September 2009

Migration/sea-watch – 06.40 – 14.25, 17.45 – 18.15.A warm day with plenty of cloud cover mixed with lengthy spells of sunshine. A a fresh W-WNW wind.

Another good day for visible migration, mostly over the sea. Good numbers of ducks, waders and passerines were coming in from the east and the ducks turning mainly south but some north, the waders and passerines were dropping straight in. Also a reasonable selection of seabirds were seen during the watch. Totals for the watch were 145 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Barnacle Goose, 213 Wigeon, 588 Teal, 19 Pintail, 4 Shoveler, 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Eider, 513 Common Scoter, 3 Velvet Scoter, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 158 Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Northern Diver N, 1 Balearic Shearwater S, 1 Manx Shearwater, 280 Gannet, 2 Shag, 12 Cormorant, 16 Oystercatcher, 3 Golden Plover in, 5 Dunlin + 9 in, 2 Sanderling, 2 Jack Snipe in, 49 Snipe in, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit in, 2 Pomarine Skua, 5 Arctic Skua, 2 Bonxie, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 7 Little Gull, 68 Black-headed Gull, 23 Sandwich Tern, 77 auk sp, 2 Skylark, 6 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 84 Meadow Pipit + 57 in, 2 Rock Pipit + 4 in, 3 Grey Wagtail, 11 alba Wagtail, 3 Rook, 3 Chaffinch + 6 in, 1 Brambling in, 12 Greenfinch, 49 Goldfinch, 76 Linnet, 2 Redpoll, 6 Siskin, 5 Snow Bunting, 1 Lapland Bunting N, 9 Reed Bunting.

The Yellow-browed Warbler was seen in the reeds east of the Borrow Pit early afternoon, and the Barred Warbler was still at the Warren, there were a few obvious arrivals from the continent in small numbers. Migrants totals were 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Whinchat, 8 Stonechat, 12 Wheatear, 24 Song Thrush, 14 Redwing, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Spotted Flycatcher at the Point, 21 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 4 Siskin, the first Twite of the year at the Blue Bell, 4 Snow Bunting.

Other birds of note included 12 Little Egret, 1 Merlin, 2 Water Rail, 1 Curlew Sandpiper.

Migration/sea-watch – 06.40 – 15,30. A cloudy day with some drizzly showers in the morning and late afternoon, a fresh W-WNW wind.

Most attention was centred looking at the sea, particularly the morning. Totals over the sea included 1 Pink-footed Goose, 22 Wigeon, 18 Teal, 2 Pintail, 4 Eider, 18 Common Scoter, 104 Red-throated Diver, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 4 Manx Shearwater, 499 Gannet, 2 Shag, 2 Pomarine Skua + 1 north, 16 Arctic Skua, 30 Bonxie, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 200 Kittiwake, 20 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 1333 auk sp, 33 Guillemot, 19 Razorbill.

A Yellow-browed Warbler was found on the cliff top north of the Warren late afternoon, and the Barred Warbler was still at the Warren, a few Song Thrushes arrived late afternoon with a couple of Redwings while the only other migrants seen were 4 Stonechat, 3 Whinchat, 7 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, 2 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 4 Snow Bunting.

Overhead there was just a trickle of birds: 1 Sand Martin, 1 Swallow, 24 House Martin, 128 Meadow Pipit + 37 in, 2 Rock Pipit + 4 in, 6 alba Wagtail, 89 Linnet, 3 Redpoll and 2 Reed Bunting.

Tree Sparrows have been coming through in good numbers this autumn, with a large turnover in birds. So far we have ringed over 600 and it is not even the peak time for passage until mid-October.

Migration/sea-watch – 07.00 – 11.30, 14.25- 17.40, 18.30 – 19.00. Patchy clouds and long sunny periods, a fresh W-WNW wind.

A Yellow-browed Warbler was heard on three occasions in the Crown car park mid- afternoon, and the Barred Warbler was seen again at the Warren, but there were very few other migrants, 3 Whinchat, 5 Stonechat, 2 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, and the Snow Bunting.

Vis mig was better than yesterday with finches starting to take over from Meadow Pipits and a few birds over the sea, todays totals (south unless stated) included 4 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Wigeon, 1 Gadwall, 7 Teal and a Shoveler north, 11 Pintail, 2 Tufted Duck, 28 Red-throated Diver, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Manx Shearwater, 552 Gannet, 17 Cormorant, 4 Shag, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 ad Pomarine Skua north, 7 Bonxie, 56 Common Tern, 1 Stock Dove, 5 Sand Martin, 26 Swallow, 26 House Martin, 145 Meadow Pipit, 5 Rock Pipit + 9 in, 1 flava Wagtail, 3 Grey Wagtail, 32 alba Wagtail, 157 Tree Sparrow, 24 Greenfinch, 180 Goldfinch, 403 Linnet, 7 Reed Bunting.

