September 2010

A superb month with a good selection of rarities, scarce migrants, good seabird passage and some excellent visible migration, the record for the number of species recorded in a month in the Observatory recording area (183 in October 2004) was broken with a very high 186.

Migration watch 06.50 – 12.30, sea-watch 13.40 – 14.25. A bright and sunny day with just occasional clouds and a light WNW –W wind.

Another clear out of birds with a few more new arrivals: there were still 3 Great Grey Shrikes present (Point, Warren and Beacon Lane), 5 Yellow-browed Warblers (Kew, Canal Scrape, Lighthouse, 2 Point), a new Red-breasted Flycatcher was found at the Point, a Shore Lark came in off the sea and landed at the Narrows, other migrant totals were1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Tree Pipit, 270 Robin, 50 Redstart, 5 Whinchat, 3 Stonechat, 27 Wheatear, 6 Ring Ouzel, 51 Blackbird, 155 Song Thrush, 48 Redwing, 4 Mistle Thrush, 2 Reed Warbler, 30 Blackcap, 14 Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 55 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler, 31 Goldcrest, 5 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Coal Tit, 77 Chaffinch, 49 Brambling, 87 Siskin, 50 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Snow Bunting.

It was a good day for visible migration the highlights being a Hooded Crow and 10 Lapland Buntings but also the biggest counts for several species so far this autumn. Birds moving south or coming if off were 70 Pink-footed Geese, 81 Wigeon, 178 Teal, 1 Pintail, 3 Eider, 22 Common Scoter, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 4 Lapwing in, 194 Skylark, 83 Swallow, 438 Meadow Pipit, 55 Rock Pipit + 13 in, 7 flava Wagtail, 8 alba Wagtail, 19 Rook, 6 Carrion Crow, 6 Starling + 2 in, 5 House Sparrow, 44 Tree Sparrow, 4 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 24 Greenfinch, 215 Goldfinch, 10 Siskin, 146 Linnet, 44 Lesser Redpoll, 20 Reed Bunting.

Other birds of interest included 54 Brent Geese, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 1 Black Tern, 1 Common Tern.

North of the area there were still 2 Yellow-browed Warblers at Sammy’s Point, 2 Lapland Bunting by Beacon Ponds.

Sea-watch 07.30 – 09.45, 11.00 – 14.10, 16.20 – 17.45. A grey and miserable day with light persistent rain in the morning, dry for a few hours in the afternoon then heavy rain late afternoon.

Quite a few birds left over night but there were still new arrivals. 4 Great Grey Shrikes were seen in the area (Point, 1 in off the sea and around the Canal/Warren area, and 2 in North Hedge off Beacon Lane), 4 Yellow-browed Warbler (Point, Crown car park, Blue Bell, Canal), 2 Shore Lark still at post 21 until mid-day, a Mealy Redpoll at post 68 and a Lapland Bunting at Chalk Bank. Common migrant totals were 1 Jack Snipe, 7 Tree Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 4 flava Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 330 Robin, 44 Redstart, 5 Whinchat, 4 Stonechat, 43 Wheatear, 6 Ring Ouzel, 340 Song Thrush, 145 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, 4 Reed Warbler, 48 Blackcap, 12 Garden Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 29 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler, 44 Goldcrest, 7 Spotted Flycatcher, 13 Pied Flycatcher, 350 Chaffinch, 107 Brambling, 350 Siskin, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Snow Bunting and 40 Reed Bunting.

There was some southerly passage, mostly over the sea: 43 Pink-footed Geese, 108 Brent Geese, 2 Shelduck, 123 Wigeon, 414 Teal, 2 Mallard, 9 Pintail, 2 Shoveler, 30 Common Scoter, 2 Goldeneye (1st of autumn), 10 Knot, 41 Dunlin, 1 Jack Snipe in, 1 Common Snipe, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 11 Skylark, 1 Sand Martin, 12 Swallow, 41 Siskin.

Other birds of interest included 49 Brent Geese on the Humber, 1 Merlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 8 Ruff, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 1 Mediterranean Gull.

North of the area there were still 2 Yellow-browed Warbler at Sammy’s Point, and a Great Grey Shrike may have been one that joined the other bird in North Hedge. A Hen Harrier was seen at Beacon Ponds.

Sea-watch 07.30 – 09.30, 15.45 – 16.50. Overcast for most of the day with the sun poking out for a couple of hours late morning, a light force 1-2 E-SE wind.

Most of yesterday’s birds stayed around overnight, although thrushes and Brambling had largely cleared out, there was a slight increase in some species and a few new scarce birds in. Still remaining were the 2 Shore Larks at post 21, the Red-breasted Flycatcher at post 62-64, the Great Grey Shrike and Yellow-browed Warbler at the Point. New in were Yellow-browed Warblers at Cliff Farm and post 21, a Great Grey Shrike in Church Field and later Kilnsea, a Barred Warbler at Chalk Bank. Common migrants totals were 6 Jack Snipe, 3 Short-eared Owl, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 flava Wagtail, 7 9 Tree Pipit, 140 Dunnock, 1000+ Robin, 73 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 6 Stonechat, 49 Wheatear, 17 Ring Ouzel, 52 Blackbird, 450 Song Thrush, 460 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 68 Blackcap, 28 Garden Warbler, 9 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 51 Chiffchaff, 10 Willow Warbler, 63 Goldcrest, 8 Spotted Flycatcher, 13 Pied Flycatcher, 160 Chaffinch, 180 Brambling, 124 Siskin, 11 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Lapland Bunting, 2 Snow Bunting, 65 Reed Bunting.

Other birds of note included 18 Brent Geese, 23 Wigeon, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, an Osprey flew NW at 15.30, 1 Water Rail, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, 4 Bonxie, 4 Mediterranean Gull.

