seen in Easington, a Goosander and 23 Snow Bunting were at Beacon Ponds.

Sea-watches 07.15 – 09.30, 15.15 – 16.45. A wet and windy day but at least the wind was from the east at last! The day started with heavy rain and continued until mid-afternoon when the rain at least stopped, there was thunder and lightening in the morning.

At last the first easterlies in October had the desired effect, with an obvious arrival of thrushes from before first light, there were some new arrivals throughout the day but generally the birds were in the fields and hedgerows feeding for most of it. Woodcocks were also in evidence with a minimum of 38 being recorded which included 12 in Kew garden and the Crown car park, a reported Pallas’s Warbler turned out to be a Yellow-browed Warbler at the Warren but that disappeared by mid-afternoon. Migrant totals were as follows; 2 Jack Snipe, 5 Common Snipe, 42 Robin, 6 Black Redstart (1st of the autumn!), 5 Stonechat, 3 Ring Ouzel, 600 Blackbird, 690 Fieldfare, 27 Song Thrush, 820 Redwing, 12 Blackcap, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Chiffchaff, 51 Goldcrest, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 830 Starling, 6 Chaffinch, 6 Brambling, 1 Siskin, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 5 Snow Bunting and 20 Reed Bunting.

Over the sea (south unless stated) were 2 Brent Geese, 58 Wigeon + 60 N, 2 Teal N, 4 Mallard, 4 Scaup N, 59 Eider N, 5 Common Scoter + 2 N, 3 Goldeneye, 3 Red-throated Diver N, 63 Gannet N, 1 Common Snipe in, 2 Pomarine Skua, 1 Bonxie + 3 N, 3 Little Gull, 26 Herring Gull, 1230 Kittiwake, 13 Auk sp N, 10 Guillemot N. Other birds on the move included a Common Buzzard off the Point, 3 Skylark in, 490 Starling in. North of the area there was a Black Redstart at Sandy Beaches and 20 Snow Bunting at Beacon Ponds.

Migration/sea-watches 06.40 – 11.30, 14.15 – 16.30. A cold but sunny day with a fresh W-SW wind, a few high clouds built in the afternoon.

The main feature of the day was Starlings coming in off the sea, mainly in groups of 30-60 and totalled 2350, other birds seen coming in off were 1 Brent Goose, 1 Pintail, 4 Dunlin, 1 Jack Snipe, 2 Woodcock, 1 Rock Pipit, 6 Blackbird, 48 Fieldfare, 120 Redwing, 1 Siskin and 1 Snow Bunting. Birds moving (south unless stated) included; 195 Pink-footed Geese, 7 Shelduck, 6 Wigeon, 7 Teal, 4 Eider, 81 Common Scoter N, 5 Velvet Scoter + 3 N, 1 Goldeneye, 2 Red-breasted Merganser + 3 N, 8 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver N, 1 Manx Shearwater N, 18 Gannet + 142 N, 5 Cormorant, 1 Shag N, 2 Lapwing, 1 Bonxie, 23 Black-headed Gull, 430 Herring Gull, 10 Auk sp N, 6 Guillemot N, 8 Skylark, 10 Meadow Pipit, 54 Redwing, 2 Jackdaw, 12 Goldfinch, 96 Siskin, 9 Lesser Redpoll.

Other birds of note; 18 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Stonechat, 1 Fieldfare, 3 Song Thrush, 200 Redwing, 1 Blackcap, 4 Goldcrest, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 12 Chaffinch, 7 Brambling. North of the area 14 Snow Bunting were at Beacon Ponds.

Migration/sea-watches 06.30 – 12.00, 15.45 – 16.45. A cold cloudy day with some sunny spells, a few rain storms passed offshore missing Spurn.

Very few birds moving south and most activity was either at sea or coming in off, the best of which was a Slavonian Grebe on the sea just south of Sandy Beaches Caravan Park and was an addition the Observatory year list. Other birds moving included; 1020 Pink-footed Geese, 5 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 2 Eider, 16 Common Scoter + 26 N, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 24 Red-throated Diver + 6 N, 1 Manx Shearwater N, 31 Gannet + 54 N, 2 Cormorant, 1 Shag, 1 Common Snipe in, 2 Pomarine Skua, 3 Bonxie, 7 Black-headed Gull, 185 Herring Gull, 4 Auk sp, 1 Skylark + 3 in, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit + 9 in, 2 alba Wagtail, 1 Blackbird in, 35 Fieldfare S, 35 W and 45 in, 65 Redwing S and 11 in, 2 Rook in, 8 Starling in, 15 Tree Sparrow, 1 Chaffinch, 13 Brambling in, 3 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin in, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 9 Snow Bunting in. Other birds of note were; 54 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Stonechat, 40 Blackbird, 30 Redwing, 1 Blackcap, 6 Goldcrest, 29 Long-tailed Tit (2 flocks 13 and 12 and all ringed at the Warren + 4 at the Point), this is the largest number ever recorded at Spurn, previous record being 22, 28 Chaffinch, 6 Brambling and 1 Snow Bunting.

North of the area, the areas first Richard’s Pipit of the year was flushed twice off Long Bank before flying south and a very confiding Grey Phalarope spent an hour on Easington Lagoon before flying out to sea, also a Woodcock at Beacon Ponds.

Migration/sea-watches 06.55 – 16.00, a bright and sunny day but cold in a W-WNW force 3-4 wind.

