Archive
Tuesday, 31 July 2018
Watches: 0550-1200, 1830-2000.
A steady trickle for the vis-miggers with an increase in Tern numbers, which hopefully over the next few weeks will develop into some impressive evening Tern roost through August and Septmeber.
On the move were 1 Gadwall, 80 Teal, 334 Common Scoter, 4 Red-throated Diver, 5 Fulmar, 2 Manx Shearwater, 1 Balearic Shearwater, 1 Great-crested Grebe, 34 Gannet, 2 Cormorant, 63 Oystercatcher, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Little-ringed Plover, 44 Whimbrel, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 14 Turnstone, 24 Knot, 70 Sanderling, 50 Dunlin, 1 Greenshank, 246 Kittiwake, 1 Little Gull, 35 Little Tern, 17 Common Tern, 69 Arctic Tern and 3 Arctic Skua and overland 68 Swift, 71 Sand Martin, 191 Swallow, 16 House Martin, 7 Flava Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 Chaffinch.
Other bits of interest mainly on Kilnsea wetlands and Beacon ponds unless stated included 4 Wigeon, the Garganey, 1300 Golden Plover off the warren, 2 Little-ringed Plover, 2000 Knot, 6000 Dunlin, 3 Common Sandpiper, 5 Green Sandpiper, 700 Redshank, 6 Greenshank, 66 Mediterranean Gull mainly on Easington straight at high tide, 2 Yellow-legged Gull in the same field and a smart juvenile Caspain Gull.
The numbers of passerine migrants is also slowly increasing 2 Cuckoo, 15 Willow warbler, 2 Pied Flycatcher and 2 Lesser Redpol in the area.
Ringing: 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Chiff-chaff, 4 Tree Sparrow (3 Pulli).
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Curlew Sandpiper. Pat Hogarth.
Monday, 30 July 2018
Watches: 0630-1100.
A steady day for movement over land and sea, but more Waders about on Kilnsea wetlands and Beacon ponds.
On the move were 15 Teal, 9 Common Scoter, 1 Manx Shearwater, 13 Gannet, 1 Grey Plover, 8 Whimbrel, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 18 Turnstone, 51 Knot, 82 Sanderling, 171 Dunlin, 1 Green sandpiper, 3 Little Tern, 350 Sandwich Tern, 19 Arctic tern, 1 Bonxie, 4 Arctic Skua while overland a juvenile Red Kite, 525 Swift, 6 Sand Martin, 4 Alba wagtail and 13 Linnet.
Other sightings were 56 Teal, 1 Garganey, 20 Whimbrel, 200 Curlew, 2000 Knot, 2 Ruff, 17 Curlew Sandpiper, 10,000 Dunlin, 3 Little Stint, 4 Common sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 8 Greenshank, 34 Mediterranean Gull and a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull while a Cuckoo was in the triangle and a Pied Flycatcher in Easington.
Ringing: 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Sedge warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blue Tit.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Red Kite. Thomas Willoughby.
Snipe. Thomas Willoughby.
Ruff. Kev Newsam.
Sunday, 29 July 2018
Heavy rain from early morning with heavy showers throughout and a strong blustery F5 SSE wind.
Watches- 0600-1100, 1430-1600, 1800-1915.
Quieter overall with less Waders and while it was good for Swift it soon stopped in the heavy rain.
Totals were 1 Shelduck, 6 Teal, 10 Common Scoter, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Fulmar, 1 Manx Shearwater, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 37 Oystercatcher, 1 Little-ringed Plover, 35 Whimbrel, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 49 Turnstone, 52 Knot, 46 Sanderling, 10 Dunlin and 1 Arctic Skua while overland what seemed like it was going to be a big day only 3471 Swift flew south stopping during the heavy rain.
Other sightings included 2 Little-ringed Plover, 1250 Knot, 8 Curlew Sandpiper, 6500 Dunlin, 2 Little Stint, 3 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 250 Redshank, 7 Greenshank, 11 Mediterranean Gull all mainly in the Kilnsea wetlands and Beacon ponds area while a Cuckoo and Kingfisher were in the triangle.
(The Semi-palmated Sandpiper was re-located in Norfolk at Snettisham).
A Hummingbird Hawkmoth was at Kew.
Ringing: 2 Stock Dove pulli.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Saturday, 28 July 2018
No sign so far of the Semi-palmated Sandpiper, but it was nice to see the first 2 Pied Flycatcher of the autumn in Churchfield, while it was another great day offshore with 269 Duck and 1260 Waders on the move, with an increase to 12 Curlew Sandpiper (all adults) on Kilnsea wetlands plus a Wood Sandpiper.