Other birds of note seen today were 8 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail and a Barn Owl. A record count of 1500 Bar-tailed Godwits were on the Humber.

Migration/sea-watch – 06.40 – 12.30. Clear skies in the morning clouding over early afternoon, in a light WNW-NW wind.

Visible migration was very light, which was a pity considering there was a co-ordinated national vis mig morning. Very little difference from last few days, again the more notable records were 700 Pink-footed Geese, 16 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 10 Red-throated Diver, 400 Meadow Pipit, 109 Tree Sparrow, 4 Snow Bunting but hardly any finches. However the strangest sighting was a Water Rail which came in off the sea at the Warren mid-afternoon!

The Barred Warbler was seen again at the Warren, but other migrants were in reduced numbers with just 2 flava Wagtail, 2 Whinchat, 10 Stonechat, 6 Wheatear, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Snow Bunting and a Lapland Bunting seen at Chalk Bank.

Other birds of note seen today were 12 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, and 1 Water Rail.

Migration/sea-watch – 06.30 – 11.30. Clear skies all day and a light W – SE wind.

Some more light passage in the morning, much the same species as last few days and in lesser numbers, the more notable being 900 Pink-footed Geese, 16 Wigeon, 1 Pintail, 42 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Tree Pipit, 414 Meadow Pipit and 259 Linnet.

A small arrival of migrants included 2 Barred Warblers at the Point and Warren (the Warren bird being seen for the first time since it was ringed on Monday! Other migrants seen included 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4flava Wagtail, 3 Redstart, 6 Whinchat, 14 Stonechat, 19 Wheatear, 16 Song Thrush, 1 Reed Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Whitethroat, 8 Chiffchaff, 8 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Snow Bunting and the Lapland Bunting still at the Point.

Other birds of note seen today were 6 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail and 1 Black-tailed Godwit.

Migration/sea-watch – 06.25 – 18.30. Clear skies to start and feeling cold and autumnal but clouding over by mid morning and becoming warm with sunny spells in a light to fresh WSW wind.

Another day of passage and most species in lesser numbers than yesterday apart from Linnets. The days totals were 345 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Wigeon, 20 Red-throated Diver, 1 Manx Shearwater, 146 Gannet, 1 Shag, 2 Kestrel, 2 Ruff, 15 Black-tailed Godwit in, 2 Little Gull, 12 Lesser B.B.Gull, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 13 Skylark, 2 Sand Martin, 69 Swallow, 23 House Martin, 448 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit + 4 in, 2 flava Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 13 alba Wagtail, 2 Dunnock, 6 Rook, 30 Tree Sparrow, 6 House Sparrow, 3 Chaffinch, 18 Greenfinch, 64 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 642 Linnet, 3 Redpoll sp, 1 Mealy Redpoll, 6 Reed Bunting.

Only a few lingering migrants were seen 4flava Wagtail, 1 Redstart, 4 Whinchat, 11 Stonechat, 5 Wheatear, 10 Song Thrush, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Snow Bunting and the Lapland Bunting still at the Point.

Other birds of note seen today were 6 Little Egret, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail.

Migration/sea-watch – 06.25 – 13.30, 15.30 – 16.30. Clear blue skies in the morning and cloudy in the afternoon, a force 2-3 W-WNW wind.

Another day of mainly passage and similar to yesterday but in reduced numbers: 685 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Eider, 18 Red-throated Diver, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard U-turned, 2 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 1 Hobby, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 38 Skylark, 2 Sand Martin, 24 Swallow, 36 House Martin, 1130 Meadow Pipit, 5 Rock Pipit, 2 flava Wagtail, 3 Grey Wagtail, 15 alba Wagtail, 1 Rook, 3 Tree Sparrow, 4 House Sparrow, 17 Chaffinch, 20 Greenfinch, 107 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin, 450 Linnet, 10 Redpoll, 1 Snow Bunting, 11 Reed Bunting.

Only a few migrants were seen 6 flava Wagtail, 1 Redstart, 4 Whinchat, 8 Stonechat, 7 Wheatear, 7 Song Thrush, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Snow Bunting and the Lapland Bunting still at the Point.

Other birds of note seen today were 2 Little Egret, 2 Water Rail, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Greenshank, 5 Little Gull.

