Spurn Bird Observatory Sightings March 2025
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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Monday, 31 March 2025
A cool but sunny start with very light westerly wind. Watches: 0700-1000. The first House Martin of the spring flew south in the morning with Velvet Scoter and Marsh Harrier heading the same way and a Sand Martin flying north. The Scaup and 3 Goldeneyes on beacon ponds were joined by 3 Tufted Ducks while there was still some decent numbers of grounded migrants with Cetti's Warbler at the point, 10 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrests, 37 Redwings, 3 Black Redstarts, a Yellow Wagtail, 2 White Wagtails and a Siskin.
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Pink-footed Goose - Denise Shields.
Sunday, 30 March 2025
A bright and sunny albeit cool in the F5 north westerly. Watches: 0715-0915. A Hawfinch around the church and cliff farm was the days highlight among a simlar number and scatter of migrants consisting of a Swallow, 11 Chiffchaffs, 2 Black Redstarts and 4 White Wagtails with 2 Little-ringed Plovers on Easington lagoons..
The Black Brant was still about with 600 Brewnt Geese on Easington straight as was the Scaup with 3 Goldeneyes on beacon ponds while a Red Kite flew south.
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Black Brant (rear) with four Brent Geese - Adam Bassett.
Saturday, 29 March 2025
A clear sunny day but cool in the F4 westerly. Watches: 0630-0900. A decent day around the area with a nice selection of migrants about including a Little-ringed Plover on Kilnsea wetlands, a Willow Warbler at middle cap, 8 Chiffchaffs, a Firecrest at potato fields, 10 Redwings, 2 Black Redstarts, 8 White Wagtails, 9 Pied Wagtails, a Blue-headed Wagtail u-turned at the warren and 2 Siskins. Other sightings saw 4 Ruddy Shelducks on beacon ponds then headed west and 28 Whooper Swans heading north west with the Scaup and 3 Goldeneyes, 4 Pintails and 24 Avocets in the ponds area.
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Blue-headed Wagtail - Harry Appleyard.
Thursday, 27 March 2025
Cool and cloudy early on, brightening and warming up late morning with a moderate south westerly. Watches: 06:30-10:00. There was a small trickle of south bound birds and an arrival of migrants in the morning with the Hen Harrier still about, 22 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Goldcrests, 20 Redwings, a Black Redstart, 2 Stonechats, 5 Wheatears, 68 Redwings, 13 Fieldfares, 10 White Wagtails, 12 Pied Wagtails and 3 Siskins. In a repeat of the previous day the Scaup and Black Brant both still present but now with 4 Pale-bellied Brents.
The best of the vismig concerned 2 Grey Herons, 2 Red Kites, 18 Jackdaws, 5 Rooks, 3 Swallows, 3 Chaffinches and a Siskin.
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Starlings - Harry Appleyard.
Wednesday, 26 March 2025
A light F2 south westerly wind to start with, picking up in the afternoon but mild bright and sunny. Watches: 0630-1000. There was little change in the overall numbers of grounded migrants today seeing a Woodcock, ringtail Hen Harrier, 6 Chiffchaffs, 4 Goldcrests, 11 Song Thrushes, 32 Redwings, 26 Blackbirds, 6 Black Redstarts and a Siskin. The Scaup and 3 Goldeneyes were still present on the ponds and the Black Brant with 2 Pale-bellied Brents on Easington straight with the Tawny Owl still in Easington.
The vismiggers had a slightly better day with 2 Stock Doves, 36 Wood Pigeons, 94 Oystercatchers, a Snipe, single Grey Heron, 11 Magpies, 21 Jackdaws, 14 Rooks, 2 Skylarks, 4 Swallows, 3 Alba Wagtails, 2 Chaffinches, 5 Linnets and a Reed Bunting.
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Brent Geese - Hazel Wiseman. The leucistic bird 'Lucy' has been hanging around with the local flock for quite a while now and as humans do, we give it an affectionate if simple name.
