Sightings

Spurn Bird Observatory Sightings March 2023

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Summary of latest sightings

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Friday, 31 March 2023

A dull overcast and drizzly day with a moderat easterly wind. Watches 0700-0945.

The east in the wind dropped in a few migrants the pick being 6 Firecrests around the area (2 Kew, middlecamp, beacon lane, listening dish hedge, vicars lane) and a Wood Lark in holderness field plus 4 Woodcocks, 2 Black Redstart, 3 Wheatears, continental type Stonechat in holderness field, 3 Blackcaps, 11 Chiffchaffs, 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Goldcrests, 171 Redwing, 19 Fieldfares and 3 Bramblings.

The usual Shore Lark was still at beacon ponds with a Greenshank, single Goosander here and good numbers of Shovelers still present. 

Ringing Willow Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 2, Blackcap 1, Firecrest 2, Blackbird 3, Redwing 6, Chaffinch 2, Greenfinch 1, 18/8

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Thursday, 30 March 2023

It was a good day for passage and grounded birds, with a F3 south westerly wind, overcast in the morning with some heavy downpours clearing up for a pleasant spring like afternoon.

Morning passage was good, with 453 Chaffinch moving south, which takes the total spring count so far, to over 7000 which is the highest spring count since 1960! The first Swallow of the year went north over the Old Boatyard in Easington, small numbers of Siskin and Linnet moving, but at least 12 Sand Martin were at Kilnsea Wetlands, whilst over the flood wall, the Shore Lark was still at Beacon Ponds.

There were the first Willow Warblers of the year at Hill Rise, The Narrows and at Easington Sewage Works. A Firecrest was caught and ringed in Church Field, there were 23 Chiffchaff in the recording area, and 18 Wheatear.

Elsewhere, there were 2 Black Redstart at the Parade Ground, and a Red Kite flew west at Sammy’s Point car park. A Great White Egret was again just north of Sammy’s Point. Its unclear as to whether this was the same bird as yesterday returning after flying south past the Point, or another one.

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Wednesday, 29 March 2023

A cloudy day with a F3 south westerly.  Watches: 0710-0935.

A small arrival of migrants brought the first Sand Martin and Green Sandpiper of the year to Kilnsea wetlands plus 9 Chiffchaffs, 7 Wheatear, 2 Black Redstarts and 2 Siskin around the area with 2 Brambling and 94 Redwing waiting for the right moment to return to the continent.

The vismigers had a quiet morning, though a Great White Egret headed south over the sea along with a Little Egret, 3 Rook, 185 Starlings, 2 Alba Wagtail. 3 Pied Wagtails, 12 Meadow Pipits, 122 Chaffinch, 8 Linnets, 5 Goldfinch, 3 Siskin and a Reed Bunting. 

There were still 33 Shoveler, 15 Gadwall, a Pintail, 53 Teal and 25 Black-tailed Godwits on Kilnsea wetlands with the usual Shore Lark nearby on beacon ponds.

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackbird, 1 Redwing, 1 Great Tit, 1 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 2 Chaffinch. 8/7
 

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Tuesday, 28 March 2023

A wet and windy day, with an F4 SSW preventing any migration over land.

Two Avocet south on the sea watch were the highlights of anotherwise slow morning, but Kilnsea Wetlands held a spring record 48 Shoveler, 1 Wheatear and a Black Redstart. Still no real numbers of spring migrants but ringing suggest Chiffchaffs are trickling through with another 3 new individuals caught today.

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Monday, 27 March 2023

A bright day, with a cool F3 wind moving round from a northerly to north west, and then moving round to the east later in the day.

A very quiet day over the sea and for vismigging with no notable movements. There was an increase in Little Egret (7) at Kilnsea Wetlands, and after a short break, a Snow Bunting was at Beacon Ponds, and there were Black Redstarts at Kilnsea Wetlands and on Seaside Road in Easington.

A ringtail Hen Harrier was blogging about, and a Wheatear was at Kilnsea Wetlands.

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Sunday, 26 March 2023

F4 ENE turning northerly with some showers throughout the day.

A change in the wind resulted in a much quieter day all round.

At least one Firecrest was around the search light bunkers at the point, and the Black Redstart was around the Lifeboat Cottages with a Wheater there being the best of the grounded birds. The drake Scaup was still on Beacon Ponds, and a 2nd calendar year Yellow-legged Gull was at Sammy’s Point.

Two Woodlark south at the Warren were the highlight over land, and 5 Velvet Scoter initially went north over the sea, before returning back south half an hour later.