Migration/sea-watch – 06.15 – 19.00. Cloudy morning with a few light showers, clearing in the afternoon with a fresh WSW-W wind

A better day for passage with Pink-footed Geese moving in good numbers – 2330, all but 145 from early afternoon, also a much better day for Meadow Pipits, the total of 2246 saw half of the count also in the afternoon. Todays totals (south unless stated) were : 60 Common Scoter N, 1 Hobby, 1 Kestrel, 22 Golden Plover in, 10 Dunlin, 14 Skylark, 1 Sand Martin, 37 Swallow, 80 House Martin, 7 Rock Pipit, 1 flava Wagtail, 3 Grey Wagtail, 2 alba Wagtail, 2 House Sparrow, 53 Tree Sparrow, 12 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 16 Greenfinch, 52 Goldfinch, 681 Linnet, 3 Siskin, 1 Redpoll, 16 Reed Bunting.

A few birds moving over the sea included 30 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 14 Cormorant, 2 Arctic Skua, 2 Mediterranean Gull, Little Gull, 10 Lesser B.B.Gull, 119 Herring Gull, 30 Sandwich Tern and 70 Common Tern.

The Black Redstart was still at the Point and there were 3 Lapland Buntings also there. Other migrants were again few and far between with only 1 Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 4 Stonechat, 4 Wheatear, 5 Song Thrush, 1 Garden Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitehroat, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Pied Flycatcher and a Snow Bunting.

Migration/sea-watch – 06.20 – 11.30, 13.00 – 14.15. Clear blue skies in the morning with patchy clouds in the afternoon, a very fresh WSW force 4+ wind eased a little in the afternoon.

Yet another disappointing day for passage, the only species in treble figures was Linnet (115), a few wagtails, pipits and hirundines were moving, but nothing worth mentioning. A Common Buzzard U-turned over the Triangle, other birds of note moving south were a Goosander, a Sparrowhawk, a Hobby and a Peregrine, 7 Black-tailed Godwit came in off and 1000+ Common Terns moved north at dawn.

A Black Redstart at the Point was the first of the autumn and the Lapland Bunting was still at the Point. Other migrants were few and far between with only 1 Redstart, 4 Stonechat, 6 Whinchat, 8 Wheatear, 9 Song Thrush, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and a Snow Bunting.

North of the area a Redstart and a Spotted Flycatcher were at Sammy's Point.

Migration/sea-watch – 06.20 – 11.00. A cool morning, variable cloud cover and a force 3 SW wind, a short rain shower late afternoon.

The expectation of a large passage of Meadow Pipits with almost perfect conditions after a hold up of passage for over a week didn't happen, maybe tomorrow?! There was a steady passage of birds (south unless stated): 26 Pink-footed Geese + 60 N, 4 Teal, 1 Pintail in, 1 Velvet Scoter, 1 Goosander, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 16 Red-throated Diver, 1 Shag, 2 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 2 Snipe in, 6 Sand Martin, 184 Swallow, 60 House Martin, a Richard's Pipit at 12.14 hrs., 900 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit + 3 in, 5 flava Wagtail, 4 Grey Wagtail, 2 alba Wagtail, 4 House Sparrow, 8 Tree Sparrow, 11 Greenfinch, 146 Linnet, 3 Lapland Bunting, and 6 Reed Bunting.

A new Barred Warbler was caught and ringed at the Warren early morning, the Wryneck was seen again at post 63 and the Lapland Bunting was still at the Point (which was ringed, the first for a very long time and the first by our warden Paul Collins. Most other migrants had cleared out leaving just a Barn Owl, 1 Swift, 3 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 9 Stonechat, 5 Wheatear, 6 Song Thrush, 3 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, a Pied Flycatcher, 2 Snow Bunting and 20 Reed Bunting.

Other birds of note included 1 Eider, 8 Little Egret, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail, and a new Obs record for Mediterranean Gull – 12.

Migration/sea-watch – 17.45 – 18.15. A warm sunny day with just a few light wispy clouds in a light N-NNE wind veering S in the evening.

New birds today included 2 Common Rosefinch (one was seen at Canal Hedge and one was seen at the Point. A Firecrest was at post 42 and the first Richard's Pipit of the year spent a short while in Clubley's Field before flying south and eventually off towards Lincolnshire. The Red-backed Shrike and Lapland Bunting were still at the Point, the Barred Warbler at post 62 and the Woodchat Shrike at Sammy's Point. Other migrant totals were 1 Short-eared Owl at the Point, 100+ Meadow Pipit, 7 flava Wagtail, 6 Redstart, 10 Whinchat, 11 Stonechat, 8 Wheatear, 32 Song Thrush, 1 Redwing, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 3 Garden Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 7 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 7 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Pied Flycatcher, and 3 Snow Bunting.

There was also some light passage during the morning and Pink-footed Geese in the afternoon (290 in 5 skeins), other birds moving south were 5 Brent Geese, 4 Eider, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Black Tern, 11 Skylark, 32 Swallow, 12 House Martin, 2 Tree Pipit, 250 Meadow Pipit, 4 Rock Pipit, 2 lava Wagtail, 4 Grey Wagtail, 6 alba Wagtail and 6 Goldfinch.