Tuesday, 25 March 2025
A cool and cloudy day, some rain in the morning, light drizzle in the afternoon, brightening up for a sunny evening.with a moderate westerly. Watches: 0640-1000. Despite the drizzle there was some southerly movement and a few grounded migrants about including 4 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, 27 Redwings, 32 Blackbirds, 3 Black Redstarts, a Wheatear and a Corn Bunting while the Scaup and 3 Goldeneyes remained in reidence with 6 Pintails on Kilnsea wetlands.
Some light movement over land aand sea consisted of 130 Pink-footed Geese, 4 Shovelers, a Marsh Harrier, single Red Kite, a Buzzard, 9 Magpies, 62 Jackdaws, 4 Rooks, 41 Carrion Crows, 94 Starlings an Alba Wagtail and 2 Linnets.
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Monday, 24 March 2025
Cool and cloudy start, brightening up and milder later with a F3 north easterly. Watches: 0700-1000. The Hawfinch remained at the point but there was no sign of the Firecrest. Other grounded migrant counts were a Woodcock, 2 Swallows flying north, 9 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 8 Goldcrests, 26 Redwings, 28 Blackbirds, 6 Black Redstarts, a Wheatear, 2 White Wagtails, a Scandinavian Rcok Pipit and 3 Siskins which flew south.
The Black Brant was with 4 Pale-bellied Brents and 1648 Brent Geese on Easington straight, the Scaup still on beacon ponds with 3 Goldeneyes and 107 Pintails on the Humber with 2 Red Kites and 1250 Starlings flying south.
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Hawfinch - Thomas Willoughby.
Sunday, 23 March 2025
A cloudy day with some sunny spells and a cool F4 north east wind. Watches: 0645 - 0950. It was a very good day for some early spring migrants and some nice totals including a Woodcock, 16 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, single Firecrest at the point, 4 Goldcrests, 32 Redwings, 30 Blackbirds, 10 Fieldfares, 8 Black Redstarts (inc 2 Males), 3 Stonechats, a Wheatear, single White Wagtail, 2 Bramblings, a Hawfinch at the point, 3 Redpolls and a Siskin.
Other noteable sightings saw 16 Pintails on Kilnsea wetlands, the Scaup and 3 Goldeneyes on beacon ponds, a Hen Harrier and Red Kite blogging the area, 2 Marsh Harrier flying south and Kingfisher in corner field.
Ringing: Long-tailed Tit 1, Chiffchaff 1, Goldcrest 2, Blackbird 3, Redwing 4, Chaffinch 1, Goldfinch 1, Reed Bunting 1. 15/8
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Black Redstart - Thomas Willoughby.
Firecrest - Thomas Willoughby.
Saturday, 22 March 2025
A mild but cloudy day. dry in the morning, rain in the afternoon with a continuing F4 south east wind. Watches:0715-1000. The day saw the years first Swallow fly south which is always an eagerly anticipated moment of the spring. There was an increase in grounded migrants with 2 Woodcocks, 11 Chiffchaffs, a Goldcrest, 38 Blackbirds, 5 Fieldfares, 14 Redwings, 3 Black Redstarts, a Stonechat, single Wheatear, 19 Dunnocks and a Rock Pipit.
It was not much more than a trickle again for the vismiggers with just 4 Stock Doves, a Curlew, 17 Jackdaws, 4 Rooks, 7 Carrion Crows, 3 Skylarks, a Grey Wagtail, 8 Goldfinches and 30 Siskins.
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Friday, 21 March 2025
A sunny morning clouding over later on but misty out at sea along with a cold F4 south east wind. Watches: 0650-0920. Thre were a decent amount of grounded migrants in the area totals of a Woodcock, 14 Chiffchaffs, 5 Goldcrests, 28 Redwings, 3 Black Redstarts (2 in Kilnsea, single Point), Elsewhere the Scaup and 3 Goldeneyes were still on beacon ponds with 1600 Brent Geese nearby and the Tawny Owl still in Easington.