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Saturday, 25 March 2023

An F6 westerly wind with frequent heavy showers throughout the day didn't stop the vismiggers, and they were rewarded with a fantastic morning of passage.

A whopping 2502 Chaffinch flew south, mainly between 07:00 and 08:20 during the showers, and 272 Siskin wasn't a bad haul either. This was the 4th highest Chaffinch total, and a new spring record for Siskin.

The Firecrest was again opposite the Blue Bell and made its way into the nets in Church Field before returning back to Southfield Farm. There were also two around the Gun Emplacement a the Point.

At Beacon Ponds, we were back down to one Shore Lark, and only the drake Scaup was present.

 

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Friday, 24 March 2023

Another day of F6 south-westerly winds, some heavy showers mid afternoon but bright and dry later on.

It was a good day for Firecrest, with one still in the hedge opposite Blue Bell, another at The Narrows, and at least 1 more at the Point. At Beacon Ponds, at least 1 more Shore Lark joined the long staying one.

662 Chaffinch, 101 Siskin and 90 Linnet south were the high migration counts this morning.

 

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Thursday, 23 March 2023

A bright and breezy day, still a F6 south-westerly wind.

Summer migrants were thin on the ground, and not much change from yesterday, however it was another good day for passage over Numpties.

    S   N       S   N       S N
Stock Dove   4    -    Gannet   -    2    Chaffinch *   838    -   
Little Grebe *   3    -    Jackdaw *   7    46    Brambling   3    -   
Oystercatcher *   -    53    Rook   9    -    Greenfinch *   11    -   
Black-headed Gull   417    -    Starling *   138    250    Linnet   64    -   
Mediterranean Gull *   1    -    White Wagtail   1    -    Goldfinch *   7    -   
Common Gull   45    -    alba wagtail sp.   2    -    Siskin   78    -   
Herring Gull   40    -    Pied Wagtail   2    -    Reed Bunting   3    -   
Guillemot   -    12    Meadow Pipit *   -    30      
Red-throated Diver   -    19    Rock Pipit *   2    -      

The Firecrest was still present around Corner Field, the long staying Shore Lark and 2 Scaup were again at Beacon Ponds.

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Wednesday, 22 March 2023

A wet and windy start with a F6 south-westerly.

An excellent southerly passage of 945 Chaffinch and 146 Siskin were the highlights of the morning watch, with 9 White Wagtail also moving. The sea remains quiet, but a Woodlark was blogging around the Warren area, possibly a different bird to the one earlier in the week as this was missing a few secondary feathers in the wing.

In the Beacon Ponds and Kilnsea Wetlands area, the Shore Lark and two Scaup remain, and there was a presumed Dark-bellied Brent Goose x Black Brant hybrid present.

A very showy Firecrest opposite the Blue Bell was the first for the year, and only one Wheatear on Holderness Field.

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Tuesday, 21 March 2023

A fairly mild day with an f4 south-westerly.

The Alpine Swift came out of roost again at the Gas Terminal and showed well until heading north around 09:15 this morning and not seen again.

At Beacon Ponds, the 2 Scaup remain, as does the Shore Lark. Both Oystercatcher and Ringed Plovers are pairing up and setting up territories arounf the fenced off Little Tern colony so please keep well away and view only from Long Bank.

A Woodlark went south, possibly yesterdays bird, and a good passage of 707 Chaffinch also went south, the highlights for the vismiggers.

    S   N       S   N       S   N
Wigeon *   -    37    Jackdaw *   -    8    Pied Wagtail *   2    -   
Collared Dove *   -    1    Rook *   2    -    Meadow Pipit *   6    -   
Oystercatcher *   -    103    Wood Lark   1    -    Chaffinch *   707    -   
Kittiwake *   -    8    Skylark *   2    -    Greenfinch   10    -   
Black-headed Gull *   -    62    Long-tailed Tit *   4    -    Linnet *   56    -   
Common Gull *   -    12    Chiffchaff *   -    1    Goldfinch   5    -   
Guillemot   -    4    Starling *   60    70    Siskin   98    -   
Red-throated Diver   -    17    White Wagtail *   2    -    Yellowhammer *   3    -   
Sparrowhawk *   2    -    alba wagtail sp.   17    -    Reed Bunting *   2    -

 

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Monday, 20 March 2023

A wet and miserable start with an F4 south-westerly had 125 Starling and 487 Chaffinch moving south the best numbers over numpties.

