Monday, 13 September 2021

The day after another great Migfest and lots of goodbyes to those who stayed overnight and reflecting on fantastic work by all the volunteers who make this happen. It also wouldn't be the fantastic event without the eager group of visitors who attend each Migfest to see what all the fuss is about. We hope to see you all again next year? A big thankyou should also go out to Sandy Beaches caravan site for allowing un access to the club house and hosting us in Northfield. In the meantime many of the locals and volunteers who had been busy at Migfest took the opportunity to go see the Green Warbler at Buckton.

Details to come but sightings from the day were a juvenile Sabines Gull north plus a Phalarope sp, a good total of 4 Purple Sandpiper (3 north), the Dotterel again on the Humber with Golden Plover, a nice flock of 17 Pale-bellied Brents on Beacon ponds, while 2 Pied Flycatcher and a Redstart were at the Warren and the first autumn Lapland Bunting at chalk bank and  2 Brambling in Easington and at the Point.

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Sunday, 12 September 2021

- The second full day of the Spurn Migration Festival.

- Fantastic atmosphere and the weather held out.

- The Dotterel eventually makes itself available on the Humber.

- Still decent numbers of birds on the move overhead and on Kilnsea wetlands

- Rosefinch continues to show, but a showy Pied Flycatcher in north field steals the show.

Updates to come, but some sightings included the Dotterel shwoing and the Rosefinch still elusive, 2 Pomarine Skua and Long-tailed Skuas offshore, a Caspian Gull on Kilnsea wetlands along with 4 Curlew Sandpiper, a Little Stint, Spotted Redshank, Pale-bellied Brent Goose and a Red-breasted Merganser.

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Saturday, 11 September 2021

- The first full day of the Spurn Migration Festival started today.

- An incredible 11 Short-eared Owls in the air together!

- Long-tailed Skua lingering all day off the seawatch hut'

- Meadow Pipits aplenty for the Warren counters and a nice flyover Osprey.

- The Young Birder of the Year competition came to a fine and fitting conclusion.

Full updates to come, but some initial sightings from the day saw both the Common Rosefinch and Dotterel still present, a Long-tailed Skua lingering off the seawatch hut and a Black Tern heading north. The highlight of the day was 11 Short-eared Owl up in the air together at Sammy's.

The counters at the Warren had nearly 3000 Meadow Pipit and an Osprey south among a good movement.

Kilnsea wetlands held its usual mix of Little Stints, Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff and Spotted Redshank among the commoner species.

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Friday, 10 September 2021

- The 8th Spurn Migration Festival started today (and it's all sold out).

- Spurns 3rd Clifton nonpareil the Moth highlight.

- Common Rosefinch present along showing by the YWT visitor centre with a few Pied Flycatchers, Whinchats and Redstarts.

- Plenty of overhead southerly movement with good numbers of Meadow Pipit and Hirundines.

- An adult and juvenile Sabines Gull briefly over Kilnsea Wetlands the birding highlight.

There were a few bits to move things along for the start of MIGFEST, 2 Sabines Gull (adult and juvenile) that flew over Kilnsea Wetlands before flying out to sea the highlight so far, while a Common Rosefinch showing around the southern end of the Canal and even on the feeders by the YWT visitor centre, a juvenile Long-tailed Skua blogging offshore with 2 Black Terns heading north and a Roseate Tern over the Obs. There were 4 Whinchat along the Canal

Overland a good push of 606 Meadow Pipit, 15 Grey Wagtail, 12 Tree Pipit and 334 House Martin, while a Red Kite flew south.

Some non-bird highlights included Spurns 3rd Clifton Nonpareil and only 3rd and 4th records of Willow Emerald (Damselfly) with 4 on Church Field Pond and 1 in Corner Field.

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Thursday, 09 September 2021

- The 8th Spurn Migration Festival begins on Friday (and it's all sold out).

- Preperation is almost complete and we cant wait to see you all.

- Nightingale, Common Rosefinch and Barred Warbler present along with a few Pied Flycatchers, Whinchats and Redstarts.

- Kilnsea wetlands alive with birds, Spoonbill, 3 Little Stint, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 11 Ruff and much more!

- Dotterel putting in the odd appearance among the Golden Plover flock.

Hot and sunny with a F2-3 south easterly.  Watches: 0615-0900.

Despite a clearout of migrants there was still a good selection of species present and a few of the good birds remained too with the Nightingale at Chalk bank, a Barred Warbler in North field, 2 Common Rosefinch (Warren and Sammy's) and the juvenile Dotterel again at Sammys with the Golden Plover flock. Other migrant totals were a Short-eared Owl, 1 Hobby, a record 5 Cetti's Warbler, 15 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, a Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 27 Whitethroat, a Song Thrush, 5 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Redstart, 7 Whinchat, 9 Wheatear, 11 Yellow Wagtail and a Tree Pipit.