Other birds of note were 5 Little Egret, 2 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail, 740 Sanderling, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Mediterranean Gull.

Migration/sea-watch – 08.15 – 09.15 – 11.05 – 11.35, 15.15 – 16.15. A cloudy morning and a mainly sunny afternoon with almost no wind but veering from E- S during the day.

The clear skies over night probably lead for most of the common migrants leaving overnight, but the Woodchat Shrike was still putting on a nice show at Sammy's Point, the Red-breasted Flycatcher was still at the Crown, the Barred Warbler and Wryneck were seen in the Wire Dump area and the Red-backed Shrike and Lapland Bunting were still at the Point. New birds started to arrive from late morning again and the best of which was a Short-toed Lark on the Point beach which showed very well before flying off towards Lincolnshire at 12.45. An Icterine Warbler was trapped at Wire Dump and was released at the Point. Otherwise migrant totals were 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 100+ Meadow Pipit, 1 flava Wagtail, 30 Robin, 6 Redstart, 11 Whinchat, 8 Stonechat, 6 Wheatear, 25 Song Thrush, 1 Sedge Warbler, 4 Garden Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, 7 Willow Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Brambling, 3 Snow Bunting.

The few birds on the move (south unless stated) were 11 Common Scoter, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Hobby, 45 Swallow, 9 House Martin, 1 Tree Pipit, 150+ Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Brambling, 13 Linnet and 3 Reed Bunting.

Other birds of note included a Sparrowhawk eating a bat in the day time, 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Whimbrel, 15 Greenshank, 10 Mediterranean Gull.

Sea-watch 15.30 – 17.00. A cloudy morning with the sun coming out mid-afternoon to leave a clear sunny evening, a light force 2 easterly breeze.

More new birds today when firstly a Barred Warbler was caught in the Church Field, then at lunchtime a Rustic Bunting was found in a net at the Warren, which was shown to the gathered birders, it was later seen in Clubley's Field, and a male Red-breasted Flycatcher was found in the Crown car park but wandered as far as the Churchyard. Another Barred Warbler was found at post 61 and a Wryneck at post 66 in the afternoon. The Red-backed Shrike and Lapland Bunting remained at the Point and there were a few more migrants about, the totals being: 1 Tree Pipit, 50 Meadow Pipit,8 flava Wagtail, 35 Robin, 18 Redstart, 16 Whinchat, 14 Stonechat, 11 Wheatear, 66 Song Thrush, 1 Redwing, 1 Reed Warbler, 3 Garden Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 10 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Whitethroat, 11 Chiffchaff, 11 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 8 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Brambling, 1 Snow Bunting and 40 Reed Bunting.

There were a few birds moving in the morning although no actual watch was made with most people looking for grounded migrants, but birds that were counted included 1 Manx Shearwater, 30 Swallow, 273 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit and 8 flava Wagtail.

North of the area the Woodchat Shrike remained and showed well at Sammy's Point car park, 7 Snow Buntings and a Grasshopper Warbler were also seen there, a Lapland Bunting was seen at Beacon Ponds and a Grasshopper Warbler was seen at Sandy Beaches. Other birds of note included 4 Wigeon, 1 Hobby, 1 Water Rail, and 1 Purple Sandpiper.

Sea/migration watches 06.30 – 09.40, 11.10 – 12.30, 16.30 – 18.30. Cloudy all day with the wind coming from the NE and dropping to a force 2 gusting 3.

Yet again the bird of the day was north of the recording area when a Red-backed Shrke reported on the pager at Sammy's Point was investigated and turned out to be a cracking, very showy juvenile Woodchat Shrike.

The Red-backed Shrike remained at the Point and there was a steady turnover of migrants, which included the first Lapland Bunting of the autumn and other totals were 1 Jack Snipe, 60 Meadow Pipit, 40 Robin, 7 Redstart, 5 Whinchat, 11 Stonechat, 11 Wheatear, 37 Song Thrush, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 15 Willow Warbler, 3 Goldcrest, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 8 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 5 Snow Bunting, 1 Yellowhammer and 15 Reed Bunting.

There was a little vis mig (all south unless stated) 9 Wigeon, 12 Teal, 1 Scaup N, 2 Eider N, 104 Common Scoter N, 1 Hobby, 1 Tree Pipit, 432 Meadow Pipit, 3 Rock Pipit and 1 flava Wagtail.

Another fairly quiet day at sea compared with earlier in the week but still a Red-necked Grebe flew north, 59 Red-throated Diver, 8 Fulmar, 6 Sooty Shearwater, 10 Manx Shearwater, 834 Gannet, 3 Arctic Skua, 6 Bonxie, 18 Little Gull, 114 Kittiwake, 72 auk sp, 3 Puffin. Other birds of note today were 2 Little Egret and a Water Rail.