North of the area there were Yellow-browed Warblers at Sammy’s Point (2), Easington Cemetery and south of the gas terminal, a Great Grey Shrike south of the gas terminal, a Richard’s Pipit south of the gas terminal, a Wryneck and Mealy Redpoll at Sammy’s Point and good numbers of common migrants again, and a Grasshopper Warbler in Easington.

Sea-watch 12.15-12.45. Cloudy and light drizzle or mist on and off all day with a fresh NE wind dropping as the day went on.

Today was one of those days you wait years for, just the right weather at just the right time of year and an expectancy that it really was going to happen, and it did. The day started well when just after first light a Honey Buzzard flew north over Kew at tree height, and at the same time, good numbers of thrushes and Bramblings were dropping into the trees. Any hope of sea-watching by a small minority was put to rest as this was a day for bush-bashing. Concentrated efforts on ringing at the Warren and Kew Villa produced 462 birds of 26 species including 234 Robin, 37 Brambling, 34 Dunnock, 31 Song Thush, 27 Goldcrest and 20 Blackcap.

The scarce and rare highlights were 1 Wryneck at the Point, 3 Shore Lark at post 21-33, a Wood Warbler at post 62, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler (post 38 and Point), a Red-breasted Flycatcher at post 62, a Great Grey Shrike at the Point, a Common Rosefinch in Church Field, a Hawfinch in the Crown car park, 8 Lapland Bunting and a Little Bunting at the Point.

There were good numbers of grounded migrants from first light but it was obvious many more birds were arriving as the day wore on, the totals are probably way under if we go on the numbers of birds ringed at Kew and the Warren. 9 Jack Snipe, 1 Woodcock (1st of autumn), 3 Short-eared Owl, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 25 Tree Pipit, 7 Rock Pipit, 3 flava Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 115 Dunnock, 1000+ Robin, 86 Redstart, 15 Whinchat, 5 Stonechat, 85 Wheatear, 48 Ring Ouzel, 72 Blackbird, 2 Fieldfare, 630 Song Thrush, 1200 Redwing, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 60 Blackcap, 22 Garden Warbler, 12 Lesser Whitethroat, 12 Whitethroat, 70 Chiffchaff, 22 Willow Warbler, 107 Goldcrest, 15 Spotted Flycatcher, 12 Pied Flycatcher, 110 Chaffinch, 565 Brambling, 206 Siskin, 9 Redpoll, 1 Snow Bunting, 74 Reed Bunting.

Other birds of note seen included 130 Wigeon, 1 Blue Fulmar, 2 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Merlin, 1 Water Rail, 2 Ruff, 4 Whimbrel, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 5 Arctic Skua, 1 Bonxie, 1 Glaucous Gull, 1 Black Tern.

North of the area there was a Wryneck on Beacon Lane, a Barred Warbler by the gas terminal and one at Willow Cottage, Easington, Yellow-browed Warblers at Sammy’s Point and Chalkies Point, a Wood Warbler at Sammy’s Point and 25+ Ring Ouzel in the Easington area.

Sea-watch 06.30 – 18.30. Cloudy all day and no hint of sunshine, persistent light rain on and of all day in a fresh force 5 N-NNE wind.

It was another good day over the sea, with an all day sea-watch producing 38 Pink-footed Geese, 4 Brent Geese, 203 Wigeon, 186 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 3 Eider, 359 Common Scoter, 50 Red-throated Diver, 1 Black-throated Diver, 253 Fulmar + 7 ‘blue phase’, 1 Cory’s Shearwater N, 206 Sooty Shearwater, 7 Manx Shearwater, 1 Leach’s Petrel N, 11 Cormorant, 4 Shag, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Pomarine Skua N, 25 Arctic Skua, 40 Bonxie, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 7 Little Gull, 1 Glaucous Gull S, 46 Kittiwake, 50 auk sp, 3 Guillemot, 2 Razorbill N.

The rain put down a good sprinkling of common migrants including 55 Robin, 13 Redstart, 2 Stonechat, 21 Wheatear, 4 Ring Ouzel, 56 Song Thrush, 170 Redwing, 1 Sedge Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 4 Garden Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Wood Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 13 Goldcrest, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Pied Flycatcher, 12 Chaffinch, 11 Brambling, 13 Siskin, 6 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Lapland Bunting, 13 Reed Bunting.

A Grey Phalarope spent a while on the Humber off Chalk Bank before flying off south and other birds of interest were 1 Merlin, 1 Water Rail, 1 Little Stint, 2 Ruff, 3 Jack Snipe, 5 Whimbrel, 3 Greenshank and a Bonxie eating a Shelduck at Chalk Bank.

North of the area there was a good selection of migrants but nothing out of the ordinary.

Sea-watch 06.30 – 11.30, 13.45 – 18.45. Generally cloudy with some short sunny periods and showers late in the afternoon, a cold NW force 5-6 wind.

There were a few more migrants about today but still hard to see in the blustery conditions, the first Yellow-browed Warbler of the year was found in a mist-net at Kew. Other migrants included 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 flava Wagtail, 13 Robin, 3 Redstart, 2 Stonechat, 1 Ring Ouzel, 16 Song Thrush, 46 Redwing, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 13 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 6 Brambling, 2 Siskin, 9 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Lapland Bunting.

The sea-watching was much quieter than yesterday but there were still a few good birds, a Sabine’s Gull north, single Long-tailed Skua and Pomarine Skua south, other seabird totals were 97 Red-throated Diver, 19 Sooty Shearwater, 4 Manx Shearwater, 733 Gannet, 3 Shag, 9 Arctic Skua and 21 Bonxie, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 50 Common Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Razorbill.