Kilnsea wetland had an nice array of species with 21 Wigeon, 80 Teal, a Spoonbill, 28 Little Egret, 2 Avocet, a Little-ringed Plover, 20 Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Ruff, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Little Stint, a Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 700 Redshank and 34 Greenshank.

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Wednesday, 08 September 2021

- The 8th Spurn Migration Festival begins on Friday (and it's all sold out).

- Spurns 15th Arctic Warbler remains in the Crown area.

- Nightingale and Rosefinch still present along with Pied Flycatchers, Whinchats and Redstarts.

- Spoonbill on Kilnsea wetlands with 61 Little Egret, Little Stint and lots of Greenshank!

- Large Birds of Prey on the move.

The ARCTIC WARBLER was still present today in the Crown carpark, the Common Rosefinch at the Warren and the Nightingale calling again by Chalk bank hide.

Other sightings included a male Hen Harrier and a Red Kite heading south and a Curlew Sandpiper off the Narrows.

Kilnsea wetlands had a Spoonbill, 61 Little Egret, a Little Stint, 35 Greenshank and a Little Gull. 

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Tuesday, 07 September 2021

- The 8th Spurn Migration Festival begins on Friday (and it's all sold out).

- Four Spoonbill, 11 Ruff, three Little Stints and Spotted Redshank all showing well on Kilnsea wetlands.

- Good numbers of migrants still present including Pied Flycatchers, Whinchats, Redstarts, Rosefinch and Wood Warbler.

- Spurns 15th Arctic Warbler still present.

- The first push of Meadow Pipits heading south and a good count of 31 Grey Wagtail.

Hot and sunny with a F3 easterly. Watches: 0600-1030.

The ARCTIC WARBLER was still present, sometimes showing well in the Crown area, a Wood Warbler at Yew cottage in Kilnsea, the Rosefinch still at the Warren, the Dotterel sat on the Humber off the Warren, 2 Cetti’s Warbler (Canal and Point), plus a Hobby, 2 Sedge Warbler, 11 Reed Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 4 Garden Warbler, 7 Lesser Whitethroat, 27 Whitethroat, 1100 Starling, 2 Song Thrush, 5 Spotted Flycatcher, 21 Pied Flycatcher, 9 Redstart, 16 Whinchat, 20 Wheatear and 14 Yellow Wagtail.

While much quieter than the previous day a good count of 31 Grey Wagtail was a surprise, while also moving a Marsh Harrier, 15 Common Buzzard, 3 Kestrel, a Ruff, 1 Sand Martin, 46 Swallow, 28 Tree Sparrow, 15 Flava Wagtail, a White Wagtail, 112 Meadow Pipit and 3 Chaffinch.

Kilnsea wetlands as usual had, a good selection of species on offer 4 Spoonbill, 114 Mallard, 11 Pintail, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Ruff, 3 Little Stint, 3 Common Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, 683 Redshank, a Spotted Redshank and 35 Greenshank.

Ringing: 1 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Robin, 5 Tree Sparrow.

Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.

Monday, 06 September 2021

- The 8th Spurn Migration Festival begins on Friday (and it's all sold out).

- Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff, Little Stints and Spotted Redshank all showing well on Kilnsea wetlands.

- Good numbers of migrants including Red-backed Shrike, Barred Warbler, Pied Flycatchers, Whinchats, Redstarts and two Rosefinch.

- Spurns 15th Arctic Warbler the highlight.

- Decent overland movement of Hirundines.

Hot and sunny with a F3 south easterly. Watches: 0600-0945.

The period of good birding continues in the run up to Migfest, today producing a fine but elusive ARCTIC WARBLER in the Cliff fam to churchyard area, a juvenile Red-backed Shrike along Beacon lane, the calling Nightingale remained elusive at Chalk bank, the 2 Rosefinch (Kew and Warren), the Dotterel again in flight over Sammy’s point, a Barred Warbler at Sammy’s and 3 Cetti’s Warbler (Canal, 2 Sammy’s), while for common migrants a small decreae with 2 Short-eared Owl, 5 Reed Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 5 Garden Warbler, 8 Lesser Whitethroat, 37 Whitethroat, a Song Thrush, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 19 Pied Flycatcher, 11 Redstart, 12 Whinchat, 12 Wheatear, 2 Tree Pipit, 4 Grey Wagtail and 31 Yellow Wagtail.

It was another decent morning counting at the Warrennwith a Sparrowhawk, 3 Marsh Harrier, 7 Common Buzzard, 3 Sand Martin, 847 Swallow, 506 House Martin, 20 Flava Wagtail, 7 Grey Wagtail, 12 Meadow Pipit and 89 Linnet, while the sea  had a small movement of Duck, 3 Shelduck, 27 Wigeon, 7 Pintail, 196 Teal, 103 Common Scoter, 17 Red-throated Diver, 14 Gannet, 2 Curlew, a Little Stint, 3 Snipe, a Greenshank, 4 Kittiwake, a Yellow-legged Gull, 134 Common Tern, a Great Skua, 3 Arctic Skua and a nice pale headed juvenile Long-tailed Skua.

