Sightings archive

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Sightings archive

Back to latest sightings

Sunday, 31 December 2017

Sunny spells with a F3 W wind.
Migration Watches: 0815-1200.

While quiet otherwise a nice adult Iceland Gull flew south past the seawatch hut plus 2 Pink footed Geese, 2 Wigeon, 3 Teal, 1 Gadwall, 14 Red-throated Diver, 2 Fulmar, 1 Cormorant and 2 Sanderling.

Other sightings mainly at Kilnsea wetlands were the 16 Barnacle Geese with the 410 Brent Geese and 1 Pale-bellied Brent, 2 Whooper Swan, 22 Mute Swan, 10 Shoveler, 200 Wigeon, 37 Teal, 1 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, 7 Goldeneye, 16 Little Grebe, 150 Black-tailed Godwit on Long bank, 160 Curlew, the Tawny Owl at Kew, a good count of 7 Stonechat, 1 Chifchaff at the Obs and 1 Snow Bunting sandy beaches.

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  • Baracle Geese with Brents. Colin Bushell.

Saturday, 30 December 2017

A cloudy day with a F2-3 SW wind.
Migration Watches: 0810-1120.

The 1st winter Rose-coloured Starling is still in Easington by Dimlington bungalows, while a 1st winter Caspian Gull was reported on the beach at the breach area.
Generally quiet over the sea, but the first hints of some Duck on the move as well as an increase in some species on Kilnsea wetlands. On the move were 2 Shoveler, 2 Goldeneye, male Long tailed Duck, 3 Common Scoter, 45 Red-throated Diver, 4 Gannet. 

Other sightings and good counts included 17 Barnacle Geese south past the seawatch hut then around Kilnsea wetlands, 400 Brent Geese, 26 Mute Swan, 295 Wigeon, 1 Pintail, 9 Shoveler, 1 Pochard, 3 Tufted Duck, 7 Goldeneye, 1 Merlin, 11 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank, 3 Stonechat and 15 Long tailed Tit in Easington plus the usual Ring-necked Parakeet.

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  • Barnacle Geese. John Hewitt.

Friday, 29 December 2017

Rain and sleet till early evening with a F2-4 SW wind.
Migration Watches: 0810-1120.
Little birding seemingly done today in the poor conditions with the sea getting most attention.

On the move were 7 Teal, 8 Common Scoter, 11 Red-throated Diver, 1 Black throated Diver1 ‘Blue’ Fulmar, 2 Gannet and 1 Skua sp. 

Other sightings and good counts included 650 Brent Geese, 4 Blackbird in/off, 11 Fieldfare in/off, 1 Redwing in/off and 1 Chiffchaff in Easington.

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Thursday, 28 December 2017

Clear and sunny all day with a F1-3 N wind.
Migration Watches: 0815-1400.

As we fast approach 2018, the 1st winter Rose-coloured Starling is still in residence in Easington and looking like it will make it onto a few lists in the new year.
The cold weather on the continent is starting to have an effect on winter thrushes, with increases on grounded birds, and birds seen arriving over the sea from the continent. Seen today were 25 Blackbird (1 in/off), 219 Fieldfare (188 in/off), 17 Redwing, 3 Song Thrush and 1 Mistle Thrush.

Bits over the sea with 7 Common Scoter, 80 Red-throated Diver, 3 Great Northern Diver, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 10 Gannet, 3 Cormorant, 1 Kittiwake, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 13 Auk sp, 20 Guillemot and 3 Razorbill. 

Other sightings and good counts included 572 Brent Geese with 1 Pale-bellied Brent, 18 Mute Swan, 318 Wigeon, 1 Pintail, 8 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Goldeneye, 3 Common Buzzard in the Easington area, 1 Merlin, 1 Peregrine, 57 Lapwing, 20 Black-tailed Godwit, 74 Carrion Crow in Easington, 3 Stonechat, 23 Chaffinch and 31 Yellowhammer while the Ring-necked Parakeet is still about in Easington.

Ringing: 1 Robin, 1 Blackbird, 1 Tree Sparrow, 2 House Sparrow.

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  • Common Buzzard. Adam Hutt.

Wednesday, 27 December 2017

A cold day with rain until mid morning with a F4-2 N wind.
Watches: 1030-1400.