Sea-watch 06.30 to 08.45, 09.25 – 10.25, 13.45 – 16.30, 17.15 – 19.00. Cloudy with sunny spells, but a strong NNE force 5 wind.

The best birds of the day were both north of the Observatory recording area and both by single observers, firstly a Corncrake was running along the road and then ran into a ditch by the Riverside Hotel in Kilnsea and in the afternoon a Red-throated Pipit was seen well and heard calling in a flock of Meadow Pipits later in the afternoon but only a small flock of pipits could be relocated later on, so it could still be somewhere in the area.

There appeared to be a clear out of migrants, with only the Red-backed Shrike remaining of yesterday sub-rarities. Although there was an increase in Robins (40) and Song Thrushes (63), many of the the migrants present were keeping low in the blustery conditions with the following totals: the first Jack Snipe of the autumn at the Point, 6 flava Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 6 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 12 Wheatear, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 5 Garden Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 11 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, 8 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 5 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 1 Snow Bunting and 27 Reed Bunting.

The sea was also fairly quiet with the exception of Kittiwake which totalled 3125 flying north, also 10 Wigeon, 10 Teal, 38 Common Scoter, 35 Red-throated Diver, 13 Fulmar, 6 Sooty Shearwater, 19 Manx Shearwater, 410 Gannet, 2 Pomarine Skua, 6 Arctic Skua, 9 Bonxie, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 149 Little Gull, 1180 Common Tern (out in the morning), 357 auk sp and 7 Puffin.(unfortunately just Atlantic ones!).

Sea-watch 06.15 to 12.10. A sunny morning then clouding over for periods in the afternoon and then a clear skies in the evening, with a fresh NNE wind.

There was no sign of the Booted Warbler today, but new arrivals started to arrive from late morning, the best of which were a Red-breasted Flycatcher in the Crown car park and ranging to the Churchyard, a Yellow-browed Warbler was found in a mist-net at the Warren, and a Red-backed Shrike was very elusive at the Point. The first Bramblings (2) and Redwings (5) of the autumn arrived and the first influx of Song Thrush (52). There was also an increase in commoner migrants: 10 flava Wagtail, 22 Robin, 10 Redstart, 11 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, 14 Wheatear, 3 Garden Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat, 6 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 8 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Brambling and the Snow Bunting still on Canal Scrape.

The sea was a little quieter than yesterday but there was still another Great Shearwater which flew north at 07.35, other totals included 132 Teal, 48 Wigeon, 1 Pintail, 3 Eider, 165 Common Scoter, 79 Red-throated Diver, 62 Fulmar, 3 Sooty Shearwater, 11 Manx Shearwater, 1100 Gannet, 9 Arctic Skua, 3 Bonxie, 14 Little Gull, 123 auk sp.

Other birds of interest were 1 Water Rail, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank. North of the area there were only a scattering of common migrants.

Sea-watch all day from 06.15 to 19.20. A cloudy day with sunny periods and a strong NNE wind.

The Booted Warbler was still present just south of the Warren but remained very elusive. A Barred Warbler was found at the Warren mid-morning and was quite showy for most of the day, otherwise migrants were hard to find in the windy conditions but included 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 4 Stonechat, 6 Wheatear, 5 Song Thrush, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 3 Goldcrest, 4 Pied Flycatcher, and the first Snow Bunting of the autumn on Canal Scrape.

It was another good day for sea-watching and the highlight being a very close inshore Great Shearwater which flew north at 09.35. Totals for the watch included 59 Wigeon, 118 Teal, 3 Pintail, 3 Eider, 270 Common Scoter, 81 Red-throated Diver, 344 Fulmar, 35 Sooty Shearwater, 470 Manx Shearwater, 2200 Gannet, 9 Cormorant, 2 Shag, 1 Sparrowhawk in off, 67 Oystercatcher, 1 Pomarine Skua,50 Arctic Skua, 20 Bonxie, 140 Little Gull, 2 juv Sabine's Gulls north at 12.30, 430 Kittiwake,46 Sandwich Tern, 3 Arctic Tern, 670 auk sp, and 23 Puffin.

Other birds of note included 2 Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk and a Hobby south.

Sea-watch all day from 07.30 to 19.30. A cloudy cool day with the sun only occasionally showing itself, a stiff NNE wind blew all day.

The BOOTED WARBLER remained just south of the Warren although it could be very elusive at times. There were very few other migrants around 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Wheatear, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 4 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and a male Crossbill at Kew.