A Woodlark was showing well in Clubleys, and the Alpine Swift spent all day whizzing around peoples heads at the north-east corner of the Gas Terminal. It appeared to go into roost at 18:10 at the Gas Terminal.

Other highlights were the Bearded Tit again, this time in Church Field, and a new Black Redstart on the rocks by the Gas Terminal.

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Sunday, 19 March 2023

A bright and sunny day with light north westerly wind.

No sign of the Dartford Warbler, but TWO Alpine Swifts out of the recording area at Welwick Marsh caused some excitement. Both individuals finally made their way into SBO territory, one headed south over Easington Church to Sammy’s Point and out over the Humber and lost to view at 16:45, and then the second bird came south along the cliffs at Easington Gas Terminal at 17:50, possibly roosting around the Gas Terminal as it never made it any further south.

A Great White Egret went south in what was a quiet morning of passage, but 1498 Black-headed Gulls and 507 Wigeon went out east keeping the vismiggers happy this afternoon.

Elsewhere, a male Bearded Tit turned up around the football fields in Easington before ending up in a net in Corner Field, confirming that it was a bird ringed here last autumn.

The two Scaup were on Beacon Ponds, and the Shore Lark was still present there.

There were a few more butterfly sightings, with 2 small tortoiseshell and 3 peacocks in Kilnsea.

 

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Saturday, 18 March 2023

A calm day with light southerly force 2 breeze, and a misty morning meaning visibility off shore was poor. North of the area, an Alpine Swift over Withernsea golf course didn't make its way south, but the DARTFORD WARBLER was again just north of the lighthouse this morning, before moving slightly further south and becoming much more elusive and not being seen in the afternoon.

There was a noticable increase in Chiffchaffs with 17 being logged throughout the recording area. There were still 3 Wheatear around, and the Black Redstart by the Lifeboat Cottages, and the 2 Scaup were still on Beacon Ponds.

Numbers increased for the vismiggers, with 348 Chaffinch, 578 Starling, 29 Meadow Pipit, 5 Corn Bunting, 5 White Wagtail and 1 Brambling moving south;

    S   N       S   N       S   N
Dark-bellied Brent Goose *   12    -    Jackdaw   19    -    Rock Pipit *   5    -   
Pink-footed Goose *   -    97    Rook   31    -    Chaffinch *   348    -   
Teal   -    1    Carrion Crow   2    -    Brambling   1    -   
Stock Dove *   17    -    Great Tit   5    -    Greenfinch *   11    -   
Woodpigeon   65    -    Skylark   11    -    Linnet   82    -   
Black-headed Gull *   207    44    Starling *   578    -    Goldfinch   13    -   
Common Gull *   -    8    Grey Wagtail   1    -    Siskin   78    -   
Herring Gull *   14    67    White Wagtail *   5    -    Corn Bunting   5    -   
Red-throated Diver   1    -    alba wagtail sp.   18    -    Yellowhammer *   -    2   
Sparrowhawk   1    -    Pied Wagtail   8    -    Reed Bunting   8    -   
Magpie *   -    2    Meadow Pipit *   29    11      

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Friday, 17 March 2023

A surprise DARTFORD WARBLER  by the lighthouse showing well was a long 'expected' first for Spurn maybe arriving along with the first 3 Wheatears (lighthouse and two at gas terminal rocks) and a Black Redstart on the parade ground along with 7 Chiffchaffs. 

The 2 Scaup were still on Beacon Ponds, and the first butterflies of the year were seen. A Brimstone in Church Field, and a Peacock at the Warren.

The vismiggers had their first trickle of bird moving through;

 

 
    S   N       S   N       S   N
Dark-bellied Brent Goose *   15    -    Common Buzzard *   -    1    Dunnock   4    -   
Teal   2    -    Magpie *   -    7    alba wagtail sp.   3    -   
Common Scoter *   -    1    Jackdaw *   20    12    Pied Wagtail   3    -   
Stock Dove *   10    -    Rook   28    -    Meadow Pipit *   22    20   
Woodpigeon *   12    -    Carrion Crow   9    -    Chaffinch *   39    -   
Oystercatcher *   -    60    Blue Tit   9    -    Greenfinch   18    -   
Black-headed Gull *   39    3    Great Tit *   5    -    Linnet   37    -   
Common Gull *   -    21    Skylark   36    -    Goldfinch   15    -   
Herring Gull *   -    145    Starling   50    -    Siskin   19    -   
Red-throated Diver   4    -    Redwing *   -    41    Yellowhammer   3    -   
Cormorant *   4    -    Blackbird *   -    8    Reed Bunting   5    -   
Grey Heron *   1    -    Fieldfare *   -    5      
Marsh Harrier *   -    1    House Sparrow   1    -      

Offshore 10 Bottlenose Dolphins are always a nice distraction.