The first Barnacle Geese of the autumn were about 2 weeks early but 4 different parties totaled 33, other birds on the move were 34 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Greylag Goose, 31 Wigeon, 30 Teal, 1 Mallard, 11 Eider, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Merlin, 3 Snipe, 3 Short-eared Owl in off the sea, 24 Skylark, 2 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 80 Meadow Pipit, 1 flava Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 alba Wagtail, 1 Brambling, 6 Greenfinch, 13 Goldfinch, 10 Siskin, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Lapland Bunting.

Other birds of note 1 Water Rail, 1 Avocet, 4 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 3 Jack Snipe, 1 Whimbrel and 4 Greenshank.

Sea-watch 07.00 – 18.50. Cloudy all day with regularly rain showers, heavy at times moving through during the day, a very strong almost gale force wind from the north.

Due to the weather conditions the emphasis was on sea-watching, with a particularly good skua passage, the Bonxie record of 112 set of 23rd September 2008 was smashed when 197 moved through, making all three counts of over 100 Bonxies in a day on 23rd or 24th September! At least 7 Pomarine Skuas and 10 Long-tailed Skuas also moved south and the highest count of Arctic Skuas since 1981 was recorded 475. Other birds moving over the sea were 228 Wigeon, 198 Teal, 2 Pintail, 170 Common Scoter, 2 Velvet Scoter, 39 Red-throated Diver, 2 Fulmar, 51 Sooty Shearwater, 11 Manx Shearwater, the first Leach’s Petrel of the year, 300 Gannet, 2 Little Gull, 36 Kittiwake, 3 Arctic Tern, 11 auk sp, 1 Puffin.

It was not really weather for ‘bush-bashing’ and the only migrants seen were 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Wheatear, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest and 1 Lapland Bunting.

Migration/sea-watch 06.45 – Rain to start soon petered out but remained cloudy, some sunny spells from late morning to mid afternoon then more cloud and the occasional shower, a force 3 S-SW-SE wind, a cracking electric storm after sun down.

A bizarre addition to the Spurn ringing list when a juvenile Peregrine attached a Carrion Crow and tussled with it onto the beach, however a wave came over both birds and the crow got away and the Peregrine just sat there bedraggled, it was picked up, taken back to the Observatory and dried off, given some food before releasing. It spent a while recovering on the Humber mud before flying off a while later.

It was yet another good day for southerly passage: 50 Pink-footed Geese, 6 Brent Geese, 2 Shelduck, 258 Wigeon, 1 Gadwall, 550 Teal, 19 Pintail, 5 Shoveler, 1 Scaup, 103 Common Scoter, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 14 Red-throated Diver, 6 Cormorant, 1 Hobby, 1 Kestrel, 3 Oystercatcher, 3 Knot, 1 Snipe, 2 Razorbill, 1 Swift, 5 Skylark, 3 Sand Martin, 1641 Swallow, 845 House Martin, 339 Meadow Pipit, 3 Rock Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtail, 7 alba Wagtail, 1 Brambling, 31 Greenfinch, 14 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin, 140 Linnet, 18 Lapland Bunting, 3 Reed Bunting.

Just a few grounded birds lingering: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Rock Pipit, 3 flava Wagtail, 1 male White Wagtail, 15 Robin, 1 Redstart, 1 Stonechat, 1 Wheatear, 1 Ring Ouzel, a Mistle Thrush, 2 Blackcap, the Barred Warbler at the Warren, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 8 Goldcrest, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Brambling, 2 Siskin, 1 Lapland Bunting.

Other birds of note seen during the day were 1 Merlin, 9 Curlew Sandpiper, a Jack Snipe, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Spotted Redshank, 9 Greenshank, 2 Mediterranean Gull.

Migration/sea-watch 06.35 – 11.35, 13.30 – 16.50, 17.00 – 18.00. Blue skies for most of the day with high wispy clouds and misty haze in the morning, a light to fresh 1-3 SSE wind

Another good day for southerly passage: 16 Shelduck, 210 Wigeon, 544 Teal, 3 Mallard, 16 Pintail, 4 Shoveler, 100 Common Scoter, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Kestrel, 2 Oystercatcher, 7 Knot, 10 Dunlin, 1 Snipe, 3 Whimbrel, 10 Curlew in, 1 Little Gull, 1 Short-eared Owl in then south, 1 Swift, 31 Skylark, 16 Sand Martin, 2055 Swallow, 322 House Martin, 1310 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, 11 flava Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 alba Wagtail, 10 Rook, 5 House Sparrow, 4 Tree Sparrow, 11 Chaffinch, 5 Brambling, 40 Greenfinch, 13 Goldfinch, 5 Siskin, 132 Linnet, 6 Lapland Bunting, 6 Reed Bunting.

There were still a few grounded migrants to be found: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Tree Pipit, 4 flava Wagtail, 1 Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 3 Wheatear, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Reed Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 1 Barred Warbler at the Warren, 1 Whitethroat, 7 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Coal Tit at Kew then flew to the Warren, 1 Siskin, 4 Lapland Bunting (3 Point, 1 Chalk Bank), 1 Yellowhammer in Church Field.

Other birds of interest were 12 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail, 1 Jack Snipe, 9 Black-tailed Godwit and 4 Greenshank.

North of the area a Snow Bunting was at Sandy Beaches Caravan Site.

Migration/sea-watch 06.30 – 16.00. A warm and sunny day with clouds building from late morning, still to start then a light SE wind picking up.

The highlight of the day was a Pectoral Sandpiper on Clubley’s Field for about an hour before flying over to the saltmarsh and not being seen again, the last record was on 1st October 2006.

There was a small arrival of migrants which included a Red-backed Shrike at post 30-32, a new Barred Warbler at the Point (as well as the one still at the Warren). Other migrants included the first Redwings (2), Jack Snipe and Ring Ouzels (2) of the autumn, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Tree Pipit, 22 flava Wagtail, 25 Robin, 2 Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 5 Wheatear, 12 Song Thrush, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, 7 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Siskin, 5 Lapland Bunting.

