Thursday, 31 December 2020

Birding review of 2020.

Well where do we start with this one? The first year of a new decade (depending on what rules you follow), will maybe turn into a year which many observers locally forget. Rarities aside it was awesome for arrivals in spring and autumn and hopefully that is what we can take from it as we move into the new year. Happy Birding in 2021 everyone!!

The year has been far from a classic, but we are obviously in strange times and with few observers about in the spring and summer and during some of the autumn, maybe a lack of firepower on the finding front played its part. The year had no standout ‘biggies’, but with plenty of overall good birds, including some a few years ago, that would be the highlight of that year. Times move on of course and maybe the fine overall total of 8+ Greenish Warbler (minimum of 5 in the late spring) were the years highlight? The list of good birds was still quite impressive with the 4th Eastern Subalpine Warbler (a female trapped and confirmed by DNA), the 4th Roller gracing the area, a nice grip back for the new birders who live nearby, the 6-7th Cattle Egret, which included our first flock of 3, our 8th Western Bonelli’s Warbler showed well in Easington, the 9th Humes Leaf Warbler, Glossy Ibis and White-winged Black Tern and the 9-12th Blyth’s Reed Warbler, which included 2 singing birds in the spring, our 11th Black Kite, the 12-14th Red-flanked Bluetail, (9 in the last 5 years), while our 17th Siberian Stonechat a rather smart obvious bird, may yet just become another sp with no DNA obtained.

For local listers playing catchup the year had the 9th Green Woodpecker and 9-10th Raven, the 11th White Stork, albeit a wanderer from the Knepp introduction plus the 14th Mandarin.

A very impressive list of other good birds seen during the year, included several not recorded for a few years starting with a Great Shearwater, 3 Cory’s Shearwater, 15 Great White Egret (though some remained in semi residence), a Smew, 1 Montagu’s Harrier, a Honey Buzzard, female Red-footed Falcon, a Dotterel, 1 Temminck’s Stint, 3 Pectoral Sandpiper, a Red-necked Phalarope, 2 Common Crane, a Corncrake, 5 Bee-eater, 2 Golden Oriole, 5 Red-rumped Swallow, 2 Short-toed Lark, 2 Red-throated Pipit (inc a nice red throated bird), 2 Richard’s Pipit (inc a spring bird), a Grey-headed Wagtail, 5+ Cetti’s Warbler, 10 Barred Warbler, 16 Icterine Warbler, 6 Dusky Warbler, 2 Raddes Warbler, 3 Pallas’s Warbler, 5 Red-breasted Flycatcher, 20+ Red-backed Shrike, 7 Wryneck, 4 Rose-coloured Starling, 2 Bluethroat, a Nightingale, 3 Serin, 2 Rosefinch, good numbers of Hawfinch, 2 Ortolans and 6 Little Bunting. (All sightings and totals need to be ratified and accepted).

The year was better for overland visible migration and the seawatchers, had a record count for Manx Shearwaters in the spring and on several days for Long-tailed Skuas in the autumn. The year saw some of the best numbers of northbound spring migrants for several years and fantastic arrivals of common and scarce migrants in August, including some big days of crowd-pleasing Pied Flycatchers. The autumn also saw brilliant numbers of scarcer waders, particularly Little Stints, Curlew Sandpipers and Wood Sandpipers, a record count of 377 Mediterranean Gulls, fantastic arrivals of Russian White-fronted Geese at both ends of the year, while a repeat performance for adult Long-tailed skua with 2 spring sightings over the Humber. More of course to come in the report.

Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.

Thursday, 31 December 2020

Blue skies with ground frost all day.  Watches: 0740-0945.

Sightings from today included 5 Snow Bunting at the breach, a surprise Red Kite which went west along the Humber and continued good numbers of Thrushes with 130 Fieldfare in the Triangle, 27 Redwing, a Song Thrush and 34 Redwing with a Woodcock at Sammies.. 

Totals from KIlnsea wetlands included 212 Greylag Geese, 12 Mute Swan, 711 Wigeon, 48 Mallard, 143 Teal, 2 Goldeneye, 16 Little Grebe, 2 Grey Partridge, a Marsh Harrier and 50 Black-tailed Godwit.