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Thursday, 16 March 2023

A cloudy wet start clearing with a F4 south westerly. Watches 0700-1000.  A Chiffchaff singing at the gas terminal was maybe the first 'proper' spring migrant while other sightings included a Snow Bunting by the seawatch hide, the 2 Scaup on beacon ponds with a good coun of 30 Shoveler on Kilnsea wetlands with increases in other Wildfowl saw counts of 570 Wigeon, 126 Teal, a Pintail along with the 2 Whooper Swans nearby.

Other sightings were 2 Short-eared Owls, 108 Black-tailed Godwits and 12 Stonechats around the area.

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Wednesday, 15 March 2023

A sunny day with a light F3 south westerly. Watches: 0650-1000.  The 2 Snow Buntings were still showing well by the seawtch hide and the 2 Scaup again on beacon ponds. This area also had a good count of 22 Gadwall, 400 Wigeon, a Pintail, 80 Teal, 2 Whooper Swans and 30 Black-tailed Godwits. 

Some light overland movement brought 5 Jackdaw, 5 Rook, 3 Skylark, 29 Starling, a Chaffinch and 3 Siskin while overland 2 Shoveler and an Eider were the most noteworthy.

Ringing: 1 Great Tit, 2 Chaffinch. 3/2
 

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Tuesday, 14 March 2023

A sunny day with some heavy wintery showers and a F4 north westerly. Watches 07:00-09:30.  A 4cy Glaucous Gull heading north was the days highlight with 2 Snow Buntings at the Warren and the 2 Scaup still on beacon ponds. Other bits of note were 2 Whooper Swans on Easington straight, 6 Pink-footed Geese in the triangle, 2 Mistle Thrush on Humberside lane and 12 Stonechats around the area while 507 Brent Geese contained a pale bird maybe the returning 'Lucy'?

The sea while quiet also had 3 Goosander, a Great Crested Grebe, 50 Red-throated Diver and 17 Gannets with 5 Jackdaws, a Skylark and 1 Siskin overland.  

Ringing: 1 Robin, 7 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Siskin, 1 Reed Bunting, 11/5

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Monday, 13 March 2023

A cloudy with a breezy F6 south westerly. Watches 06:50-09:45, 14:15-16:15. WeBS count this morning. It was a better day all round with observers out and about for the WeBs counts. A Red-necked Grebe heading south over the sea was the standout sighting with the quiet sea also having 61 Black-headed Gull, 196 Herring Gull, 23 Red-throated Diver and 5 Gannets.

Counts from around the area included 541 Brent Geese, 12 Mute Swan, 2 Whooper Swans, 12 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 505 Wigeon, 173 Teal, a Tufted Duck, 2 Scaup, 1266 Oystercatcher, 6 Avocets, 124 Curlew, 86 Black-tailed Godwits, 400 Knot, 811 Dunlin, 191 Redshanks and 2 Little Egrets.

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Sunday, 12 March 2023

A cloudy day with a F4 south westerly.  Watches 07:00-09:45.  A very quiet day with little of note, a Pale-bellied Brent and 2 Whooper Swans the noteable birds on the ground while over the sea a Goosander the stand out bird along with 65 Red-throated Diver while a Merlin also flew south.

Ringing: 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Long-tailed Tit.

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Saturday, 11 March 2023

A milder day with a F2 south easterly. Watches 0700-1010. The Shore Lark and 2 Scaup were again at beacon ponds, a Short-eared Owl at Sammys, adult Mediterranean Gull over the sea and a Siskin in Easington. 

The sea was quiet the best being an Eider, 9 Common Scoter and 174 Red-throated Diver.

Ringing: 2 Chaffinch, 1 Great Tit, 1 Goldfinch 4/3

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Friday, 10 March 2023

Frequent heavy snow showers with a cold F6 northerly. Watched 07:00-09:30. It was another day of few sightings a Manx Shearwater north over the sea a surprise and the Hooded Crow around Easington though elusive with 2 Whooper Swans still on Easington straight.

Elsewhere 2 Grey Partridge were at Sammys with 122 Black-tailed Godwits on the Humber here.