It was a fairly good day for southerly passage: 80 Pink-footed Geese, 23 Wigeon, 27 Teal, 1 Pintail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 10 Oystercatcher, 4 Grey Plover, 1 Knot, 8 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, 23 Skylark, 10 Sand Martin, 853 Swallow, 12 House Martin, 1 Tree Pipit, 1509 Meadow Pipit, 5 flava Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 4 alba Wagtail, 6 Great Tit, 3 Jackdaw, 20 Tree Sparrow, 4 Chaffinch, 26 Greenfinch, 108 Goldfinch, 19 Siskin, 1008 Linnet, 1 Lapland Bunting, 1 Corn Bunting U-turned.

Other birds of note seen included 6 Red-throated Diver, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Shag, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Water Rail, 12 Little Egret, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Bonxie, 5 Black Tern.

Migration/sea-watch 07.00-12.30. In contrast to yesterday it was a day of long sunny spells but still a blustery W wind.

Still fairly quiet with some light passage south: 110 Pink-footed Geese, 24 Wigeon, 41 Teal, 2 Pintail, 12 Common Scoter, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 6 Oystercatcher, 29 Snipe in, 4 Turnstone, 21 Sand Martin, 288 Swallow, 49 House Martin,329 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 7 flava Wagtail, 3 Grey Wagtail. 6 alba Wagtail, 36 Tree Sparrow, 38 Greenfinch, 48 Linnet, 2 Lapland Bunting N, 2 Reed Bunting.

Birds on the ground were 100 Meadow Pipit, 19 flava Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, the Barred Warbler still at the Warren, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler, 1 Brambling. Over the sea were 68 Red-throated Diver, 185 Gannet, 9 Arctic Skua, 1 Bonxie, 1 Arctic Tern and 11 auk sp.

Other birds of note were 12 Little Egret, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 4 Turnstone, 21 Sand Martin, 288 Swallow, 49 House Martin.

The highlight of the day was a large whale just a few hundred yards offshore which drifted north and was thought to be a Humpback Whale

Migration/sea-watch 06.30 – 18.30. A dismal day with constant drizzle or rain all day with a moderate W wind, making for a difficult days birding.

Even the sea was quiet, birds moving included: 99 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Greylag Geese, 7 Wigeon, 31 Teal, 8 Pintail, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Eider, 111 Common Scoter, 2 Goosander, 63 Red-throated Diver, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 3 Manx Shearwater, 345 Gannet, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Knot, 1 Snipe, 2 Turnstone, 12 Arctic Skua, 5 Bonxie, 16 Sandwich Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 8 auk sp, 2 Razorbill.

There was very little moving over the land just 4 Sand Martin, 118 Swallow, 20 House Martin, 18 Meadow Pipit and 1 Lapland Bunting.

The only other birds of note were 1 Water Rail, 2 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Rock Pipit, 12 flava Wagtail, 5 Wheatear, 1 Blackcap, 1 Barred Warbler at the Warren, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Willow Warbler.

Migration/sea-watch 06.30 – 18.15. Long sunny periods and spells of cloud cover with a force 3 WNW-W wind.

The highlight of the day was a presumed FEA’S PETREL which had flown south past Grimston a few miles to the north of Spurn. Half an hour later the gathered crowd at the sea-watching hut had the bird distantly approaching from the north but then the bird turned back north. A mad dash followed as about 15 birders sped to the cliff top at the north end of the gas terminal in Easington and ten minutes later we were watching the bird at a much closer range as it lazily flew back north.

There were a few other seabirds on the move and the days totals were 74 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Fulmar, 21 Sooty Shearwater, 6 Manx Shearwater, 1200 Gannet, 2 Pomarine Skua S, 17 Arctic Skua S, 2 juv Long-tailed Skua N, 22 Bonxie, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 400 Kittiwake, 1 Arctic Tern, 14 auk sp.

It was also a good day for Pinkie passage when 2600 Pink-footed Geese flew south, other birds moving south were 21 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 43 Common Scoter, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 2 Snipe, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Skylark, 4 Sand Martin, 440 Swallows, 6 House Martin, 567 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 7 flava Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 alba Wagtail, 10 Rook, 5 House Sparrow, 15 Tree Sparrow, 7 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 16 Linnet, 7 Lapland Bunting, 6 Reed Bunting.

On the ground were 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 9 flava Wagtail, 3 Wheatear, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 3 Blackcap, the Barred Warbler at the Warren, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Brambling, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Lapland Bunting, 1 Snow Bunting.

Other birds of note were 1 dark and 3 pale-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Merlin, 9 Little Egret, 1 Water Rail, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Purple Sandpiper on Canal Scrape and 4 Greenshank. North of the area there were 10 Lapland Bunting and a Stonechat by Beacon Ponds.

Migration/sea-watch 06.40 – 19.15. A day of lighter winds and plenty of sunshine but remaining chilly in a light NW wind

Sea-watching was the main feature of the day, birds noted were (south unless stated otherwise): 80 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Teal, 6 Pintail, 1 Scaup N, 4 Eider, 32 Common Scoter, 1 Velvet Scoter N, 68 Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Fulmar, 76 Sooty Shearwater, 27 Manx Shearwater, 1000 Gannet, 2 Shag N, 8 Oystercatcher, 4 Ruff, 1 Pomarine Skua, 36 Arctic Skua, 1 juv Long-tailed Skua, 39 Bonxie, 1 Black Tern and 45 Sandwich Tern.

The only birds moving over land were 130 Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail and 3 alba Wagtail.

On the ground were 250 Meadow Pipit, 2 Redstart, 3 Wheatear, 2 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 8 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 10 Siskin and 2 Lapland Bunting.

