Thursday, 04 May 2017

Mostly sunny with a cool F3-4 NNE wind.
Migration Watches: 0550-1045, 1345-1500.

The cold northerly winds continue, but still the 1st Wryneck of the year appeared today, along the canal moving down to the warren before eventually settling in the Bluebell pond caravan site area. Also new for the year was a Wood Sandpiper on Holderness field.

Migrant numbers were reduced with 4 Common Sandpiper, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Tree Pipit, 4 White Wagtail, 1 Redstart, male rubicola Stonechat triangle, 6 Wheatear, 6 Fieldfare, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Grasshopper warbler along Canal, 6 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 7 Willow Warbler.

The sea was poor with 6 Gannet and 2 Cormorant.
Birds heading out east were 4 Whimbrel, 1 adult Little Gull, 11 Little Tern and 4 Arctic Tern.
Viz-migging produced 3 Marsh Harrier, ringtail Hen Harrier, 7 Sand Martin, 167 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 3 Flava Wagtail, 5 Linnet and 5 Goldfinch.

Other birds of note were the 24 Greylag Geese, 200 Brent Geese, 1 Pale-bellied Brent, 16 Wigeon, 2 Teal, 2 Gadwall, 1 Common Scoter Beacon ponds and 18 Whimbrel. 

Ringing: 2 Robin, 1 Blackcap, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff. (8 of 4 species).

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Wednesday, 03 May 2017

A cold and breezy, but sunny start clouding over and feeling rather raw with a cool F3-4 NE wind.
Migration Watches: 0550-1130. Seawatch: 0530-0600, 1500-1600.

A difficult day for birding with the strong cold wind making life difficult, and with seemingly very few sheltered spots to look for migrants. Saying that a male Serin turned up at Kew singing, doing a tour of Kilnsea for an hour or so then vanished.

Migrant numbers were a nice red Curlew Sandpiper in the Humber at the Warren, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Tree Pipit, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Black Redstart with a new bird at Cliffe farm and the male still at the Point, 1 Redstart, 1m Whinchat Point, male rubicola Stonechat triangle, 10 Wheatear, 5 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing, 4 Blackcap, 5 Garden Warbler, 9 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, male Pied Flycatcher Point, female Hawfinch still at Kew.

The sea was maybe a bit better, but received little cover with 22 Common Scoter, male Long-tailed Duck, 94 Herring Gull, 3 Guillemot, 2 Razorbill and 1 Puffin lost on the Humber.
Birds heading out east were 1 Kittiwake, 1 Little Tern and 5 Arctic Tern.

Viz-migging produced 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Hobby, 11 Sand Martin, 259 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 3 Flava Wagtail, 2 Chaffinch, 17 Linnet, 9 Goldfinch and 2 Corn Bunting.

Other birds of note were the 10 Wigeon, 7 Teal, 1 Common Scoter Beacon ponds, 7 Little Egret, 1 Merlin, 2 Peregrine, 2 Grey Partridge and 2 Short-eared Owl. 

Ringing: 1 Stonechat, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff. (6 of 4 species).

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Tuesday, 02 May 2017

A calm sunny start clouded over later morning with an increasing cool F1-3 NE wind.
Migration Watches: 0550-1200.

A very noticeable increase in waders on the Humber especially summer plumage birds in the last 2 days, was no doubt responsible for bringing a cracking BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER along with them. Initially found just south of the warren roosting, it was watched for around 2 hours then moved out with the receding tide. If looking tomorrow sometime after 9.30am as the tide rises will hopefully pay dividends.

Migrant numbers were 3 Common Sandpiper, 5 Tree Pipit, 7 Yellow Wagtail, male Black Redstart at the Point, 2 Redstart, 1m Whinchat Point, male rubicola Stonechat triangle, 31 Wheatear, 1 Fieldfare, 1m Grasshopper Warbler, 14 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 4 Garden Warbler, 18 Lesser Whitethroat, 43 Whitethroat, 13 Chiffchaff, 7 Willow Warbler, 1 Brambling, 2 Siskin, female Hawfinch still at Kew early morning and 2 Lesser Redpoll.

Birds heading out east were 1 Kittiwake, 12 Black Tern, 2 Common Tern and 187 Arctic Tern.
Viz-migging produced 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Red Kite over Sammys, 4 Avocet, 19 Sand Martin, 138 Swallow, 5 House Martin, 5 Flava Wagtail, 5 Jack daw, 4 Rook, 23 Carrion Crow, 11 Goldfinch and 3 Corn Bunting.

Other birds of note were the 1 Pale-bellied Brent with 228 Brent Geese, 12 Wigeon, 7 Teal, 1 Common Scoter Beacon ponds, 4 Grey Partridge, 1 Lapwing, 400 Grey Plover, 2000 Knot, 4000 Dunlin, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 31 Whimbrel and 1 Short-eared Owl. 

