Monday, 31 May 2021

Polite reminder for all visitors: the Little Tern colony at Beacon Ponds is extremely vulnerable to disturbance. PLEASE STAY WELL AWAY from the fenced area of beach which is clearly signposted, and respect the wardens on duty. Up to 60 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.

Overcast and misty to start, clearing to leave a ncie sunny day, warm out of the cool F3 south easterly. Watches: 0500-1500.

It was another day of few common migrants (how often have we said it this spring), only for good birds to save the day. This time it was a mobile GREENISH WARBLER initially seen and heard calling in Corner field, quickly moving down to the Crown area, where it showed on and off remaining flighty. It may have moved on as there were no sightings that we know of, in the afternoon. The smart male Grey-headed Wagtail was still showing well at the Point, where a Nightjar was seen flying around, being lost in the dense cover plus the usual Cetti's Warbler and an Osprey flew south east down the Humber heading out over the sea at the Breach. In the evening a Long-eared Owl was sat out in the open along the canal.

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Sunday, 30 May 2021

Polite reminder for all visitors: the Little Tern colony at Beacon Ponds is extremely vulnerable to disturbance. PLEASE STAY WELL AWAY from the fenced area of beach which is clearly signposted, and respect the wardens on duty. Up to 60 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.

An overcasr start, some sun in the afternoon, becoming cooler in the f3 south easterly.  Watches: 0530-1700.

It was a quieter day overall with a clearout of all the previous days birds, apart from maybe a Woodlark which flew south at the Warren. New in today though were a cracking male Grey-headed Wagtail and singing Firecrest at the Point. The biggest surprise came in the form of a 2cy PURPLE HERON, presumably the bird last seen on 16th?, but adding to the excitement of the last few days for the visiting birders. Fewer grounded migrants with 2 Cuckoo, 4 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff and 8 Spotted Flycatcher.

There was a notable exodus of 119 Dark-bellied Brent Geese heading east out to sea, as did 13 Arctic Tern, while the sea was quiet with 2 Great Northern Diver north the best. Overland movement picked up with a Marsh Harrier, 13 Swift, a Hobby, 611 Swallow, 140 House Martin and a Redpoll sp.

The Whooper Swan was still on Kilnsea wetlands with 2 Tufted Duck and 166 Brent Geese were still on the Humber, but maybe heading off in the next few days.

Ringing: 7 Blue Tit, 5 Great Tit, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 5 Tree Sparrow, 1 Dunncok.

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Saturday, 29 May 2021

Polite reminder for all visitors: the Little Tern colony at Beacon Ponds is extremely vulnerable to disturbance. PLEASE STAY WELL AWAY from the fenced area of beach which is clearly signposted, and respect the wardens on duty. Up to 60 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.

The good period of birding continues, with today offering up a female Bluethroat at the south end of the canal and a fly through Bee-eater, whcih was seen over the Obs and tracked all the way to the Point, heading off towards Lincolnshire. The EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER continued to show on and off, sometimes quite well during the day, a Golden Oriole seen over Westmere farm in the morning, a Woodlark north over the gate and a Black Redstart in the triangle. There were less grounded migrants about, 4 Cuckoo, a Long-eared Owl, 6 Spotted Flycatcher and a Lesser Redpoll, plus the usual Cetti's Warbler at the Point.

In addition to above there was some light movement with 3 Swift, 2 Sand Martin, 193 Swallow and 2 Alba Wagtail, while the best of the sea were an Arctic Skua and 4 Pochard with 55 Brent Geese, 2 Curlew and 3 Turnstone heading out east.

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Friday, 28 May 2021

Polite reminder for all visitors: the Little Tern colony at Beacon Ponds is extremely vulnerable to disturbance. PLEASE STAY WELL AWAY from the fenced area of beach which is clearly signposted, and respect the wardens on duty. Up to 50 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.

Generally overcast, but warm with a F3 south easterly.  Watches: 0535-0905.

There were more new arrivals as the conditions start to pay off, but no big numbers so late in the season. The Point scored with singing Common Rosefinch and Icterine Warbler, where the Cetti's Warbler was still present. A 'green' Golden Oriole was in the Long bank to triangle area, while the male EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER and male Red-backed Shrike were both still in the Narrows area. Futher migrant totals were 2 Cuckoo, a Long-eared Owl, 2 Willow Warbler, 6 Blackcap, a Garden Warbler, 21 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Whinchat, 4 Wheatear, a White Wagtail, 1 Mealy Redpoll and a Siskin.

There was a small bit of movement for observers not engroosed in looking for migarnts, but the sea was quiet with 2 Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, 1 Little-ringed Plover, a Golden Plover, 116 Swallow, 50 House Martin, a Chaffinch, 13 Linnet and a Redpoll sp. 

The Whooper Swan remained around Kilnsea wetlands with 68 Brent Geese and a Greenshank.