Migration watch 06.40 – 10.00, 14.30 – 15.45, 16.10 – 19.10. A cool day with moderate W-NW winds and occasional sunny spells and heavy showers, generally quite pleasant.

There was no sign of the Squacco Heron today, but there was still a reasonable passage of birds and a few grounded birds were around. On the move south were 22 Pink-footed Geese, 32 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Snipe in, 1 Green Sandpiper in, 1 Turnstone in, 2 Skylark, 2 Sand Martin, 54 Swallow, 3500 Meadow Pipit, 2 flava Wagtail, 7 alba Wagtail, 135 Tree Sparrow, 3 Chaffinch, 2 Lapland Bunting.

Over the sea it was still fairly quiet: 49 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Fulmar, 8 Sooty Shearwater, 8 Manx Shearwater, 470 Gannet, 3 Shag, 25 Arctic Skua, 17 Bonxie, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 200 Kittwiake, 1 Black Tern, 100 Sandwich Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 21 auk sp.

Grounded birds included 1 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 5 Wheatear, 3 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 3 Garden Warbler, a Barred Warbler at the Point, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, 7 Willow Warbler, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Siskin and 3 Lapland Bunting in Triangle.

The only other birds of note were 2 Curlew Sandpiper on the Humber and 3 Mediterranean Gull at the Gas Terminal.

Migration watch 07.00 – 12.15, 14.30 – 17.45. A very strong blustery W wind which went more NW and decreased in the evening, some rain shower heavy at times late afternoon.

The undoubted highlight of the day was the finding of a SQUACCO HERON just north of the recording area on Beacon Lane. Kath and Mick Sharpe were just checking ‘Mad Gary’s Place’ for Spotted Flycatchers and instead found the small heron walking about in the garden, it flew to the outside of the garden but soon came back in for shelter presumably from the very strong wind. It spent the rest of the afternoon at a the top of the garden, walking about on the decked area between the garden furniture. Gary’s place has had some pretty good birds in the past, most recent noteworthy birds were Black Stork and Raven both perched on his shack when he was away on holiday!

There was an excellent passage particularly raptors and Meadow Pipits: 745 Pink-footed Geese, 44 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 13 Pintail, 2 Ospreys, 16 Marsh Harrier (a new record count), a male Hen Harrier and 54 Kestrels; 1 Oystercatcher, 13 Ringed Plover, 27 Golden Plover, 78 Knot, 1 Sanderling, 1 Little Stint, 54 Dunlin, 2 Ruff, 7 Snipe, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 23 Redshank, 8 Turnstone, 4 Sand Martin, 58 Swallow, 622 House Martin, 1 Tree Pipit, 15,000 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 3 flava Wagtail, 1 Siskin + 3 in, 6 Linnet, 5 Lapland Bunting.

Over the sea it was a little different from the west coast sites: 16 Red-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar, 3 Sooty Shearwater, 201 Gannet, 14 Cormorant, 19 Arctic Skua, 1 Bonxie, 7 Kittiwake, 3 Black Tern, 1 Arctic Tern and 2 Guillemot.

There were very few migrants around with just 11 Wheatear, 1 Barred Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff and 4 Willow Warbler.

Migration watch 06.25 – 09.00, 10.15 – 10.45, 17.10 – 18.10. A light to moderate SW wind became blustery W wind with heavy rain showers in the afternoon.

A generally quiet day with only a trickle of passage and only a few migrants on the ground. An Osprey was the pick of the day, while other birds moving south were 42 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 20 Redshank, 4 Turnstone, 2 Swift, 4 Sand Martin, 57 Swallow, 19 House Martin, 209 Meadow Pipit, 3 flava Wagtail, 9 Linnet and 14 Lapland Bunting.

On the ground were 3 flava Wagtail, 1 Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 29 Wheatear, 2 Blackcap, the Barred Warbler at the Warren, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 7 Willow Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Siskin.

Other birds of note were 1 Pintail, 2 Scaup, 1 Eider, 21 Red-throated Diver, 2 Arctic Skua, 3000 Common Terns out in the morning.

North of the area there was a Black Tern at Beacon Ponds and 48 Wheatears.

Migration watch 06.20 – 10.20, 17.20 – 17.50. A cloudy day with heavy rain mid afternoon, clearing by the evening, a blustery SW wind.

The Barred Warbler was still at the Warren, a Common Rosefinch still at the Point and a Lapland Bunting at post 39 and one north over the Warren. Most other migrants were in reduced numbers apart from Wheatears which totaled 35 with another 73 north of the area including 65 around the gas terminal. 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Redstart, single Fieldfare, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap and Pied Flycatcher, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, 7 Willow Warbler and 4 Goldcrest.

Passage was also lighter than the last few days: 5 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 15 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Manx Shearwater, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Snipe, 1 Black Tern, 2 Swift, 9 Sand Martin, 245 Swallow, 157 House Martin, 1 Tree Pipit, 1715 Meadow Pipit, 3 flava Wagtail, 3 Grey Wagtail, 1 alba Wagtail, 6 Linnet, 1 Reed Bunting.

A lot of time was spent looking for the Roller in the Easington area and it couldn’t be found and it is presumed at the moment that it was inside the gas terminal compound where there is strictly no access and people trying to looking into the site will be moved on by the MOD police.

Migration watch 07.00 – 13.00. A sunny day with a fresh W-NW wind, some clouds built up in the afternoon.

Late news came through on 13th for a ROLLER at Easington, the finders had photographed the bird at an undisclosed private site .

Still lingering were a Wryneck at the Point and a Barred Warbler at the Warren and 7 Lapland Bunting were in the Triangle, there were still a few common migrants around: 12 flava Wagtail, 12 Redstart, 4 Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, 3 Blackcap, 5 Garden Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, 14 Willow Warbler, 13 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Pied Flycatcher.