With a few 'white wingers' being seen at numerous coastal localities, it was nice to get in on the action today with a nice 1st winter Glaucous Gull on the beach by the Bluebell.
The sea was livened up somewhat, even though there were no early counts, but still 1 Teal, 3 Common Scoter, 7 Red throated Diver, 14 Fulmar plus a nice 'Blue' Fulmar, 2 Bonxie, 9 Kittiwake, 5 Auk sp and 16 Guillemot were seen.

Other sightings today were 32 Greylag Geese, 515 Wigeon, 26 Teal, 10 Shoveler, 4 Goldeneye, 1 Merlin, 1 Common Buzzard, a Woodcock at long bank, 30 Black tailed Godwit and the Tawny Owl at Kew.

Ringing:

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  • Glaucous Gull. Simon Davies.

  • Glaucous Gull. Simon Davies.

Tuesday, 26 December 2017

Sunny spells with a F4 W wind. 
Watches : 0815-1030.

Little was done today, but a decent movement of Divers from the seawatch hut with 66 Red throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver1 Black throated Diver plus 1 Teal, 2 Gannet, 19 Auk sp and 7 Guillemot.

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Monday, 25 December 2017

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM EVERYONE AT SPURN BIRD OBSERVATORY.

Hardly anything seen, bar 72 Black-tailed Godwit, 180 Redshank and 30 Tree Sparrow.

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Sunday, 24 December 2017

Mainly cloudy with a F3-4 W wind.
Migration Watches: 0750-1030.

The Rose-coloured Starling is still frequenting the area around Dimlington bungalows, visiting feeders in various gardens and with patience regularly appears in the gardens by the roadside. Please resoect the residents privacy if you visit over the festive period.

Little over the sea with 54 Red-throated Diver, 1 Auk sp and 3 Gulliemot, but a Puffin flew north. 
Other sightings were 132 Shelduck on the Humber, 12 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 5 Goldeneye on Kilnsea wetlands, 1 Water Rail along the canal, 75 Black-tailed Godwit on Long bank and Goldcrest at the Obs.

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Saturday, 23 December 2017

Sunny spells with a F2-3 WNW wind.
Migration Watches: 0800-1030.

Sightings included 1 Pintail, 13 Shoveler, 3 Tufted Duck, 3 Goldeneye, 1 Common Buzzard on Easington straight, 31 Lapwing, 35 Black-tailed Godwit and the usual Tawny Owl though in recent days it has been evident that more than bird is involved with both male and female heard while a Skylark went south.
Over the sea only 52 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 4 Auk sp and 5 Guillemot. 

Ringing: 2 House Sparrow, 1 Greenfinch.

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Friday, 22 December 2017

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Thursday, 21 December 2017

Warm and foggy all day a F1-2 W wind.
Watches: 0830-0945. 

The Rose-coloured Starling remains showing well in Easington. 

Other sightings today were 2500 Golden Plover, 60 Black tailed Godwit, 2 Stonechat, 10 Long tailed Tit, 1 Treecreeper, 23 Reed Bunting and 2 Snow Bunting while the Ring Necked Parakeet was still screeching about Easington.

Ringing: 2 House Sparrow.

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  • Rosy Starling. Phil Ridsdale.

  • Rosy Starling. Phil Ridsdale.

Wednesday, 20 December 2017

Generally overcast with a F1-2 W wind.
Migration Watches: 
The first decent wader catch of the winter yielded a nice selection of species.
Some nice species and totals were accumulated through the day, but no seawatching totals as of yet, 14 Mute Swan, 160 Shelduck, 145 Wigeon, 38 Teal, 27 Mallard, 1 Pintail, 12 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, an increase to 5 Goldeneye, 16 Little Grebe, 108 Lapwing, 18 Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Snipe, 2 Water Rail, 1 Stonechat, 20 Fieldfare and a Snow Bunting at the breach.

Ringing: 1 Oystercatcher, 7 Knot, 3 Dunlin, 3 Redshank, 3 Tree Sparrow, 1 House Sparrow, 2 Goldfinch. (20 of 7 species).

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Tuesday, 19 December 2017

Clear and dry all day with a F1-2 W wind.
Migration Watches: 0800-1030.

A incredible 'guesstimated' total of around 2000 Brent Geese was something of a surprise today, considering how few there have been so far this autumn and also with only tiny numbers of juveniles. Let us hope they remain to winter in such good numbers to get a proper count and hopefully a new record count which is 1820 from March 2016. Anyone up for the challenge?