The day aslo saw a small bit of movement with 70 Pink-footed Geese south, 12 Wigeon, 11 Common Scoter, 4 Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver, 1 Gannet and 3 Kittiwake.

Ringing: 2 Fieldfare.

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Wednesday, 30 December 2020

Overcast with some sunny spells and a cold moderate north westerly.  Watches: 0715-1030.

Over the sea it was quiet, but there was a little bit of movement with 10 Wigeon, 50 Common Scoter, a Great Crested Grebe, 10 Red-throated Diver, a Razorbill amd 7 Auk sp.

Otherwise it was pretty much the same with good numbers of the usual Wildfowl on Kilnsea wetlands plus a Pale-bellied Brent, 2 Goldeneye, 53 Black-tailed Godwit, 19 Mediterranean Gull and the Greenshank, while in the area Thrushes still seem to be arriving with 117 Blackbird, 13 Song Thrush and 8 Redwing counted.

Ringing: 1 Tree Sparrow, 1 Goldfinch.

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Tuesday, 29 December 2020

Sunny spells with heavy rain and a cool strong northerly.  Watches: 0745-1315.

Sunny spells with heavy rain and a cool strong northerly. It was a day for movement throught the area, 500 Pink-footed Geese heading northwest up the Humber reflected bigger numbers inland recently. Over the sea 87 Wigeon, a Pintail, 3 Teal, 3 Eider, 64 Common Scoiter, 53 Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver, 7 Gannet, 3 Kittiwake, a Medietrranean Gull, 4 Guillemot, 3 Razorbil and 20 Auk sp.

There are still plenty of Thrushes in the area with 75 Blackbird in Easington alone and 70 Fieldfare on Humberside lane while other notable sightings included a Short-eared Owl at Sammies, 183 Greylag Geese at Kilnsea wetlands and 9 Little Egret among all th usual birds.

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Monday, 28 December 2020

A calm sunny day, clouded over with rain by mid afternoon. Watches: 0745-1050.

There was no sign of the Black Brant today, but there was still 2 Pale-bellied Brent about with the 432 Brent Geese, the 2 Hooded Crow again at Sammies and over the sea a 1cy Iceland Gull flew north. Also over the sea were 3 Wigeon, 3 Eider, 174 Common Scoter, a Velvet Scoter, 50 Red-throated Diver, 3 Cormorant and 3 Guillemot.

Cold weather building on the continent seems to be bringing a few Thrushes to the east coast with small increases involving 60 Blackbird, a Redwing, 160 Fieldfare and a Song Thrush plus a Woodcock at Sammies and 2 Short-eared Owl in the area.

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Sunday, 27 December 2020

A sunny day with a strong but decreasing south westerly. Watches: 0800-1000.

The day followed that of the previous few with pretty much the same species present, but there are now 2 Hooded Crow at Sammies and the Goose flock comprised of the Black Brant (plus 2 Hybrid adults), 767 Dark-bellied Brents, 5 Pale-bellied Brent, 192 Greylags, a Pink-footed Goose and 7 White-fronted Geese. The nearby area of Kilnsea wetlands and Beacon ponds had 10 Mute Swan, 5 Shoveler, 650 Wigeon, 70 Teal, 9 Little Grebe, 9 Little Egret, 44 Black-tailed Godwit, 150 Redshank, a Greenshank and 2 Short-eared Owl.

The highlight of the seawatch was a juvenile Glaucous Gull heading south with a Great Northern Diver, 1 Great Crested Grebe and a Common Buzzard of note also on the move.

Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.

Saturday, 26 December 2020

A grey overcast day wiith an increasingly stormy wind. Watches: 0750-1015.

There was little on the move over the sea and most of the days sightings were concentrated in the Long bank area. The best being the Hooded Crow still at Sammies and the Black Brant again along with 7 Pale-bellied Brent among 550 Brent Geese  and the 2 Hybrid Black Brant x Brents. Also present were 181 Greylag Geese and a Pink-footed Goose plus 550 Wigeon, a Marsh Harrier and 18 Mediterranean Gull. 