It was another good day for visible migration with (south unless stated): 2 Brent Geese (1st of autumn), 18 Wigeon, 2 Teal, 1 Scaup, 8 Common Scoter, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 6 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 9 Snipe and a Bar-tailed Godwit in, 24 Swift, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Skylark, 46 Sand Martin, 4500 Swallow, 400 House Martin, 5 Tree Pipit, 5230 Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 23 flava Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 alba Wagtail, 5 House Sparrow, 332 Tree Sparrow, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling in (1st of autumn), 3 Greenfinch, 1 Goldfinch, 3 Siskin, 32 Linnet, 2 Redpoll, 12 Lapland Bunting, 4 Reed Bunting, 2 Corn Bunting U-turned.

Other birds of note were 48 Red-throated Diver, 2 Shag, 1 Avocet, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 1 Spotted Redshank, 6 Greenshank, 2 Bonxie and 5 Mediterranean Gull.

North of the area there were 3+ Lapland Bunting, a Common Buzzard and a Fieldfare.

Migration watch 06.30 – 19.00. A cloudy start with some light rain, eventually clearing with some long sunny spells, and occasional sharp showers, a fresh S-SW force 3-4 wind.

Birds remaining from the fall earlier in the week were a Wryneck and Common Rosefinch at the Point, and a Barred Warbler at the Warren, there may have been a small arrival or drift of common migrants and totals included 10 flava Wagtail, 1 Tree Pipit, 9 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 7 Wheatear, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 8 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, 15 Willow Warbler, 3 Goldcrest, 12 Spotted Flycatcher, 7 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Siskin, 7 Lapland Buntings went to roost in the Triangle.

Passage was light to begin with but picked up late morning when the weather improved and good numbers of Swallows and Meadow Pipits were moving until 18.45: 43 Wigeon, 15 Teal, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Osprey (15.10 and 16.25 hrs), 8 Kestrel + 1 in, 18 Oystercatcher, 2 Dunlin in, 24 Common Snipe, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Stock Dove, 36 Swift, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 99 Sand Martin, 6375 Swallow, 195 House Martin, 3341 Meadow Pipit, 6 flava Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Siskin, 13 Linnet, 4 Lapland Bunting, 2 Snow Bunting in, 2 Reed Bunting.

Other birds of note were 1 Hobby, 1 Peregrine, 1 Little Stint, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Greenshank, 8 Mediterranean Gull.

North of the area an adult Dotterel was seen in fields north of Long Bank and flew off at 19.10 hrs, it headed south.

Migration watch 06.25 – 11.00. Cloudy for most of the day with persistent rain for an hour around 7.30, a light to fresh S wind.

Passage was heavy for the first 45 minutes and with 2200 Meadow Pipits and 900 Swallows in that time, and by the time we packed up there had been 3536 Meadow Pipits, 1580 Swallows and 136 House Martins. Other birds moving south were 6 Wigeon, 2 Eider, 3 Kestrel, 3 Oystercatcher, 5 Wood Pigeon, 1 Swift, 10 Sand Martin, 2 flava Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Lapland Bunting.

There had been a big clear out of migrants the last couple of day. The Wryneck at the Point was the only notable passerine recorded, other totals 6 flava Wagtail, 4 Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 6 Wheatear, 3 Song Thrush, 1 Blackcap, 3 Garden Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 6 Spotted Flycatcher and 2 Siskin.

Other birds of note included 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 8 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Mediterranean Gull.

Migration watches all day from 06.35 – 19.30. Cloudy misty start soon clearing to leave some long sunny spells and a force 1-3 WNW wind.

An excellent day for visible migration, with hirundines and Meadow Pipits moving unusually until 17.30, and hirundines were going through in larger numbers in the afternoon than in the morning. Swallows were most numerous – 18,250 followed by 5360 Meadow Pipits, other totals for birds moving south were 4 Shelduck, 10 Wigeon, 8 Teal, 5 Common Scoter, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk in, 2 Common Buzzard + 1 U-turned, 5 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 10 Oystercatcher, 14 Knot in, 2 Dunlin in, 5 Snipe, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Curlew, 3 Mediterranean Gull, 199 Black-headed Gull, 3 Lesser B.B.Gull, 3 Wood Pigeon, 12 Swift, 150 Sand Martin, 480 House Martin, 9 Tree Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 70 flava Wagtail, 8 Grey Wagtail, 7 alba Wagtail, 3 Dunnock, 55 Starling, 426 Tree Sparrow, 7 Greenfinch, 4 Goldfinch, 70 Siskin, 21 Linnet, 2 Redpoll, 6 Lapland Bunting, 5 Reed Bunting.

With most effort concentrating on vismig or ringing (395 birds of 22 species ringed), birds in the bushes took second place and not all areas were covered completely, but a lot of migrants had cleared out. Totals included 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 400 Swallow, 7 Tree Pipit, 40 flava Wagtail, 22 Redstart, 7 Whinchat, 5 Wheatear, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 10 Garden Warbler, 3 Barred Warbler (Church Field, Warren and Point), 7 Lesser Whitethroat, 24 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 24 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 12 Spotted Flycatcher, 14 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Common Rosefinch at the Point (4 Lapland Bunting, the Ortolan Bunting at post 47 in the morning.

Other birds of note included 1 Black-throated Diver N, 3 Fulmar, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 6 Greenshank, 6 Arctic Skua.

North of the area there was a Lapland Bunting by the Listening dish.

There were more immigrant moths in the traps than of late, 1 Diamond-back, 10 Rush Veneer, 1 Gem, 16 Dark Sworg-grass, 2 Silver Y.

Sea-watch 06.50 – 07.50. Cloudy for most of the day with just the occasional sunny spell, almost still to start then a light easterly wind got up freshening for a while then calming down again.