Ringing: 13 Great Tit, 7 Blue Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock, 1 Robin, 1 Mealy Redpoll.

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Thursday, 27 May 2021

A hot warm and sunny day with the wind ending up as a F2 south easterly.  Watches: 0545-0945.

The change in the weather delivered straight awy with a nice male EASTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER showing well at Middle Camp and a male Red-backed Shrike at the nearby Narrows. There was also an increase in typical late spring migrants, final totals of 15 Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Cuckoo, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Willow Warbler, a Redstart and the female Blue-headed Wagtail.

There was limited movement over land and sea, which involved a Great Northern Diver, 2 Whimbrel, 94 Auk sp and 2 Puffin.

The Great White Egret and Whooper Swan were still around the Kilnsea wetlands area plus 3 Tufted Duck, 9 Avocet and 54 Little Tern.

Ringing: 2 Peregrine pulli, 1 Whitethroat.

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Wednesday, 26 May 2021

Cold and wet clearing with sunny spells and a F4 southn west to northerly.  Watches: 0545-1230.

The sea recieved plenty of attention in the morning with rain dominating and returning 128 Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Diver, 109 Fulmar, 3 Manx Shearwater, 46 Gannet, a Shag, 40 Kittiwake, 2 Sandwich Tern, 171 Guillemot, 42 Razorbill,, 30 Puffin and 206 Auk sp.

A Great White Egret flew north over the Warren settling at Kilnsea wetlands, where the Hiobby was still present hunting from frnce posts and the Whooper Swan and 3 Tufted Duck remained.

There was a few migrants noted the best of which were 12 Spotted Flycatcher plus a Common Sandpiper, 2 Cuckoo, a Short-eared Owl and the Cetti's Warbler still at the Point.

Ringing: 1 Ringed Plover, 8 Tree Sparrow.

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Tuesday, 25 May 2021

A cool day with prolonged heavy showers and a F3 westerly.  Watches: 0650-1000.

An Osprey flying south was the best on offer today, but with some change in the weather imminent  and maybe some warmer easterlies, the prospect of some unusual species is on the cards. In the mean time there was a smidge of movement, with Marsh Harrier, 3 Swift, a Sand Martin, 103 Swallow, 19 House Martin, a Flva Wagtail and 3 Chaffinch with the sea having 24 Common Scoter, 17 Fulmar, a Little Gull and 111 Auk sp the best,

There were few migrants about though 6 Spotted Flycatcher, (including one in/off) maybe hinting at what is to come along with 4 Cuckoo, a Hobby at Kilnsea wetlands, 1 Wheatear and a Tree Pipit.

The usual Whooper Swan was still present along with 2 Tufted Duck.

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Monday, 24 May 2021

Generally sunny and warm, heavy showers in the late afternoon with a F5 north westerly dropping to a F3 south westerly.  Watches; 0550-1300.

There was some movement over the sea dominated by Auks, though mainky too distant to ID properly with 1440 Auk sp (Razorbill or Guillemot), 7 Razorbill, 6 Guillemot and 7 Puffin, while also moving 2 Tufted Duck, 45 Common Scoter, 2 Fulmar, a Manx Shearwater, 20 Gannet, a Shag, 15 Kittiwake and a Mediterranean Gull, with 3 Whimbrel out east. Overland a Stock Dove, 1 Swift, 2 Sand Martin, 77 Swallow, 41 House Martin, 2 Grey Wagtail, an Alba Wagtail and a Tree Pipit.

The 2 Barnacle Geese were in the Kilnsea wetlands area aloing with the Whooper Swan, 2 Pale-bellied Brent, 110 Brent Geese, 23 Mute Swan, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Common Tern and the female Blue-headed Wagtail seemingly paired with a male Yellow Wagtail. 

Migrants numbers were fairly typical for the time of year with 4 Cuckoo, a Long-eared Owl, 3 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Wheatear, a White Wagtail, 1 Tree Pipit and a Redpoll sp and the Cetti's Warbler again at the Point.

Ringing: 1 Stock Dove, 1 Tree Sparrow.

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Sunday, 23 May 2021

A day of sunny spells and the odd shower with a F5-6 westerly.  Watches: 0530-1215.

Despite the westerly wind there was little overland movement, the best of which was an Osprey and Spoonbill both north west up the Humber, while heading south 2 Barnacle Geese, 5 Carrion Crow, a Sand Martin, 62 Swallow, 7 House Martin, a Tree Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, 3 Linnet and 4 Siskin. The sea was much quieter with a Great Northern Diver the highlight, but only 3 Fulmar after yesterdays glut, though a nice 108 Grey Plover headed out east along with 22 Dunlin.

The Turtle Dove remained in Kilnsea, the Blue-headed Wagtail at Kilnsea wetlands and the Cetti's Warbler at the Point, while the few migarnts seen included 3 Cuckoo, a Short-eared Owl, 4 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler and 2 Wheatear.