The best of the other sightings were 2 Woodcock (1 in/off the sea), a Blackcap and 2 Stonechat.

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Friday, 25 December 2020

Early morning snow gave way to a bright sunny day butcold in the moderate northerly.  Watches: 0750-0930.

Christmas day and snow! The weather improved and gave those present plenty to look at with a Hooded Crow at Sammies by the carpark, a nice group of 6 White-fronted Geese which appeared to fly off south and the Black Brant still among 480 Dark-bellied Brent on Easington straight. Present in the Kilnseawetlands area were 595 Wigeon, 8 Shoveler, 109 Teal, 7 Little Egret (including a colour ringed bird.), a Marsh Harrier, 39 Black-tailed Godwit and a Greenshank.

The sea had a few bits to offer but overall was quiet with 2 Pintail, 2 Teal, 3 Eider, 3 Common Scoter, 11 Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Northern Diver and a Gannet.

Other sightings were a Blackcap at Kew, a Chiffchaff in Kilnsea and 3 Stonechat.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap.

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Thursday, 24 December 2020

A horrible day with rain and hail in a strong NE wind, the only respite being occasional sunny spells in the afternoon.  Watches: 0745-1000.

It was yet another day to not venture far from a hide or the car. Sightings today followed that, with an Iceland Gull which flew north early morning past the seawatch hut and a Glaucous Gull at Kilnsea wetlands which eventually flew off south west over the Humber. The relative comfort of the seawatch hut also produced 3 Shelduck, 6 Wigeon, a Mallard, 8 Teal, 53 Common Scoter, 40 Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver, 3 Fulmar, 25 Gannet, 52 Kittiwake, 56 Common Gull, 3 Great Skua, 10 Guillemot, 5 Razorbill, a Puffin and 90 Auk sp.

The kilnsea wetlands area had the Black Brant with 480 Brent Geese, a Goldeneye, a female Common Scoter, 14 Little Grebe, a Marsh Harrier, 180 Curlew and 47 Black-tailed Godwit among all the usual wildfowl. 

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Wednesday, 23 December 2020

A cool cloudy day with an increasing F4-6 north easterly. Watches: 0745-1200.

Action today was again from the sanctuary of hides or the car. The Black Brant was again on show along Easington straight with 250 Brent Geese and at least one adult hybrid and nearby 6 Whooper Swan were on Beacon ponds. Also in this area 567 Wigeon, 60 Teal and 47 Black-tailed Godwit. 

Over the sea there was a bit of movement with 28 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, a Mallard, 3 Velvet Scoter, 24 Common Scoter, 7 Goldeneye, a Fulmar, 47 Red-throated Diver, 6 Gannet, a Kittiwake, 12 Guillemot, 2 Razorbill and 5 Auk sp. 

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Tuesday, 22 December 2020

A sunny start clouding over with a F3 westerly.  Watches: 0745-1030.

It was a nice day with some good movement over the sea and the eventual appearance of the adult Black Brant (with maybe some new hybrid juveniles) which had been near Skeffling recently. It brought along the 2 Black Brant x Brent which had accompanied it along with a Pale-bellied Brent. The KIlnsea wetlands area also holding 653 Wigeon, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Red Kite which went south, 33 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Short-eared Owl, while nearby 31 Mediterranean Gull on Humberside lane, a flock of 182 Fieldfare were in Easington and 700 Wood Pigeon wandered the area.

The seawatchers saw a bit of late movement involving 27 Whooper Swan, 74 Pink-footed Geese, a Teal, 72 Common Scoter, a Great Northern Diver at the Point, 5 Gannet, 5 Cormorant, 2 Little Gull, 59 Common Gull, 6 Guillemot, 4 Razorbill and 5 Auk sp.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Reed Bunting.

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Monday, 21 December 2020

A grim rainy day with a moderate south-easterly. Watches: 0745-1015, 1145-1245.

