Spurn Bird Observatory Sightings March 2026
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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Tuesday, 31 March 2026
Bright and sunny with light north west winds remaining a bit chilly. Watches 0700-1000
The years first Willow Warbler was at southfield farm with 7 Chiffchaffs and 5 Goldcrests around the area with a Corn Bunting blogging. The Pale-bellied Brent was still present as were the 2 Whooper Swans and 3 Pintails.
Ringing 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Wren, 2 Blackbird, 1 Siskin, 1 Reed Bunting
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Monday, 30 March 2026
Bright and sunny but with very strong F8 north west winds. Watches 0700-1000.
Not the best day for pretty much anything, the best including a Pale-bellied Brent, the 2 Whooper Swans on Easington straight, 34 Avocets, a Jack Snipe and 3 Ruff on the wetlands along with a Short-eared Owl hunting the area.
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Sunday, 29 March 2026
A nice sunny but very windy a cold start but nice out of the F7 north west wind. Watches 0630-1000
There was some movement for the mis miggers invcluding 56 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Eiders, a Goosander, 220 Wood Pigeons, a Marsh Harrier, 12 Jackdaws, 33 Rooks, 4 Carrion Crows, 3 Alba Wagtails, 13 Chaffinches, 13 Siskins and a Yellowhammer.
There were few migrants but a Black Redstart and Wheatear were seen. In the ponds area there were 10 Gadwalls, 105 Wigeon, 3 Pintails, 62 Teal and 30 Avocets.
Ringing 1 Blue Tit, 1 Greenfinch
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Wigeon with Curlews and Starlings- John Hewitt.
Saturday, 28 March 2026
A bright sunny day which remained a windy one with a F7 north westerly. Watches 0640-1030.
The best of todays sightings saw a Great Northern Diver fly south, the Black Brant, 2 Pale-bellied Brents and 2 Whooper Swans on Easington straight and 34 Shovelers and 24 Avocets on Kilnsea wetlands.
Ringing 3 Great Tit, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Siskin
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Whooper Swans - John Hewitt.
Friday, 27 March 2026
Cloudy with the odd shower with a moderate F5 north west wind. Watches 0700-0930.
A few scattered migrants around the area included a Wheatear at sandy beaches, a Short-eared Owl, 3 Chiffchaffs and 3 Goldcrests with a Corn Bunting blogging and a Cetti's Warbler in corner field.
Again the Black Brant, Pale-bellied brent and 2 Whooper Swans were along Easington straight. .
Ringing 1 Chiffchaff
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Avocet - John Hewitt.
Thursday, 26 March 2026
A hard overnight frost led to a cold morning with a real bite to the F5 north west wind although sunny spells warmed it up. Watches 0640-0900.
Again there were very few migrants with a Wheatear at the warren and Black Redstart at sandy beaches the best of very little. Otherwise the Black Brant along with 2 Pale-bellied Brents among 780 Brent Geese, the 2 Whooper Swans on Easingotn straight and 37 Shovelers, 12 Gadwalls and 2 Pintails on the wetlands completed the best of the days sightings.
Ringing 1 Great Tit, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Goldfinch
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Merlin - Harry Appleyard.
Wednesday, 25 March 2026
A strong F7 north west wind all day with showers overnight plus some sunny spells. Watches 0640-1000
There were fewer migrants than the previous day but there was a nice a male Wheatear at sandy beaches and the years first 2 Sandwich Terns flew north.
Other bits of note included 2 Velvet Scoters over the sea, a Marsh Harrier heading south and the 2 Whooper Swans still present.
Ringing 1 Goldcrest, 2 Blackbird, 2 Chaffinch
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Wheatear - Neil Hunt.
Tuesday, 24 March 2026
A very windy F6 southerly all day with sunny spells. Watches 0700-1000
Migrants were again few in numbers with just 5 Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrests and a Black Redstart at sandy beaches while the vismiggers had 3 Rooks, 63 Chaffinches, 22 Goldfinches and 11 Siskins.