On Easington straight the Whooper Swan, 2 Pale-bellied Brent and 200 Brent Geese were present.

Ringing: 4 Tree Sparrow, 1 Blackbird, 17 Starling, 1 Chaffinch.

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Saturday, 22 May 2021

Sporadic showers throughout with sunny spells in the evening and a F6-3 WNW.  Watches: 0420-1325.

There were a few good birds around during the day with 2 Barnacle Geese, a Wood Sandpiper and female Blue-headed Wagtail on Kilnsea wetlands, a Curlew Sandpiper on Beacon ponds with a Spoonbill flying south here. The Turtle Dove remained in some Kilnsea gardens along with a Mealy Redpoll and the Cetti's Warbler still at the Point.

The sea had some decent movement, 119 Fulmar the standout count, along with 4 Tufted Duck, 15 Common Scoter, 2 Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Northern Diver, 4 Manx Shearwater, 97 Gannet, 70 Kittiwake, 5 Common Tern, 8 Sandwich Tern, a Great Skua, 2 Arctic Skua, 19 Guillemot, 92 Razorbill, 5 Puffin and 110 Auk sp.

Ringing: 2 Stock Dove, 3 Starling, 1 Chiffchaff.

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Friday, 21 May 2021

Overcast with intermittent rain througout the day and a strong F6-F3 south westerly.  Watches: 0515-1415.

Late in the evening an ALPINE SWIFT was discovered hawking low down along the canal, being lost near the visitor centre and may have gone to roost. Overland movement was otherwise quiet with just 4 Collared Dove, 54 Swift, 2 Hobby, a Sand Martin, 41 Swallow, 6 House Martin, 2 Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch and a Corn Bunting. The sea had a bit more action with 2 Tufted Duck, 6 Common Scoter, a Red-throated Diver, 10 Fulmar, a Grey Heron, 49 Gannet, 52 Kittiwake, 2 Black-headed Gull, 69 Common Gull, 14 Guillemot, 119 Razorbill and 346 Auk sp, with an Arctic Skua and 2 Curlew out east.

Numbers of late migrants continue to fall with a Turtle Dove still in Kilnsea, 7 Whimbrel, 2 Cuckoo, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Wheatear, a Redpoll and a Siskin.

The Whooper Swan was still at Kilnsea wetlands along with 100 Dark-bellied Brents.

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Thursday, 20 May 2021

A sunny start, gave way to rain from early afternoon driven by a F3-4 south eaterly.  Watches: 0530-1130.

Not much happening overall the best being a Turtle Dove in Easington, a Blue-headed Wagtail at Kilnsea wetlands, a Tawny Owl disturbed from a shed at Kew and the usaul Cetti's Warbler at the Point and the Whooper Swan at Kilnsea wetlands.

Migrant wise there were 4 Cuckoo, 2 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, a Garden Warbler, 1 Wheatear, 2 Mealy Redpoll, 3 Lesser Redpoll and a Siskin.

A trickle of overland movement saw 2 Swift, 4 Jackdaw, 46 Swallow and 7 House Martin recorded, with 6 Curlew out east and 4 Tufted Duck west up the Humber.

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Wednesday, 19 May 2021

A sunny start with showers in the afternoon and more of the F3 north easterlies.  Watches: 0545-1000. 

While the overall vis migging session was quiet there were some good birds thrown in including the second Red-rumped Swallow in two days, our first Osprey of the spring heading south early morning and a Red Kite plus a Marsh Harrier, 2 Swift, 6 Jackdaw, 11 Carrion Crow, just 29 Swallow, a House Martin, 4 Chaffinch and 2 Siskin.

The best fo the grounded migarnt action was a Turtle Dove, 3 Cuckoo, 2 Wheatear, a White Wagtail, 1 Mealy Redpoll and 4 Lesser Redpoll, among a scatter of migrants and returning breeders. 

The Kilnsea wetlands area held the Whooper Swan, 2 Pale-bellied Brent, 401 Brent Geese, a Tufted Duck, 1 Common Sandpiper and a Greenshank.  

Ringing: 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 6 Starling, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Mealy Redpoll. 

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Tuesday, 18 May 2021

Sunny spells with a F3-4 south westerly.  Watches: 0500-1220.

Highlights from the day were a Red-rumped Swallow south at the Warren along with a Wood Sandpiper, a Quail singing and seen along Peter lane and a Turtle Dove in North field. Few migarnts about with 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Cuckoo, a Long-eared Owl, 3 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Blackcap, a Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Wheatear, a White Wagtail and a Siskin, with the Cetti's Warbler still at the Point..