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Thursday, 09 March 2023

Frequent wintery showers and a cold F4 easterly wind.  A very quiet day all round the 2 Scaup appearing on beacon ponds then flying to the Humber with a Little owl and Woodcock around Kilnsea while over the sea a Great Crested Grebe and 96 Red-throated Divers were about the best.

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Wednesday, 08 March 2023

A cold cloudy day frequent snow showers and a F3 easterly. Watches 07:15-11:15.  A cold seawatch brought 2 Long-tailed Ducks north over the sea plus 6 Eider, 10 Common Scoters, 5 Kittiwakes, 25 Red-throated Divers and 7 Gannets.

The Shore Lark was again on beacon ponds, 4 Whooper Swans on Easington straight and 210 Pintail nearby on the Humber at Sammys with the Hooded Crow just west of the carpark.

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Tuesday, 07 March 2023

A bright and sunny day with a cold F3 north westerly. Little was seen during the day though a Hooded Crow over Kilnsea then at Sammys was new for the year while a near adult Hen Harrier wandered the area.

Elsewhere 600 Brent Geese, 27 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, 564 Wigeon and 234 Teal in the Kilnsea wetlands area.

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Monday, 06 March 2023

A cloudy day with a F3 westerly. Watches 07:00-10:00, 14:25-16:30. The Black Brant returned to Kilnsea wetlands with 800 Brent Geese bringing 5 Pale-bellied Brents along with them. Neaby the Shore Lark was at beacon ponds along with 5 Snow Buntings. 

Over the sea the highlight were a pod of around 10 Bottle-nosed Dolphins south as far as the Warren while bird sightings included 4 Eider, 5 Gannet and a Great Crested Grebe.

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Sunday, 05 March 2023

A cool cloudy day with a F3 northerly. Watches 07:15-09:30. The flock of 20 Snow Buntings was the stand out sighting of the day as they wandered the area. The best of the rest was from Kilnsea wetlands with 700 Brent Geese, 36 Shoveler, 325 Wigeon and 90 Teal.

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Saturday, 04 March 2023

A cloudy day with drizzle and a F3 Northerly. Watches 06:30-10:00, 15:00-17:30. The Shore Lark and 2 Scaup were again on beacon ponds with the adult Black Brant on Kilnsea wetlands area along with 2 Whooper Swans, 515 Wigeon, a Pintail, 6 Avocets and 174 Black-tailed Godwits. There also appeared to be some movement out east when 29 of the 614 Brent Geese headed that way. 

The 25 Snow Buntings were still arounnd the Warren along with a Rock Pipit with 6 Stonechats around the area.

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Friday, 03 March 2023

It was another coudy day with a coll F4 northerly. Watches 06:50-09:30. It was a similar day to the previous with the Shore Lark and 4 Twite again at beacon ponds along with the 'resident' 2 Scaup. Nearby the Black Brant with a good flock of 1070 Brent Geese containing at least a single Pale-bellied Brent and the 2 Whooper Swans still present too.

In the Warren area the 25 Snow Buntings were still roaming the area while 4 Rock Pipits were in the salt marsh. Noteable counts on the Humber saw 290 Pintail at Sammys, 1770 Oystercatcher, 230 Curlew, 170 Black-tailed Godwits, 1000 Knot and 1000 Dunlin.

 

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Thursday, 02 March 2023

Another cool cloudy day with a light F2 north easterly.  There were several highlights from around the area 6 White-fronted Geese briefly at Kilnsea wetlands which headed west along the Humber among a passage of 487 Pink-footed Geese which also headed north west. The Shore Lark was again at beacon ponds along with the 2 Scaup and 4 Twite seen here too. Nearby 2 Little Owls were at grange farm with 20 Snow Buntings at the breach.

Over the sea a male Velvet Scoter was the most noteworthy of a quiet movement.

Elsewhere 800 Brent Geese on the Humber, 2 Whooper Swans on Easington straight, 5 Avocets on Kilnsea wetlands and 5 Stonechat between the Warren and beacon ponds. 

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Wednesday, 01 March 2023

A cloudy day with showers and a continuing cool F4 north easterly. Watches 07:00-10:45, 13:45-17:15. The sea picked up again bringing 15 Common Scoter, a Great Crested Grebe, 2 Goosander, 37 Kittiwakes, 122 Guillemots, 1116 Large Auk sp, 51 Red-throated Divers, 4 Fulmar, a Manx Shearwater and 251 Gannets.

The usual 2 Scaup were still on beacon ponds with the Black Brant and a Pale-bellied Brent paying another visit to Kilnsea wetlands, the 2 Whooper Swans still on Easington straight 

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