Sunday, 14 May 2017

Showers early morning clearing leaving a warm sunny day with a F2-1 WSW-SW wind.
Migration Watches: 0520-1615.

The day was almost disappointing after yesterday’s excellent vizmig, early morning rain, all but scuppering any decent movement. 

Viz-migging produced 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 2 Whimbrel out east, 4 Swift, 2 Skylark, 67 Sand Martin, 941 Swallow, 218 House Martin, 1 Tree Pipit, 8 Flava Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Alba Wagtail, 13 Jackdaw, 7 Rook, 8 Carrion Crow, 4 Chaffinch, 17 Goldfinch, 41 Linnet and 1 Corn Bunting.

Migrant numbers were again low with 4 Common Sandpiper, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 1+ Little Stint (1st of year) on Holderness field, visiting the Humber as the tide dropped, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 10 Wheatear, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Spotted Flycatcher and 1 Pied Flycatcher.

Over the sea were 2 Fulmar, 30 Gannet, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 23 Black-headed Gull, 3 Kittiwake, 4 Arctic Tern, 1 Razorbill and 1 Puffin.

Other birds of note were the 68 Brent Geese Humber, 1 Wigeon, 3 Gadwall, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, Short-eared Owl and a Corn Bunting singing on Peter Lane. 
The 1st Blue Tailed Damselfly of the year were in Churchfield.

Ringing: 1 Sparrowhawk, 11 Starling pulli, 1 Chiffchaff.

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Saturday, 13 May 2017

Mainly sunny all day, with a warm F2-3 SW wind.
Migration Watches: 0510-1845.
An all day count with the 1st decent SW winds for a long time which brought some good totals.

The highlight of the 1st proper viz-mig of the spring was a stunning Bee-eater which flew past Numpties at close range giving everyone fantastic views. The Grey-headed Wagtail remained at Southfield farm while a Spotted Redshank was seen on the Humber (1st of year).

Migrant numbers again were much reduced with 3 Cuckoo, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 5 Wheatear, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Song Thrush, 5 Reed Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff and 5 Spotted Flycatcher.

Vizmigging produced 12 Tufted Duck, 8 Common Scoter, 2 Great-crested Grebe, 10 Cormorant, 2 Marsh Harrier, an Osprey North-west, 1 Hobby, 9 Whimbrel out east, 1 Greenshank, 2 Arctic Skua out east, 1st summer Mediterranean Gull, 21 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Black Tern, 10 Sandwich Tern 3 Common Tern and 4 Arctic Tern.
Overland were 15 Swift, 9 Skylark, 232 Sand Martin, 2722 Swallow, 562 House Martin, 1 Tree Pipit, 11 Flava Wagtail (of which at least 3 were Blue-headed Wagtail from pics taken at time), 2 Alba Wagtail, 3 White Wagtail, 21 Jackdaw, 13 Carrion Crow, 6 Rook, 36 Chaffinch (all females), 1 Greenfinch, 16 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin, 53 Linnet and 3 Corn Bunting.

Other birds of note were the 34 Greylag Geese plus 4 young, 3 Barnacle Goose Kilnsea wetlands then flew out east, 2 Grey Partridge, 1 Wigeon, 2 Common Buzzard, 1 Peregrine and3 Short-eared Owl. The Holderness field area still held a good selection of waders among the commoner birds with 1 Golden Plover 3 Lapwing, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Ruff and 3 Common Sandpiper.


Ringing: 5 Starling pulli.

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Friday, 12 May 2017

Most of you will have heard the news that Spurn legend Andy Roadhouse lost his long, but always highly spirited, battle with cancer on the night of Saturday 29th April.

He's funeral took place at a well attended Ardsley Crematorium, Barnsley on Friday 12th May at 11:30am, and followed by a celebration of Andy's life at the Old Moor Tavern, Broomhill.

He requested that anyone who wanted to send flowers; could they donate instead to Spurn Bird Observatory his favourite charity, he also wanted people to dress lively. But just be comfortable and to come in whatever they felt appropriate.

You can donate to the Obs, either at the funeral or via the PayPal button below. All donations gratefully received.

Migration Watches: 0520-0800. 
A quiet day with few observers about, as everyone involved with the Observatory was at Andy Roadhouses funeral.

Migrant totals were 3 Cuckoo, 2 White Wagtail, a Grey-headed Wagtail Southfield farm, 7 Wheatear, Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 2 Mistle Thrush, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Spotted Flycatcher. 
On the move were 1 Marsh Harrier, an Osprey north, 340 Swallow and 2 Flava Wagtail went south.

Other bits of interest were 3 Barnacle Goose, 2 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 1 Curlew Sandpiper and 2 Ruff Holderness field , 4 Grey Partridge and 2 Short-eared Owl. 
Ringing: Nil

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Thursday, 11 May 2017

Bright and sunny all day, with distant haze and a F2 E wind.
Migration Watches: 0525-1015, 1100-1230.