The Black Brant was again in the area with 2 Pale-bellied Brents among 800 Dark-bellied Brents. There were still 2 Whooper Swans lingering on Easington straight while in the ponds area 36 Shovelers, 10 Gadwalls and 4 Pintails of note.
Ringing 1 Goldcrest
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Monday, 23 March 2026
Mainly overcast with just a glimpse of the sun with a cold light northerly wind. Watches 0640-1000
The best sightings today saw both Black Redstart and Brambling still around with a Kingfisher in corner field, 2 Red Kites around the area, a Pale-bellied Brent and 2 Whooper Swans on Easington straight and a Greenshank at Kilnsea wetlands.
Ringing 1 Chiffchaff
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Brambling - Harry Appleyard.
Sunday, 22 March 2026
Sunny spells with cloudy periods and a light south east wind. Watches 0645-1000
The vismiggers saw a bit more movement including 2 Pintails, 5 Tufted Ducks, 30 Common Scoters, 5 Stock Doves, a Lapwing, 9 Jackdaws, 3 Rooks, 50 Starlings, 131 Chaffinches, 3 Linnets, 77 Siksins, a Corn Bunting and 2 Yellowhammers while a Red Kite blogged the area.
Elsewhere just 6 Whooper Swans remained and in the ponds area 43 Shovelers and 10 Gadwall were present, a Little Owl in the Obs garden and a Black Redstart at chalk bank and a Brambling at the Obs were the best of few migrants.
Ringing 2 Great Tit, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, 2 Redwing, 1 Blackbird, 1 Dunnock, 4 Siskin
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Black Redstart - Jack Petit.
Siskins - Harry Appleyard.
Saturday, 21 March 2026
A lovely bright sunny day with light south easterly winds. Watches 0645-1000
Some light movement was enough to bring a Raven to the area as it headed south along with 30 Carrion Crows. The day aslo had a 2cy Glaucous Gull, 3 Shags, a Marsh Harrier, 10 Jackdaws, a Rook, 3 Skylarks, 110 Starlings and just 3 Chaffinches.
Grounded migrants continued to trickle through with 2 Woodcocks, 7 Chiffchaffs, 8 Goldcrests, 26 Redwings, 18 Robins and 2 Siskins todays offerings.
Ringing 3 Goldcrest, 2 Redwing, 1 Robin
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Friday, 20 March 2026
Poor visibility all day with low cloud followed by thick fog. Watches 0645-0815
A few extra grounded migrants today included a male Wheatear at Sammys and a Black Redstart at the bluebell plus a Jack Snipe, 2 Woodcocks, 6 Chiffchaffs, 9 Goldcrests, a Rock Pipit and a Siskin. A ringtail Hen Harrier hunted the area while there were just 12 Whooper Swans present but the Black Brant and 2 Pale-bellied Brents were still about with 800 Brent Geese.
Ringing 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Reed Bunting
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Pale-bellied Brents with Dark-bellied Brents - Harry Appleyard.
Thursday, 19 March 2026
Another nice sunny day with light south easterly winds. Watches 0640-1000
The days highlight saw 29 White-fronted Geese fly south the first since the 11th while 2 Red Kites blogged around the area. A small increase in grounded migrants included 10 Chiffchaffs, 13 Goldcrests, 14 Chaffinches and a Brambling.
Ringing 1 Great Tit, 7 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest, 1 Starling, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Siskin, 3 Reed Bunting,
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Red Kite - Harry Appleyard.
Wednesday, 18 March 2026
A cool start with an light F3 south east wind but glorious sunshine throughout making a lovely spring day. Watches 0600-1000
Sightings from the ponds general area included the Black Brant, 16 Whooper Swans, 32 Avocets and a Marsh Harrier while Cetti's Warbler, 6 Chiffchaffs, 4 Goldcrests, a Fieldfare and single Grey Wagtail were the best of the grounded Passerines.