The poor weather saw much of todays action curtailed to birding from the hides of KIlnsea wetlands and the seawatch hide. The sewatchers were rewarded with an adult Iceland Gull heading south along with more modest totals of 2 Pintail, 3 Teal, 64 Common Scoter, 41 Red-throated Diver, 5 Knot, 66 Guillemot and a Razorbill.

The best of the other sightings were 557 Wigeon, a Goldeneye, 49 Black-tailed Godwit, the wintering Greenshank, a Short-eared Owl on Clubleys, 1 Chiffchaff and a Stonechat.

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Sunday, 20 December 2020

Blue skies and sun with a F4-5 SW wind.  Watches: 0745-1015.

There was a small bit of movement over the sea with 3 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Wigeon, an Eider, 23 Common Scoter, 5 Goldeneye, 119 Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver, 3 Gannet, a Cormrorant, 56 Common Gull and 20 Auk sp.

The only other notable sightings were at Kilnsea wetlands with 565 Wigeon, 11 Soveler, 19 Little Grebe, 13 Black-tailed Godwit, 120 Redshank and a Marsh Harrier.

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Saturday, 19 December 2020

Overasyt with some early morning rain and the odd sunny spell and a F4-5 southerly.  Watches: 0740-1130.

There was sonme half movement over the sea with a Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, an Eider, 5 Velvet Scoter, 7 Common Scoter, 2 Great Northern Diver, 87 Red-throated Diver, 4 Gannet, 3 Knot, a Dunlin, 13 Kittiwake, 5 Mediterranean Gull, 16 Guillemot, 3 Razorbill and 8 Auk sp.

The best of the other sightings were the drake Scaup at Kilnsea wetlands,  wintering Greenshank at Beacon ponds and 18 Mediterranean Gull at Kilnsea wetlands while in Easington a splendid male Golden Pheasant of no doubt dubious origin graced one birders garden.

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Friday, 18 December 2020

A grey overcast day with rain on and off and a moderate southerly.  Watches: 0745-1200.

A bit of movement saw some nice highlights for the day with 15 Barnacle Geese continuing the recent small influx, a Long-tailed Duck,  a fantastic 8 Great Northen Diver and a Velvet Scoter. Other bits of note were a Pink-footed Goose, 12 Wigeon, 6 Teal, 33 Common Scoter, 91 Red-throated Diver, a Great Crested Grebe, 2 Fulmar, 6 Gannet, 2 Kittiwake, a Puffin, 105 Guillemot, 12 Razorbill and 48 Auk sp.

In the Kilnsea wetlands area noteworthy sifghtings were 13 Shoveler, 2 Little Egret, 200 Lapwing, 29 Black-tailed Godwit, 280 Redshank, a Greenshank and 18 Mediterranean Gull.

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Thursday, 17 December 2020

A bright sunny day with a F3-4 south westerly.  Watches: 0735-1035.

The day began with an unexpected Garden Warbler trapped in a net at Kew. There were few other migrants to back up a recent arrival bar a Chiffchaff, 28 Blackbird at Sammies, 2 Song Thrush, 3 Stonechat and a Snow Bunting at Sammies.

There was a bit of movement over the sea the best being 4 Great Northern Diver, 111 Red-throated Diver, 87 Pink-footed Geese, a Goosander and 2 Eider among the usuals.

The best of the other sightings were 68 Pink-footed Geese at Sammies, the drake Scaup at Kilnsea wetlands, a Short-eared Owl and 23 Mediterranean Gull.

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Wednesday, 16 December 2020

A grey day with rain showers throughout and a F5 SSE wind.  Watches: 0745-1135, 1220-1510.

It was another day of Goose excitement, a nice flock of 29 Barnacle Geese heading south, while 15 White-fronted Geese were at Sammies, (presumably the 10 joined by the 5 that seemingly flew west the previous day) and locally 61 Greylag Geese were on Kilnsea wetlands. This area also held the drake Scaup, 419 Wigeon, 98 Teal, the 2 Red-breasted Merganser, a Goldeneye, 4 Little Egret, a Greenshank and 28 Mediterranean Gull.