A clear out of migrants, with mainly just local breeders present. 
There may be limited sightings for Friday due to all observers leaving to attend the funeral of Andy Roadhouse.

An interesting Flava at Southfield Farm showed some features consistent with Iberian (Spanish) Wagtail, but with so many intergrades and no proper calls heard, it may go no further than this report. Interestingly a female Blue-headed (type) Wagtail was also present in the same field.

Migrant numbers were much reduced with 2 Cuckoo, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Tree Pipit, 2 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 9 Wheatear, 1 Song Thrush, 7 Reed Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler and 2 Spotted Flycatcher.
Vizmigging produced 2 Marsh Harrier, imm male Hen Harrier, 7 Swift, 3 Shorelark north, 11 Sand Martin, 316 Swallow, 17 House Martin, 5 Flava Wagtail, 3 Jackdaw, 6 Carrion Crow and 3 Yellowhammer.

Other birds of note were the 28 Greylag Geese plus 4 young, 3 Barnacle Goose Kilnsea wetlands, 2 Grey Partridge, 3 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler, 8 Little Egret and 1 Short-eared Owl. The Holderness field area held a good selection of waders with 1 Golden Plover, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Ruff while also seen were 2 Snipe and 1 Common Sandpiper.

Ringing: 2 Swallow, 1 Blackbird, 6 Starling pulli, 1 Dunnock, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff. (17 of 7 species).

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Wednesday, 10 May 2017

A cold frosty start, after which it was a sunny warm day with a F3-2 W-F2 SE wind.
Migration Watches: 0530-1515.

The change in the wind to the west brought about the 1st decent visible migration for a long time. 
An Osprey, (1st of year) north following the coastline was tracked further up the coast and a Shorelarkflew south, while decent Hirundine passage brought about some ggod counts which should increase in the next week or so. 
The male Snow Bunting remained at middle camp, while 2 Wood Warbler, (Churchyard and wiredump) were still present.

Migrant numbers were much reduced with 1 Cuckoo, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Tree Pipit, 4 Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 17 Wheatear, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Song Thrush, a Redwing singing at the Point, 3 Blackcap, 13 Chiffchaff and 21 Willow Warbler.

Viz-migging produced 4 Mute Swan, 16 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harrier north, 1 Common Buzzard back NW, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Whimbrel and 1 Curlew out east, 3 Collared Dove, 3 Swift, 88 Sand Martin, 1271 Swallow, 76 House Martin, 37 Flava Wagtail, 3 Alba Wagtail, 7 Jackdaw, 7 Rook, 10 Carrion Crow 1 Siskin and 1 Yellowhammer.

Other birds of note were the 3 Barnacle Goose Kilnsea wetlands, ringtail Hen Harrier hunting fields at Long bank, 2 Grey Partridge, 3 Wigeon and 1 Short-eared Owl. 

The first 4 Green Hairstreak were at the Point and Chalk bank. 

Ringing: 1 Wheatear, 1 Redstart, 1 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 12 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff. (24 of 6 species).

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Tuesday, 09 May 2017

A cloudy start clearing to leave a sunny warm day with a F3-1 NE-E wind.
Migration Watches: 0610-1100.

A welcome increase in migrant numbers brought a stunning adult male Snow Bunting to middle camp, while there are now 3 Wood Warbler with a new bird at wire dump, one still in Canal hedge and the ringed bird still at Kew and the Wryneck still present near the Bluebell. Of interest a male Redstart bearing a Belgian ring was controlled at the Warren.

Migrant numbers were 1 White Wagtail, 7 Tree Pipit, 1 Black Redstart, 8 Redstart, 5 Whinchat, 12 Wheatear, 9 Fieldfare, 2 Ring Ouzel, 5 Song Thrush, 1 Grasshopper Warbler at the Warren, 8 Blackcap, 3 Garden Warbler, 18 Lesser Whitethroat, 34 Chiffchaff, 13 Willow Warbler, 1m Pied Flycatcher Sammy’s, 2 Brambling including a singing male at the Point and 1 Siskin.

Viz-migging produced 1 Grey Heron, 1 Swift, 11 Sand Martin, 57 Swallow, 2 Flava Wagtail, 2 Jackdaw and 6 Rook while over the sea 11 Eider, 3 Common Scoter, 7 Fulmar, 82 Gannet, 14 Cormorant, 40 Kittwake, 208 Auk sp, 12 Guillemot and 32 Razorbill. 
Heading out east were 11 Whimbrel, 47 Black-headed Gull and 1 Arctic Tern..

Other birds of note were the 1 Barnacle Goose Kilnsea wetlands, 2 Grey Partridge, 9 Wigeon, 3 Gadwall, 32 Whimbrel, 2500 Dunlin, 1 Greenshank on Kilnsea wetlands, 2 Common Sandpiper and 1 Short-eared Owl. 