A good day for passage, particularly Whooper Swan (104), Pink-footed Geese (1100) and Herring Gulls (2115), but there was also a nice selection of other birds moving south or coming in off the sea which included; 8 Brent Geese, 2 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 5 Eider, 10 Common Scoter + 3 N, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Goosander, 16 Red-throated Diver + 1 N, 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 23 Gannet + 11 N, 5 Shag, 1 Hen Harrier in and NW, 2 Kestrel + 2 in, 1 Merlin, 3 Knot in, 1 skua sp, 1 Bonxie, 1008 Black-headed Gull, 110 Common Gull, 45 Great B.B.Gull, 3 auk sp + 2 N, 1 Razorbill, 1 Stock Dove, 67 Skylark + 7 in, 85 Meadow Pipit + 13 in, 4 Rock Pipit + 9 in, 5 alba Wagtail, 2 Fieldfare in, 2 Song Thrush in, 3 Starling in, 12 House Sparrow, 108 Tree Sparrow, 7 Chaffinch, 3 Brambling, 156 Goldfinch, 41 Siskin, 5 Linnet, 1 Twite, 23 Lesser Redpoll, 10 Reed Bunting + 1 in.

Other birds of note included; 2 Greenshank, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 3 Stonechat, 2 Fieldfare, 32 Redwing, 1 Blackcap, 35 Goldcrest, 14 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Yellowhammer.

Migration/sea watches 07.00 – 11.00, 13.00 – 17.00. A fresh SW-W wind blew all day bringing some cloud and a few showers.

A day with more light passage of birds going south and some coming in off the sea, which included at 17.20 when it was almost dark – an Osprey, # which flew over the Warren and headed north looking for a roost site, it landed on a telegraph pole by the gate but then flew off when some people walked past. It will probably have roosted up somewhere north of the area, this is the equal latest record for Spurn.

Other birds moving (south unless stated) were; 9 Whooper Swan, 150 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Wigeon, 1 Goldeneye, 9 Common Scoter N, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Goosander, 10 Red-throated Diver, 11 Gannet + 6 N, 2 Cormorant, 1 Shag N, 1 Pomarine Skua, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 193 Black-headed Gull, 1 Lesser B.B.Gull, 842 Herring Gull, 1 Auk sp N, 1 Guillemot N. 22 Meadow Pipit + 1 in, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Blackbird in, 6 Fieldfare in, 2 Song Thrush in, 77 Redwing in, 50 Starling in, 16 Goldfinch and 15 Siskin. Other birds of note were 2 Woodcock, 95 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker in the Triangle, 2 Rock Pipit, 13 Stonechat, 34 Blackbird, 9 Fieldfare, 50 Redwing, 6 Goldcrest, 15 Long-tailed Tit, 160 Tree Sparrow, 1 Brambling and 17 Lesser Redpoll. North of the area a Twite and 5 Snow Bunting were at Easington Lagoon.

Migration watches 07.30 – 10.30, 13.30 - 14.00, 14.30 – 16.00. A mainly cloudy day with the odd shower in a stiff and increasing SW wind 5-6.

Birds moving (south unless stated) were; 2 Whooper Swan, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Wigeon, 1 Pintail, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Goldeneye, 2 Manx Shearwater N, 10 Gannet N, 1 Pomarine Skua N, 3 Sandwich Tern, 3 Auk sp N, 2 Guillemot N, 1 Puffin N, 14 Wood Pigeon, 1 Skylark, 17 Meadow Pipit, 3 Rock Pipit, 1 alba Wagtail, 22 Starling in, 116 Tree Sparrow, 6 Chaffinch, 92 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 94 Linnet, 1 Lesser Redpoll.

Other birds of note included; 2 Whooper Swan on the Borrow Pit, 2 Teal, 1 Merlin, 55 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Stonechat, 3 Fieldfare, 12 Redwing, 18 Goldcrest, 1 Twite at Southfield Farm and 1 Mealy Redpoll in the Church Field with 12 Lessers. North of the area 5 Snow Buntings were by Easington Lagoon.

Migration watches 08.00 – 12.10, 15.55 – 16.25 a bright and sunny day with some patchy clouds, with a fresh WSW wind.

Some more passage today including ducks coming in from the east and turning south when they hit the coast, the passage totals (south unless stated) were; 4 Whooper Swan, 80 Pink-footed Geese, 200 Wigeon, 20 Teal, 6 Pintail, 3 Shoveler, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Scaup, 5 Common Scoter, 6 Red-throated Diver N, 10 Gannet N, 1 Common Buzzard N, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Knot in, 150 Herring Gull, 1 auk sp, 68 Skylark, 6 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 76 Meadow Pipit, 18 Rock Pipit, 3 Grey Wagtail, 8 alba Wagtail, 1 Blackbird in, 9 Redwing + 31 in, 6 Rook, 68 Starling in, 230 Tree Sparrow, 1 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 147 Greenfinch, 195 Goldfinch, 85 Siskin, 15 Linnet, 25 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Yellowhammer U-turned, 11 Reed Bunting.

Other birds of note included; 11 Grey Partridge, 2 Water Rail, 2 Merlin, 1 Woodcock, 32 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Stonechat, 22 Fieldfare, 178 Redwing, 8 Goldcrest. North of the area an adult Mediterranean Gull and 2 Snow Bunting were at Beacon Ponds.