Ringing: 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Robin, 1 Wren, 1 Redstart, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 7 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 4 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Linnet, 1 Reed Bunting. (26 of 12 species).

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Monday, 01 May 2017

A windy overcast start with light drizzle clearing to leave a sunny warm day out of the coolish F 3-1-2 SE-S-E wind.
Migration Watches: 0540-1500.

The nicer conditions overall brought a decent arrival of migrants, plus returning breeders, The Tern movement continued albeit in lesser numbers, while Hirundine numbers picked up.

Migrant numbers were male Garganey Kilnsea wetlands, 47 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpiper, 5 Cuckoo, Long-eared Owl at Sammys, 2 Tree Pipit, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, male rubicola Stonechat triangle, 46 Wheatear, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 2 Grasshopper Warbler including a very showy bird at Sammys, 8 Blackcap, 4 Garden Warbler, 11 Lesser Whitethroat, 36 Whitethroat, 14 Chiffchaff, 9 Willow Warbler, female Hawfinch at Kew and 2 Lesser Redpoll.

Birds heading out east were 2 Pintail, 6 Curlew, 1 adult little Gull, 5 Kittiwake, 9 Black-headed Gull, 21 Black Tern, 2 Sandwich Tern, 22 Common Tern and 224 Arctic Tern.
Viz-mig produced 2 Hobby (1st of year), 47 Sand Martin, 457 Swallow, 12 House Martin, 17 Flava Wagtail, 1 Alba Wagtail, 54 Linnet and 19 Goldfinch.
Over the sea were 7 Common Scoter, 1 Fulmar, 27 Gannet, 4 Cormorant, 48 Kittiwake and 20 Auk sp.

Other birds of note were the 36 Brent Geese, 11 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 6 Teal, 1 Pochard Kilnsea wetlands, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Common Scoter Beacon ponds, 2 Grey Partridge, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 1 Lapwing, 21 Avocet and 2 Short-eared Owl.

Ringing: 1 Magpie, 1 Swallow, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Blackbird, 1 Robin, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 5 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 6 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Hawfinch, 2 Linnet. (26 of 12 species).

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Sunday, 30 April 2017

A cold sunny day with a strong F4 SE wind.
Migration Watches: 05500-1100, 1730-1930.
Strong onshore winds at the right time of the spring often induce large numbers of Arctic Terns to move east of the Humber towards the continent. A strong overnight SE wind had the desired effect with the 3rd highest count. Totals were 6 Arctic Skua, 2 Kittiwake, 1 Little Tern, 57 Black Tern, 20 Common Tern and 861 Arctic Tern. (Interestingly one photo from Paull Holme Stray, which is west of us, showed one group of about 30 Common Tern, which we could easily have been missed over the vast distance of the Humber).

There was no sign of the Savi's warbler all day. Migrant numbers were 1 Jack Snipe, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Tree Pipit, 2 Whinchat, 24 Wheatear, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler and 1 Redpoll.

Viz-migging produced 5 Barnacle Geese, 11 Sand Martin, 30 Swallow, 9 House Martin, 2 Flava Wagtail, 4 Siskin and 1 Yellowhammer.
Over the sea were 17 Common Scoter, 1 Goosander, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 19 Fulmar, 9 Gannet, 51 Kittiwake, 1 Guillemot, 2 Razorbill and 9 Auk sp.

Other birds of note were the 11 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 12 Teal, 2 Pochard Kilnsea wetlands, 1 Common Scoter Beacon ponds, 21 Avocet and 2 Short-eared Owl.

Ringing: 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Blackcap.

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Saturday, 29 April 2017

A sunny calm start to the day, clouding up with an increasing cool F1 SE-SW-SE wind.
Migration Watches: 0540-1400.
The change in the weather had the predicted effect and along with good numbers of Terns.

A great start to the day with good numbers of birds heading east out of the Humber. Totals were 1 Arctic Skua, 29 Black-headed Gull, 2 Kittiwake, 6 Little Tern, 2 Black Tern, 3 Common Tern and 167 Arctic Tern. 
While all this was happening news broke of a SAVI’S WARBLER singing at the eastern end of the canal which occasionally showed among its brief bursts of song. Even briefer was a Nightingale singing in a private Kilnsea garden before going quiet for the rest of the day. Late afternoon a stunning female Dotterel graced Kilnsea wetlands.

Migrant numbers were 52 Whimbrel, 3 Common Sandpiper, 2 Cuckoo, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 White Wagtail, 16 Wheatear, 5 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 1 Ring Ouzel at 2am from night recording, 3 Song Thrush, 2 Grasshopper Warbler canal area, 9 Sedge Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 7 Lesser Whitethroat, 12 Whitethroat, 10 Chiffchaff and 3 Willow Warbler.