There was some light southerly movement with 9 Jackdaws, 48 Redwings, 2 Fieldfares, 15 Chaffinces and 2 Reed Buntings.
Ringing 1 Great Tit, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Redwing, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Yellowhammer, 3 Reed Bunting
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Lapwing - Harry Appleyard.
Tuesday, 17 March 2026
A windy F6 south westerly day with plenty of sunshine in the afernoon.
The Black Brant reappeared again with 610 Brents on Easington straight with the 21 Whooper Swans. Passerine wise a Cetti's Warbler, 4 Chiffchaffs and 2 Goldcrests were the best of the sightings.
Ringing 1 Goldcrest, 1 Chaffinch
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Monday, 16 March 2026
A windy F5 south westerly with sunny spells and showers later on. Watches 0645-1000
A Firecrest at the point was the days highlight while just 3 Chiffchaffs, 5 Goldcrests and 2 Siskins otherwise. The 21 Whooper Swans were still present but other Woldfowl numbers decreased while there are now 29 Avocets.
Ringing 1 Blackbird, 3 Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch
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Sunday, 15 March 2026
A windy F6 southerly day with a few showers in the afternoon. Watches 0700-1000.
There was some southerly overland movement which included 7 Jackdaws, 6 Rooks, a Rock Pipit, 173 Chaffinches, 7 Greenfinches and 22 Siskins but little otherwise with a Coal Tit in Easington and the usual 21 Whooper Swans.
Ringing 1 Great Tit, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Redwing, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Siskin
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Saturday, 14 March 2026
Mostly sunny with a cool F4 north west wind blowing. Watches 0700-1045
The Firecrest remained by the bluebell, a Tree Creeper at Kew, 6 Chiffchaffs in the area along with 4 Goldcrests, 1200 Starlings and 8 Siskins. A Hen Harrier and Red Kite both blogged the area while 1018 Brent Geese on Easington straight also had a Black Brant, 2 Pale-bellied Brents and 21 Whooper Swans. .
Ringing 2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Tree creeper, 3 Redwing, 1 Blackbird, 5 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch, 6 Siskin, 22/9
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Brent Geese - Harry Appleyard.
Avocets _ John Hewitt.
Firecrest _ Richard Taylor.
Friday, 13 March 2026
Torrential overnight rain with a F9 south east wind left lots of standing water, sunny spells and a decreasing wind was the order of the day. Watches 0700-1045.
A nice showy Firecrest by the bluebell was the days highlight but ultimately it didn't herald any arrival of migrants. The day also has the usual blogging Red Kite, 21 Whooper Swans, great totals of around 1000 Brent Geese and 80 Shovelers, 18 Avocets and a Cetti's Warbler at soiuthfield farm.
Ringing 1 Goldcrest, 1 Greenfinch
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Firecrest - Harry Appleyard.
Red Kite - Harry Appleyard.
Thursday, 12 March 2026
A wild day with very strong F9 south west winds and rain by the evening becoming very heavy overnight. Watches 0700-1000.
Wildfowl yet again dominated the day with 31 Common Scoters and 2 Red-breasted Mergansers over the sea while the ponds and Easington straight had 600 Brent Geese, 2 Black Brants, a Pale-bellied Brent, 21 Whooper Swans, 67 Shovelers, 9 Gadwalls and a Tufted Duck while also on Kilnsea wetlands 14 Avocets and a Caspian Gull.
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Wednesday, 11 March 2026
A day of sunny spells with an increasing wind reaching F7 from the south west. Watches 0700-1000, 1630-1750
Some light passage was the order of the day including 3 Eiders, 13 Stock Doves, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 19 Lapwings, 117 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 7 Jackdaws, 5 Rooks, 48 Chaffinches and a Siskin.
Also seen today were 23 White-fronted Geese, 19 Whooper Swans, 4 Pintails, 10 Avocets, a blogging Red Kite and 3 Siskins.