There was a lot of activity over the sea, most notably 3633 Gannets which smashed the day record previously set at 2497 in 2007. Other totals for birds moving over the sea was 12 Wigeon, 32 Teal, 61 Common Socter, 32 Red-throated Diver, 25 Fulmar, 10 Sooty Shearwater, 136 Manx Shearwater (101 S), 1 Leach's Petrel north, 1 Shag, 32 Oystercatcher, 16 Redshank, 1 Pomarine Skua, 44 Arctic Skua, 38 Bonxie, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 19 Little Gull, 700 Kittiwake, 2 Arctic Tern, 48 auk sp and 2 Puffin.

Other birds of interest were a Peregrine and a Curlew Sandpiper.

Sea-watches 06.15 – 09.00. A warm day with no cloud cover all day, a light N-W-NE wind barely force 2.

The highlight of the day was a BOOTED WARBLER found at the Warren while watching a Leach's Petrel sat on the Humber mid-morning. The bird showed well at times and moved to the last buckthorn patch south of the Warren where it remained until dusk. This is the first record since 2000. There were only a few other migrants spread about the area: 18 flava Wagtail, 13 Robin, 3 Whinchat, 4 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, 2 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Whitethroat, 12 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 8 Pied Flycatcher, 4 Chaffinch, 1 Siskin, and 1 Crossbill.

There was some light passage which included 77 Pink-footed Geese, 10 Wigeon, 32 Teal, 1 Pintail, 69 Common Scoter, 1 Manx Shearwater, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hobby, 1 Bonxie, 6 Mediterranean Gull N, 40 Sand Martin, 45 Swallow, 12 House Martin, 1 Tree Pipit, 225 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit.

Other birds of note included 380 Gannet, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Whimbrel. North of the area there was a Grasshopper Warbler on Beacon Lane.

Sea-watches 06.30 – 09.00, 18.15 – 19.15. A day of sunshine with cloudy spells in a light to fresh NE wind.

As is typical with this weather, no falls of birds but just a steady turnover of common migrants with occasional rarer bird popping up. Today a first-year Ortolan Bunting was found in a mist-net at the Warren (only the sixth ringed at Spurn). When released it flew north over the Warren and lost to view. A new Barred Warbler was found at Chalk Bank which showed on and off all day, while commoner migrants included 7 flava Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipit, 16 Robin, 2 Redstart, 8 Whinchat, 1 Wheatear, 1 Song Thrush, 5 Sedge Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 7 Whitethroat, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 12 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler, and 14 Pied Flycatcher, 6 Chaffinch, 15 Siskin.

There was some passage over the sea early morning the most interesting being 12 Teal, 46 Common Scoter, 5 Manx Shearwater, 600 Gannet.2 Bonxie, 271 Kittiwake and 1 Razorbill.

Some light passage saw the first Pink-footed Geese of the autumn fly south (50), also moving south were 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hobby, 28 Sand Martin, 25 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 200 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 3 flava Wagtail, 6 Linnet and 1 Reed Bunting.

Sea-watches 06.30 – 11.30, 18.10 – 19.25. Clear blue skies all day with a fresh NE wind.

Most action today was over the sea, particularly Gannets which were mainly moving south and recorded a total of 2245 (the second highest ever total at Spurn), also moving over the sea were 6 Teal, 1 Pintail, 440 Common Scoter, 1 Goosander, 30+ Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 9 Fulmar, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 17 Manx Shearwater, 19 Arctic Skua, 7 Bonxie, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 7 Little Gull, 758 Kittiwake all north, 51 auk sp , 21 Guillemot, 3 Puffin.

A small arrival occurred from late morning the best of which was a Barred Warbler at the Point, also 18 Robin, 1 Redstart, 3 Wheatear, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 9 Whitethroat, 5 Chiffchaff, 9 Willow Warbler, 1Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Pied Flycatcher and 3 Siskin.

Other birds of note included a 2 Little Egret, 1 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Greenshank on the Humber.

Migration-watches 06.00 – 09.30. The day started off with some cloud but that soon cleared to leave a warm and sunny day, a fresh W wind soon veered NW and then round to the NE by early afternoon.

In complete contrast to yesterday there was virtually no passage at all today just 80 Teal, 15 Common Scoter, 2 Sparrowhawk, 25 Swallow, 56 Meadow Pipit, 5 flava Wagtail, 55 Tree Sparrow and 39 Linnet.

There was a slight increase in grounded migrants during the day and totals were 8 Robin, 4 Redstart, 8 Whinchat, 5 Wheatear, 2 Sedge Warbler 1 Reed Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 11 Willow Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher.

The only other birds of note were 2 Little Egret, 8 Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Whimbrel..

Migration/sea-watches 06.05 – 14.45, 18.00 – 19.30. A day with variable amounts of cloud, with a fresh SW wind which increased from a 2-3 in the morning to 4-5 in the afternoon.