On the move 2 Stock Doves, 33 Jackdaws, 11 Rooks, 4 Carrion Crows, 20 Magpies, 17 Chaffinches, 5 Goldfinch, 12 Siskins and a Yellowhammer.
Ringing: Long-tailed Tit 2, Chiffchaff 2, Goldcrest 1, Blackbird 1, Redwing 2, Robin 1. 9/6
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Tawny Owl - Paul French.
Thursday, 20 March 2025
A mild and sunny all day with a light westerly. Watches: 0700-1000. The first Little-ringed Plover of the spring flew north while there were 3 Black Redstarts, 7 Chiffchaffs, 9 Goldcrests, 9 Redwings and 2 Fieldfares around the area plus the Scaup stil on beacon ponds and 1500 Brent Geese on Easington striaght.
Movement was still lihgt overland but maybe a little better today with 2 Goosanders, 24 Magpies, 34 Jackdaws, 7 Rooks, 230 Starlings, 7 Alba Wagtails and a Siskin of note.
Ringing: Chiffchaff 1, Goldcrest 5, Blackbird 2, Redwing 1, Robin 3. 12/5
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Wednesday, 19 March 2025
A cold and icy start, sunny all day, warm out of the F3 south east wind. Watches: 0645-1000. Some light movement in the morning saw 2 Stock Doves, a Spoonbill, single Red Kite, 3 Magpies, 10 Jackdaws, 13 Rooks, 6 Carrion Crows, a Skylark and single Alba Wagtail.
There are now 2 Black Redstarts at the point along with 5 Chiffchaffs with 2 Pale-bellied Brent and 1300 Brent Geese on Easington straight and the resident Scaup with 3 Goldeneyes on beacon ponds.
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Coot -Harry Appleyard.
Tuesday, 18 March 2025
A cold, clear day with a F4 south easterly. Watches: 0630-1000. A change in the wnd saw some light overland movement with 3 Stock Doves, 34 Jackdaws, 7 Rooks, an Alba Wagtail, 12 Chaffinches and 6 Siskins with a Velvet Scoter and 7 Eider over the sea.
The usual Scaup was still on beacon ponds with 3 Goldeneyes and 1500 Brent Geese present nearby while the Starling flock still numbered around 3000.
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Rook - Harry Appleyard.
Monday, 17 March 2025
A cold and cloiudy start brightened as the day progressed the wind becoming a F4 easterly. Watches: 06:45-10:00. The day little change and pretty much the norm for the month so far. The Black Redstart at the point and Scaup on beacon ponds remained with 2 Woodcocks and a Chiffchaff in the triangle and Starlings incrwased to 3000.
The best over the sea were 4 Goldneyes, a Goosander and single Great Crested Grebe the stand outs.
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Black Redstart - Harry Appleyard.
Sunday, 16 March 2025
Cloudy again with the odd spots of rain and the cold F4 northerly continuing. Watches 0645-1000. The Black Redstart remained at the point the day also seeing a Jack Snipe in sykes field with a Chiffchaff arouind and 1000 Starlings gathering on clubleys pre heading back to the continent while another 390 flew south.
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Black Redstart - Harry Appleyard.
Saturday, 15 March 2025
Sunny but cold in the F3 north westerly. Watches: 0645-1000. The feeling that spring has properly arrived when the firrst 2 Wheatears appeared on Easington beach with back up in the form of a Black Redstart at the point, 2 Woodcocks, 3 Stonechats in the triangle, 2 Chiffchaffs in Kilnsea and a Bullfinch at the warren. The day aslo saw 20 Pintails head out east and some overland movement producing 10 Jackdaws, 2 Rooks, 10 Carrion Crows, 365 Starlings, 2 Siskins and 2 Reed Buntings.
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Woodcock - Harry Appleyard.
