Spurn Bird Observatory Sightings February 2024
With so many birders covering the Spurn area it is always helpful for us to get as many records submitted to us as possible. Please try to send in sightings on the same day so we can get them added to the log.
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Thursday, 29 February 2024
A cloudy day with occasional light showers and light south westerlies.
The last day of the month had no suprises the long bank area holding 9 Shelducks, 41 Shovelers, 95 Teal, 530 Wigeon, a Greenshank and single Mediterranean Gull with the 30 Whooper Swans still nearby.
A Lesser Redoll heading south the best of the vismig.
Ringing: Blackbird 1, Song Thrush 1, Dunnock 1, Yellowhammer 1. 4/4. Watches: 0700 - 1000.
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Wednesday, 28 February 2024
Generally cloudy with the odd sunny spell gave way to rain by the evening and a F4 westerly.
There was little change again the 30 Whooper Swans remaining while the sea had 53 Common Scoters, a Great Crested Grebe and 28 Red-throated Divers made for quite a disappointing day.
Ringing: Reed Bunting 1 1/1. Watches: 0700 - 1000
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Brent Geese - John Hewitt.
Tuesday, 27 February 2024
A cloudy daysome some spells in the afternoon with aF3 south westerly.
The sea had most of todays few interesting sightings most noteably a Velvet Scoter heading south plus 90 Pink-footed Geese heading north west and 2 Pintails, 14 Common Scoters, 80 Red-throated Divers, a Fulmar and 5 Cormorants.
Elsewhere there was littel change the Whimbrel and 31 Whooper Swans still present.
Ringing: Greenfinch 1, Chaffinch 1 2/2. Watches: 0700-1000. Visit from Bishop Burton College students, contributing counts from the Humber & triangle
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Linnets - Denise Shields.
Monday, 26 February 2024
Generally cloudy with the odd glimpse of the sun and a light north westerly.
The best of the day were a Snow Bunting at the point, 30 Whooper Swans still on Easington straight including the 2 dark beilled birds, 46 Shovelers on Kilnsea wetlands and now 2 Coots on canal scrape.
Some interest over the sea with 2 Eider, 81 Kittiwakes, 3 Mediterranean Gulls, 117 Common Gulls, 46 Red-throated Divers, 7 Fulmars and 9 Gannets.
Watches - 07:00-10:00, 11:30-13:30
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Wren - John Hewitt.
Sunday, 25 February 2024
Another nice sunny warm day with a light southerly.
The PALLID HARRIER put in another appearance looping through the area heading back north west (having been seen at Welwick the previous evening) while the Firecrest was again at the sewage works with another of its erratic appearances. There were 2 Pale-bellied Brents on Kilnsea wetlands, 30 Whooper Swans along Easington straight, 45 Shovelers and the Greenshank on long bank marsh, a Short-eared Owl hunting long bank and a Peregrine hunting the Humber.
There was some interest for the vismiggers with 191 Pink-footed Geese, a Tufted Duck, 23 Common Scoters, 50 Common Gulls, 57 Herring Gulls, 48 Red-throated Divers, 3 Cormorants, 8 Jackdaws, 170 Starlings, 5 Greenfinchea and 25 Siskins.
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Firecrest - Thomas Willoughby.
Pallid Harrier - Thomas Willoughby.
Pallid Harrier - Thomas Willoughby.
Pallid Harrier - John Hewitt.
Saturday, 24 February 2024
A sunny day with light south westerlies.
The day some some interest over the sea with 423 Pink-footed Geese heading north west, 42 Oystercatchers headed out east and heading south a Gadwall, 4 Pintails, 5 Teal, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, while overland a Common Buzzard, 2 Jackdaws, 4 Rooks amd 2 Snow Buntings.
Elsewhere long bank reamined busy with 580 Wigeons, 132 Teal, 12 Lapwings, the Whimbrel and 300 Redshanks with a Greenshank nearby on Kilnsea wetlands and a Woodcock and Sammy's/
Ringing: Blackbird 1. 1/1 Watch times: 07:00-10:00, 15:15-17:00
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Rook - John Hewitt.
Friday, 23 February 2024
Dry and bright, the wind dropping as day went on from F5 to F3.
The best of the day were 29 Whooper Swans stiill on Easington straight, the Whimbrel in long bank along with 550 Brent Geese, a Short-eared Owl hunting the area, 9 Stonechats between Kilnsea and beacon ponds and 15 Tree Sparrows in the listening dish hedge.
Over the sea there were limited offerings with just 54 Pink-footed Geese and 3 Eider noteable.
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Thursday, 22 February 2024
Rain throughtout the day heavy at times with a F5 south westerly.