Migration watches 08.00 – 11.00, 12.15 – 12.45, 16.30 – 17.00, a very strong SW wind blew all day gusting 7-8 late afternoon, a sunny start clouding over in the afternoon and rain from 16.00.

The wind was too strong for any serious migration and the few birds that were on the move (south unless stated) included; 85 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 17 Pintail, 1 Common Scoter + 6 N, 3 Red-throated Diver + 2 N, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 10 Gannet N, 2 Cormorant, 2 Lapwing + 2 in, 1 Bonxie N, 1 Lesser B.B.Gull, 3 auk sp + 4 N, 1 Skylark, 5 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Song Thrush in, 50 Redwing + 134 in, 33 Starling + 112 in, 97 Greenfinch, 39 Goldfinch, 7 Siskin, 27 Linnet, 2 Lesser Redpoll.

Other birds of note were; 10 Grey Partridge in Church Field, 6 Little Egret, 1 Merlin, 1 Woodcock, 27 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Stonechat, 12 Goldcrest and 2 Brambling.

Migration watch 07.30 – 13.00, a bright and sunny day with 4/8 cloud cover for a large part of the morning and a fresh SW-W 2-3 wind.

A good morning for vis mig, all birds south unless stated; 33 Whooper Swan, 620 Pink-footed Geese (all from 2pm), 4 Greylag Geese west, 1 Shelduck, 50 Wigeon, 4 Eider, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Goosander, 1 Red-throated Diver + 3 N, 50 Gannet N, 8 Cormorant, 2 Shag, 2 Kestrel, 4 Knot in, 6 Common Snipe, 1 Curlew in, 1 Bonxie, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 550 Black-headed Gull, 5 Lesser B.B.Gull, 130 Herring Gull, 2 Stock Dove, 64 Wood Pigeon, 159 Skylark, 6 Swallow, 260 Meadow Pipit, 20 Rock Pipit, 13 alba Wagtail, 82 Starling, 17 House Sparrow, 350 Tree Sparrow, 46 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 262 Greenfinch, 479 Goldfinch, 68 Siskin, 64 Linnet, 28 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Crossbill, 2 Lapland Bunting, 25 Reed Bunting.

Other birds of note included; 40 Brent Geese, 6 Little Egret, 1 Greenshank, 18 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Long-eared Owl at the Point, 1 House Martin, 8 Robin,10 Stonechat, 6 Song Thrush, 50 Redwing, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 27 Goldcrest, 15 Long-tailed Tit, 17 Rook.

Migration watch 08.30 – 12.00. A blustery W wind blew all day with clear blues skies and occasional cloud cover.

A trickle of migrants moving south kept the interest for the morning, otherwise another quiet day. Birds moving (south unless stated) included; 1 Wigeon in, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Gannet + 2 N, 1 Sparrowhawk in, 2 Lapwing in, 1 Common Snipe in, 1 Lesser B.B.Gull, 190 Herring Gull, 10 Great B.B.Gull, 2 Auk sp N, 37 Skylark, 4 House Martin, 55 Meadow Pipit, 7 Rock Pipit + 1 in, 3 alba Wagtail, 78 Tree Sparrow, 3 Brambling in, 229 Goldfinch, 40 Siskin, 13 Linnet, 17 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Reed Bunting.

The only other birds of note were 1 Grey Heron, 1 Merlin, 2 Swallow, 4 Stonechat, 15 Redwing, 2 Blackcap, 6 Goldcrest, 6 Long-tailed Tit.

Sea-watch 08.00 – 10.30. A wet and windy day, SW 5-6 gusting 7 with persistent rain at times.

Due to the weather very little birding done and very little seen. Birds of note included; 3 Tufted Duck S, 16 Common Scoter (10 S, 6 N), 1 Red-breasted Merganser S, 1 Red-throated Diver S, 165 Gannet N, 2 Little Egret, 1 Merlin, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Arctic Skua S, 4 Bonxie (3 N, 1 S), 2 Kittiwake S, 1 Commic Tern S, 35 Auk sp N, 3 Swallow S, 5 Rock Pipit (3 S), 1 Stonechat, 1 Song Thrush, 25 Redwing, 3 Goldcrest and 4 Long-tailed Tit.

Migration watches 07.45 – 12.00.

As can be expected the most action during the day in south-westerlies was some more passage and birds moving (south unless stated) were; 6 Whooper Swan, 71 Pink-footed Geese west, 9 Wigeon, 1 Teal, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Oystercatcher, 20 Lapwing in, 1 Red-throated Diver, 20 Gannet N, 2 Stock Dove, 7 Skylark, 3 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 23 Meadow Pipit, 12 Rock Pipit, 5 alba Wagtail, 2 Dunnock, 6 Tree Sparrow, 268 Greenfinch, 284 Goldfinch, 40 Siskin, 48 Linnet, 12 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Crossbill, 1 Snow Bunting, 3 Yellowhammer, 4 Reed Bunting.

Other birds of note were few but included; 25 Common Scoter, 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail, 11 Stonechat, 3 Song Thrush, 33 Redwing, 3 Blackcap, 13 Goldcrest, 1 Brambling.

Migration watches 07.30 – 14.30, 15.30 – 18.00. Cloudy with some sunny spells and a fresh SW wind.