Totals on the move today were 10 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, 119 Teal, 1 Pochard, 19 Tufted Duck, 118 Common Scoter, 2 Fulmar, 2 Manx Shearwater, 217 Gannet, 291 Oystercatcher, 1 Lapwing, 11 Golden Plover, 7 Grey Plover, 5 Ringed Plover, 230 Whimbrel, 5 Curlew, 22 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 37 Turnstone, 591 Knot, 24 Sanderling, 21 Dunlin, 1 Little Stint, 3 Common Sandpiper, 10 Redshank, 114 Kittiwake, 94 Common Tern, 1 Black Tern, 2 Bonxie and 2 Arctic Skua while overland 4841 Swift, 1 Hobby, 12 Sand Martin, 26 Swallow, 3 House Martin, 1 Alba Wagtail, 2 Meadow Pipit, 5 Chaffinch, 14 Linnet and 3 Goldfinch.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Ringed Plover. Jonnie Fisk.
Pied Flycatcher. Timothy Donald Jones.
Friday, 27 July 2018
Watches: 0440-1230, 1600-1900.
The highlight/nightmare of the day was a moulting adult SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER on Kilnsea wetlands, provisionally and tentatively identified as a such, but with obvious limited knowledge in this plumage, and an apparent long rear end, much discussion ensued. Photos were widely circulated and while some gave good critical advice, others just named a species with no evidencial worth. It appears from in depth conversations that all the features are within the range of Semi-P, though any input for or against with valid reasoning will be gladly recieved, with the identification not set in stone.
Also in this area were a Garganey, 5 Little-ringed Plover, 4 Ruff, 7 Curlew Sandpiper, 500 Dunlin, 4 Common Sandpiper, 8 Greenshank and a Wood Sandpiper.
It was quieter over the sea today for Wader movement, but there were still some decent totals among other species with 18 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 44 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Eider, 59 Common Scoter, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Manx Shearwater, 57 Gannet, 48 Oystercatcher, 2 Golden Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 57 Whimbrel, 5 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Turnstone, 159 Knot, 83 Sanderling, 87 Dunlin, 7 Snipe, 4 Common Sandpiper, 11 Green Sandpiper, 2 Kittiwake, 33 Common Tern, 4 Arctic Tern, 2 Arctic Skua, 88 Swift, 26 Sand Martin, 30 Swallow, 3 Grey Wagtail, 1 Tree Pipit and 10 Linnet.
Other sightings were a juvenile Cuckoo at the Warren and 3 Willow Warbler.
The Southern Migrant Hawker was still in its favoured net ride, but a little more sporadic in its appearances due to the weather, plus a Brown Hawker in the Obs garden was a good record, being the first for 3 years! Also Hummingbird Hawkmoths were more obvious today with sightings at the Warren, Kew, the Obs garden and in Easington.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Semi-palmated Sandpiper. All Pictures Ian Smith.
Green Sandpipers on Canal scrape. Michael Flowers,
Southerm Migrant Hawker. Graham Gordon. Pic from Wednesday.
Thursday, 26 July 2018
Sunny periods but cooler in the evening with an increasing F2-5 SE wind.
Watches- 0440-1400, 1730-1900.
A great day for Wader movement over the sea and well reflected at other sites down the east coast, while big increases of some species appear to have happened overnight.
Totals were 29 Shelduck, 11 Shoveler, 22 Teal, 4 Tufted Duck, 170 Common Scoter, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Fulmar, 2 Manx Shearwater, 1 Grey Heron, 103 Gannet, 213 Oystercatcher, 3 Ringed Plover, 31 Whimbrel, 8 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Turnstone, 133 Knot, 160 Sanderling, 180 Dunlin, 13 Redshank, 77 Kittiwake and 1 Arctic Skua while overland 36 Sand Martin, 47 Swallow, 4 Flava Wagtail, 2 Alba Wagtail and 11 Tree Sparrow.
Other sightings included 16 Shoveler, 103 Mallard, 9 Teal, 3 Little-ringed Plover, 4000 Knot which is a massive increase overnight, 4 Ruff, 5 Curlew Sandpiper, 8000 Dunlin, 3 Common Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, 2 Wood Sandpiper, 220 Redshank, 7 Greenshank, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 3000 Black-headed Gull, 333 Common Gull all mainly in the Kilnsea wetlands and Beacon ponds area.
The Southern Migrant Hawker continued its vigil in its favourite net ride.
Ringing: 1 Herring Gull pulli, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Willow warbler, 10 Tree Sparrow pulli.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Southern Migrant Hawker. All pictures Tony Broome.
Wednesday, 25 July 2018
Its not often a Dragonfly takes the plaudits at Spurn, but today a male SOUTHERN MIGRANT HAWKER was found along the canal by the sluice, showing well to all who were interested. The 2nd Yorkshire record following hot on the heels of the 1st a few days ago at Flamborough. Who would bet against more turning up. A Southern Hawker seen today just about continues its annual appearance.