The sea provided the other action for the day with 4 Brent Geese, 6 Shoveler, 8 Wigeon, 17 Teal, 2 Eider, 105 Common Scoter, a Goosander, 57 Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Knot, 2 Dunlin, a Snipe, 115 Guillemot, 19 Razorbill and 47 Auk sp.

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Tuesday, 15 December 2020

A glorious sunny day with a F3 W wind..Watches: 0730-0945.

A good day to be out and about saw 15 White-fronted Geese recorded today, the usual 10 by Sammies and 5 in/off and west up the Humber. A nice ghostly grey male Hen Harrier graced the area as it continued south plus a flock of 10 Snow Bunting put in a brief appearance at Easington lagoon. The usual drake Scaup and 2 Red-breasted Merganser were all still in place along with 590 Wigeon and 89 Teal.

The sea remained stubbornly quiet again with a Shelduck, 4 Wigeon, a Pochard, 1 Eider, 34 Common Scoter, 73 Red-throated Diver, a Gannet and 3 Auk sp.

Other sightings included a Woodcock at the Obs, 15 Mediterranean Gull on the Humber, a Chiffchaff in Easington and 50 Tree Sparrow at Sammies.

Ringing: 1 Yellowhammer.

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Monday, 14 December 2020

A fine sunny day with a F4 W wind.  Watches: 0730-1015, 1100-1200.

It was almost a carbon copy of the previous day with the 10 White-fronted Geese still present along with the drake Scaup and 2 Red-breasted Merganser plus a Marsh Harrier, 19 Black-tailed Godwit and a Greenshank. Another White-fronted Goose dropped into Kilnsea wetlands with the Greylags.

The sea while similarly quiet still had a Little Auk, 17 Eider, 8 Common Scoter, 2 Fulmar, a Little Gull, 24 Guillemot, a Razorbill and 75 Auk sp to offer.

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Sunday, 13 December 2020

A horrible wet day with a F5 S wind.  Watches: 0750-1020.

Most of todays action was concentrated in the Kilnsea wetlands to Sammies area where there are now 10 White-fronted Geese present and 250 Pink-footed Geese flew west up the Humber. There was no sign of the female, but the drake Scaup remained along with the 2 Red-breasted Merganser plus 530 Wigeon, 9 Shoveler, 15 Little Grebe, 15 Black-tailed Godwit, a Greenshank and 5 Mediterranean Gull. 

Quiet again over the sea with just 5 Wigeon, 3 Mallard, 37 Common Scoter, 19 Red-throated Diver, 3 Gannet and a Razorbill. The only other noteworthy sightings for the day were a Chiffchaff by the sewage works and 2 Stonechat at the gas terminal.

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Saturday, 12 December 2020

A cool, damp, foggy, overcast day with a F2-3 Wwind.  Watches: 0745-1000.

A day dominated by Geese in the area with a Tundra Bean Goose west over Kilnsea wetlands, 8 White-fronted Geese at Sammies and 1850 Pink-footed Geese blogging. The Wildfowl theme continued with the 2 Red-breasted Merganser still present on Kilnsea wetlands and now 2 Scaup, with a female joining the male and a Tufted Duck on Beacon ponds plus all the usual residents. Nearby 24 Mediterranean Gull were at Sammies.

Passerine highlight were the Black Redstart remaining on its favoured muck heap and a Snow Bunting at Easington lagoon, while 90 Blackbird were a good December total.

Over the sea it was quiet with 2 Great Skua the stand out sighting.

Ringing: 3 Blackbird, 1 Dunnock, 1 Wren, 2 Linnet, 1 Tree Sparrow, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Reed Bunting.

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Friday, 11 December 2020

A damp grey day with rain and a F3 SE wind. Watches: 0730-1030.

Not  alot to report overall though the Black Redstart was still on it's favoured muckheap and the 3 Snow Bunting seen again when they flew north over Easington. 

The best of the other sightings were the drake Scaup and 2 Red-breasted Merganser still on KIlnsea wetlands along with 180 Lapwing and 4 Mediteranean Gull. 

Ringing: 2 Blackbird

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Thursday, 10 December 2020

Sunny spells in the morning, clouding over with a coll F3-4 S wind.  Watches: 0720-1115.