Pintails heading out east - Harry Appleyard.
Friday, 14 March 2025
An icy dull start, the cold F4 northerly wind still blowing. Watches: 0645 -1000. Not a spring like day with the cold wind blowing but producing little over the sea. It was around the ponds area where much of the days sightings were made with 1500 Brent Geese, 10 Gadwallls, 436 Wigeon, the Scaup, 3 Goldeneyes, 3 Little Egrets and a Short-eared Owls. Elsewhere a Woodcock was at the Obs and a Cetti's Warbler along the canal with spring migrants in the form of 3 Chiffchaffs and a Goldcrest.
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Goldcrest - Harry Appleyard.
Thursday, 13 March 2025
It was a cold day with the F4 northerly while cloudy with bright spells. some heavy showers throughout the day. Watches: 0645-1000. Little change again in the cold conditions with single Pale-bellied Brent, 1550 Brent Geese, the Scaup, 2 Pintail and 16 Avocets the best around the ponds. Poor over land and sea for the vismiggers.
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Kestrel - Denise Shields.
Wednesday, 12 March 2025
A cold bright start the F4 south westerly wind swinging back round to the east later on. Watches: 0700-1000. The days best sightings were again from the ponds area including 3 Pale-bellied Brents, 1621 Brent Geese, the Scaup, 531 Wigeons, 3 Goldeneyes, 13 Avocets and a Mediterranean Gull while a Chiffchaff was in Kilnsea and a Marsh Harrier flew south.
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Tuesday, 11 March 2025
A cold start, some rain and some sunny spells with a Cool F4 northerly. Watches: 0645-1000. There was little of note on a poor days for the observers around the area the peak count being 452 Wigeon on Kilnsea wetlands.
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Monday, 10 March 2025
A cloudy and cool day, thick fog at sea all day with a F4 north easterly. The day was somewhat domintaed by events offshore with two ships colliding which may have an impact on local wildlife in the coming days and weeks. The thick fog curtailed much birding in the area especially over the sea the best of the day being 3 Pale-bellied Brents among 1654 Brent Geese with the Scaup still present on beacon ponds with 3 Goldeneyes and an increase to 37 Avocets here and kilnsea wetlands.
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Golden Plovers - Denise Shields.
Sunday, 09 March 2025
A mild sunny start, bright all day but rather hazy with a F4 westerly. Watches: 0645-1000. Maybe the quietest day of March with 2 Chiffchaffs and a Goldcrest in Kilnsea, 96 Pintails on the Humber at Sammys and on the move 2 Goldeneyes, 3 Magpies, 7 Rooks, 5 Rock Pipits, 4 Chaffinches, 12 Siskins and 2 Reed Buntings of note.
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Pintails - Denise Shields.
Meadow Pipits - Harry Appleyard.
Saturday, 08 March 2025
A mild and sunny day with a light southerly. Watches 0710-1130. A busy ponds area saw the Black Brant return again along with 4 Pale-bellied Brents among 1200 Brent Geese and the usual Scaup.
There was some light southerly movement including the first real push of Finches with 68 Jackdaws, 13 Rooks, 8 Carrion Crows, 4 Skylarks, a Long-tailed Tit, 41 Chaffinches, 11 Goldfinches, 32 Siskins and a Reed Bunting.
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Skylark Harry Appleyard.
Friday, 07 March 2025
Mostly cloudy all day, some sunny spells in light winds. Watches: 0700-1000. Little change yet again the Scaup and 2 Goldeneyes still present on beacon ponds while 3 Chiffchaffs evidence of some arrivals. Over the sea 12 Shovelers, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers and 176 Red-throated Divers were the more noteable species while 2 Grey Herons, 3 Rooks, 2 Skylarks and an Alba Wagtail went south.
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Goldeneye with Oystercatcher and Ringed Plover - Denise Shields.
Goldeneyes - Denise Shields.