Ringing: 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Blackbird, 1 Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 1 Robin, 1 Wren, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 4 Whitethroat, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Chaffinch. (30 of 12 species).

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Monday, 08 May 2017

Overcast with a cold F2-3 N wind.
Migration Watches: 0610-0900.

Little change, but a further reduction in migrant numbers with the 1 Wood Warbler still in Canal hedge and the Wryneck still along Kilnsea road, opposite Rose cottage.

Migrant numbers were 2 Snipe, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Black Redstart, 6 Redstart, 4 Whinchat, 24 Robin, 4 Wheatear, 7 Fieldfare, 1 Ring Ouzel at Sammys, 5 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 4 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Pied Flycatcher and 2 Brambling.

Viz-migging produced 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Swift while over the sea 109 Gannet, 2 Fulmar, 103 Auk sp, 5 Kittiwake, 2 Common Tern, 2 Shelduck, 1 Eider and 3 Common Scoter.

Other birds of note were the 1 Barnacle Goose in the Triangle, 2 Grey Partridge, 8 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 1 Peregrine, 2 Snipe, 18 Whimbrel, 1500 Dunlin, 1 Greenshank on Kilnsea wetlands and 2 Common Sandpiper. 

Ringing: Nil.

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Sunday, 07 May 2017

Remaining cold and overcast with a F1-3 NE wind.
Migration Watches: 0625-1205, 1600-1700. 

A slight decrease in some migrants, but the Wood Warbler remained in the Crown carpark, and wandered as far as Churchfield, while the Wryneck was still showing occasionally well along the road outside Rose Cottage.

Migrant totals were 12 Whimbrel, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Tree Pipit, 16 Wheatear, 2 Black Redstart, 7 Redstart, 8 Whinchat, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Redwing, 1 Ring Ouzel, 5 Blackcap, 1 Grasshopper Warbler along the canal, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler and 1 Mealy Redpoll by the Lighthouse.. 

On the move over the sea were 90 Gannet, 1 Manx Shearwater, 15 Common Scoter, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Whimbrel out east, 1 Bonxie, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 133 Auk sp and 1 Guillemot while overland 2 Marsh Harrier and 2 Flava Wagtail went south.

Other bits of interest were 1 Barnacle Goose, 4 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 2 Red-legged Partridge and 1 Short-eared Owl.

Ringing: 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Wood Warbler.

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Saturday, 06 May 2017

Overcast with a cold F2-3 E wind.
Migration Watches: 0540-0900.

A good arrival of common migrants, also brought a late flush of winter Thrushes and Brambling. 
The highlights were 2 Wood Warbler with one still the Crown carpark, and a new bird in Canal hedge. The Wryneck was still along Kilnsea road and Wood Sandpiper on Canal Scrape.

Migrant numbers were 1 Little-ringed Plover, 2 Snipe, 34 Little Tern at Beacon Ponds, 15 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Redstart, 7 Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 25 Wheatear, 13 Fieldfare, 3 Ring Ouzel at Sammys, 1 Redwing, 5 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 18 Sedge Warbler, 11 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 16 Lesser Whitethroat, 26 Whitethroat, 12 Chiffchaff including 1 Siberian type in Church field, 3 Willow Warbler, 4 Pied Flycatcher and 2 Brambling.

Viz-migging produced 1 Goosander out east, 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Ringed Plover out east, 4 Little and 3 Arctic Tern out east, 14 Swift, 5 Sand Martin, 120 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 1 Flava Wagtail and 1 Jackdaw.

Other birds of note were the 1 Barnacle Goose in the Triangle, 2 Grey Partridge, 2 Gadwall, 2 Peregrine, 1 Lapwing, 20 Whimbrel, 2 Greenshank on Kilnsea wetlands, 9 Common Sandpiper, 3 Short-eared Owl and 1 Corn Bunting. 

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff (inc 1 Siberian type).

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Friday, 05 May 2017

Clear and sunny with a cold F3-4 NE wind.
Migration Watches: 0540-0845.

A few new bits in today with the highlight being a Wood Warbler showing well in the Crown carpark. The Wryneck still along the road by Bluebell caravan site and the Wood Sandpiper on Holderness field.

Migrant numbers were 32 Little Tern at Beacon Ponds, 1 Cuckoo, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 3 White Wagtail, 1 Black Redstart, 4 Wheatear, 2 Fieldfare, 1 Ring Ouzel at Sammys, 1 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler and a male Pied Flycatcher at Sammys.

Viz-migging produced ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Swift, 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 75 Swallow, 3 Flava Wagtail and 3 Jackdaw.

Other birds of note were the 1 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 2 Pochard, 16 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank and 1 Green Sandpiper on Kilnsea wetlands, 7 Common Sandpiper and 1 Short-eared Owl. 

Ringing: 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff.

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