Some more southerly passage and quite a few birds coming in off, totals (south unless stated) were; 20 Whooper Swan + 25 which flew south onto the Humber at 11am and stayed there until dusk at least, 95 Pink-footed Geese + 95 N, 259 Wigeon, 75 Teal, 9 Pintail, 2 Shoveler, 1 Tufted Duck, 18 Common Scoter + 72 N, 17 Goldeneye, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Red-throated Diver + 7 N, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 1 Shag N, 1 Sparrowhawk in, 2 Kestrel in, 1 Oystercatcher in, 6 Lapwing in, 4 Dunlin in, 1 Little Stint, 2 Jack Snipe in, 2 Woodcock in, 1 Redshank in, 126 Black-headed Gull in, 1 Kittiwake N, 1 Short-eared Owl in, 11 Skylark + 3 in, 40 Meadow Pipit, 21 Rock Pipit + 1 in, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 alba Wagtail, 15 Fieldfare in, 3 Song Thrush in, 66 Redwing in, 199 Starling in, 10 Tree Sparrow, 262 Greenfinch, 128 Goldfinch, 10 Siskin, 15 Linnet, 10 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Lapland Bunting, 1 Reed Bunting.

Other birds of note today were; 5 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Merlin, 1 Bonxie, 1 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Stonechat, 12 Fieldfare, 28 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Blackcap, 11 Goldcrest, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Treecreeper still at Kew, 3 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 1 Lesser Redpoll.

Migration watches – 07.20 - , a cold start in a fresh WNW wind, which eased during the afternoon, generally cloudy with some long sunny spells.

More thrushes arrived today from mid-morning, 2600 Redwing moved through Spurn and a further 5460 thrushes, with roughly a 80/20 Redwing/Fieldfare split moved west over Sammy’s Point. 36 Blackbirds moved south off the Point and a further 80 were grounded, 115 Fieldfare moved through and 20 Song Thrush were grounded. Other birds on the move (south unless stated) were; 880 Pink-footed Geese, 5 Brent Geese, 5 Wigeon, 5 Teal + 2 N, 5 Mallard in, 4 Tufted Duck N, 17 Common Scoter + 32 N, 2 Velvet Scoter N then S, 22 Goldeneye (1st of the autumn), 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 10 Red-throated Diver + 5 N, 20 Gannet + 51 N, 2 Cormorant, 1 Shag, 2 Kestrel, 2 Merlin, 3 Woodcock in, 2 Jack Snipe in, 1 Curlew in, 1 juv Pomarine Skua N, 4 Bonxie, 8 Little Gull N, 22 Herring Gull, 2 Auk sp + 27 N, 1 Guillemot, 25 Skylark, 51 Meadow Pipit, 15 Rock Pipit, 2 Grey wagtail, 6 alba Wagtail, 2 Rook, 5 Carrion Crow, 37 Tree Sparrow, 4 Brambling, 57 Greenfinch, 223 Goldfinch, 9 Siskin, 23 Linnet, 33 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Reed Bunting.

Other birds of note included; 3 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Short-eared Owl, 1 Swallow, 4 Rock Pipit, 8 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, 1 Chiffchaff, 35 Goldcrest, 17 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Coal Tit at Kew, 1 Treecreeper trapped and ringed at Kew, 3 Brambling, 10 Lesser Redpoll.

Migration watches 07.30 – 10,00, 12.45 – 15.00. Clear blue skies all day with a fresh WNW-NW wind.

No sign of the Olive-backed Pipit, or hardly any thrushes come to mention it! There was some passage in the morning (south unless stated), 1 Whooper Swan in, 70 Pink-footed Geese + 11 in, 31 Teal, 4 Pintail, 1 Eider, 4 Common Scoter, 7 Red-throated Diver, 19 Gannet + 10 N, 3 Cormorant, 1 Purple Sandpiper N, 1 Jack Snipe in, 1 Woodcock in, 87 Herring Gull, 61 Auk sp + 3 n, 2 Guillemot, 79 Skylark + 7 in, 37 Meadow Pipit, 2 alba Wagtail, 6 Redwing in, 370 Tree Sparrow, 3 Chaffinch, 36 Greenfinch, 229 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 6 Linnet, 15 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Reed Bunting./p>

Other birds of note were; 1 Merlin, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Long-eared Owl and 1 Short-eared Owl at the Point, 5 Swallow, 5 House Martin, 1 Grey Wagtail, 7 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, 26 Redwing, 3 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 40 Goldcrest, 17 Long-tailed Tit in Kilnsea, 1 Brambling, 1 Siskin and 12 Lesser Redpoll.

Migration watches/sea-watches 07.30 – 09.45, 12.45 – 13.45, 14.30 – 17.30. A miserable cloudy foggy start to the day with persistent drizzle until early afternoon, the wind picked up and veered WNW and visibility was excellent.