The day saw an increase in movement over the sea which was rewarded with a nice flock of 7 Velvet Scoter south at 10:30 (previously seen at Long nab at 08:23 and Flamborough 09:05). The morning also saw 9 Shoveler, 4 Wigeon, 17 Teal, a Pochard, 3 Eider, 94 Common Scoter, 16 Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver, 2 Gannet, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Great Skua.

Other sightings were a Snow Bunting by the Gas terminal, 13 Whooper Swan again on Kilnsea wetlands along with a Pale-bellied Brent among 310 Brent Geese, while also present were the Scaup and 2 Red-breasted Merganser. There were still around 20 Mediterranean Gull at Sammies and 1300 Oystercathcer on the Humber. 

Nearby but just outside the area an adult Black Brant at Skeffling, probably the returning bird along with some of its hybrid offspring plus 3 Pale-bellied Brent.

Ringing: 3 Blackbird.

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Wednesday, 09 December 2020

A foogy damp day with a F2 W wind.  Watches: 1250-1450.

It was a day for birds moving dominated by 1850 Pinlk-footed Geese south or south west, while also noted were 162 Wigeon, 11 Mallard, 3 Teal, 3 Goldeneye and 2 Gannet.

The birds of the day were 3 Snow Bunting at Beacon ponds, while yet again there were some late migrants about with 3 Woodcock, 80 Blackbird, 30 Fieldfare, 15 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 6 Stonechat, and a Siskin.

Other sightings during the day were the drake Scaup plus 2 Pintail, 4 Tufted Duck, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, a Goosander, 22 Little Grebe, a Marsh Harrier and the 2cy Capsian Gull mostly in the Kilnsea wetlands area

Ringing: 1 Sparrowhawk, 14 Blackbird, 4 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Siskin, 2 Yellowhammer.

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Tuesday, 08 December 2020

A cold misty morning soon became a day of sunny spells with a F3 S wind. Watches: 0745-0945.

Overall a quiet day with not a lot happening, a Red Kite heading south a nice surprise, along with 3 Whooper Swan west past Sammies and 155 Pink-footed Geese on the move. 

The best of the other sightings today were the usual drake Scaup, the 2 Red-breasted Merganser and 720 Brent Geese on Kilnsea wetlands and 29 Mediterranean Gull at Sammies.

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Monday, 07 December 2020

After a foggy start it remained damp with a cool f4-5 W wind. 

A bit of a quiet day overall with the drake Scaup, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and a Pochard were still on Kilnsea wetlands, along with 2 Whooper Swan, 660 Wigeon,, 3 Little Egret and 60 Black-tailed Godwit with 23 Mediterranean Gull at Sammies.

Other sightings included 46 Pink-footed Geese over Easington towards the Humber, 7 Grey Partirdge, 30 Yellowhammer and a Kingfisher at Sammies and a Stonechat at the Gas Terminal.

Ringing: 2 Blackbird.

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Sunday, 06 December 2020

A clear sunny day with a light SW wind.  Watches: 0730-1000.

There were still some decent numbers of Thrushes in the area but the best sightings were a showy Snow Bunting by the Gas terminal along with one of the Black Redstart remaining. Totals for the day were a Short-eared Owl, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Fieldfare, 80 Blackbird, 20 Redwing, a Mistle Thrush, 6 Stonechat, 4 Grey Wagtail and a Siskin.

There was no sign of the White-fronts, but the 2 Barnacle Geese remained, with 3 Pochard new in, joining the 2 Red-breasted Merganser and the drake Scaup.  Nearby 350 Lapwing and 25 Pintail were at Sammies.

The best of the sea were 21 Common Scoter, 56 Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver and a Great Skua.

Ringing: 7 Blackbird, 1 Redwing, 2 Dunnock, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Chaffinch, 2 Yellowhammer.

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Saturday, 05 December 2020

Overcast with sunny spells and showers and a F4-5 ESE -F NW wind.  Watches: 0730-1110.

