Archive
Saturday, 03 June 2017
Heavy rain and showers cleared with sunny spells becoming hot and humid.
Migration Watches: 0600-1720.
An interesting late spring arrival brought a singing ‘brown’ Rosefinch mobile between Kew and Beacon Lane plus a singing Icterine Warbler to the Obs garden. Other obvious migrants were a Garden Warbler at the Warren where the Redwing remained.
Some good counts of breeding birds continue with 3 Cuckoo, 62 Whitethroat along the peninsula with the 1st young out on Beacon Lane, 8 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Blackcap and a juvenile Siskin in Easington.
Viz-migging was slow but produced a fine Honey Buzzard meandering its way south towards Lincolnshire, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Grey Heron in/off, an immature Spoonbill, 259 Swift, 2 Sand Martin, 94 Swallow, 51 House Martin, 1 Flava Wagtail and 1 Grey wagtail.
Over the sea were 347 Common Scoter, 2 Fulmar, 36 Gannet, 2 Red-throated Diver, 16 Sandwich Tern, 6 Common Tern, 2 Arctic Tern and 20 Auk sp.
Other birds of note were 2 Teal Kilnsea wetland, 1 Gadwall, 2 Shoveler, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Partridge, 1 Peregrine, 50 Knot, 150 Dunlin, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Barn Owl and the Ring necked Parakeet in Easington.
Good numbers of dragonflies on the wing with 8 Red-veined Darter the highlight while 1 Green Hairstreak, 200+ Painted Lady, 2 Large Skipper and a Hummingbird Hawkmoth.
Offshore 1 Porpoise and 3 Grey Seal were seen.
Ringing: Nil.
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Rosefinch. Zac Hinchliffe
Turtle Dove. Zac Hinchliffe
Red-veined Darter. Scott Reid.
Friday, 02 June 2017
A sunny start with some showers in the afternoon and a F1 SW wind.
Migration Watches: 0530-1345, 1500-1600.
A quieter day all round, but it’s good to see great numbers of summering non-breeding waders on the Humber and Beacon ponds, after very few around last summer.
Viz-migging produced 1 Osprey north while going south were 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Lapwing, 2 Stock Dove, 268 Swift, 6 Sand Martin, 84 Swallow, 58 House Martin, 1 Grey Wagtail and 4 Jackdaw.
Over the sea were 2 Teal, 68 Common Scoter, 5 Fulmar, 19 Gannet, 2 Cormorant, 1 Red-throated Diver and 27 Auk sp.
Other birds of note were 2 Teal Kilnsea wetland, 4 Grey Partridge, 1 Common Buzzard, 103 Grey Plover, 200 Knot, 60 Dunlin, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 210 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Little Gull, adult Kittiwake Kilnsea wetlands, 2 Common Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 5 Sandwich tern and 66 Little Tern Beacon ponds, 2 Cuckoo.
Good numbers of dragonflies on the wing with 9 Red-veined Darter the highlight while 4 Painted Lady were seen and the first Large Skipper of the year was at Beacon ponds.
Offshore 3 Porpoise and 3 Grey Seal were seen.
Ringing: 1 Whitethroat.
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Goldfinch. Adam Hutt.
Thursday, 01 June 2017
Warm and sunny, sometimes a bit hazy with a F2-1 S-SW wind.
Migration Watches: 0535-1130, 1430-1710, 1800-1840.
A trickle of birds on the move south today with a Great-white Egret and 2 immature Spoonbill the highlights. Also on the move were 6 Canada Goose north, 2 Hobby in/off and NW, 1 Grey Plover out east, 3 Lapwing, 89 Swift, 1 Flava Wagtail, 2 Sand Martin, 79 Swallow, 107 House Martin, 4 Jackdaw and 1 Corn Bunting.
Over the sea were 6 Eider, 33 Common Scoter, 1 Red-throated Diver, 18 Gannet, 2 Fulmar, 1 Cormorant out east, 2x 2nd summer Mediterranean Gull, 12 Black-headed Gull, 3 Kittiwake, 3 Sandwich Tern, 225 Auk sp, 21 Razorbill and 87 Guillemot.
Migrants numbers were still low with 3 Cuckoo, 1 Wheatear, the Redwing still at the Warren, 1 Grasshopper Warbler by the gas terminal and 3 Chiffchaff.
Other interesting sightings were 1 Wigeon, 12 Little Egret, 1 Lapwing, 1 Whimbrel, 34 Curlew Humber, 2 Little Stint and 1 Curlew Sandpiper Beacon ponds, 1 Greenshank, 1st summer Mediterranean Gull on the Humber while the resident adult Kittiwake remains on Kilnsea wetlands.
3 Red-veined Darter were on Clubleys scrape plus 2 Broad-bodied Chaser, 1 Emperor, 8 four spotted Chaser and 5 Black tailed Skimmer while there was also good numbers of butterfly on the wing including 1 Green Hairstreak.
Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff.
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Wednesday, 31 May 2017
A glorious sunny day with a light variable wind.