Other sightings included 17 Mute Swan, 43 Shelduck, 160 Wigeon, 49 Teal, 27 Mallard, 1 Pintail, 13 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Goldeneye, 12 Little grebe, 1 Water Rail, 3 Snipe, 1 Greenshank still at Beacon ponds, 1 Merlin, 1 Common Buzzard, the usual male Tawny Owl, 2 Stonechat, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Wagtail and 22 Linnet at beacon ponds while a small trickle of birds south were 7 Skylark, 26 Linnet and a Lapland Bunting which went back north.

Over the sea only 3 Great Crested Grebe, 77 Red-throated Diver and 1 Gannet were recorded. 
Ringing:

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Monday, 18 December 2017

Frosty start, bright and sunny with a F1-2 W wind.
Watches: 0800-0900, 1340-1425.

The Rose-coloured Starling was still in Easington around the Dimlington bungalows area and slowly taking on a pink hue to its plumage.
Other birds of note were 101 Wigeon, 13 Shoveler, 1 Pintail, 2 Tufted Duck, 7 Snipe, 120 Black tailed Godwit, 2 Coot, 1 Tawny Owl, 1 Little Owl, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Stonechat, 1 Bullfinch and 2 Siskin.

The sea was poor with only 12 Common Scoter, 22 Red throated Diver, 11 Cormorant and 2 Auk sp. 

Ringing: 1 House Sparrow, 1 Tree Sparrow, 1 Goldfinch.

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  • Rosy Starling. Mick Turton.

  • Rosy Starling. Mick Turton.

Sunday, 17 December 2017

Frosty start remaining cold with showers and a a F3-5 W wind.
Watches: 0800-1015.

Decent counts of Wildfowl on Kilsea wetlands and Beacon ponds 560 Brent Geese, 1 Pale bellied Brent, 350 Wigeon, 75 Teal, 7 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Goldeneye, 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull, 3 Snipe, 46 Black tailed Godwit, 1 Tawny Owl still at Kew, 100 Fieldfare and 50 Tree Sparrow.

The sea was poor, but a male Long-tailed Duck flew south plus 4 Common Scoter, 6 Red throated Diver and 1 Gannet. 

Ringing: 1 Chaffinch.

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  • Fieldfare. Mick Turton.

Saturday, 16 December 2017

Hard overnight frost gave way to sunny spells with a F1-2 N wind.
Watches: 0815-0945.

A few extra Thrushes in the area were probably remnants from the cold weather inland, while the male Hen Harrier wandered down from Welwick before returning.
Also today were 15 Mute Swan, 450 Brent Geese, 2 Scaup, 2 Tufted Duck, 9000 Knot, 102 Black-tailed Godwit Long bank, 1 Greenshank still on beacon ponds, 50 Fieldfare, 3 Song Thrush, 18 Redwing,1 Mistle Thrush and 1 Bullfinch.

The sea was very quiet, and only 1 Common Scoter, 7 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Gannet, 3 Auk sp and 3 Kittiwake were seen.

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Friday, 15 December 2017

Occasional showers with a F3-5 W wind.
Watches: 0800-1100.

The wandering flock of Brent Geese re-apeared, but disappointingly of the 620 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, only 2 were juveniles with very few seen over the last few years. Also today were 20 Mute Swan, 340 Wigeon, 90 Teal, 10 Shoveler, 1 Pintail, 2 Scaup, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Goldeneye on Kilnsea wetlands, 1 Common Buzzard, 40 Lapwing, 50 Black-tailed Godwit Long bank, 1 Greenshank still on beacon ponds, 1st year Mediterranean Gull on Easington straight, 2 Stonechat, 1 Coal Tit and 60 Linnet on Beacon lane.

The sea was yet again quiet, but a Little auk flew north, while also on the move were 1 Goldeneye, 14 Common Scoter, 19 Red-throated Diver, 1 Gannet, 3 Guillemot and 1 Kittiwake.

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Thursday, 14 December 2017

Generally clear and dry with a F3-5 W wind.
Watches: 0815-1100.

The sea was typically quiet, but a few Diver were on the move with 1 Wigeon, 1 Eider, 5 Common Scoter, 95 Red throated Diver, 1 Black throated Diver, 2 Gannet, 3 Guillemot and 2 Auk sp. 

Other birds of note were 18 Mute Swan, 6 Grey Partridge, 9 Snipe, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Coal Tit, 15 Yellowhammer, 10 Reed Bunting.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 2 Chaffinch.

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Wednesday, 13 December 2017

Overcast with showers and a F3-4 WNW wind.
Watches:0800-1030.