Little was recorded for visible migration with a few observers offsite in North Yorkshire, but seen today were 96 Common Scoter, 1 Fulmar, 29 Gannet, 3 Oystercacther, 73 Whimbrel, 69 Sanderling, 6 Dunlin, 3 Little Gull, 19 Common Tern and 6 Arctic Tern.
A juvenile Caspian Gull was on Kilnsea wetlands bearing a yellow darvic where there were also 5 Little-ringed Plover, 3 Ruff, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 2000 Dunlin, 5 Common Sandpiper, 150 Redshank, 7 Greenshank, 20 Mediterranean Gull and 400 Sandwich Tern while passerine wise the male Black Redstart was still in the triangle, a juvenile Cuckoo at driftwood and Willow Warblers in Churchfield and Corner field.
Ringing: 16 Sand Martin, 7 Swallow, 5 House Sparrow, 5 Tree Sparrow (4 pulli), 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Blackbird, 1 Robin.,
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Juvenile Cuckoo. Jonnie Fisk.
Male Southern Migrant Hawker. Jonnie Fisk.
Typical evenings over the Humber this summer, but now full of birds. Jonnie Fisk.
Tuesday, 24 July 2018
Watches: 0630-1015.
Little on the move today over land or sea, but all counted as it is on a daily basis at Spurn while good numbers and species of Wader continue to be seen on Kilnsea wetlands and Beacon ponds.
Seen today were 6 Little Egret, 20 Gannet, 6 Cormorant, 1 Marsh Harrier, 12 Knot in/off, 179 Swift, 68 Sand Martin, 159 Swallow, 6 House Martin, 6 Flava Wagtail, 6 Alba Wagtail and 10 Chaffinch.
As we slowly head into the autumn, the trickle of returning migrants keeps up the interest with a Black Redstart, 2 Cuckoo and 2 Willow Warbler the best of today.
The Kilnsea wetlands area produced 75 Greylag Geese, 15 Shoveler, 14 Teal, 11 Little Egret, 2 Little-ringed Plover, 15 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ruff, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 3500 Dunlin, 7 Greenshank and 1 Little Gull.
Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Magpie, 11 Tree Sparrow (10 Pulli), 7 House Sparrow, 5 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow. (29 of 8 sp)
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Male Emperor. Paul Willoughby.
Female Emperor. Paul Willoughby,
Monday, 23 July 2018
Watches: 0720-1040.
Its been another day of Hirundine movement, which especially for Swallow in the last few day is quite unusual in these numbers.
On the move today, 7 Little Egret inc 6 in/off, 1 Cormorant, 8 Oystercatcher, 7 Lapwing, 10 Whimbrel, 1 Turnstone, 5 Dunlin, 2 Snipe in/off, 16 Swift, 2 House martin, 405 Swallow, 33 Sand Martin, 20 Tree Sparrow, 8 Flava Wagtail, 8 Alba wagtail and 30 Linnet.
The Kilnsea wetlands and Beacon ponds area as usual accounted for most of the other records with 8 Shoveler, 16 Teal, 3 Little-ringed Plover, 13 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ruff, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 6800 Dunlin one of which was taken by a Peregrine, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 7 Greenshank, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 670 Sandwich Tern, 21 Common Tern, 6 Arctic Tern while at the Warren a Short-eared Owl, juvenile Cuckoo's at both the Warren and at the Obs and 2 Willow warbler in Churchfield.
Ringing: 1 Mallard, 3 Avocet pulli, 2 Magpie, 28 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 2 Dunnock pulli, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 16 House Sparrow, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Starling, 6 Blue Tit. (68 of 15 species)
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Cuckoo. Paul Willoughby.
Black-tailed Godwit. John Hewitt.
Sunday, 22 July 2018
Another sunny day but muggy and overcast in the evening.
Watches: 0700-1030.
Not much on the move with only 15 Common Scoter, 13 Whimbrel, 24 Swift, 73 Sand Martin, 489 Swallow, 10 Tree Sparrow, 7 Flava Wagtail and 1 Alba Wagtail.
Sightings mainly from Kilnsea wetlands/Beacon ponds area included 7 Shoveler, 19 Teal, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Little-ringed Plover, 80 Knot, 1 Ruff, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, a great count of around 8000 Dunlin, 1 Little Stint, 2 Common Sandpiper, 122 Redshank, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 6 Greenshank, 18 Mediterranean Gull, 697 Sandwich Tern, 25 Common Tern, 3 Arctic Tern, a juvenile Black Tern, a Short-eared Owl in the triangle.
The first Migrant Hawker was in Churchfield while more Essex Skipper were uncovered around Kilnsea.