A very quiet day all round no doubt due to the heavy rain and few wandering out to look. The 30 Whooper Swans were still present, 3 Tufted Ducks on Kilnsea wetlands, 1100 Redshank on long bank, 4 Short-eared Owls around the same area and 299 Pink-footed Geese flew north west were about the best of it.
Watches: 07:30 - 10:00
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Short-eared Owl - Tony Hull.
Wednesday, 21 February 2024
A wet day with rain throughout and an increasing F5 south westerly.
It was pretty much back to normal albeit the rain curtailing observers out in the field. Saying that a Black-throated Diver was on the sea off the gas terminal while a Bean Goose sp flew north over here too.
The best otherwise 2 Eiders, 199 Guillemots, 57 Red-throated Divers, 2 Fulmars and 29 Gannets over the sea.
Watches: 0730 - 1000
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Pintails - Tony Hull.
Tuesday, 20 February 2024
A cloudy day with a F4 south westerly.
It was busy day all round despite seemingly little change in the conditions most noteably a great total of 1320 Pink-footed Geese heading north west and a Red Kite which u turned heading back north west. Heading south were a Canada Goose, 2 Pintails, 20 Linnets, 4 Siskins and 5 Reed Buntings.
The Firecrest made another appearance this time in the garden of hillrise and the 30 Whooper Swans on Easington straight with long bank holding 3 Pale-bellied Brents, 2 Pintails and the Whimbrel among all the usual species and nearby 5 Avocets returned to kilnsea wetlands. Additions from the normal saw 2 Great White Egrets lingering around long bank and a Corn Bunting at the Warren.
Ringing: Moorhen 1, Reed Bunting 3. Watch times: 07:30-10:15
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Red Kite - John Hewitt.
Pintails and Wigeon - John Hewitt.
Monday, 19 February 2024
Cloudy for most of the day brightening later with winds from a general westerly vector.
Long bank marsh was bustling with activity which included 1070 Brent Geese, at least 2 Pale-bellied Brents and a leucistic bird, 38 Shovelers, 796 Wigeons, 33 Mallards and 97 Teal plus the Whimbrel and 530 Redshanks while Wader counts nearby on the Humber included 1484 Oystercatchers, 30 Lapwings, 274 Grey Plovers, 2966 Knot and 3309 Dunlins.
Movement was similar to previous days with 167 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Pintails, 8 Teal, 5 Eiders, 7 Common Scoters, 88 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 170 Common Gulls, 114 Red-throated Divers, 4 Gannets, a Sparrowhawk, 4 Skylarks, 90 Starlings and 2 Siskins.
Watch times: 07:30-10:40, 11:25-13:00, 16:15-17:30
38 Shovelers,
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Pintails - Tony Hull.
Sunday, 18 February 2024
Cloudy and wet with a F3 north westerly.
A pick up in movement over the sea saw more Wildfowl on the move with 4 Shelducks, 35 Teal, a Velvet Scoter, 134 Common Scoters, a Goldeneye and 2 Goosanders but othewise the most noteworthy being a Mediterannean Gull.
A Pale-bellied Brent was with 400 Brent Geese on long bank marsh along with the Whimbrel and the 30 Whooper Swans still on Easington straight.
Ringing: Blackbird 1. Watch times: 07:30-10:00, 10:45-12:45, 13:15-14:40
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Whimbrel - Martin Standley.
Saturday, 17 February 2024
Sunny spells with a light southerly.
The 2cy PALLID HARRIER made another welcome appearance following the same pattern as previous days returning north west (later being seen at Skeffling and then Holmpton) a Red kIte heading south adding to the Raptor interest. The day also saw a Spotted Redshank lingering on long bank with the Whimbrel and nearby the 30 Whooper Swans on Easington straight.
The mild conditions saw 834 Pink-footed Geese head north west and a trickle southbound with 3 Jackdaws, 3 Rooks, 7 Skylarks, 220 Starlings, 3 Dunnocks, 2 Greenfinches, 30 Linnets, 16 Siskins and 7 Reed Buntings.
Ringing: Stock Dove 1, Starling 1, Song Thrush 1, Linnet 4, Reed Bunting 3. Watch times: 07:00-10:00
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Spotted Redshank - Martin Standley.
Pallid Harrier - John Hewitt.
Friday, 16 February 2024
Sunny spells interprersed with showers and a F3 westerly.
The day saw some decent movement for the vismiggers totals of 6 Stock Doves, 93 Lapwings, 122 Black-headed Gulls, a Marsh Harrier, 11 Jackdaws, 4 Rooks, 3 Skylarks, 603 Starlings, 14 Blackbirds, a Dunnock, 6 Greenfinches, 28 Linnets, 70 Siskins and 2 Reed Buntings.
A Snow Bunting on the warren beach was the first for a while while the 30 Whooper Swans remained and upto 3 Short-eared Owls still hunted the area.