A disappointing start to the day, a surprise was a few ducks on the move, then from early afternoon thrushes, mainly Redwings started to arrive, most coming in from very high, some going straight over while others dropping in and resting for a while before continuing west, in just one hour 3000 came in/off and the total for the day was 5950, other thrushes were involved in the movement in much smaller numbers, 6 Blackbird, 67 Fieldfare and 10 Song Thrush. One bird that did appear to come in off the sea around 5pm was an Olive-backed Pipit which sat up on the fence of Clubley’s Field for a short while before dropping into the grass and then flying off towards the saltmarsh and not seen again. Several other species came in off and a few birds were moving south; 9 Whooper Swan (2, 5 which alighted for a short while, 2), 760 Pink-footed Geese, 159 Wigeon, 141 Teal, 11 Pintail, 1 Shoveler, 3 Mallard, 24 Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Diver, 3 Gannet, 1 Kestrel, 1 Common Snipe in, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 126 Herring Gull, 2 Auk sp, 8 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 53 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, 7 Starling in, 3 Brambling in, 18 Redpoll sp in, 1 Reed Bunting in.

A Treecreeper at Kew was the long overdue first of the year and other birds of note included; 1 Goosander north onto Beacon Ponds, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Woodcock, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Rock Pipit, 16 Stonechat, 2 Blackcap, 25 Goldcrest, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 12 Brambling, 18 Lesser Redpoll.

Migration/ sea-watches 07.20 – 10.00, 11.15 – 12.15, 12.30 – 15.15. An almost still start and cloudy with moderate visibility, then the wind picked up a little turning SSE and bringing with it persistent drizzle and rain until the early afternoon, then a fresh force 2-3 SSW wind and cloudy for the rest of the day.

Birds moving south were; 221 Pink-footed Geese, 6 Wigeon, 35 Teal + 2 N, 7 Eider + 3 N, 1 Common Scoter + 2 N, 9 Red-throated Diver + 2 N, 4 Gannet N, 1 Arctic Skua N, 85 Black-headed Gull, 73 Herring Gull, 7 Great B.B.Gull, 1 Auk sp, 12 Skylark, 19 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 513 Meadow Pipit, 10 Rock Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtail, 14 alba Wagtail, 4 Starling, 27 Tree Sparrow, 2 Chaffinch, 265 Greenfinch, 905 Goldfinch, 26 Siskin, 96 Linnet, 38 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Lapland Bunting, 13 Reed Bunting.

Other birds of note included; 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Black Redstart and a Wheatear at the Point, 6 Stonechat, 1 Fieldfare, 83 Redwing, 3 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 28 Goldcrest, 1 Snow Bunting at the Narrows.

Migration watches 07.15 – 12.30, 14.00 – 15.50. Cloudy morning with some sunny spells in the afternoon, a force 2-3 SSW wind first off veering WNW by late morning.

A great day for viz mig, with most of the birds moving in the first four hours, all south unless stated; 318 Pink-footed Geese, 11 Wigeon, 17 Teal, 3 Pintail, 11 Common Scoter, 3 Goosander, 2 Red-throated Diver, 10 Gannet + 8 N, 2 Grey Heron + 3 N, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 1 Golden Plover in, 8 Knot in, 198 Black-headed Gull, 3 Lesser B.B.Gull, 124 Herring Gull, 239 Skylark, 6 Sand Martin, 25 Swallow, 29 House Martin, 605 Meadow Pipit, 20 Rock Pipit, 4 Grey Wagtail, 17 alba Wagtail, 1 Dunnock, 4 Jackdaw, 3 Rook, 69 Starling + 22 in off the sea, 6 House Sparrow, 446 Tree Sparrow, 12 Chaffinch, 436 Greenfinch, 1520 Goldfinch, 11 Siskin, 225 Linnet, 6 Lesser Redpoll, 5 Yellowhammer, 45 Reed Bunting.

Other birds of note; 30 Brent Geese + 3 pale-bellied, 4 Little Egret, 1 Merlin, 1 Water Rail, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 13 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, 4 Song Thrush, 12 Redwing, 5 Mistle Thrush, 7 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 24 Goldcrest, 7 Long-tailed Tit flew all the way to the Point before returning back to Kilnsea, 200 Tree Sparrow in Church Field, 2 Brambling, 12 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Snow Bunting.

Migration watches 07.45 – 11.20, 14.00 – 15.30. Some fog early on, clearing to leave a warm and sunny day with a light southerly wind.

An increase in a few common migrants; 1 Short-eared Owl, 32 Swallow, 4 Rock Pipit, 25 Robin, 1 Whinchat, 15 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, 9 Song Thrush, 15 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, 9 Blackcap, 15 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 70 Goldcrest, 1 Brambling. Birds on the move (south unless stated), 80 Pink-footed Geese, 11 Wigeon, 11 Teal, 20 Gannet N, 1 Marsh Harrier U-turned, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 3 Lesser B.B.Gull, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 54 Skylark, 17 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 238 Meadow Pipit, 8 Rock Pipit, 5 Grey Wagtail, 6 alba Wagtail, 6 Dunnock, 3 Rook, 2 Carrion Crow, 16 Starling, 90 Tree Sparrow, 2 Brambling, 171 Greenfinch, 525 Goldfinch, 7 Siskin, 36 Linnet, 1 Twite (1st of year), 10 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Lapland Bunting (1st of autumn), 24 Reed Bunting.

Other birds of note were 33 Brent Geese including a pale-bellied, 1 Pochard, 5 Little Egret, 2 Merlin, 1 Water Rail, 1 Jack Snipe, 51 Black-tailed Godwit. North of the area were 4 Mediterranean Gull at Beacon Ponds.

Migration watch 07.30 - 12.30. A bright but cloudy day with a light SW-WSW wind.