Ringing: 1 Blackbird pulli, 6 Tree Sparrow pulli, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Robin.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Migrant Hawker. Nathaniel Pickering.
Saturday, 21 July 2018
Watches: 0620-1200.
Today we welcome the Yorkshire Naturalist Union who are having a residential weekend at Spurn recording just about every invertebrate they see. Hopefully we can give some feedback on their findings in the near future.
On the move today were 3 Teal, 49 Common Scoter, 2 Manx Shearwater, 4 Cormorant, 1 Gannet, 1 Marsh Harrier, 10 Oystercatcher, 54 Whimbrel, 18 Curlew, 1 Turnstone, 2 Sanderling, 16 Dunlin, 5 Arctic Skua, 13 Swift, 40 Sand Martin, 1406 Swallow, 8 House Martin, 10 Flava Wagtail, 5 Alba wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 16 Meadow Pipit, 17 Linnet and 6 Chaffinch.
Other sightings of interest were 8 Gadwall, 2 Pochard, 7 Grey Heron, 12 Little Egret, 120 Golden Plover, 1 Little-ringed Plover, 80 Curlew, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 6 Greenshank, 1 Little Gull, 18 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 470 Sandwich Tern inc an all white juvenile, 1 Kingfisher while in Churchfield a Spotted Flycatcher was present.
Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 1 Spotted Flycatcher.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Female Small Red-eyed Damselfly. Africa Gomez. Present on Clubley's scrape, this is the first for a few years after the colony along the canal and canal scrape disappeared after the sea inundation a few years back.
Friday, 20 July 2018
Watches: 0530-1030.
The Wader movement continued albeit in fewer numbers.
On the move today 3 Shoveler, 8 Mallard, 25 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 110 Common Scoter, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar, 1 Manx Shearwater, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Gannet, 1 Marsh Harrier, 71 Oystercatcher, 5 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 17 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Turnstone, 18 Knot, 42 Sanderling, 51 Dunlin, 5 Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Bonxie, 600 Swift late evening, 75 Sand Martin, 266 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 3 Flava wagtail, 10 Alba wagtail and 3 Linnet.
Other sightings mainly at Kilnsea wetlands, 67 Greylag Geese, 10 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, 98 mallard, 4 Marsh Harrier, 3500 Dunlin, 1 Greenshank, 3751 Black-headed Gull, 4 Little Gull, 510 Sandwich Tern, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Stonechat and 1 Grey Wagtail.
Ringing: 3 Blackbird, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 1 Tree Sparrow.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Apparent Essex Skipper. John Wozencroft. Seen at the Warren and thought to be this species.
Thursday, 19 July 2018
Sunny but cooler than of late with a F2 SE wind.
Watches: 0600-1200.
A good day for wader movement over the sea, while big numbers of gulls continue to roost on Kilnsea wetlands.
On the move 14 Shelduck, 8 Teal, 1 Tufted Duck, 580 Common Scoter, 3 Manx Shearwater, 16 Gannet, 1 Cormorant, 117 Oystercatcher, 36 Golden Plover, 7 Whimbrel, 17 Curlew, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 5 Turnstone, 193 Knot, 41 Sanderling, 286 Dunlin, 5 Snipe, 29 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 2 Little Gull, 13 Lesser black-backed Gull and 8 Arctic Skua while overland 16 Swift, 31 Sand Martin, 33 Swallow, 1 House Martin and 1 Alba Wagtail.
Other sightings included 4335 Dunlin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green sandpiper, 3045 Black-headed Gull, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 540 Sandwich Tern and 5 Arctic Tern.
Ringing: 2 Sparrowhawk pulli, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Great Tit, 2 Dunnock.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Sand Martin. Tim Jones.
Gatekeeper. Tim Jones.
Wednesday, 18 July 2018
Hot and sunny clouding over by nid-afternoon.
Watches: 0650-1030, 1100-1520.
The beginnings of Wader movement over the sea while not large made for some interest while overland a trickle of Hirundines.
On the move were 11 Shelduck, 2 Tufted Duck, 158 Common Scoter, 2 Manx Shearwater, 30 Gannet, 10 Cormorant, 62 Oystercatcher, 1 Lapwing, 19 Whimbrel, 11 Curlew, 30 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Turnstone, 16 Knot, 5 Sanderling, 4 Dunlin, 1 Green Sandpiper, 13 Arctic Tern, 7 Arctic Skua and 22 Auk sp while overland 12 Swift, 14 Sand Martin, 288 Swallow, 8 Flava wagtail, 3 Alba Wagtail, 8 Linnet and 1 Reed Bunting.