What little was seen was over the sea today. The best being 1 Wigeon, 9 Teal, 1 Eider, 7 Common Scoter, 33 Red-throated Diver, 2 Gannet and 1 Auk sp.

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Tuesday, 12 December 2017

Heavy frost to begin, remaining very cold all day, despite the sunshine with a F2-4 N wind.
Watches: 0800-1030.
A big increase in Snipe was no doubt related to the cold snap on the continent with an impressive number seen arriving off the sea.

A nice mix of species continue to be seen as the month draws on with wildfowl on Kilnsea wetlands still prominent, 400 Brent Geese, 316 Wigeon, 55 Teal, 12+ Shoveler, 2 Scaup, 1 Common Buzzard, 68 Common Snipe in the area (38 in/off), 23 Black-tailed Godwit, 77 Lapwing, 70 Blackbird, female Blackcap at the Obs, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Bullfinch in churchfield, 130 Linnet at Sammys and 16 Yellowhammer.

The sea was poor, despite the arriving Snipe and only produced 12 Common Scoter, 12 Red-throated Diver, 2 Kittiwake.

Ringing: 3 Blackbird, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Chaffinch.

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Monday, 11 December 2017

Early morning frost, remaining cold, but sunny with a F2-3 W wind.
Migration Watches: 0815-1100.
The sea continued the same theme with a trickle of movement, 1 Gadwall, 44 Teal, 10 Common Scoter, 76 Red-throated Diver, 11 Gannet, 4 Cormorant, 3 Bonxie, 42 Kittiwake and 3 Auk sp.
Other bits of interest were 200 Wigeon, 150 Teal, 15 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Scaup and 1 Goldeneye Kilnsea wetlands, 33 Lapwing and 130 Black-tailed Godwit Long bank marsh, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Lesser Redpoll and 1 Mealy Redpoll in the Crown carpark and a Snow Bunting at Sandy beaches.

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  • Snow Bunting. John Hewitt.

  • Black-tailed Godwit. John Hewitt.

  • Mealy Redpoll. Johan I Fisk.

Sunday, 10 December 2017

Cold and overcast with a F3-4 W-N wind.
Migration Watches: 0800-1030.
The sea had little on the move with 2 Wigeon, 2 Common Scoter, 36 Red-throated Diver, 3 Gannet, 1 Kittiwake, 3 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill and 3 Auk sp.
Other bits of interest were 18 Mute Swan, 200 Wigeon, 104 Teal, 11 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Scaupand 1 Goldeneye Kilnsea wetlands, 1 Jack Snipe, 70 each of House and Tree Sparrow in one garden in Kilnsea and 2 Lesser Redpoll in the crown carpark.

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Saturday, 09 December 2017

Bitterly cold with sunny periods and a F2-3 N wind.
Migration Watches: 0755-1100.
The conditions gave hope for some movement over the sea, but only produced 3 Wigeon, 2 Common Scoter, 35 Red-throated Diver, 4 Gannet, 1 Shag, 4 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill and 7 Auk sp.
Other bits of interest were 24 Mute Swan, 282 Wigeon, 84 Teal, 49 Mallard, 18 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Scaup and 1 Goldeneye Kilnsea wetlands, 45 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank Beacon ponds, a Common Buzzard that went south, 1 Barn Owl, 2 Song Thrush, female Blackcap at the Obs, 22 Linnet Warren, 4 Lesser Redpoll in the crown carpark and a female Bullfinch at Kew.

Ringing: 1 Goldifnch.

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Friday, 08 December 2017

Early frost remaining all-day in sheltered spots, but bright and sunny throughout with a F3 W-NW wind.
Migration Watches: 0815-1115.

The sea was hard work and cold for the few stubborn observers putting in the hours, though only getting 1 Eider, 1 Long tailed Duck, 4 Common Scoter, 30 Red throated Diver, 7 Gannet, 2 Kittiwake, 13 Guillemot and 29 Auk sp for their tenacity. 

Other birds of note were mainly around the Kilnsea wetlands were 23 Mute Swan, 38 Pink footed Geese south in the evening, 24 Shelduck, 200 Wigeon, 1 Pintail, 9 Shoveler, 2 Scaup, 1 Tufted Duck, 3 Goldeneye, 19 Little Grebe, 6 Little Egret, 1 Common Buzzard, 50 Black tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, 90 Fieldfare Peter lane, female Blackcap under the feeders in the Obs garden, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Coal Tit, 2 Siskin and 4 Lesser Redpoll in the crown carpark and a Snow Bunting by the sea watch hut.