A small increase in migrants mainly Thrushes also saw 2 Black Redstart appear in the area plus a Woodcock, a Long-eared Owl at Kilnsea wetlands, 1 Short-eared Owl, a Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, a Fieldfare, 120 Blackbird, 16 Redwing, 4 Song Thrush, a Stonechat and 1 Rock Pipit.

Otherwise it was much the same as previous days with the 4 White-fronted Geese and 2 Barnacle Geese present along with 13 Whooper Swan and 2 Red-breasted Merganser among the usual Wildfowl. The same area also holding 12 Little Grebe, 80 Lapwing, a Greenshank and 124 Black-tailed Godwit. 

The sea had some bits and pieces to offer the best being a Great Northen Diver, 42 Kittiwake and a Great Skua.

Ringing: 10 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 2 House Sparrow, 1 Goldfinch.

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Friday, 04 December 2020

Rain all day with the odd sunny spells and a chilly F4-5 N wind.  Watches: 0730-1300. 

The theme of the previous few days continued yet again with the 4 White-fronted Geese and 2 Barnacle Geese rermained in residence wtih the 2cy Caspian Gull appearing on Kilnsea wetlands. All the usual Wildfowl were present in good numbers plus the drake Scaup and 2 Red-breasted Merganser alomng with 150 Lapwing, 154 Black-tailed Godwit, 124 Curlew, 2 Greenshank and 7 Mediterranean Gull.

The sea was much improved overall with a Velvet Scoter the pick of the sightings, along with 9 Teal, 4 Eider, a Tufted Duck, 92 Common Scoter, 28 Red-throated Diver, 7 Gannet, 4 Guillemot, 4 Razorbill and 4 Auk sp.

Other sightings included a Short-eared Owl at Beacon ponds and 2 Stonechat in Easington.

Ringing: 2 Blackbird.

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Thursday, 03 December 2020

Rain on and off with a F3-4 W wind. Watches: 0730-1000.

The day continued on the recent theme with KIlnsea wetlaands and Wildfowl dominating. The 4 White-fronted Geese and 2 Barnacle Geese were still present along with 19 Whooper Swan, 15 Shoveler, 604 Wigeon, a Pintail, 106 Teal, the drake Scaup, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 108 Black-tailed Godwit and a Caspian Gull. 

Little moving over the sea, the best being 2 Shelduck and 9 Common Scoter.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird.

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Wednesday, 02 December 2020

A grey murky day with occasional rain and a F3 W Wind. Watches: 0730-0915.

The majority of todays sightings were from the Kilnsea wetlands area with the 4 White-fronted Geese, 2 Barnacle Geese, 17 Whooper Swan and the drake Scaup all still present along with a Pintail, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 17 Little Grebe, 89 Black-tailed Godwit, a Greenshank and 5 Mediterranean Gull among all the usuual Wildfowl. Nearby at Easington lagoon a Black Redstart was the pick of any lingering migrants.

A few bits over the sea,  the highlight a southbound Little Auk, but little else though 182 Cormorant on the sea was a brilliant count.

Ringing: 5 Blackbird, 2 House Sparrow.

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Tuesday, 01 December 2020

A sunny start with occasional showere and a F3-4 NW wind.  Watches: 0730-1015.

With an nationwide influx underway it was nice to get 4 White-fronted Geese arrive on Kilnsea wetlands and later in fields by Driftwood along with 2 Barnacle Geese joining the 110 Greylag and 300 Brent Geese already present. The immediate area remained good with 13 Whooper Swan, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and the drake Scaup still present along with 2 Capian Gull and 134 Black-tailed Godwit.

The sea was quite interesting again with a Sooty Shearwater heading north and 2 Great Northern Diver south plus 12 Eider, 32 Common Scoter, 29 Red-throated Diver, 20 Gannet, 47 Kittiwake, 2 Great Skua, 4 Guillemot and 20 Auk sp.

Still some Thrushes hanging about, 75 Blackbird, 22 Redwing, 14 Fieldfare and 2 Song Thrush soon to be in a berry hedge near you along with 2 Stonechat and 6 Siskin 

Ringing: 32 Blackbird, 3 House Sparrow, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Reed Bunting

Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.