In additon to those mentioned above other bits on the move were 2 Marsh Harrier, 4 Magpie, 22 Jackdaw, 2 Rook, 26 Carrion Crow, 2 Sand Martin, 187 Swallow, 12 House Martin, 3 Alba Wagtail, 9 Chaffinch, 11 Linnet, 11 Goldfinch, 2 Corn Bunting and a Yellowhammer, while over the sea a Manx Shearwater was the highlight, but 66 Grey Plover and 3 Curew headed out east.

The Whooper Swan was still on Kilnsea wetlands along with 455 Dark-bellied Brents.

Ringing: 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Whitethroat, 4 House Sparrow, 1 Robin.

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Monday, 17 May 2021

Sunny spells and a F3 north easterly.  Watches: 0550-1000.

The Golden Oriole remained at Chalk bank to the Potato fields area and our resident Cetti's Warbler was still at the Point, while the day saw a small increase in migrants bringing 2 Pied Flycatcher and 5 Spotted Flycatcher to the area along with 3 Common Sandpiper, 3 Cuckoo, 3 Short-eared Owl, 10 Willow Warbler, 17 Chiffchaff, a Grasshopper Warbler, 12 Blackcap, a Garden Warbler, 5 Song Thrush, a Redstart, 1 Whinchat, 7 Wheatear, 13 Pied Wagtail, a White Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipit, 3 Mealy Redpoll and 3 Siskin, while good numbers of breeders back on territory with 53 Whitethroat and at Beacon ponds 55 Little Tern around the colony.

There was less movement noted apart from decent numbers of Auks again with 2 Canada Geese, 18 Common Scoter, 8 Red-throated Diver, 7 Fulmar, 26 Gannet, 42 Kittiwake, 8 Sandwich Tern, 108 Guillemot, 22 Razorbill, a Puffin and 259 Auk sp over the sea with 82 Swallow, a House Martin, 2 Flava Wagtail, a Tree Pipit and 3 Chaffinch overland.

The usual Whooper Swan remained along with 2 Pale-bellied Brent among the 200 Dark-bellied Brent.

Ringing: 1 Wood Pigeon, 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Redstart, 3 Mealy Redpoll.

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Sunday, 16 May 2021

It was a good day all round, but as we keep repeating very poor for common migrants and as we head forwards more northerlies are predicted and unlikely to produce much except drfiting scarcities. The PURPLE HERON was again present in the triangle area, showing well on Canal scrape and last seen between Sammy's and Skeffling dropping into ditches. A nice 'green' Golden Oriole flew south past the Warren, settling in the potato fields area, while a male Grey-headed Wagtail flew south off the Point. A Temminck's Stint at Kilnsea wetlands flew south past the Warren, returning to the wetlands soon after, and a superb full spooned pale phase Pomarine Skua, settled on the Humber for a while preening, then headed purposely off high due east, over the breach where a nice dappled red Curlew Sandpiper was present. In the late afternoon a Crane flew south over Kilnsea. 

In addition to the good birds mentioned above the vismiggers at the Warren aslos recorded a Marsh Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard, a Hobby, 6 Jackdaw, 7 Rook, 14 Carrion Crow, 22 Sand Martin, 481 Swallow, 21 House Martin, 4 Flava Wagtail, 6 Chaffinch, a Greenfinch, 17 Linnet, 14 Goldfinch, a Siskin and 2 Corn Bunting.

I addition to the 87 Whitethroat counted along the peninsula and the seemingly resident Cetti's Warbler at the Point, further migarnts recorded were 2 Little-ringed Plover, 2 Cuckoo, a Short-eared Owl, 6 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, a Redstart, 6 Wheatear, 1 Mealy Redpoll and a Siskin.

Ringing: 1 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Wren, 1 Mealy Redpoll.

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Saturday, 15 May 2021

A mixed day of cloud, sunny spells and the odd light shower with a cool F2-4 south easterly.  Watches: 0550-1230. 

The day began with a bang when Spurns 3rd, PURPLE HERON was flushed from Sykes field pond, settling in various spots during the day in the triangle then around Kilnsea wetlands and Sammy's. There was no sign of the Thrush Nightingale, but a nice male Red-backed Shrike, gave birders the run around on Beacon lane, but did occasionally show well. Despite the Shrike there were few numbers of migrants the best being a Short-eared Owl, 1 Little-ringed Plover, a Common Sandpiper, 4 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 7 Reed Warbler, 5 Blackcap, a Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Redstart, a Whinchat, 5 Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 White Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipit and 2 Mealy Redpoll trapped at Kew.

Over the sea 2 Great Northern Diver and a Manx Shearwater flew north, along with 2 Red-throated Diver, 21 Common Scoter, 2 Fulmar, 52 Gannet, 11 Kittiwake, 24 Common Gull, 73 Lesser-Black backed Gull, 3 Sandwich Tern, 23 Guillemot, 21 Razorbill and 27 Auk sp, with 17 Arctic Tern, 7 Whimbrel and 68 Oystercatcher out east. Overland 3 Marsh Harrier, a Hobby, a Collared Dove, 4 Jackdaw, 14 Sand Martin, 133 Swallow, 3 Flava Wagtail, a Chaffinch, 32 Linnet, a Redpoll sp and 12 Goldfinch.