Ringing 1 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird, 3 Chaffinch, 1 Siskin
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White-fronted Geese - Harry Appleyard.
Red Kite - Harry Appleyard.
Tuesday, 10 March 2026
Dull and overcast with light F3 south west winds. Watches 0740-1000
The springs first male Wheatear graced the listening dish with also 7 Chiffchaffs, 6 Goldcrests and 6 Redwings also grounded in the area. A single Black Brant, 500 Brent Geese, 52 White-fronted Geese and 21 Whooper Swans in the ponds area with the wetlands also hosting 105 Shovelers (36 flew south), 10 Gadwalls, 320 Wigeon, 12 Mallards, 110 Teal and a Tufted Duck.
A small increae in movement brought 3 Wigeon, a Great Crested Grebe, single Green Sandpiper, 165 Black-headed Gulls, 14 Red-throated Divers, 14 Jackdaws, 8 Rooks, 12 Chaffinches and 6 Siskins.
Ringing 1 Great Tit, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Redwing, 3 Blackbird, 3 Chaffinch, 1 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin
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Pale-bellied Brents - John Hewitt.
Chiffchaff - John Hewitt.
Monday, 09 March 2026
Low cloud all day after some early morning fog lifted with very light winds. Watches 0700-1000
The day again saw little change the 5 Canada Geese, 40 White-fronted Geese and Egyptan Goose with 4 Pintails and a Tufted Duck on Kilnsea wetlands where a Short-eared Owl hunted. Passerine interest included a Cetti's Warbler, 3 Chiffchaffs, 4 Goldcrests, a Mistle Thrush, 2 Rock Pipits and a Corn Bunting.
Quiet again over the sea with just a Shoveler, 1 Wigeon and a Little Gull,
Ringing 1 Moorhen, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, 4 Blackbird, 1 Redwing, 1 Robin, 3 Chaffinch
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Goldcrest - Harry Appleyard.
Sunday, 08 March 2026
A wet overcast start with light winds the rain petered out midday but dullness stayed allday. Watches 0700-1000
Todays Goose counts saw a Pale-bellied Brent, 5 Canada Geese, 4 Pink-footed Geese, 51 White-fronted Geese and the Egyptian Geese in the area along with the usual 21 Whooper Swans.
There was little movement but a Corn Bunting briefly at the warreen headed off north.
Ringing 1 Blackbird
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Canada Geese - Harry Appleyard.
Saturday, 07 March 2026
A dull day without any sun and a light F3 southerly wind. Watches 0700-0945.
The last work party day of the first winter period back at the ponds getting the site ready for the Little Terns. It was similar to the previous day for sightings with 3 Pale-bellied Brents, a Black Brant, 4 Barancle Geese, 40 White-fronteed Geese, the Egyptian Goose, 21 Whooper Swans, a Great White Egret and a Cettis's Warbler while 3 Velvet Scoters flew south over the sea.
Ringing 5 Goldcrest, 1 Wren, 1 Blackbird, 4 Chaffinch, 1 Goldfinch, 12/5 The last work party day of the first winter period back at the ponds getting the site ready for the Little Terns.
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Egyptian Goose with Greylag - Harry Appleyard.
Short-eared Owl - Harry Appleyard.
Friday, 06 March 2026
Dull and overcast with occasional drizzle and a cool F4 north west wind. Watches 0645-1000.
It was abusy day around the area Wildfowl again dominated the day with 3 Pale-bellied Brents, 350 Grent Geese, 4 Barnacle Geese, 5 Pink-footed Geese, 36 White-fronted Geese and the Egyptian Goose plus 21 Whooper Swans, 55 Shovelers, 6 Gadwalls, 206 Wigeon, 66 Teal and a Tufted Duck. Also in the area 7 Avocets, a Great White Egret, 5 Chiffchaffs, 13 Goldcrests, 2 Stonechats and 93 Chaffinches.
Ringing 1 Chiffchaff
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White-fronted Geese with Egyptian Goose - Harry Appleyard.