Another good day for passage with the following (moving south unless stated) totals; 10 Pink-footed Geese, 6 Teal, 1 Eider N, 4 Common Scoter, 6 Red-throated Diver, 7 Gannet, 2 Cormorant, 3 Kestrel, 5 Lapwing, 1 Knot, 1 Lesser B.B.Gull, 76 Herring Gull, 5 Wood Pigeon, 31 Skylark + 2 in, 1 Sand Martin, 16 Swallow, 10 House Martin, 124 Meadow Pipit, 20 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 11 alba Wagtail, 8 Rook, 203 Starling, 3 House Sparrow, 3 House Sparrow, 250 Tree Sparrow, 4 Chaffinch, 169 Greenfinch, 1400 Goldfinch, 13 Siskin, 145 Linnet, 34 Lesser Redpoll, 23 Reed Bunting.

A Grey Phalarope was seen on the Canal before flying off to the Humber early morning, other birds of note included 12 Little Egret, 9 Teal, 1 Pochard, 2 Merlin including 1 taking an incoming Skylark out over the sea, an Avocet, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Spotted Redshank, 4 Rock Pipit, 1 Whinchat, 19 Stonechat, 1 Mistle Thrush, 17 Redwing, 3 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 13 Goldcrest, 1 Coal Tit at Kew, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 1 Crossbill. North of the area a Marsh Harrier, a Shore Lark and a Snow Bunting were all seen at Beacon Ponds.

Migration watch 06.50 – 09.40, 15.30 – 16.00. Cloudy with some sunny spells with a force 4 SW wind.

A very quiet day, there was some very light passage early on but otherwise very few birds and no sign of the Red-backed Shrike today.

Birds moving south included; 23 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 21 Common Scoter, 4 Red-throated Diver, 39 Gannet N, 1 Grey Heron in, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Lapwing in, 2 Knot in, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit in, 11 Dunlin, 2 Turntstone, 7 auk sp, 2 Guillemot, 38 Swallow, 14 House Martin, 78 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 alba Wagtail, 32 Greenfinch, 44 Goldfinch, 43 Linnet and 3 Reed Bunting. Other birds of note were 1 Eider, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Whinchat, 7 Stonechat, 19 Redwing, 1 Chiffchaff, 7 Goldcrest, 1 Coal Tit at Kew, 10 Chaffinch and 2 Lesser Redpoll.

Migration watches 07.05 – 11.15, bright and sunny all day with some light cloud in the afternoon, a light SW wind from force 1 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon.

A good day for viz mig, with good numbers of finches but not in large flocks, the totals (moving south unless stated) were; 1 Whooper Swan, 140 Pink-footed Geese and 33 W, 1 Wigeon, 5 Mallard in, 1 Red-throated Diver, 6 Gannet N, 1 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron in, 15 Knot in, 2 Redshank in, 45 Herring Gull, 160 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 16 House Martin, 611 Meadow Pipit, 17 Rock Pipit + 3 in, 1 Grey Wagtail, 14 alba Wagtail, 1 Dunnock, 10 Rook, 4 Carrion Crow, 12 Starling, 12 House Sparrow, 223 Tree Sparrow, 9 Chaffinch, 221 Greenfinch, 473 Goldfinch, 4 Siskin, 179 Linnet, 30 Lesser Redpoll, 42 Reed Bunting.

Migrants on the land was pretty much as it has been, the Red-backed Shrike still present, a Yellow-browed Warbler in Little Hedge, 5 Swallow, 9 Stonechat, 14 Redwing, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Coal Tit at Kew. Other birds of note 9 Little Egret, 1 Merlin, 4500 Golden Plover, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Whimbrel.

Migration/sea-watches 07.15 – 11.15, 11.40 – 13.15, 14.40 – 15.30, 16.45 – 18.15. Clear blue skies with some cloud building in the afternoon, WNW wind force 3 to start dropping and veering W 1.

It was a good morning for wildfowl moving, most birds were coming in and then moving south, with some continuing inland; totals were; 45 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Brent Geese, 765 Wigeon, 88 Teal, 14 Mallard, 53 Pintail, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Eider, 10 Common Scoter, 10 Red-breasted Merganser. Other birds moving (south unless stated) were; 4 Red-throated Diver + 1 N, 7 Gannet + 7 N, 5 Cormorant, 2 Shag N, 1 Kestrel in, 25 Knot in, 1 Dunlin in, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Curlew in, 1 skua sp, 1 Little Gull N, 44 Black-headed Gull in, 8 Common Gull in, 11 Herring Gull, 4 Wood Pigeon, 46 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 126 Meadow Pipit, 7 Rock Pipit + 1 in, 3 Grey Wagtail, 7 alba Wagtail, 10 Rook, 6 House Sparrow, 70 Tree Sparrow, 2 Chaffinch, 28 Greenfinch, 150 Goldfinch, 7 Siskin, 30 Linnet, 80 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Snow Bunting (1st of autumn) and 23 Reed Bunting + 6 in.

A new Yellow-browed Warbler was trapped at Kew, other birds of note included; 5 Kestrel including 1 found in a mist net which made a painful mess of the wardens hands!, 1 Greenshank, 11 Stonechat, 18 Redwing, 1 Chiffchaff, 24 Goldcrest, the Red-backed Shrike still in the Triangle, 1 Brambling, 1 Mealy Redpoll. North of the area a Mediterranean Gull and a Snow Bunting was by Easington Lagoon.