There was a clear out of birds during the night and a few fresh ones in, the most notable a Red-breasted Flycatcher calling at Cliff Farm but disappeared. A Wryneck at the Point was also new but most other birds were lingerers: the Ortolan Bunting between posts 37 and 47 still there in the evening, 2 Barred Warbler (Warren/trapped in Church Field in the evening), 3 Rosefinches (post 61/Point/Church Field) and the Wood Warbler at Kew. Migrant totals were down on yesterday: 1 Long-eared Owl at the Point, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 19 Tree Pipit, 28 flava Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 55 Redstart, 39 Whinchat, 33 Wheatear, 5 Song Thrush, 1 Sedge Warbler, 5 Reed Warbler, 10 Blackcap, 21 Garden Warbler, 23 Whitethroat, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Chiffchaff, 55 Willow Warbler, 20 Spotted Flycatcher, 29 Pied Flycatcher, the first Goldcrest of the autumn at Wire Dump.

A few birds were on the move: 70 Wigeon, 50 Teal, 1 Pintail,2 Shoveler, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 1 Hobby, 1 Sand Martin, 20 Swallow, 12 House Martin, 4 flava Wagtail, 21 Siskin.

Other birds of note included 12 Little Egret, 1 Avocet at Chalk Bank, 3 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 1 Snipe, 5 Whimbrel, 6 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Arctic Skua, 4 Mediterranean Gull and 4 Black Tern.

North of the area a Red-breasted Flycatcher and Wood Warbler were at Sammy’s Point and a Marsh Harrier flew over.

Sea-watch 07.30 – 08.15. Heavy rain and strong E winds overnight, woke up to light southerly winds and heavy cloud, some sunny spells by the afternoon and the wind freshened and back to SE.

A superb day with good numbers of drift migrants and scarce and rare birds. The best bird was Spurn’s 7th Spotted Crake flushed in the Point dunes, it called several times after landing but typically wasn’t seen again. A Red-rumped Swallow over Kew early morning and then north over Kilnsea was the first ever September record; 2 Ortolan Buntings, the first at Sandy Beaches Caravan Park before flying south and spending a while flying round the Point, the second was seen at Middle Camp in the afternoon before flying off north. 6 Barred Warblers (2 Warren, 1 Crown, 1 Canal Scrape, 1 post 63, 1 post 68), 6 Common Rosefinches (1 Warren, 1 post 62, 2 Church Field, 2 Point), 2 Wryneck (post 64, Church Field), 2 Wood Warbler (Crown, post 64). Migrant totals were 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 27 Tree Pipit, 27 flava Wagtail, 21 Robin, 73 Redstart, 29 Whinchat, 56 Wheatear, 4 Fieldfare, 12 Song Thrush, 3 Mistle Thrush, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 20 Garden Warbler, 16 Lesser Whitethroat, 33 Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, 70 Willow Warbler, 42 Spotted Flycatcher, 52 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Siskin.

A few birds were on the move south including the first Pink-footed Geese (14), 6 Shelduck, 62 Wigeon, 139 Teal, 2 Mallard, 23 Cormorant, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Oystercatcher, 26 Swift, 10 Swallow, 6 House Martin, 4 Meadow Pipit, 8 flava Wagtail.

Other birds of note included 14 Little Egret, 9 Grey Heron, 1 Peregrine, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 16 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 4 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Roseate Tern.

North of the area there were also good numbers of migrants but also 2 Wryneck (Sammy’s Point and on the road between Kilnsea and Easington), a Common Rosefinch, Firecrest and Wood Warbler at Sammy’s Point with another Wood Warbler on Vicar’s Lane, Easington.

Sea-watches 06.20 – 09.30, 14.00 – 15.00, 19.00 – 19.40. Clear skies to start then clouding over early afternoon, a stiff near gale force E wind for most of the day.

Despite the very windy conditions there was a good showing of migrants with a new arrival of birds from 9am. The first Red-breasted Flycatcher of the autumn was seen briefly at Kew and another was seen north of the area at Sammy’s Point. A Wryneck was trapped and ringed at the Warren late in the day, just one Barred Warbler showed itself today - at the Warren, a Wood Warbler was in the Crown car park and the Hawfinch was seen over Kew and Beacon Lane. Other migrant totals were: 4 Tree Pipit, 18 flava Wagtail, 51 Redstart, 18 Whinchat, 41 Wheatear, 2 Reed Warbler, 9 Garden Warbler, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Chiffchaff, 24 Willow Warbler, 24 Spotted Flycatcher, 51 Pied Flycatcher and 10 Siskin.

An Osprey dropped onto the Humber mud and sat off the Warren for about an hour before presumably moving off south, other birds moving were 1 Wigeon, 36 Teal, 1 Scaup, 3 Eider, 34 Common Scoter, 7 Fulmar, 3 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Curlew, 20 Arctic Skua, 1 juv Long-tailed Skua, 1 Bonxie, 1 Little Gull, 500 Common Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 3 Swift and 30 Swallow.

Other birds of note included 1 Peregrine, 3 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper.

North of the area there were good numbers of drift migrants as well as a Wood Warbler at Sammy’s Point.

Sea-watch 07.00 – 09.15. A cloudy start that soon cleared and left a very sunny day but the SE wind was cool and picked up from a force 3 in the morning to 6+ in the evening.

A probable Great Snipe was seen north of the area at Easington Lagoon where it flew over a banking and straight out of view. In the same area a Quail was flushed and that went into surrounding stubble fields.

There was a decent arrival of migrants with the bulk arriving from mid-afternoon, the first Hawfinch of the year flew over Kew and was later seen north of the Crown at Pancho Pond. A new Barred Warbler was found in Middle Hedge and long-stayers were still present in the Kew area and at the Warren, a Common Rosefinch and Red-backed Shrike were at Wire Dump but the latter very elusive, 3 Wood Warblers included 2 more new ones at Middle Hedge and the Warren while other migrant totals included 2 Tree Pipit, 65 Meadow Pipit, 30 Redstart, 16 Whinchat, 26 Wheatear, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 8 Garden Warbler, 7 Lesser Whitethroat, 23 Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, 27 Willow Warbler, 11 Spotted Flycatcher, 29 Pied Flycatcher.