Goldcrest - Harry Appleyard.
Thursday, 05 March 2026
Fog to start with cleared and gave lovely blue skies with light winds making it rather pleasant. .atches 0700-0930
The day has seen two new additions to the year list with Spurns 2nd Dartford Warbler typically elusive at chapel cottage and a less elusive Egyptian Goose with the 4 Barnacle Geese in the triangle plus an increase to 6 Chiffchaffs and a Cetti's Warbler in the triangle. The usual 21 Whooper Swans were still on Easington straight.
A Caspian Gull and 4 White-fronted Geese flew south were the best of few other birds on the move.
Ringing 1 Great Tit, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Wren, 1 Blackbird, 4 Greenfinch
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Dartford Warbler - Thomas Willoughby. Following hot on the heels of our first record in March 2023.
Caspian Gull - Harry Appleyard.
Egyptian Goose with Barnacles - Steve Exley.
Dartford Warbler - Harry Appleyard
Wednesday, 04 March 2026
A lovely bright sunny day with light winds. Watches 0700-1000.
Some light movement over sea and land included 35 Common Scoters, 2 Velvet Scoters, 5 Stock Doves, 26 Red-throated Divers, 3 Great Tits, 4 Skylarks, 17 Starlings, 27 Chaffinches, 8 Linnets and 8 Siskins.
The ponds area had a Black Brant, single Pale-bellied Brent, 4 Barancle Geese, 21 Whooper Swans, 14 Avocets, a Great White Egret, 6 Chiffchaffs and 4 Stonechats..
Ringing 1 Great Tit, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Robin
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Stonechat - Harry Appleyard.
Tuesday, 03 March 2026
A nice spring like day with plenty of sunshine albeit with a chilly F3 south east breeze. Watches 0715-1000
A small scatter of grounded migrants included 2 Woodcocks, 10 Long-tailed tits, 5 Chiffchaffs, 2 Goldcrets, 1100 Starlings, 2 Redwings, 6 Stonechats, a Rock Pipit, 15 Chaffinches.and 3 Siskins.
The 2 Tawny Owls were still in an Easington garden with a Black Brant and 3 Pale-bellied Brents among 800 Brent Geese on Easington straight along with the usual 21 Whooper Swans
Ringing 8 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Wren, 1 Blackbird, 2 Robin, 1 Tree Sparrow, 1 Dunnock, 3 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Goldfinch, 21/10
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Monday, 02 March 2026
Mostly sunny with a stiff F5 south west wind. Watches 0715-1000
Some good visible migration mainly south included 103 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Velvet Scoters, 5 Stock Doves, a Kestrel, 14 Jackdaws, 6 Rooks, 459 Starlings, 2 Dunnocks, a Rock Pipit, 165 Chaffinches, 6 Greenfinches, 19 Linnets, 21 Siskins and Yellowhammer.
Other sightijgs saw a Black Brant, 550 brent Geese, 2 Pale-bellied Brents and 21 Whooper Swans on Easington straight, a Great Northern Diver on the Humber, Red Kite blogging the area, 2 Tawny Owls in Easington and 2 Chiffchaffs in the triangle.
Ringing 1 Chaffinch
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Sunday, 01 March 2026
Sunny with a stiff F6 north west wind but rather pleasant. Watches 0715-1000
The day saw maybe the first good southerly movement of Passerines including 646 Starlings (154 out east), an Alba Wagtail, 3 Rock Pipits, 48 Chaffinches, 27 Linnets and 2 Reed Buntings.
Elsewhwere it was much the same with a Black Brant, 2 Pale-bellied Brents, 840 Brent Geese, 4 Barnacle Geese, the 21 Whooper Swans, the wandering Red Kite and 2 Chiffchaff saround Kilnsea.
Ringing 1 Great Tit, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Blackbird, 1 Robin, 1 Chaffinch
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Starlings on the move - Harry Appleyard.
Short-eared Owl - Richard Taylor.