Migration/sea-watches 07.00 – 08.20, 09.10 -13.00, 13.30 – 15.30. Cloudy all day with light rain and drizzle on and off, and a strong force 4-5 southerly wind all day.

A good selection of wildfowl moving south – 2 Brent Geese, 106 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 88 Teal, 8 Mallard, 7 Pintail, 3 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Scaup, 7 Common Scoter, 2 Red-breasted Merganser. Other birds on the move (south unless stated) were; 1 Red-throated Diver + 1 N, 31 Gannet N, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Knot, 13 Dunlin, 4 Common Snipe in, 1 Pomarine Skua N, 1 Lesser B.B.Gull, 1 Sandwich Tern N, 3 Auk sp N, 9 Skylark + 1 in, 16 Swallow, 45 Meadow Pipit, 4 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 9 alba Wagtail, 1 Song Thrush, 25 Redwing + 3 in, 19 Starling, 5 Chaffinch, 29 Greenfinch, 7 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 20 Linnet, 3 Reed Bunting.

Other birds of note were; 5 Little Egret, 1 Merlin, 4 Jack Snipe, 1 Whinchat, 4 Stonechat, 108 Redwing, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 18 Goldcrest, 1 Red-backed Shrike, 1 Lesser Redpoll

Migration watch from 07.00 – 12.00. A still start to the day, and cloudy but clearing and the wind picking up to SW 2 but then veering S and strengthening in the afternoon to force 4. Cloudy from mid-afternoon.

A good morning for viz mig, with birds starting to move just after first light. Totals for birds moving (south unless stated) were; 2 Whooper Swan, 5 Teal, 27 Common Scoter N, 1 Red-throated Diver, 102 Gannet N, 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron + 1 in, 1 Kestrel, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 128 Skylark, 4 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 536 Meadow Pipit, 8 Rock Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtail, 3 Dunnock, 3 Redwing, 11 Rook, 9 Carrion Crow, 2 House Sparrow, 164 Tree Sparrow, 1 Chaffinch, 71 Greenfinch, 1063 Goldfinch, 16 Siskin, 656 Linnet, 150 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Yellowhammer and 24 Reed Bunting.

A Yellow-browed Warbler at Kew was a new migrant, most other migrants had been here for a while and included; 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 30 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Whinchat, 13 Stonechat, 4 Song Thrush, 21 Redwing, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 16 Goldcrest, 1 Pied Flycatcher, the Red-backed Shrike still in the Triangle, 1 Brambling, 15 Reed Bunting. Other birds of note were 5 Little Egret, 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Mediterranean Gull.

Sea-watches 07.00 – 11.30, rain at first then clearing to a cloudy day with long sunny spells in a light N-NE wind.

The only passage today involved 24 Pink-footed Geese S, 2 Teal S, 8 Common Scoter S + 6 N, 2 Red-breasted Merganser N, 33 Red-throated Diver S, 24 Gannet S, 3 Cormorant S, 2 Pomarine Skua S, 3 Arctic Skua S, 2 Bonxie S, 1 Kittiwake N, 2 Common Tern N, 1 adult Iceland Gull S, 40 Skylark S, 9 Meadow Pipit S, 1 Crossbill S.

A Yellow-browed Warbler was found along the Canal late afternoon and was trapped at the Warren early evening, otherwise migrant totals included; a Great Spotted Woodpecker, the Shore Lark still at Chalk Bank, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 11 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, 21 Blackbird, 3 Fieldfare, 15 Song Thrush, 10 Redwing, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 24 Goldcrest, the Pied Flycatcher still at the Church and the Red-backed Shrike still in the Triangle with a Brambling at Kew. Other birds of note were a Merlin, a Water Rail and a Jack Snipe. North of the area a Black-tailed Godwit, Mediterranean Gull and a Twite were all at Beacon Ponds.

Sea-watches 07.00 – 11.00, 14.00 – 18.30. A bitterly cold wind which was surprising with it being a south-westerly, which started at 3-4 but strengthened during the day to a gale force 8 by late afternoon. Cloudy all day with only the briefest of showings by the sun and a few showers mixed in.

Not a particularly good day for birding, there was some southerly passage for the first couple of hours then it stopped when the wind picked up and a few showers moved in. What did move were; 1 Whooper Swan, 4 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Greylag Goose, 2 Shelduck, 1 Teal in, 1 Scaup, 3 Common Scoter + 6 N, 5 Red-throated Diver + 13 N, 3 Sooty Shearwater N, 2 Manx Shearwater N, 7 Gannet +483 N, 1 Shag N, Common Buzzard N, 1 Merlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 4 Arctic Skua N, 17 Herring Gull, 16 Great B.B.Gull, 1 Common Tern, 19 Auk sp N, 2 Guillemot N, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 284 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, 6 alba Wagtail, 1 Dunnock, 76 Tree Sparrow, 12 Chaffinch, 102 Greenfinch, 561 Goldfinch, 4 Siskin, 266 Linnet, 35 Lesser Redpoll, 13 Reed Bunting.

Other birds of note seen during the day included a Pink-footed Goose blogging, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Little Egret, 1 Water Rail, 2 Jack Snipe, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Kingfisher, the Shore Lark still at Chalk Bank, 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Stonechat, 2 Fieldfare, 8 Song Thrush, 9 Redwing, 20 Goldcrest, 1 Pied Flycatcher, a Red-backed Shrike was still in the Triangle, 1 Brambling. North of the area a Long-tailed Skua flew over Long Bank, and two Mediterranean Gulls were south of Beacon Ponds.