Other sightings included 6 Shoveler, 11 teal, 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Marsh Harrier, 188 Golden Plover, 152 Curlew, 1850 Dunlin, 3 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 396 Redshank, 4165 Black-headed Gull, 8 Mediterranean Gull, 600 Common Gull, 504 Sandwich Tern mainly in the Kilnsea wetlands area.
Migrants were few and far between with 1 Cuckoo, 1 Grasshopper Warbler and 1 Willow Warbler the best.
Ringing: 1 Robin, 1 Blackcap, 1 Great Tit, 1 Blue Tit.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Swift. Tim Jones.
Tuesday, 17 July 2018
A mixed day started cloudly, with threats of rain only to become a nice sunny day with a F1-3 W-SE wind.
Watches: 0630-1030, 1600-1900.
Another generally quiet day, but more Waders on the move over the sea and increases in Gull numbers.
On the move were 31 Shelduck, 10 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 133 Common Scoter, 2 Manx Shearwater, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Cormorant, 30 Oystercatcher, 25 Whimbrel, 9 Knot, 40 Dunlin, 8 Common Tern, 1281 Swift, 6 Sand Martin, 106 Swallow, 1 Alba Wagtail, 5 Tree Sparrow and 6 Linnet.
Kilnsea wetlands and Beacon ponds produced 9 Shoveler, 38 Teal, 2 Little-ringed Plover, 1200 Dunlin, 1 Ruff, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Green Sandpiper, 180 Redshank, 5 Greenshank, 21 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Little Gull, 314 Common Gull, 442 Sandwich Tern, 1 Short-eared Owl while on the Humber 3290 Black-headed Gull.
Ringing: 1 Dunnock, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed warbler, 1 Tree Sparrow.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Dunlin, Martin Standley.
Peregrine. Martin Standley.
Monday, 16 July 2018
Hot and sunny with F0-1 variable wind.
Watches: 0530-0930,
Unfortunately there has been no sign of the Sand Plover all of today, despite all areas being covered, though of course the Humber is huge and it could be still nearby somewhere.
Sightings today centred yet again on the wetlands and Beacon ponds area, returning totals of 2000 Black-headed Gull and 444 SandwIch Tern among ood numbers of Waders and Gulls.
On the move were 4 Shoveler, 6 Common Scoter, 7 Gannet, 14 Oystercatcher, 2 Whimbrel, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Sanderling, 74 Dunlin, 1 Little Gull while overland 77 Swift, 72 Sand Martin, 360 Swallow, 52 House Martin, 6 Tree Sparrow, 7 Flava Wagtail, 6 Alba Wagtail and 15 Linnet.
Einging:1 Blackcap, 1 Wren
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Sandwich Tern. Martin Standley.
Mediterranean Gull. Martin Standley.
Black-tailed Godwit. Nathan Pickering.
Sunday, 15 July 2018
A very nice hot day with a F2 SE wind.
Watches: 0600-1300.
Please can birders park sensibly off the road in the coming days if the Sand Plover remains, as the campsite often need access with large lorries and the road needs to be kept clear. Also please stay away from any fenced off areas on the beach where Terns and Waders are breeding.
The adult male GREATER SAND PLOVER was again present early morning, vanishing for a while, then re-appearing on the beach just north of seaside road, where it showed very well to a constant supply of observers.
Nearby Kilnsea wetlands and Beacon Ponds had 3 Little-ringed Plover, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 2000 Dunlin, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 3 Snipe, 1 Greenshank, 55 Little Gull, 19 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Yellow-legged Gull and 2 Common Tern.
A bit of south in the wind encourage a few bits to make the move with 25 Shelduck, 4 Shoveler, 8 Grey Heron, 7 Oystercatcher, 7 Lapwing, 1 Little-ringed Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 18 Whimbrel, 5 Curlew, 51 Sandwich Tern, 1 Pomarine Skua, 51 Sandwich Tern, 456 Swift, 1 Skylark, 264 Sand Martin, 1788 Swallow, 20 House Martin, 7 Flava Wagtail, 8 Alba Wagtail and 4 Grey Wagtail.
Other decent counts and sightings included 7 Whimbrel and 45 Black-tailed Godwit.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Greater Sand Plover. Roy Harvey.
Greater Sand Plover. Adam Archer.
Greater Sand Plover. Robert Dowley.
Greater Sand Plover with Ringed Plover. Tim Cowley.
Greater Sand Plover. Andy Hood.
Saturday, 14 July 2018
Hot, sunny cloudless day witjh a welcome F2 SW wind.
Watches: 0530-1130.
The day began with the headline news, well in a Spurn context when our 17th Marsh Tit was found at the Warren. Late in the day this local rarity was soon put in its place by the finding of Spurn's 3rd GREATER SAND PLOVER, an adult male on the beach, north of Beacon ponds and still present late on roosting on the beach at high tide. Please stay well away from ther fenced off areas where breeding birds are present.