Ringing: Dunnock 1, Chaffinch 2, Reed Bunting 3. Wat ch times: 07:30-10:15, 15:30-16:30
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Thursday, 15 February 2024
Another cloudy day but a change to a light southerly wind.
The 2cy PALLID HARRIER put in another appearance as it headed past Sammys into KIlnsea then headed north to Easington before turning west. Hopefully its pinned down into a routine or area where it spends most of its time. Elsewhere 408 Pink-footed Geese headed north west, the 29 Whooper Swans remained in residence, a male Marsh Harrier hunted the area while Great Tit numbers become more obvious in the area.
Ringing: Reed Bunting 1. Watch times: 07:30-10:00
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Pallid Harrier - Jacob Spinks.
Wednesday, 14 February 2024
A cloudy day with a moderate south westerly.
The day saw little change but again some light passage with today bringing 150 Pink-footed Geese, 5 Wigeon, 4 Mallard, 2 Pintails, 4 Teal, 118 Red-throated Divers, 2 Jackdaws and 2 Rooks.
Otherwsie it was the ever present species such as the Whimbrel, 29 Whooper Swans, a Pale-bellied Brent, 19 Black-tailed Godwits and 4 Short-eared Owls which made up the rest of the sightings.
Ringing: Woodpigeon 1, Blackbird 1, Chaffinch 1. 3/3 Watch times: 07:30-10:00
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Whimbrel - Mick Turton.
Tuesday, 13 February 2024
A cloudy day with a moderate south westerly.
The Great White Egret was still present after its fly about the previous day with both the Whimbrel on long bank marsh and 29 Whooper Swans again on Easington straight. On long bank 8 Pale-bellied Brents were with 600 Brents along with 29 Shovelers, 710 Wigeon and 125 Teal with a Merlin at Sammys.
Some movement over the sea saw a Great Northen Diver, 121 Red-throated Divers, a Tufted Duck and 2 Great Crested Grebes.
Ringing: Blackbird 1, House Sparrow 1, Reed Bunting 3. 5/3 Watch times: 07:30-10:00
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Great Crested Grebe - Harry Appleyard.
Monday, 12 February 2024
A generally sunny day with a F3 westerly.
The change in the weather saw some light movement with a Great White Egret, 162 Pink-footed Geese, 10 Stock Doves, 100 Wood Pigeons, single Common Buzzard, 2 Jackdaws, 6 Carrion Crows, 14 Skylarks, 221 Starlings, a Pied Wagtail, 2 Rock Pipits, 3 Chaffinches, a Greenfinch and 20 Linnets. Over the sea 2 Eiders, 13 Kittiwakes, 198 Black-headed Gulls, 169 Common Gulls, 80 Red-throated Divers and a Gannet.
The 29 Whooper Swans were still on Easington straight and 18 Tree Sparrows at Kilnsea wetlands.
Ringing: Woodpigeon 1, Reed Bunting 2. Watch times: 07:30-10:00, 15:00-16:30
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Great White Egret - Jacob Spinks.
Great White Egret - Jacob Spinks.
Sunday, 11 February 2024
A cloudy day with drizzle throughout and a moderate north westerly.
A 2cy PALLID HARRIER was an unexpected sighting from the Obs tower flying north towards Kilnsea wetlands being photographed by one lucky observer. Hopefully it will re-appear. There was a good total of 530 Black-tailed Godwits on Long bank which also held 39 Shovelers, 597 Wigeon, 65 Lapwings, the Whimbrel, 150 Curlews, 28 Bar-tailed Godwits and 300 Redshanks. Nearby 29 Whooper Swans were again on Easington straight.
The day also some limited movement the best being 196 Pink-footed Geese plus 3 Gadwalls, 2 Pintails, 2 Teal and 17 Common Scoters.
Watch times: 07:30-10:00, 13:15-14:15
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BOC Pallid Harrier - Milo Dawes.
Saturday, 10 February 2024
The very light south westerly wasnt enough to shift the heavy fog present throughout the day.
The Firecrest made a reappearance at Easington sewage works where a Grey Wagtail was also present. The fog otherwise made it difficult for viewing but the 29 Whooper Swans sould still be seen, a Jack Snipe on beacon ponds, the Whimbrel in walker butts and a Short-eared Owl at Kilnsea wetlands.
Ringing: Blackbird 1
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Cetti's Warbler - John Hewitt.
Work party at Beacon ponds getting the area ready for Little Terns due back in the next 2 months or so.
Friday, 09 February 2024
Long bank marsh continues to attract a good array of species along with good numbers with 29 Whooper Swans, 29 Shovelers, 6 Gadwalls, 512 Wigeon, 66 Lapwings, 100 Black-tailed Godwits and 700 Redshanks.