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Thursday, 07 December 2017

Overcast all day with a F4-5 gusting 6 W wind.
Migration Watches: 0810-1120.

The strong wind made it difficult in looking for anything today and there was no sign of the Lesser Yellowlegs despite being looked for. Hopefully when the wind drops it will re-appear.

On the move over the sea were 5 Common Scoter, 1 Goosander, 39 Red throated Diver, 1 Black throated Diver, 3 Gannet, 1 Cormorant, 1 Kittiwake, 4 Guillemot and 25 Auk. 

Other birds of note were 175 Brent Geese, 10 Shoveler, 2 Scaup, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Common Buzzard, 26 Golden Plover in/off, 68 Black tailed Godwit, 1 Jack Snipe, 2 Stonechat, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Lesser Redpoll and a Snow Bunting at Sandy beaches.

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  • Snow Bunting. Dan Branch.

  • Brent Geese. Dan Branch.

Wednesday, 06 December 2017

The decent period of birding continues with both good birds remaining and the sea while overall remains quiet still has a few bits of interest to maybe make it worthwhile.

The Lesser Yellowlegs and 1st winter Rose coloured Starling both remained in residence. 

All the main news was from the seawatch hut with 64 Pink footed Geese north, 2 Pintail, 3 Wigeon, 3 Eider, 16 Common Scoter, 48 Red throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver1 Black throated Diver, 1 Gannet, 2 Cormorant, 1 Bonxie, 1 Pomarine Skua, 12 Auk sp and 4 Guillemot.

Other bits of interest were 900+ Golden Plover, 190 Redshank, 66 Black tailed Godwit, 1 Rock Pipit and 7 Stonechat.

Nearby a male Hen Harrier and Marsh Harrier were at Welwick in the evening.

Ringing: Nil.

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  • Rosy Starling. Tony Broome. In his garden from a few days ago.

Tuesday, 05 December 2017

Overcast all day with a F2-3 SW wind.
Migration Watches: 0755-1110.

Both the Lesser Yellowlegs on long bank and the 1st winter Rose-coloured Starling at Dimlington bungalows were both still present. The Starling has now gone through an extensive moult and will be interesting to see it, if it stays into the winter.

The sea produced 11 Whooper Swan, 19 Teal, 45 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Gannet, 3 Cormorant, adult Pomarine Skua, 2 Kittiwake and 3 Auk sp. 
Other sightings were the 2 Scaup and 2 Goldeneye on Kilnsea wetlands, 1 Merlin, 1 Water Rail, 800 Golden Plover with 60 in/off, 220 Lapwing, 2500 Knot, 56 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 chiffchaff, 2 Coal Tit, 3 Siskin, 3 Redpoll, 1 Bullfinch and 1 Snow Bunting.

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 House Sparrow, 1 Bullfinch.

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  • Rosy Starling. Philip Ridsdale

  • Whooper Swan. Philip Ridsdale.

  • Merlin. Philip Ridsdale.

Monday, 04 December 2017

Clear, dry and sunny all day with a F1-2 w wind.
Watches: 0800-1030.

The Lesser Yellowlegs is still present today on Long bank and visiting Kilnsea wetlands.

Passerine wise the mild conditions made for nice birding in the area. Seen today were 22 Skylark, 1 rock Pipit, 2 Stonechat, 1 Blackcap, 2 Coal tit, 7 Siskin and 3 Lesser Redpoll while going south were 22 Skylark, 2 Alba Wagtail, 9 Goldfinch, 20 Siskin and 25 Linnet. 
A trickle of birds over the sea, 1 Whooper Swan, 41 Pink-footed Geese NW, 3 Wigeon, 1 Eider, 19 Common Scoter, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Gannet and 1 Cormorant.

Other bits mainly in the Kilnsea wetlands area were 145 Brent Geese, 100 Wigeon, 60 Teal, 9 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, the 2 Scaup, 3 Goldeneye, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 38 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 1 Woodcock, 76 Black-tailed Godwit, 420 Redshank and 1 Greenshank.

Ringing: 1 Tree Sparrow.

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  • Lesser Yellowlegs. David Aitken.

  • Black-tailed Godwit. Dave Constantine.

  • Black-tailed Godwit. Ian Smith.

  • Wigeon. Ian Smith.