Other sightings included 2 Pale-bellied Brent on the Humber and the Whooper Swan was still at Long bank.

Ringing: 1 Redstart, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Mealy Redpoll. Controlled Dutch ringed Lesser Whitethroat.

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Friday, 14 May 2021

Overcast with some light drizzle and a F2 north easterly.  Watches: 0605-1005.

The THRUSH NIGHTINGALE remained at Wire Dump, singing (listen to the brilliant recording by Toby Phelps) and occasionally showing, but there were few other migrants about with a Common Sandpiper, 4 Cuckoo, a Short-eared Owl, 7 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 15 Reed Warbler, 12 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 11 Lesser Whitethroat, 43 Whitethroat, a Spotted Flycathcer, 1 Black Redstart by the Blue bell, 7 Wheatear, 4 Yellow Wagtail, a White Wagtail and a Tree Pipit, with the Cetti's Warbler singing again at the Point.

It was a tough day for the vismiggers with just the sea showing any life with, 9 Common Scoter, 5 Red-throated Diver, a Fulmar, 10 Gannet, 11 Whimbrel out east, 28 Kittiwake, 2 Common Tern, 74 Guillemto, a razorbill and 15 Auk sp.

The usual Whooper Swan remained around Kilnsea wetlands with a Pale-bellied Brent, 310 Brent Geese, 2 Tufted Duck and a good count of 60 Little Tern.

Ringing: 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat.

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Thursday, 13 May 2021

A sunny day, warm out of the F3 easterly.  Watches: 0600-0900.

It was an intrigiung afternoon when a Nightingale found at Wire Dump appeared to be a Common. When it began to sing and photgraphs analysed the ID began to be challenged, with features for Thrush Nightingale being put forward aswell as pro Commons. The overall appearance seemed Common to many, but features such as the malar stripe, breast speckling, obvious yellow gape line and wing structure, along with the song, point to the bird actually being a THRUSH NIGHTINGALE, the 16th record for Spurn, albeit an interesting challenging bird.  Rarer than this bird, a Nuthatch, the 14th record, all since 1998, but the first since 2018, was at the Warren. 

Migarnts numbers were low with just a Swift, 1 Short-eared Owl, 4 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 24 Sedge Warbler, 6 Blackcap, a Garden Warbler, 1 Wheatear, a Redstart, 2 Yellow Wagtail, a White Wagtail, 4 Mealy Redpoll and a Siskin and the Cetti's Warbler srtill at the Point.

There was a trickle of south bound birds, the conditions not that favourable with 5 Sand Martin, 222 Swallow, 22 House Martin, 3 Flava Wagtail, 4 Linnet, 8 Goldfinch, 5 Corn Bunting and a Yellowhammer.

The Whooper Swan was still on Kilnsea wetlands along with 312 Brent Geese and 2 Little Gull with 55 Little Tern nearby on Beacon ponds. A Pale-bellied Brent was on the Humber.

Ringing: 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Wren, 1 Mealy Redpoll.

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Wednesday, 12 May 2021

A warm sunny day with a F4-2 south easterly.  Watches: 0520-0930.

A CATTLE EGRET briefly on kilnsea wetlands, then spent the rest of the day in the triangle along with a Little Egret. A Temminck's Stint on kilnsea wetlands arrived from the east and from plumage may be a new bird, while a Little Stint was still present here and a Spoonbill spent a while here, then flew off south as did a Wood Sandpipier on nearby Holderness field.

The Turtle Dove remains at the Point plus the Cetti's Warbler, while other counts of migarnts were 2 Cuckoo, 2 Short-eared Owl, 7 Willow Warbler, 9 Chiffchaff, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Garden Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Whinchat, 55 Wheatear, a White Wagtail and a Lesser Redpoll.

Moving in addition to those mentioned above were 5 Swift, 16 Jackdaw, 21 Sand Martin, 424 Swallow, 77 House Martin, an Alba Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipit, a Chaffinch, 35 Linnet and 25 Goldfinch.

Ringing: 4 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 4 Blackbird, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Robin, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Linnet.

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Tuesday, 11 May 2021

Sunny spells, showers in the afternoon with a warm F4 south easterly.  Watches: 0535-1100.

It was another good day with a Temminck's Stint still present on Kilnsea wetlands, but flying off high north west, along with a Little Stint, while there were 2 Wood Warbler (Point and Canal), a Turtle Dove at the Point and 2 Black Redstart. Other migrants included a Cuckoo, 18 Willow Warbler, 12 Chiffchaff, a Grasshopper Warbler, 7 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Whinchat, 59 Wheatear, a Tree Pipit, 3 Mealy Redpoll, a Lesser Redpoll and 1 Siskin, with the Cetti's Warbler still at the Point.