Thursday, 06 March 2025
A mild and sunny start, misty out at sea along with a moderate south westerly. Watches: 0710-1005. The day saw an impressive 1514 Brent Geese around Kilnsea plus 502 Wigeon, 2 Tufted Ducks, the Scaup and 3 Goldeneyes on beacon ponds. Around the triangle there were 2 Woodcocks and 11 Snipe with a Bullfinch mobile around area while a Goosander and 16 Teal flew south over the sea.
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Wigeon - Denise Shields.
Wednesday, 05 March 2025
A cold start to the day, bright but with cloud in the F3 westerly. Watches: 0710-1005. The Scaup remained on beacon ponds with 1000 Brent Geese still around the wetlands and the wintering Chiffchaff at the sewage works. The generally quiet day also saw a male Marsh Harrier fly south and a Red Kite wandering the area.
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Black-tailed Godwits and Redshanks - Denise Shields.
Tuesday, 04 March 2025
A mild sunny day with a moderate westerly. Watches: 0635-1000. The Black Brant was on Easington straight along with 5 Pale-bellied Brents and 800 Dark-bellied Brents while there are 206 Black-tailed Godwits and a Caspian Gull in the area. There were 2 Water Rails in the triangle with another Chiffchaff around canal scrape.
It was quiet for vismig with just 4 Shovelers, single Great Crested Grebe, a Marsh Harrier, 5 Jackdaws and a Skylark of note.
Just outside the area an Otter has been giving good views recently in the evenings.
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Otter - Thomas Willoughby.
Otter - Thomas Willoughby
Monday, 03 March 2025
After a cold start it was bright and sunny with some cloud all day with a F3 westerly. Watches: 0715-1000. Highlights from the day saw 310 Cormorants on the sea, 4 Pale-bellied Brents on Kilnsea wetlands with 700 Btrent Geese with the Scaup still on beacon ponds and a 'migrant' Chiffchaff at the point. Kilnsea wetlands held all the usual Wildfowl but Goldeneyes were upto 3 and 2 Barn Owls and 2 Short-eared Owls were hunting the area.
Another 310 Pink-footed Geese flew north west in the morning with 2 Tufted Ducks and 2 Eiders over the sea while 2 Alba Wagtails, 3 Rock Pipits, 3 Chaffinches and 7 Siskins overland.
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Chiffchaff - Harry Appleyard. The odd bird has been seem away from the wintering area of the sewage works hinting at some early passage migrants.
Pale-bellied Brent with Brents - Denise Shields.
Sunday, 02 March 2025
Icy start again, but also bright & sunny all day with a F2 westerly. Watches: 0715-1015. Good numbers of Wildfowl remain around the wetlands most noteably 645 Brent Geese, 23 Shovelers, 458 Wigeon, 91 Teal, the Scaup and 2 Goldeneyes, while 265 Pink-footed Geese flew north west. Also in the area were a Marsh Harrier, 3 Common Buzzards, single Merlin, a Short-eared Owl, single Little Owl and 4 Stonechats.
Some movement yet again with 3 Stock Doves, 132 Cormorants, 66 Starlings, 2 Chaffinches, 3 Siskins and a Yellowhammer.
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Short-eared Owl - Dave Constantine.
Saturday, 01 March 2025
A cold icy start led to a bright and sunny day with a F3 westerly. Wtches 0715-1000. The day saw little change with the Scaup and 2 Goldeneyes still on beacon ponds, 12 Little Grebes with one retuning to canal scrape, 139 Black-tailed godwits and a Short-eared Owl around the wetlands with a Cetti's Warbler in the triangle.
A small push of 475 Pink-footed Geese flew north west while also moving a Scaup, 2 Tufted Ducks, 2 Eiders, 50 Red-throated Divers, 4 Jackdaws, 4 Rooks, 63 Starlings, a Grey Wagtail, 4 Chaffinches and a Goldfinch.
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Barn Owl - Denise Shields.