Migration Watches: 0530-1030, 1700-1815.
The last few days of the month have been a bit quiet for viz-migging, but given favourable winds the next 2 months should (hopefully!) see big numbers of Swifts on the move. The systems to look for are days of south westerly winds with sun and patchy cloud (with maybe the threat of rain). A big Swift day stood at Numpties, when thousands are almost whistling past your ears is a truly unforgettable experience.
On the move today were 2 Whimbrel, 3 Swift, 3 Sand Martin, 39 Swallow, 23 House Martin, 4 Flava and 2 Jackdaw.
Migrants numbers were typically low for this time of year with 1 Whinchat, 1 Wheatear, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler and 1 Spotted Flycatcher.
On the move over the sea were 39 Common Scoter, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Great crested Grebe, 14 Gannet, 3 Fulmar, 3 Cormorant, 2 Razorbill and 1 Guillemot.
Other interesting sightings were 7 Brent Geese, 1 Wigeon, 11 Little Egret, 3 Whimbrel and 1st summer Mediterranean Gull on the Humber while the resident adult Kittiwake remains on Kilnsea wetlands.
5 Red-veined Darter were on Clubleys scrape.
Ringing: 1 Robin, 1 Chiffchaff.
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Tuesday, 30 May 2017
Some sunny spells with occasional showers and an increasing F1-3 SW-W wind.
Migration Watches: 0500-0730, 1400-1630.
Breeding is fully underway and this year we are undertaking a full census of breeding birds in the area including up to Easington and Sammy’s. Initial results are showing better numbers of species like House Martin and Sedge Warbler, while ringing of pullus Blue and Great Tit are producing encouraging large broods.
The Little Tern project is well underway and if visiting please only access the colony from Kilnsea wetlands carpark and view from the banking on the west side of Beacon ponds.
Viz migging was surprisingly very slow, but produced a Spoonbill south plus 2 Marsh Harrier, 69 Swift, 38 Swallow, 38 House Martin and 2 Tree Pipit.
On the move over the sea were 1 Gannet, 3 Fulmar and 1 Cormorant.
A slight increase in some migrants with 1 Little-ringed Plover, 3 Cuckoo, 2 Wheatear, 1 Grasshopper Warbler by the gas terminal, 1 willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff and 7 Spotted Flycatcher.
Other interesting sightings were 1 Wigeon, 1 Gadwall, 15 Little Egret, 2 Grey Partridge, 1 Peregrine over the Humber, 1 Water Rail along the canal, an unseasonal Snipe and 1 Barn Owl.
1 Red-veined Darter was in churchfield and 1 Broad-bodied Chaser were seen while a good count of 16 Roe Deer was made.
Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Spotted Flycatcher.
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Monday, 29 May 2017
Light showers with misty conditions sometimes thicker with heavy rain late pm and a F1 ENE wind.
Migration Waltches: 0425-0645, 1200-1300.
If two days could be more contrasting then today and the previous epic day are proof. After the sun and blue sky with a warm wind full of birds, today brought many observers back to reality with poor visibility and little seen.
The few migrants seen were 1 Hobby green lane, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Wheatear, 6 Chiffchaff and 2 Spotted Flycatcher.
Over the sea were 3 Manx Shearwater, 4 Fulmar, 22 Gannet and 3 Kittiwake while moving were 2 Common Tern out east, 7 Swift and 2 Flava Wagtail.
Other birds of note were 5 Brent Geese, 1 Wigeon, 1 Gadwall, 1 Little ringed Plover, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 1st summer Mediterranean Gull, adult Yellow legged Gull Humber and 2 Grey Partridge and breeding wise 18 Reed Warbler.
Ringing: 1 Wood Pigeon, 1 Swallow, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Robin pulli, 1 Dunnock pulli, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Tree Sparrow (1 pulli), 1 Linnet. (11 of 8 species).
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Sunday, 28 May 2017
An awesome day of classic Spurn vis-migging action saw an incredible 4 RED-FOOTED FALCON fly south past the Numpties watchpoint at the Warren, along with incredible views of an ALPINE SWIFT as it flew inches over the heads of the assembled crowd with other noteworthy species of a RED-RUMPED SWALLOW, Spoonbill and Red Kite.
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Alpine Swift. Tim Jones.
1/4 1s male Red-footed Falcon. Later seen past Gib Point, Lincs.
2/4 1s male Red-footed Falcon. The most advanced in its post-juvenile moult.
3/4 1s female Red-footed Falcon.
4/4 1s male Red-footed Falcon. Jake Gearty. The least advanced in its post-juvenile moult. First thought to be a female on fly by the plain grey upperparts, extensive moulted grey axillaries and grey on the face show this to be young male.
Saturday, 27 May 2017
A hot sunny with a light SE wind , clouding over with thunder and lightning, remaining warm and a changed F3-6 SW wind.
Migration Watches: 0430-2010.