A Garganey flew south past the Warren as did a Red Kite.and Hooded Crow.along with a Marsh Harrier, 3 Collared Dove, 17 Jackdaw, 4 Rook, 27 Sand Martin, 629 Swallow, 67 House Martin, a Grey Wagtail, 2 Alba Wagtail, 2 Chaffinch, 36 Linnet and 21 Goldfinch.

Ringing: 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Redpoll.

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Monday, 10 May 2021

A sunny morning, rain showers in the afternoon and a F4 south westerly. Watches: 0540:1800.

It was another great day of movement and while there was a departure of the previous days grounded migrants there were a few new bits in. The best of the days sightings were 2 Temminck's Sint mobile around the Kilnsea wetlands area, along with 2 Little stint and a nice male Blue-headed Wagtail in the same area. 

Following on nicely from yesterday there was some good overland movement with 12 Barnacle Geese, 2 Marsh Harrier, a ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Red Kite, 13 Swift, 3 Hobby, 6 Jackdaw, 3 Skylark, 66 Sand Martin, 2210 Swallow, 99 House Martin, 48 Flava Wagtail, a Grey Wagtail, 2 Alba Wagtail, 4 Tree Pipit, 16 Chaffinch, 57 Linnet, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 19 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin, 6 Corn Bunting, 1 Yellowhammer and a Cuckoo which gainged height out of Churchfield till a speck in the sky, heading off south east.

Grounded migrants and breeders while down on previous day, still had some good totals, 35 Whimbrel, 2 Turtle Dove still Point and northfield, 2 Short-eared Owl, 11 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 26 Sedge Warbler, a Grasshopper Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 10 Lesser Whitethroat, 56 Whitethroat, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Black Redstart, a Whinchat, 35 Wheatear, 4 Yellow Wagtail, a White Wagtail and 1 Tree Pipit, while at the Point the male Cetti's Warbler is still singing.

The Kilnsea wetlands area held 150 Brent Geese, 2 Canada Geese, the Whooper Swan, 3 Wigeon, 2 Tufted Duck, 4 Common Sandpiper and 4 Greenshank, with 450 Oystercatcher, 100 Grey Plover, 1400 Dunlin and 2 Mediterranean Gull on the Humber. 

Ringing: 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher.

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Sunday, 09 May 2021

A warm day with sunny spells and scattered showers and a F4-5 south westerly.  Watches: 0530-1720.

A fantastic day of arrivals and overland movement. Therre were several firsts for the year with a Curlew Sandpiper and Wood Sandpiper at Kilnsea wetlands, 2 Wood Warbler (Point and Beacon lane), 2 Turtle Dove (Point and Kilnsea0 and 5 Spotted Flycatcher. There were great totals of grounded migrants, 47 Whimbrel, 7 Common Sandpiper, 6 Cuckoo, 1 Short-eared Owl, the Cetti's Warbler still at the Point, 18 Willow Warbler, 12 Chiffchaff, a Grasshopper Warbler, 12 Blackcap, a Garden Warbler, 10 Lesser Whitethroat, 36 Whitethroat, a Ring Ouzel, 1 Pied Flycatcher, a Redstart, 13 Whinchat, 136 Wheatear, a White Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipit, 3 Lesser Redoll and 11 Siskin. 

The vis-miggers had their best day of the spring so far, with 3 Marsh Harrier, a Red Kite, 1 Snipe, 46 Swift, 2 Hobby, 70 Sand Martin, 1736 Swallow, 119 House Martin. 90 Flava Wagtail, 3 Alba Wagtail, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch, 96 Linnet, 51 Goldfinch, a Siskin, 4 Corn Bunting and a Yellowhammer, with 6 Arctic Tern, 3 Curlew and 2 Sanderling out east.

The Whooper Swan was still at Kilnsea wetlands along with 2 Canada Geese and 28 Little Tern nearby on Beacon ponds.

Ringing: 4 Willow Warbler, 1 Dunnock.

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Saturday, 08 May 2021

A cool, generally overcast day with increasingly heavy rain, easing in the afternoon and a strong F5-6 south easterly.  Watches: 0545-1115.

It was not a great day to be out and about with the rain and wind making it difficult. Migrant numbers were unsuprisingly lower with 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Swift, 2 Short-eared Owl, 50 Sand Martin, 4 Willow Warbler, 9 Chiffchaff, 5 Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, a Grasshopper Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 13 Whitethroat, a Ring Ouzel, 1 Redstart, 29 Wheatear, 4 Yellow Wagatil and 3 Siskin.

The best of the birds on the move over the sea was a Great Northern Diver out east plus 3 Tufted Duck, 45 Common Scoter and 62 Gannet, while overland a Marsh Harrier, 7 Swift, 5 Sand Martin. 35 Swallow and a Flava Wagtail. Up at Kilnsea wetlands the Whooper Swan remained.   