The best of the sea saw 6 Goldeneyes fly south.
Watch times: 07:20-10:05
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Gadwall - Denise Shields.
Thursday, 08 February 2024
A cool cloudy day with rain throughout and a gusting F7 easterly.
A day of little change the drake Scaup on KIlnsea wetlands with 2 Goldeneyes, 29 Whooper Swans on Easington straight, the Whimbrel in the triangle and 15 Tree Sparrows at the Obs.
Ringing: Water Rail 1, Blackbird 2. Watch times: 07:30-09:30
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Goldeneye - John Hewitt.
Goldeneye - John Hewitt.
Wednesday, 07 February 2024
Long sunny spells during the day but a change to light easterlies.
The drake Scaup remained on the wetlands with 2 Goldeneyes and a Waxwing was briefly at Driftwood then flew off north. There were still 4 Pale-bellied Brents about along with 29 Whooper Swans, the Whimbrel and a Rock Pipit.
A bit of movement over land and sea with 4 Brent Geese, 44 Pink-footed Geese, 3 Pintails, 6 Teal, a Great Crested Grebe, a Jackdaw, single Stock Dove, 4 Chaffinches, 3 Greenfinches and 3 Siskins.
Ringing: Starling 1, Reed Bunting 2. Watch times: 07:30-10:00
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Pale-bellied Brent Geese - John Hewitt.
Goldeneye - Denise Shields.
Tuesday, 06 February 2024
A cloudy day with a moderate westerly.
A drake Scaup was in new on Kilnsea wetlands bu toherwsie it was much the same with 29 Whooper Swans, the Whimbrel and Coot all still present.
Ringing: Blackbird 1. Watch times: 07:30-10:00
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Monday, 05 February 2024
The best of todays action came from the ponds and long bank marsh with continued good numbers of Wildfowl including 1050 Brent Geese, 4 Pale-bellied Brents, still 29 Whooper Swans, 37 Shovelers, 4 Gadwall, 788 Wigeon, 160 Teal and 2 Goldeneye.
The Whimbrel was still in the triangle and a Waxwing paid a brief visit to sykes field.
Ringing: Starling 1. Watch times: 07:30-10:00
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Pale-bellied Brent with Dark-bellied Brents - John Hewitt.
Sunday, 04 February 2024
Another day of sunny spells with the moderate westerly persisitng.
A influx of Brents into the recording area brought an adult Black Brant along with 1100 Brent Geese and 7 Pale-bellied Brents. Some other good Wildfowl counts were 200 Pink-footed Geese, 29 Whooper Swans, 28 Shovelers, 981 Wigeon and 148 Teal.
A ringtail Hen Harrier wandered the area, the Whimbrel remained in the triangle, Coot again on canal scrape, 100 House Sparrows and 15 Tree Sparrows in Kilnsea with 20 Siskins flying south and a Merlin hunting the area.
Ringing: Blackbird 2, Redwing 1. 3/2 Watch times: 07:30-10:00
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Black Brant with juvenile Brent - John Hewitt.
Saturday, 03 February 2024
Sunny spells throughout the day again with a moderate westerly.
Some light overland 'spring' passage brought 5 Stock Doves, 2 Jackdaws, 3 Skylarks, 14 Starlings, 19 Linnets, 20 Siskins, 3 Snow Buntings and 2 Reed Buntings.
Otherwsie it was little change with the 29 Whooper Swans, the Whimbrel, a Jack Snipe in well field while 2 Pale-bellied Brents were with the Brent flock.
Ringing: Redwing 1, Greenfinch 1. 2/2 Watch times: 07:30-10:00
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Friday, 02 February 2024
Cloudy with long sunny spells and a F5 westerly.
A 2cy Caspian Gull put in an appearance on Kilnsea wetlands, a Jack Snipe in well field, 29 Whooper Swans on Easington straight, the Whimbrel again in the traingle and 850 Brent Geese on long bank marsh.
Over the sea 5 Wigeon, 5 Pintail, 4 Teal, 2 Goldeneyes, 4 Kittiwakes and 99 Red-throated Divers were the stand out counts.
Ringing: Teal 1, Moorhen 1, Woodpigeon 2, Blackbird 1, Robin 1, Starling 2. 8/6 Watch times: 07:30-10:00
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Teal - Charlotte Foote.
Thursday, 01 February 2024
A nice sunny day with a moderate westerly.
The best of todays sightings saw the 29 Whooper Swans on Easington straight, the Whimbrel in the triangle, a Mediterranean Gull south over the sea while a Coot put in an appearance on canal scrape.
Ringing: Starling 3. 3/1 Watch times: 07:30-10:00
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Coot - Harry Appleyard.