A superb day for hirundine passage, and although birds were moving all day, the bulk had gone through before 10 am, the Swallow total of 22,000+ is the third highest count on record (45,000 on 3rd September 2003 and 25,000 on 3rd September 1966); the House Martin count of 7,000+ is the fourth highest count (15,000 on 3rd September 1966 being the highest); 1100 Sand Martin brought the total to over 30,000 hirundines south during the day.

A quite good duck passage saw 1 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 27 Shelduck, 17 Wigeon, 1 Gadwall, 331 Teal, 5 Mallard, 4 Pintail, 15 Shoveler and 24 Common Scoter, while other birds moving (south unless stated) included 5 Grey Heron in, 5 Oystercatcher, 5 Ringed Plover, 21 Grey Plover, 22 Knot, 21 Dunlin, 1 Whimbrel, 5 Lesser B.B.Gull S, 400 Common Tern, 2 Arctic Tern, 652 Meadow Pipit, 28 flava Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 alba Wagtail, 2 Great Tit, 69 Tree Sparrow, 4 Greenfinch, 13 Goldfinch, 69 Linnet, 1 Reed Bunting and 1 Corn Bunting.

Birds in the bushes were either absent or hard to see in the windy conditions and included a Kingfisher, 10 Robin, 2 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest (1st of autumn), 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 1 Pied Flycatcher.

Migration/sea-watches 05.55 – 11.30, 18.00 – 19.30. A day with variable amounts of cloud, with a fresh SW wind easing and turning SSE in the evening.

Despite similar conditions to yesterday only 176 Meadow Pipit flew south during the morning, but hirundines increased with 208 Sand Martin, 1050 Swallow and 235 House Martin, other birds moving (south unless stated) were 4 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 1 Kestrel, 9 Arctic Skua, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 4 flava Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 alba Wagtail, 2 House Sparrow, 75 Tree Sparrow, 2 Greenfinch and 55 Linnet.

The tern roost movement picked up again in the evening with 1 Black, 41 Sandwich, 3080 Common, 2 Roseate and 16 Arctic Tern.

Migrants today included 19 Yellow Wagtail, 27 Robin, 2 Redstart, 11 Whinchat, 1 Wheatear, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 6 Spotted Flycatcher. While other birds of note were 1 Great Crested Grebe on the sea, a Peregrine, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Spotted Redshank and 2 Whimbrel.

Migration/sea-watches 06.30 – 11.30, 14.20 – 15.20, 18.00 – 19.00. A cloudy day with the occasional bout of sunshine, a light to fresh SW wind for most of the day.

With perfect conditions its finally started – Meadow Pipit migration, a total of 4200 flew south during the morning and it is a great sight to see at Spurn if you are into viz mig. Also moving south were 46 Teal, 31 Common Scoter, 16 Red-throated Diver, 4 Manx Shearwater N, 122 Gannet N, 1 Shag N, 3 Arctic Skua, 3 Bonxie, 3 Puffin N, 1 Swift, 187 Sand Martin, 690 Swallow, 9 House Martin, 3 Tree Pipit, 13 flava Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 6 alba Wagtail, 1 Siskin and 12 Linnet. The tern roost movement was practically non-existent by 19.00.

Still a few migrants around including a small influx of 28 Robins but also 1 Kingfisher, 1 Tree Pipit, 4 Redstart, 25 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 4 Wheatear, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler, 10 Lesser Whitethroat, 15 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 15 Willow Warbler, 9Spotted Flycatcher and a Corn Bunting.

North of the area there were 24 Mediterranean Gulls in the fields between Kilnsea and Easington and at Beacon Ponds there was a Little Stint, 6 Greenshank and a Short-eared Owl.

Migration/sea-watches 06.30 – 09.30, 17.30 – 20.00. A breezy westerly wind in the morning petering off late afternoon, bright blue skies all morning with varying amounts of cloud in the afternoon.

There was a good showing of common migrants today, the best being north of the area at Easington Lagoons where a Wryneck was found in the afternoon, other totals were 1 Tree Pipit, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Redstart, 19 Whinchat, 8 Wheatear, 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 30 Whitethroat, 7 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, 41 Willow Warbler, 17 Spotted Flycatcher.

Over the sea the highlights were a Balearic Shearwater north and a Pomarine Skua south, while other totals included 31 Red-throated Diver, 10 Fulmar, 64 Manx Shearwater, 1 Shag, 20 Arctic Skua, 18 Bonxie, 6 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Little Gull, 3500 Common Tern, 6 Roseate Tern and 13 Arctic Tern.