On the move today were 15 Common Scoter, 20 Cormorant, 15 Oystercatcher, 1 Grey Plover, 8 Ringed Plover, 1 Curlew, 1 Knot, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 240 Dunlin, 47 Redshank, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 252 Swift,1 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 25 Sand Martin, 154 Swallow, 7 House Martin, 14 Flava Wagtail, 4 Tree Sparrow, 10 House Sparrow and 10 Linnet.
Other sightings mainly at Kilnsea wetlands were 14 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1000 Dunlin, 160 Reedshank, 2500 Black-headed Gull, 6 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Yellow-legged Gull and 2 Peregrine causing mayhem at Beacon ponds while 2 Grashopper Warbler were along the peneinsula.
Ringing: 3 Whitethroat.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Greater Sandplover. Georgia Gough.
Georgia Gough. Rob Adams.
Marsh Tit. Paul Willoughby.
Greater Sandplover. Dave Tucker.
Thursday, 12 July 2018
Overcast with sunny periods in the afternoon with F3 E wind.
Another quiet day, started well with 2 Spoonbill, one of which was colour ringed spending some time on Kilnsea wetlands then flew off south, while also here 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 7 Avocet plus 5 young, 1 Snipe, 1 Canada Goose, 15 Teal, 11 Little Gull and 14 Mediterranean Gull.
Little on the move, but included 11 Teal, 700 Common Scoter (100 on Humber), 3 Little Egret and 2 Arctic Tern and overland 17 Swift, 15 Sand Martin and a Grey Wagtail.
Ringing, 2 Oystercatcher pulli, 2 Ringed Plover pulli, 4 Great Tit, 1 Blue Tit,1 Blackbird.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Spoonbills. Dave Tucker.
Wednesday, 11 July 2018
Cloudy all day with a F2-3 Nwind.
Watches: 0730-1015.
The main sightings today were over the sea with our first Sooty Shearwater of the autumn and a Pomarine Skua with also 11 Teal, 651 Common Scoter, 2 Manx Shearwater, 35 Gannet, 4 Cormorant, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Curlew, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Kittiwake, 11 Little Gull, 27 Common Tern, 1 Arctic Skua and 2 Puffin.
The day gave confirmation of the fledging of 3 Little Tern chicks on Beacon ponds which is always a relief each year when the first birds take to the air. The immediate area also had 1 Shoveler, 1 Gadwall, 67 Mallard, 1 Pintail, 12 Teal, 11 Avocet, 1 Little-ringed Plover, 1700 Dunlin, 74 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1000 Black-headed Gull, 8 Mediterranean Gull and 1 Yellow-legged Gull with a Willow Warbler and 2 Blackcap in Churchfield.
Ringing: 3 Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, 1 Dunnock, 1 Robin.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Avocet and chick. John Hewitt.
Avocet chick. John Hewitt.
Tuesday, 10 July 2018
A mixed day of overcast conditions with hot sunny afternoon but a chilly F2-3 NE wind.
Watches: 0630-1000.
Generally quiet day, with little on the move, but with the first signs of Wader movement over the sea.
On the move 52 Common Scoter, 86 Gannet, 2 Cormoramnt, 32 Oystercatcher, 1 Curlew while overland 2 Swift, 1 Hobby, 2 Swallow and an Alba Wagtail.
The Kilnsea wetlands arae produced 7 Teal, 6 Little Egret, 6 Lapwing, 1 Little-ringed Plover, 2400 Dunlin, 46 Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 830 Black-headed Gull, 1 Little Gull, 5 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Common Tern and a Peregrine while a juvenile Cuckoo was by the gate and in Churchfield 2 Blackcap and a Willow Warbler.
Ringing: 1 Blue Tit, 1 Robin, 2 Blackcap, 1 Dunnock.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Monday, 09 July 2018
Overcast with a chilly F3 NNE wind.
Watches: 0645-1030.
The steady increase in wader numbers contiues with 403 Golden Plover and 2000 Dunlin on the Humber along with 84 Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 3 Whimbrel and a Green Sandpiper.
On the move over the sea were 9 Teal, 238 Common Scoter, 41 Gannet, 9 Oystercatcher, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Curlew, 6 Dunlin, 3 Snipe, 1 Arctic Skua while overland 1 Hobby, 1 Swift, 1 Sand Martin, 24 Swallow, 3 Flava wagtail, 2 Alba Wagtail and 1 Grey Wagtail.
Other sightings included 6 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 1000 Black-headed Gull and 1 Peregrine while in Churchfield 3 Blackcap and 1 Willow Warbler.