An adult Sabine’s Gull flew south in the evening while other seabirds seen were 7 Red-throated Diver, 9 Fulmar, 2 Sooty Shearwater, 110 Gannet, 1 Shag, 22 Arctic Skua, 1 Bonxie, 11 Kittiwake and 760 Common Tern.

Other birds of note were 3 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Purple Sandpiper and 2 Common Sandpiper.

The first good migrant moth for a while was trapped overnight - a White-point

Sea-watch 17.15 – 18.00. A bright and sunny start clouding over mid afternoon, still early morning with a freshening SE wind from late morning.

The good birds just keep coming, today’s star bird was a GREAT SNIPE, the second for the Observatory and 4th for the Spurn area. It was found in the saltmarsh off the Canal by one observer late afternoon and news put out of a probable, then an organized flush was arranged and the bird was seen twice very well in flight and appeared to land somewhere between the Crown and Anchor and Chalkies Point.

A Bluethroat was seen in the saltmarsh late morning and reported north of the Warren a little while later but not seen again. There were still 4 Common Rosefinches (3 Point, 1 Wire Dump), 4 Barred Warblers (a new one on the Canal, and long stayers at Kew/Warren and Point), 3 Wood Warblers at Kew and a Lapland Bunting at the Point which flew north to the Blue Bell at least. Other migrant totals were: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Tree Pipit, 6 Redstart, 10 Whinchat, 4 Wheatear, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 8 Garden Warbler, 12 Lesser Whitethroat, 40 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 27 Willow Warbler, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Pied Flycatcher and 5 Siskin.

There was some light passage although the only raptors seen flying south were a Hobby and 3 Kestrels, other birds included 31 Wigeon, 8 Fulmar, 2 Shag N, 2 Grey Heron, 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Snipe, 20 Sand Martin, 400 Swallow, 20 House Martin, 1 Tree Pipit, 12 Meadow Pipit, 12 flava Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail.

Other birds of note included 9 Little Egret, 4 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 14 Arctic Skua, 1 Bonxie and 4000 Common Tern.

Bright, sunny and warm all day with a few light clouds occasionally, a light force 1 E wind.

The undoubted highlight of the day was the incredible passage of raptors particularly Common Buzzards. The previous day record for Spurn was 7 set on 27th October 1994, today a minimum of 70 flew south, the largest flock of 14. Other raptors involved with this were 3 Honey Buzzards – the first of the year, 2 Marsh Harriers, 5 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel.

Other birds moving south were 3 Sand Martin, 150 Swallow, 135 House Martin, 9 Meadow Pipit, 4 flava Wagtail, 2 Lapland Bunting.

A record autumn count of Common Rosefinches also occurred when 4 were found, 1 at Wire Dump and 3 together at the Point, a Red-backed Shrike reported yesterday in the Wire Dump area was finally seen late afternoon, 2 Barred Warbler (Point and Warren), The Wood Warbler was still at Kew and other migrant totals were a Tawny Owl at Kew (1st of year), 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 13 flava Wagtail, 15 Robin, 7 Redstart, 5 Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 3 Garden Warbler, 8 Lesser Whitethroat, 46 Whitethroat, 5 Chiffchaff, 24 Willow Warbler, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 7 Pied Flycatcher, 5 Chaffinch, 1 Lapland Bunting and a Corn Bunting.

Other birds of note included 1 Eider, 1 Peregrine, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper and 3 Arctic Skua.

Sea -watch 07.00 – 08.00. Another bright and sunny day with a reasonable covering of cloud mid-morning, a light NE-E wind.

There was no sign of the probable Collared Flycatcher, but the Common Rosefinch was still present at Wire Dump, also 3 Barred Warblers were still showing on and off (Warren/Church/Point), with another at Sammy’s Point. The highlight of the day went to a Greenish Warbler found late in the day at the Point and showed well. A Wood Warbler was seen at Kew Villa early morning and other migrant totals were : 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 12 flava Wagtail, 12 Robin, 3 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 5 Sedge Warbler, 7 Reed Warbler, 5 Garden Warbler, 9 Lesser Whitethroat, 35 Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, 14 Willow Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 7 Pied Flycatcher.

Moving south were 15 Wigeon, 15 Teal, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 1 Merlin, 2 Snipe, 5 Whimbrel, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Swift, 70 Swallow, 38 House Martin, 6 Meadow Pipit, 6 flava Wagtail, 35 Tree Sparrow.

Other birds of note included 4 Red-throated Diver, 1 Water Rail, 1 Ruff, 1 Greenshank, 2 Arctic Skua.

Sea/migration-watches 06.45 – 08.15, 16.00 – 19.30. Mostly bright and sunny with a light NW-E force 1-2 wind.

The probable Collared Flycatcher was seen briefly a few times during the day, an unidentified Hippoilais warbler was seen briefly at the Point but not again and certainly never claimed as any species, despite messages on the information services claiming possible Syke’s Warbler! A Common Rosefinch was seen by the Heligoland trap at Wire Dump and there were Barred Warblers still present at Kew and on Beacon Lane. Other migrant totals were 3 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, 1 Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 6 Garden Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 18 Willow Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 4 Pied Flycatcher.

Birds on the move were 3 Teal N, 4 Red-throated Diver N, 2 Sooty Shearwater N, 9 Oystercatcher, 3 Snipe, 3 Arctic Skua, 2 Bonxie, 1 Swift, 9 Sand Martin, 600 Swallow, 22 House Martin, 150 Meadow Pipit.

On the Humber there was a Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Greenshank.