Ringing: 1 Reed Warbler. 

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Friday, 07 May 2021

A sunny day with frequent cold showers in the afternoon, witha F4 north westerly-F2 south easterly..  Watches: 0600-1015.

It was a great day all round with a nice selection of good species seen. A Crane over Kilnsea, landed west of Sammy's, 2 Spoonbill and a White-fronted Goose heaeded south east out to sea, a Great White Egret flew west at Sammy's, 2 Hooded Crow were in Easington, the Barnacle Goose and Whooper Swan both still on KIlnsea wetlands and the Cetti's Warbler still at the Point.

Grounded migrant numbers were decent with 34 Whimbrel, 3 Common Sandpiper, 2 Cuckoo, a Short-eared Owl, 165 Sand Martin, 4 Willow Warbler, 9 Chiffchaff, 29 Sedge Warbler, a Grasshopper Warbler, 11 Blackcap, 4 Garden Warbler, 29 Whitethroat, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Ring Ouzel, 3 Fieldfare, 2 Black Redstart inc an adult male, 2 Wheatear, 2 White Wagtail and a male Brambling.

There was a bit of overland movement in addition to the birds above, with a Marsh Harrier, 1 Hobby, 3 Sand Martin, 63 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 5 Flava Wagtail and a Corn Bunting.

Ringing: 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Chaffinch.

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Thursday, 06 May 2021

Sunny with the odd shower, becoming heavier by the evening and a variable F3 south west-north east.  Watches: 0600-1130.

The male Golden Oriole continued to show well along the canal, while the first Garden Warbler of the spring was at the Point and the first Hobby flew south. Grounded migarnts included a Little-ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Short-eared Owl, 2 Swift, 25 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 5 Willow Warbler, 20 Chiffchaff, 9 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, 11 Blackcap, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 48 Whitethroat, 2 Ring Ouzel, 5 Fieldfare, 10 Song Thrush, 2 Whinchat, 7 Yellow Wagtail, a White Wagtail and 1 Brambling, while the Cettti's Warbler was still at the Point.

Movement was again poor again, with a Spoonbill, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Whimbrel, 16 Jackdaw, 7 Rook, 15 Carrion Crow, 4 Sand Martin, 59 Swallow, 2 Flava Wagtail, 1 Alba Wagtail and a Linnet.

The Kilnsea wetlands area again held a Barnacle Goose, 295 Brent Geese, a Pale-bellied Brent, the Whooper Swan, 5 Wigeon, 8 Teal, 6 Little Egret and 4 Greenshank.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Robin.

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Wednesday, 05 May 2021

Sunny spells and the odd shower with a F3 north west-north east wind. Watches:0610-0910.

A rather dapper male Golden Oriole stole the show, first seen at the Warren, showed well along the Canal in the afternoon and in the Warren heligoland trap. Migrants and returning breeders were again up for some species with 4 Common Sandpiper, a Long-eared Owl, 3 Short-eared Owl, a Swift, 4 Cuckoo, 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 14 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 19 Whitethroat, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Ring Ouzel, 14 Fieldfare, 6 Song Thrush,a Redstart, 9 Wheatear, 7 Yellow Wagtail, a Brambling, 1 Siskin and a Hawfinch in the triangle, with a Hooded X Carrion Crow still in the area.

The Kilnsea wetlands offered good birding as usual with 300 Brent Geese, 2 Pale-bellied Brent, 2 Canada Geese, the Whooper Swan, 5 Wigeon, 13 Little Tern, 6 Little Egret, a Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Greenshank.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap.

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Tuesday, 04 May 2021

A day of intermittent heavy rain with a strong F7 north westerly.  Watches: 0620-0950.

The bird of the day was a Red-rumped Swallow at the Warren around 16:50, which flew off south (after a bird was reported in Kilnsea in the morning). Despite this bird, the conditions were not exactly good migration weather with just 2 Swift, a Sand Martin and 8 Swallow seen, but a Blackcap, a Fieldfare, 1 Song Thrush, a Mustle Thrush, 1 Robin and a Wheatear were seen coming in/off. The sea was better too with 2 Shoveler, a Tufted Duck, 13 Fulmar, 5 Manx Shearwater, 123 Gannet, 8 Oystercatcher, 2 Curkew, a Turnstone, 4 Kittiwake, 130 Herring Gull, 27 Sandwich Tern. an Arctic Skua, 32 Guillemot, 14 Razorbill and 2 Puffin, 74 Large Auk sp

Migrants numbers were lower than previous days, but understandable in the conditions with 18 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Cuckoo, the first Pied Flycatcher of the spring at Kew, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Goldcrest, a Ring Ouzel, 2 Fieldfare, 2 Redstart, a Whinchat, 1 Stonechat, 4 Wheatear, 7 Yellow Wagtail, a White Wagtail, 1 Brambling and a Siskin.