A sad day for the warden Paul Collins when his team Chelsea, were beaten 2-1 in the FA cup, which was watched by most of the birders in the crown pub.
Late evening while most observers were watching the football, one eagle eyed observer spotted a female Red-footed Falcon over the Observatory garden, which headed south turning back at the Warren, (which then emptied the pub) and last seen going into the garden of Rose Cottage.
Otherwise viz-migging produced 1 Hobby, 3 Lapwing blogging, 13 Black-headed Gull, 346 Swift, 8 Sand Martin, 264 Swallow, 207 House Martin, 1 Flava Wagtail, 1 Jackdaw, 6 Carrion Crow, 9 Goldfinch, 10 Linnet and 1 Yellowhammer.
Heading out east were 22 Brent Geese, 51 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 25 Little Tern, 5 Sandwich Tern, 18 Common Tern and 9 Arctic Tern.
Over the sea (south unless stated) were 4 Teal, 15 Common Scoter, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Fulmar and 3 Manx Shearwater.
Migrant numbers were 6 Whimbrel, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Wheatear, 1 Redstart, 1 Redwing, 2 Willow Warbler and 2 Spotted Flycatcher.
Other birds of note were 1 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 10 Common Scoter on the Humber, 2 Great-crested Grebe on the Humber, 276 Oystercatcher, 1 Little Stint Beacon ponds, 2 Curlew Sandpiper Humber, 1 Ruff, 1000 Dunlin, 27 Turnstone and 67 Little Tern Beacon ponds.
The 1st Hairy Dragonfly for Spurn was at Sammys point, 7 Red veined Darter were in the area, 1 Broad bodied Chaser while 4 Green Hairstreak still at the point. A Mink was seen along the canal.
Ringing: Nil
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Friday, 26 May 2017
Another warm sunny blue sky day, but cooler in the increasing F1-3 SE wind.
Migration Watches: 0520-1930.
While little else was moving overland it was a surprise to see a Pallid Swift flying south past the Warren in the company of 2 Common Swift and then past middle camp.
Otherwise viz-migging produced 1 Marsh Harrier, 7 Oystercatcher out east, 3 Black Tern out east, 40 Swift, 4 Sand Martin, 245 Swallow, 161 House Martin, 1 Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch and 1 Corn Bunting.
Over the sea were a summer plumage Great Northern Diver, 2 Gannet, 5 Fulmar, 6 Cormorant, 1 Shag, 4 Kittiwake and 14 Sandwich Tern.
Migrant numbers were 6 Whimbrel in the Triangle, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Whinchat, 1 Wheatear, 1 Ring Ouzel still showing well at the Warren and 1 Spotted Flycatcher.
Other birds of note were the 19 Brent Geese, 2 Wigeon, 3 Gadwall, 20 Common Scoter on the Humber, 2 Peregrine, 2 Water Rail along the canal, 1 Greenshank, Yellow-legged Gull at the Warren, .
4 Green Hairstreak were at the Point, a male Red veined Darter was in churchfield and the first Broad bodied Chaser also in Churchfield.
Ringing: 1 Whinchat, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Starling, 4 House Sparrow (pulli), 1 Reed Bunting.
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Pallid Swift. Ian Smith.
Pallid Swift. Ian Smith. Flying away showing brown uppers
Thursday, 25 May 2017
A fine sunny warm day with blue sky, but hazy visibility and a light F1 NW-SE wind.
Migration Watches: 0520-1200.
In what has been a poor spring for visible migration especially for Finches and Hirundines which have rarely troubled the counters, mainly due to the lack of south westerly winds, it is still a surprise to have another 2 Red-rumped Swallows past numpties. The first paused preening for several minutes on the wires at 7am, then headed off high south with a Swallow, the second rapidly through at 10.45 on its own. (5th and 6th this year).
Otherwise viz-migging produced 1 Greenshank, 11 Swift, 6 Sand Martin, 127 Swallow, 30 House Martin, 3 Flava Wagtail, 15 Jackdaw, 3 Rook, 5 Carrion Crow, 1 Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch and 3 Linnet.
Waders heading out north-east were 3 Ringed Plover, 50 Grey Plover, 19 Sanderling, 30 Dunlin and 1 Whimbrel.
Over the sea were 2 Teal, 30 Common Scoter, 1 Red throated Diver, 35 Gannet, 4 Fulmar, 6 Cormorant, 38 Kittiwake, 15 Sandwich Tern, and 54 Auk sp.
Migrant numbers were 12 Whimbrel in the Triangle, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, 1 Ring Ouzel still showing well at the Warren.
Other birds of note were the 10 Brent Geese, 2 Gadwall, 70 Common Scoter on the Humber, 160 Sanderling and 2 Grey Partridge, while a Corn Bunting still singing near Easington.
A male Red veined Darter was in churchfield.
Ringing: 10 Great Tit (pulli), 1 Whitethroat, 1 Linnet, 1 Chaffinch.
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Red-rumped Swallow. Ian Smith.
Red-rumped Swallow with Swallow. Ian Smith.