Passage was still fairly light but did see 2 Wigeon, 13 Teal, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 84 Oystercatcher, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Swift, 14 Sand Martin, 22 Swallow, 1 Tree Pipit, 224 Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 40 Greenfinch, 1 Goldfinch and 10 Linnet.

Migration/sea-watches, all day from 06.45 – 19.45. Another blustery day with a force 7 westerly dropping to 5 in the evening, broken clouds but rain from late morning to mid-afternoon.

The highlight of the sea-watch was a Cory's Shearwater that flew north at 08.05 and presumably the same bird flew back south at 12.30. Good numbers of other seabirds included 12 Red-throated Diver, 159 Fulmar, 26 Manx Shearwater, 1 petrel sp N, 1750 Gannet, 139 Arctic Skua, 44 Bonxie, 8 Mediterranean Gull in one flock off the sea-watch hut, 1 Little Gull, 47 Lesser B.B.Gull. The tern roost picked up again this evening with 7 Black, 150 Sandwich, 5750 Common, 8 Roseate and 20 Arctic Terns.

There was also a few other birds on the move south most notably 2 Wigeon, 104 Teal, 2 Pintail, 40 Common Scoter, 8 Grey Heron in, 221 Oystercatcher, 24 Knot, 39 Dunlin, 92 Whimbrel, 5 Greenshank, 33 Sand Martin, 36 Swallow, 240 Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail and 8 flava Wagtail.

The only migrants seen were 1 Redstart, 1 Whinchat found dead, 4 Wheatear, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Willow Warbler and 2 Spotted Flycatcher.

Migration/sea-watch 06.00 – 13.45, 17.30 – 19.30. A dry start after a night of rain in strong E-SE winds, but SW by dawn. Heavy rain showers moved through all morning in the gale force W wind, but became drier as the day wore on leaving a sunny evening.

Due to the winds most of the action was over the sea. The strong SE winds overnight produced the desired duck movement and saw a total of 1 Shelduck, 4 Wigeon, 1060 Teal, 12 Mallard, 4 Pintail, 19 Shoveler, 1 Tufted Duck and 35 Common Scoter.

The highlights of the sea-watch were a Red-necked Grebe which flew south at 07.52 with a flock of Teal (and kept up with them!) and a Balearic Shearwater south at 08.00. Other birds moving over the sea were 130 Fulmar, 1196 Gannet, 10 Cormorant, 2 Marsh Harrier, 20 Ringed Plover, 51 Dunlin, 38 Redshank, 12 Arctic Skua, 1 Bonxie, 3 Little Gull, 48 Lesser B.B.Gull, 14 Kittiwake. The tern roost movement was quiet again with 30 Sandwich, 800 Common and 3 Arctic Tern.

Migrants were keeping very low and just 1 Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, a Blackcap, 5 Willow Warbler and 3 Spotted Flycatchers were seen. The only other birds of note seen were a Hobby and a Merlin.

Migration/sea-watches 06.30 – 09.00, 17.00 – 19.15. A bright start but deteriorating with rain by late afternoon which stayed for the evening and through the night. A stiff force 4 SW wind.

Still a few migrants hanging on – 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Tree Pipit, 5 Redstart, 12 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 7 Lesser Whitethroat, the Wood Warbler still at the Point, 12 Willow Warbler, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, and 1 Pied Flycatcher.

The only birds moving of note were 57 Teal, 6 Shoveler, 35 Dunlin, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Arctic Skua, 2 Bonxie, 1 Roseate Tern, 8 Swift, 18 Sand Martin, 18 Swallow and 27 flava Wagtail. A Barnacle Goose which flew upriver with Shelduck was presumably of feral origin.

3 Curlew Sandpipers were at Beacon Ponds

Migration/sea-watches 06.30 – 13.00, 14.50 – 16.50, 18.00 – 19.25. Sunny seplls with thunderly storm in the late afternoon in a stiff W wind.

A good passage of hirundines at last which included 586 Sand Martin, 2456 Swallow and 577 House Martin, also on the move south were 7 Shelduck + 210 in from the east, 3 Wigeon, 159 Teal, 4 Pintail, 3 Shoveler, 48 Common Scoter, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 21 Redshank and 6 Whimbrel, 16 Swift, 35 Meadow Pipit, 24 flava Wagtail. Seabirds noted today were 2 Red-throated Diver, 5 Fulmar, 4 Manx Shearwater, 1 Shag, 4 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Black Tern, 1 Roseate Tern with very few Commons going to roost.

Still a few grounded migrants around which today included a Kingfisher, 3 Tree Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Redstart, 17 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, a Wood Warbler at the Point, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Pied Flycather and 3 Jackdaw.

Overnight a Convolvulus Hawk-moth, 4 Diamond-back, 4 Rush Veneer and 9 Silver Y were trapped.