Sunday, 03 December 2017

Early rain gave way to a clear chilly day and a F2-3 W wind.
Migration Watches: 0750-0950.

The Lesser Yellowlegs remained all day on Long bank, though mainly distant. In Easington the 1st winter Rose-coloured Starling re-appeared, in the Dimlington bungalows area and the question is, has there been only one all along since August?

The sea was quiet again with 6 Eider, 1 Velvet Scoter, 16 Red-throated Diver, 1 Gannet and 2 Cormorant.
Other bits of interest were a 20 Mute Swan, 9 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Scaup and 2 Goldeneye Kilnsea wetlands, 15 Little Grebe, 60 Lapwing, 28 Black-tailed Godwit Humber, Greenshank on the Humber, 1 Woodcock, 1 Jack Snipe, 3 Song Thrush, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Bullfinch, 45 Siskin, 12 Yellowhammer and a Snow Bunting blogging.

Ringing: 1 Blue Tit, 1 Chaffinch, 10 Siskin.

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  • Rosy Starling. Colin Bushell.

  • Black-tailed Godwit. Ian Smith.

Saturday, 02 December 2017

Mostly sunny with a F2-3 NW-W wind.
Migration Watches: 0815-1040, 1430-1530.

Little birding done today by the locals as an enthusiastic bunch had a day of surfacing the paths in church field with a full voluntary work day. Thanks to everyone who turned up, to help out. The observatory wouldnt be around today without the constant support and help you lot offer!!

The Lesser Yellowlegs was still present all day, but more distantly on Long bank marsh.
Also today the Hen Harrier was still in the green lane area. 

The sea was back to ‘normal’ with 105 Teal, 28 Wigeon, 7 Eider, 12 Common Scoter, 4 Goosander, 57 Red-throated Diver, 2 Gannet, 2 Guillemot and 4 Auk sp.
Other bits of interest were a 4 Whooper Swan, 400 Brent Geese, 10 shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Scaupand 2 Goldeneye Kilnsea wetlands, 55 Lapwing, 45 Black-tailed Godwit Humber, 1 Greenshank on the Humber, 3 Woodcock, 1 Fieldfare, 3 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Chiffchaff, 18 Magpie, 2 Bullfinch and a Snow Bunting at the breach while 1 Skylark, 3 Meadow Pipit, 14 Goldifnch, 16 Siskin and 36 Linnet went south.

Ringing: 2 Redshank, 1 Dunlin, 1 Knot.

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  • Lesser Yellowlegs. Colin Bushell.

  • Bullfinch. Colin Bushell.

  • THE TEAM.

Friday, 01 December 2017

Clear spells with frequent sometimes wintry showers with a F2-3 NW wind.
Migration Watches: 0740-1110.

Spurn in 2016 had 3-4 new species, or 5 depending on your take on splitting and lumping. 2017, while not living up to that billing, has in reality, actually been a very good year, despite up to the end of Novemebr, no new species for the observatory being recorded. The autumn has had no less than 5 species of American wader with adult American Golden Plover, juvenile Long-billed Dowitcher, 2 White-rumped Sandpiper (adult and juvenile), adult Buff-breasted Sandpiper and 3 juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper and hopes were high for something we had not recorded before, but the autumn wader passage came and went and that was that, or so we thought. 
This morning Jonnie Fisk out walking the dog, found Spurns overdue 1st and much anticipated LESSER YELLOWLEGS, a 1st winter feeding with a few Redshank in water logged fields, and puddles just east of Kilnsea church, showing well by the roadside, and still present late afternoon.

The sea had a nice selection of species with 64 Teal, 5 Wigeon, 48 Eider, 3 Long-tailed Duck, 197 Common Scoter, 59 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northen Diver, 8 Gannet, 8 Cormorant, 1 Pomarine Skua, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 22 Kittiwake, 2 Little Auk and 12 Auk sp.
Other bits of interest were 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Scaup and 2 Goldeneye Kilnsea wetlands, ringtail Hen Harrier in Easington, Water Rail along the canal, Woodcock at sandy beaches, 160 Curlew and 28 Black-tailed Godwit in long bank, Greenshank on the Humber, 2 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush in the triangle, 2 Blackcap and 1 Bullfinch.

Ringing: 3 Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Tree Sparrow, 1 House Sparrow.

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  • Lesser Yellowlegs. Dan Branch.

  • Lesser Yellowlegs. Roy Harvey.

  • Lesser Yellowlegs. Dan Branch.

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