Ringing: 1 Guillemot, 1 Barn owl pulli, 3 Blackcap, 2 Dunnock, 2 Great Tit, 1 Robin, 2 Tree Sparrow.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Sunday, 08 July 2018
Hot and sunny with a fresh F2-3 NE wind.
Migration Watches: 0730-1030.
Over the sea were 2 Common Scoter, 2 Manx Shearwater, 3 Gannet, 1 Cormorant and 2 Kittiwake while little overland with 9 Swift, 21 Swallow and 1 Flava Wagtail.
Other sightings from today were 4 Little-ringed Plover, 1000 Dunlin, 4 Whimbrel, 100 Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 1100 Black-headed Gull, 7 Mediterranean Gull, 186 Common Gull, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Common Tern and 1 Peregrine in the Kilnsea wetlands area and a Short-eared Owl at the Warren.
Ringing: 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 2 Great Tit, 9 Tree Sparrow.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Peregrine. John Hewitt.
Peregrine. John Hewitt.
Saturday, 07 July 2018
Hot and sunny again with a fresh F1-2 S-E wind.
Migration Watches: 0800-1115.
While events happening in Russia dominated the typical day in the average English household, there were a few bits of interest at Spurn bird wise to divert some attention for those not interested in football.
The best of these being a Serin south over Beacon ponds then down Beacon lane, while a Spoonbill was also over Beacon ponds and a Pomarine Skua flying down the Humber.
Over the sea were 2 Common Scoter, 6 Gannet, 1 Cormorant and 2 Kittiwake while little overland 14 Swift, 7 Sand Martin, 23 Swallow and 1 House Martin.
Other sightings from today were 63 Golden Plover, 2 Little-ringed Plover, 1100 Dunlin, 31 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Whimbrel, 100 Redshank, 1 Snipe, 760 Black-headed Gull, 3 Little Gull, 6 Mediterranean Gull and 1 Peregrine in the Kilnsea wetlands area and a juvenile Yellowhammer on Beacon lane.
Ringing: 1 Wren, 3 Dunnock, 2 Whitethroat, 2 wood Pigeon pulli, 4 Tree Sparrow.
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Large Skipper on Beacon lane. Adam Hutt.
Large Skipper. Adam Hutt.
Friday, 06 July 2018
Hazuy and overcast, the sun breaking through in the afternoon with a F0-1 NE wind.
Watches: 0500-1145.
As has been the pattern over the last week or so most of the action was either in the Kilnsea wetlands area or over the sea, but it was particularly quiet overall today.
On the move today were 450 Common Scoter (250 Humber), 23 Shelduck, 12 Manx Shearwater, 1 Fulmar, 111 Gannet, 3 Cormorant, 1 Whimbrel, 10 Redshank, 24 Dunlin, 26 Kittiwake, 14 Little Gull, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 7 Sandwich Tern, 2 Great Skua, 56 Auk sp, 17 Guillemot, 11 Razorbill and 9 Puffin while overland 39 Swift, 15 Sand Martin, 18 Swallow and a Skylark.
The Kilnsea wetlands/Beacon ponds area had 4 Teal, 4 Little Egret, 1 Little-ringed Plover, 3000 Dunlin, 1 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 20 Sandwich Tern and 5 Common Tern.
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Thursday, 05 July 2018
A hot day clouding over late on with F0-3 varaiable wind.
Watches : 0445-1000, 1900-1925.
Another good day for Wader arrivals with the first Snipe of the 'autumn' and good numbers of Gulls continue to roost on Kilnsea Wetlands.
There were 2 adult Roseate Tern on Kilnsea wetlands early morning which then flew out to sea, while in the same area there were also 4 Little Egret, 68 Black-tailed Godwit, .2 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 385 Dunlin, 40 Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 1179 Black-headed Gull, 19 Little Gull, 15 Mediterranean Gull, 457 Common Gull, adult Yellow-legged Gull, 30 Sandwich Tern and 6 Common Tern while on the Humber 148 Golden Plover, 4 Whimbrel, 169 Curlew, 10 Bar-tailed Godwit, 14 Knot and 111 Oystercatcher.
On the move 103 Shelduck, 1 Canada Goose, 52 Common Scoter, 5 Grey Heron, 9 Gannet, 11 Cormorant, 12 Lapwing, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Kittiwake, 119 Swift, 1 Hobby, 3 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 2 Alba Wagtail and 4 Chaffinch.
Ringing: 1 Starling, 4 Tree Sparrow, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Dunnock, 2 Great Tit.
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Roseate Terns. Tim Jump.
Little Gulls. Simon Jump.
Wednesday, 04 July 2018
Overcast most of morning into the late afternoon, when it became warm and sunny.
Watches- 0700-1015, 1100-1525, 1800-1925.