Viz-migging produced 2 Wigeon, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Lapwing, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 16 Curlew out east, 28 Sand Martin, 35 Swallow, 5 House Martin, 1 Tree Pipit, 19 Flava Wagtail, 3 Alba Wagtail, 36 Carrion Crow, 2 Rook, 17 Goldfinch, 68 Linnet and 3 Corn Bunting.
Over the sea were 2 Wigeon, male Mandarin, a Glaucous Gull north, 6 Teal, 41 Common Scoter, 3 Fulmar and 8 Cormorant.

Other birds of note were the 20 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 6 Teal, 1 Common Scoter Beacon ponds, 2 Grey Partridge, 2 Greenshank, 21 Avocet and 1 Short-eared Owl.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Goldfinch. (15 of 6 species).

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Friday, 28 April 2017

Early showers petered out with a cold F3-1 N-SE. 
Migration Watches: 0630-0930.

Migrant numbers were 52 Whimbrel, 1 Cuckoo, 7 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Whitethroat and 2 Chiffchaff.

Viz-migging produced 6 Swallow, 3 Flava Wagtail and 1 Hooded Crow.
Over the sea were 6 Fulmar, 21 Gannet, 1 Red throated Diver, 1 Cormorant, 2 Kittiwake, 2 Little Tern and 26 Auk sp while 52 Arctic Tern flew out north-east (1st of year).

Other birds of note were the 1 Barnacle Goose, 21 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 3 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 1 Common Scoter Beacon ponds, 2 Grey Partridge, 21 Avocet, 200 Grey Plover and 2 Short-eared Owl.

Ringing: Nil

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Thursday, 27 April 2017

Cold wintery showers all day, with occasional sunny periods in a F3 NW-N wind.
Migration Watches: 0700-1000.

Pretty much the same as the previous day. Change is on the way for the weekend!

Migrant numbers were 1 Marsh Harrier, 6 Whimbrel, 5 Swallow, 2 Sand Martin, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Wheatear, 1 Grasshopper Warbler canal area, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff and 2 Brambling.

Over the sea were 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Gannet, 4 Cormorant, 1 Little Tern, 8 Guillemot, 1 Puffin and 154 Auk sp.

Other birds of note were the 1 Barnacle Goose, 19 Wigeon, 2 Gadwall, 9 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck,1 Common Scoter Beacon ponds, 126 Grey Plover, 3700 Dunlin, 23 Avocet and 2 Short-eared Owl.

Ringing: 2 Brambling

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Wednesday, 26 April 2017

Cold wintery showers all day, with occasional sunny periods in a F3-4 NW wind.
Migration Watches: 0630-0930, 1730-1930.

A very poor day, what with the awful weather making it difficult for migrants, especially Hirundines. There was some movement over the sea, but in general little birding was done. 

Migrant numbers were 16 Whimbrel, 5 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 24 Wheatear, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 11 Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff and 1 Willow Warbler.

Over the sea were 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Eider, 3 Common Scoter, 14 Fulmar,1 Manx Shearwater, 62 Gannet, 1 Arctic Skua, 57 Kittiwake, 14 Sandwich Tern, 9 Guillemot, 1 Puffin and 154 Auk sp.

Other birds of note were the 1 Barnacle Goose, 20 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck,1 Common Scoter Beacon ponds, 5 Little Egret and 21 Avocet.

Ringing: Nil

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Tuesday, 25 April 2017

A dusting of snow early morning with occasional wintery showers all day, long sunny periods but cold in a F3 NW wind.
Migration Watches: 0700-1130, 1700-1830.
A difficult days birding with the strong cold northerly keeping birds low, but it did produce the rather surreal experience at Sammys point of Whitethroats and Lesser Whitethroats singing from snow covered bushes. 

Migrant numbers were 44 Whimbrel, 2 Jack Snipe Beacon ponds, 30 Swallow, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 2 White Wagtail, 10 Wheatear, 3 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff and 5 Willow Warbler.

Over the sea were 7 Common Scoter, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Fulmar, 33 Gannet, 8 Kittiwake, 3 Sandwich Tern, 4 Guillemot and 6 Auk sp.
Viz-mig was understandably poor and only produced 1 House Martin, 3 Flava Wagtail and 2 Rook.

Other birds of note were the 43 Greylag Geese, 1 Barnacle Goose, 20 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 9 Little Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Peregrine, 428 Oystercatcher and 1 Short-eared Owl.

Ringing: 1 Dunnock, 1 Wheatear, 1 Blackcap.

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