Sea-watches 06.45 – 11.00, 11.50 – 18.45. Strong NW wind, cloudy day with some wintry rain and the occasional bout of sunshine.

The main feature of the day was sea-watching and birds seen moving over the sea (south unless stated); 20 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Barnacle Geese + 7 onto the Humber, 8 Wigeon + 2 N, 21 Teal + 15 N, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Scaup, 6 Eider, 1 Common Scoter + 4 N, 1 Velvet Scoter, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 39 Red-throated Diver + 1 N, 3 Sooty Shearwater N, 1 Manx Shearwater, 750 Gannet, 1 Shag + 2 N, 1 Grey Heron in, 1 Common Snipe in, 4 skua sp, 36 Pomarine Skua, 15 Arctic Skua, 17 Bonxie, 1 Little Gull + 16 N, 3 Lesser B.B.Gull, 15 Great B.B.Gull, 1 Kittiwake, 2 Sandwich Tern + 3 N, 2 Common Tern N, 11 Auk sp + 17 N, 5 Guillemot + 3 N.

The few migrants showing in the windy conditions were; 3 Jack Snipe, the Shore Lark still at Chalk Bank, 1 Rock Pipit, 5 Stonechat, 3 Wheatear, 1 Fieldfare, 9 Song Thrush, 49 Redwing, 1 Chiffchaff, 23 Goldcrest, 1 Pied Flycatcher, a Red-backed Shrike still in the Triangle, 4 Brambling, 1 Siskin and 12 Lesser Redpoll.

Sea-watches 07.00 – 12.30, 14.20 – 15.30 and 16.00 – 16.30. A cloudy start with some light rain, soon clearing to leave a bright and sunny day in a fresh north-westerly wind.

A good day for migration lovers, with seabirds moving, birds coming in off the sea and some viz mig. Birds on the move (sea and land) included (south unless stated); 458 Pink-footed Geese, 19 Barnacle Geese (6.3.10), 22 Wigeon + 4 N, 22 Teal + 4 N, 3 Pintail, 4 Pochard, 3 Velvet Scoter, 16 Common Scoter, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 88 Red-throated Diver, 1 Sooty Shearwater N, 2 Manx Shearwater N, 527 Gannet + 52 N, 3 Cormorant, 1 Shag + 2 N, 9 Common Snipe in, 1 skua sp, 3 ad Pomarine Skua, 4 Arctic Skua + 2 N, 11 Bonxie, 1 1st winter Mediterranean Gull N, 6 Little Gull N, 5 Lesser B.B.Gull, 270 Herring Gull, 16 auk sp + 20 N, 3 Guillemot +9 N, 3 Razorbill N, 1 Long-eared Owl in off then south, 5 Skylark, 2 Rock Pipit, 3 Grey Wagtail, 3 alba Wagtail, 1 Wheatear in, 70 Redwing south and 300 in then continuing west, 37 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 25 Lesser Redpoll.

Grounded migrants included a Teal flushed out of the bushes at the Point! 3 Jack Snipe, 1 Woodcock at the Point (1st of the autumn), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 40 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Whinchat, 7 Stonechat, 4 Wheatear, a male Ring Ouzel at the Point, 38 Blackbird (1st influx of the autumn), 20 Song Thrush, 70 Redwing, 3 Mistle Thrush, 3 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Yellow-browed Warbler still around the Church, 5 Chiffchaff, 31 Goldcrest, a Pied Flycatcher at the Church, a Red-backed Shrike in the Triangle, the Great Grey Shrike seen in North Field early morning only, 1 Brambling at the Point, 2 Siskin and 25 Lesser Redpoll.

Migration watches 08.15 – 12.30, 14.00 – 15.30, 16.30 – 17.15. Long sunny spells with lots of sporadic cloud cover in a strengthening WNW wind force 4-6, gusting 7.

The bird of the day was Red Kite which flew south over the Warren and then out to sea and was last seen flying north offshore, other birds moving south included; 309 Pink-footed Geese, 8 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 3 Common Scoter + 5 N, 1 Red-breasted Merganser in, 23 Red-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar, 1 Manx Shearwater N, 650 Gannet S, 4 Cormorant, 1 Kestrel, 1 Golden Plover in, 1 Jack Snipe in, 1 skua sp, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Long-tailed Skua, 7 Bonxie, 3 Lesser B.B.Gull, 246 Herring Gull, 9 Sandwich Tern, 8 Auk sp, 6 Guillemot, 12 Skylark, 3 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 150 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 flava Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 6 alba Wagtail, 2 Tree Sparrow, 32 Greenfinch, 230 Goldfinch, 20 Siskin, 40 Linnet, 135 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Reed Bunting.

Migrants included the Great Grey Shrike and 2 Red-backed Shrikes still in the Triangle and a Yellow-browed Warbler still in the Church/Kew area. Other migrants included 1 Jack Snipe at the Point, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Whinchat, 4 Stonechat, 3 Wheatear, 21 Song Thrush, 62 Redwing, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 20 Goldcrest. Other birds of note were 4 Little Egret, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine and 1 Whimbrel. 89 species recorded today, which is not bad for a crap westerly!