The Barnacle Goose and Whooper Swan both remained at Kilnsea wetlands.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler.

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Monday, 03 May 2021

Overcast with patchy sun, rain from late morning and an increasing F3 south westerly.  Watches: 0645-1030.

There is a small, daily turnover of migrants, the lastest small arrival saw the first Whinchat of the spring at Chalky point, plus 2 Common Sandpiper, 13 Sandwich Tern, an Arctic Tern on Kilnsea wetlands, 2 Cuckoo, 120 Sand Martin, 5 Swallow, 4 House Martin, 2 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 22 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, a Grasshopper Warbler, 11 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 24 Whitethroat, a Goldcrest, 1 Ring Ouzel, 19 Wheatear, 19 Yellow Wagtail, 4 White Wagtail, a Brambling, 1 Mealy Redpoll and a Siskin. 

A small bit of overland movement saw 4 Wood Pigeon, 4 Rook, 6 Carrion Crow, 2 Skylark, 21 Sand Martin, 136 Swallow, 11 House Martin, 47 Flava Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Alba Wagtail, a Tree Pipit, 15 Chaffinch, 17 Linnet, 45 Goldfinch and a Corn Bunting, with 3 Curlew out east.

Kilnsea wetlands held all the usuals along with the Whooper Swan, 2 Canada Geese, 110 Brent Geese, a Barnacle Goose, the Great White Egret and 4 Greenshank.

Ringing: 2 Blackcap, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Robin, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Wren, 1 Mealy Redpoll.

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Sunday, 02 May 2021

A sunny start, with showers more frequent in the afternoon, with a chilly F3 West north westerly.  Watches: 0615-1515.

It was a much better day all round, with increases in grounded migrants and visible migration, with a few good birds thrown in too. A Richard's Pipit in Walker butts was a good spring find, calling as it flew off north in the evening, a drake Garganey was on Kilnsea wetlands, where an immature Spoonbill dropped in for a feed and a bath then flew south, the Great White Egret still present, but flew off north west, as did a ringtail Hen Harrier, while the Cetti's Warbler continues its stay at the Point.

Grounded migrants/local breeder numbers were again up slightly with 2 Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Cuckoo, 4 Short-eared Owl, 60 Sand Martin, 10 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 4 Wilow Warbler, 9 Chiffchaff, 11 Sedge Warbler, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 7 Lesser Whitethroat, 19 Whitethroat, 6 Goldcrest, 2 Ring Ouzel, 42 Fieldfare, a Black Redstart, 1 Redstart, 5 Wheatear, 7 Yellow Wagtail, 4 White Wagtail, 2 Bullfinch and 3 Siskin.

The vis-miggers had a much better morning, but numbers are still lower than normal for the time of year with a Swift, 4 Jackdaw, 6 Rook, 9 Carrion Crow, 105 Sand Martin, 349 Swallow, 17 House Martin, 18 Yellow Wagtail, a Grey Wagtail, 3 Chaffinch and 6 Goldfinch, with 68 Curlew, 11 Black-headed Gull and 11 Common Gull out east.

The usual Whooper Swan remained on Kilnsea wetlands along with 2 Pale-bellied Brent among the 372 Dark-bellied Brents while there are now 5 Tufted Duck. 

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Wheatear, 2 Robin, 1 Linnet.

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Saturday, 01 May 2021

A wet start, cleared to leave a sunny afternoon, but with a continuing cold F4 north easterly.

A day where it was much the same, sprung to life with news of a WHITE-TAILED EAGLE heading south over Withernsea, and with that location being so near to Spurn, birders vacated to higher ground and saw it come south high over the Humber, spending some time sat on the mud, before continuing south across to Lincolnshire. At the time of writing it is an apparently wild bred bird.

Grounded migrants were similar to previous days, though an increase in Hirundines was apparent, 16 Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Greenshank, a Cuckoo, 2 Short-eared Owl, 80 Sand Martin, 45 Swallow, 6 Willow Warbler, 15 Chiffchaff, 11 Sedge Warbler, a Reed Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 12 Whitethroat, 6 Goldcrest, 26 Fieldfare, 8 Song Thrush, a Redstart, 11 Wheatear, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 2 WhiteWagtail, a Hawfinch north over Pancho ponds, 1 Lesser Redpoll and a Siskin.

Apart from the Eagle there was little on the move, 12 Arctic Tern and 2 Curlew out east and a Great Skua south the best.

The KIlnsea wetlands area held 300 Brent Geese, a Barnacle Goose, the Whooper Swan, 2 Tufted Duck, the Great White Egret and 5 Little Egret with now upto 40 Little Tern on nearby Beacon ponds.

Ringing: 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 4 Goldfinch.

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