The first returning Spotted Flycatcher and Wheatear were seen today while there were further increases in Wader numbers overnight, especially Curlew as the females return to feeding areas leaving the males to look after the young, though a Bee-eater(s) heard over the Warren wasn’t clinched, though 3 passed over Gib point later.
As news filters through that some high Arctic Waders, may have had a poor breeding season, it was nice to see returning ‘British’ breeders in good numbers. Totals were an impressive 220 Curlew, 3 Whimbrel, 77 Golden Plover, 32 Bar-tailed Godwit, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 270 Dunlin, 20 Redshank and 1 Greenshank.
On the move were 99 Shelduck, 2 Tufted Duck, 167 Common Scoter with another 250 ‘trapped’ on the Humber along with 2 Eider, 1 Manx Shearwater, 43 Gannet, 5 Cormorant, 46 Oystercatcher, 4 Auk sp and 2 Guillemot while overland 67 Swift, 12 Swallow, 4 Sand Martin, 1 Grey Wagtail and 3 Alba Wagtail.
Other sightings included 5 Teal, 1 Canada Goose, 1 Peregrine, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 1430 Black-headed Gull, 60 Common Gull, 53 Little Gull and 10 Mediterranean Gull and 10 Yellow Wagtail mainly in the Kilnsea wetlands area.
Ringing: 2 Dunnock, 1 Wren, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Starling, 3 Tree Sparrow, 1 Reed Bunting.
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Begging Swallows being fed in the Canal scrape hide. John Hewitt.
Tuesday, 03 July 2018
A cold foggy start, turned into a bright warm sunny day with a F1-3 NE wind.
Watches- 0800-0945.
A bit of a quiet day than of late, with even the Silver Y influx having a rest day though the first juvenile Willow Warbler of the ‘autumn’ was trapped in Church field.
On the move over the sea were 230 Common Scoter, 1 Manx Shearwater, 31 Gannet, 8 Kittiwake, 2 Arctic Skua, 48 Auk sp and 4 Guillemot.
Other sightings included 5 Teal, 56 Golden Plover, 3 Whimbrel, 64 Curlew, 133 Dunlin, 13 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 53 Little Gull and 6 Mediterranean Gull, 5 Common Tern and 1 Arctic Tern Kilnsea wetlands and Beacon ponds area.
Ringing: 2 Dunnock, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackbird pulli, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Robin, 2 Tree Sparrow.
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Little Gulls with Black-headed Gulls on Kilnsea wetlands. Dan Rouse.
Monday, 02 July 2018
The hot sunny weather continues with a F1-2 NE wind.
Watches: 0630-1030.
The Kilnsea Wetlands area was the place to be today, with a nice adult Roseate Tern the highlight , though the flock of 212 Little Gull here was very impressive among the 1300 Black-headed Gull, 120 Common Gull, 7 Mediterranean Gull and 1 Yellow-legged Gull.
Also here 11 Gadwall, 12 Teal, 4 Little Egret, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 120 Dunlin, 1 Kittiwake and 84 Little Tern.
Few birds on the move today, 8 Gannet, a Mandarin south over the Humber, 1 Curlew in/off, 1 Hobby, 19 Sand Martin, 26 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 2 Flava Wagtail, 6 Alba Wagtail, 23 Linnet and 9 Goldfinch, but 200 Common Scoter were loafing on the Humber and 3 Eider on the sea.
The huge infux of Silver Y continues and seems to be increasing!
Ringing: 4 Whitethroat, 1 Robin, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Blackbird, 2 Dunnock.
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Roseate Tern. John Hewitt.
Roseate Tern. John Hewitt.
Little Gulls. John Hewitt.
Little Gulls. John Hewitt.
Sunday, 01 July 2018
If visiting the Little Tern colony at Beacon Ponds please stay on the embankment accessed from Kilnsea wetlands, or around holderness field from Beacon lane to minimise disturbance. There have been way too many visits by birders and photographers along the beach. Thank you in advance.
The SQUACCO HERON is still present yet again on Holdeness field, though apparently flew off high north at 3pm. Nearby 2 Curlew Sandpiper on Beacon Ponds and 56 Little Gull on Kilnsea wetlands.
Other sightings in this area, 8 Teal, 3 Little Egret, 1 Lapwing, 1 Ruff, 95 Dunlin, 7 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Arctic Tern and 70 Little Tern while on the Humber 62 Golden Plover, 1 Whimbrel, 48 Curlew, 10 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Greenshank.
On the move were 8 Common Scoter, 2 Manx Shearwater, 16 Gannet, 3 Lapwing, 193 Swift, 1 Hobby, 19 Sand Martin and 10 Swallow.
Of note the Silver Y influx increased in pace with even more today!!
Ringing: 1 Great Tit, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Wren.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.