Kilnsea wetlands had 25 Wigeon, 10 Pintail, 133 Teal, 66 Little Egret, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Ruff, 4 Common Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, 300 Redshank, a Spotted Redshank, 44 Greenshank, 3 Little Stint, 2 Caspian Gull and 109 Mediterranean Gull, while a Curlew Sandpiper was off Sammy’s.

Ringing: 1 Sand Martin, 5 Swallow, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Robin, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Great Tit, 1 Dunnock, 2 Starling, 1 Linnet, 1 Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 House Sparrow. (24 of 15sp).

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Sunday, 05 September 2021

Hot and sunny with a F3 easterly. Watches: 0600-0900, 1730-1900.

It was another great day to be birding in the Spurn area and seemingly a small increase in migrants yet again, the best being a typically elusive, but calling Common Nightingale at Chalk bank, while there were still 2 Rosefinch (Canal and Warren), the Dotterel relocated off Sammy’s point, the Barred Warbler at Easington and now 3 Cetti’s Warbler (Point, Canal, Sammy’s), plus 3 Short-eared Owl, 42 Willow Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler, 22 Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 17 Lesser Whitethroat, 45 Whitethroat,  Song Thrush, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 47 Pied Flycatcher, 21 Redstart, 26 Whinchat, 15 Wheatear and 5 Yellow Wagtail.

At last there was some overland movement worth mentioning  for the vis miggers bringing a Spoonbill, 11 Common Buzzard, a Hobby, 2 Sand Martin, 912 Swallow, 233 House Martin, 6 Flava Wagtail, a Grey Wagtail, 17 Meadow Pipit, a Tree Pipit and 26 Linnet, while the sea had calmed down somewhat with 2 Shelduck, 59 Teal, 97 Common Scoter, 38 Red-throated Diver, 2  Fulmar, 120 Gannet, a Whimbrel, 3 Kittiwake, 660 Common Tern, 4 Great Skua and 9 Arctic Skua.

Kilnsea wetlands had all the usual Ducks and Waders, along with 2 Ruddy Shelduck which eventually flew to the Humber, 10 Shoveler, 17 Wigeon, 6 Pintail, 105 Teal, a fantastic 69 Little Egret, a Little-ringed Plover, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Sandpiper, 5 Green Sandpiper, 8 Greenshank, 3 Little Stint and 48 Mediterranean Gull, while 3 Curlew Sandpiper off the Warren and 3 Yellow-legged Gull at Chalk bank..

Ringing: 2 Sand Martin, 10 Swallow.

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Saturday, 04 September 2021

Overcast with light drizzle and a F3-4 north easterly. Watches: 0600-1200, 1730-1900.

Just a week from the start of the first Migfest since 2019, there was a fantastic selection of species on offer across the full range of habitats. Kilnsea wetlands held its usual array of Waders and Gulls, the sea continued to be decent, while there was an increase in migrant numbers, bringing 2 Rosefinch (Sammy’s and Warren), a Dotterel north over the triangle, an increase to 59 Pied Flycatcher, while the 2 Barred Warbler and Cetti’s Warbler remained, plus 5 Short-eared Owl, a Hobby, 44 Willow Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 4 Garden Warbler, 18 Lesser Whitethroat, 39 Whitethroat, a Goldcrest, 2 Song Thrush, a Mistle Thrush, 5 Spotted Flycatcher, 13 Redstart, 15 Whinchat, 13 Wheatear, 4 Tree Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtail, 13 Yellow Wagtail and 27 Reed Bunting.

After dark a Bittern was recorded flying over the Obs garden, just the 26th Spurn record, it was unfourtunatly never seen afterwards and presumably just moved straight through the area. See sound recording.

The sea 12 Shelduck, 9 Wigeon, 157 Teal, a Tufted Duck, 26 Red-throated Diver, 6  Fulmar, 79 Gannet, 11 Kittiwake, a juvenile Sabines Gull south close inshore, 423 Common Tern, a Black Tern, 2 Great Skua, 15 Arctic Skua, 2 Long-tailed Skua and a Puffin.

Kilnsea wetlands, 7 Wigeon, 12 Pintail, 117 Teal, 37 Little Egret, a Little-ringed Plover, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Ruff, 6 Common Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, a Little Stint, 4 Spotted Redshank, 22 Greenshank, a Caspian Gull and 34 Mediterranean Gull, while an intersting Lesser Black-backed Gull showed some features of fuscus. Also of note an Avocet was a Chalk bank and a Curlew Sandpiper off the Warren, while 2000 Golden Plover and 406 Ringed Plover were on the Humber.

Ringing: 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 5 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Dunnock, 1 Wren, 3 Blue Tit, 1 Robin, 1 Blackbird, 1 Starling, 1 Common Rosefinch, 12 Goldfinch, 1 Greenfinch.

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