Sightings

Spurn Bird Observatory Sightings April 2023

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Summary of latest sightings

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Sunday, 30 April 2023

Overcast and misty start clearing to blue skies and a F2 south easterly. Watches: 0630-1300.

The day was similar to the previous with a scatter of migrants and some decent southerly vismig and again better counts with 3 Tufted Ducks, 9 Swift, 22 Whimbrel, a Wood Sandpiper, 15 Jackdaws, 3 Rooks, 29 Carrion Crows, 117 Sand Martins, 131 Swallows, 4 House Martins, a male Blue-headed Wagtail, 51 Flava Wagtails, 4 Tree Pipits, 13 Chaffinch, a Brambling, 306 Linnets, 280 Goldfinch, a Siskin and 1 Corn Bunting.

The Shore Lark remained at beacon ponds with the Black Brant nearby amomng 300 Brent Geese. On the migrant front 13 Willow Warblers, 12 Sedge Warblers, 11 Blackcaps, 2 Fieldfare, 2 Ring Ouzels, 23 Wheatears, a White Wagtail and a Lesser Redpoll were widely scattered.

Watches 0630-1400 Ringing 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Wheatear, 1 Linnet, 16/7

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Saturday, 29 April 2023

After a cloudy misty start long sunny spells and a F2 south easterly. Watches: 0530-1300.

There was a significant clear out of the previous days arrival but a much better day for visible migration with variety and decent numbers helped by the wind in a more southerly vector bringing a Barnacle Goose, 81 Teal out east, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, a Little-ringed Plover, 4 Sandwich Tern, 263 Arctic Tern out east, 2 Sparrowhawk, a Marsh Harrier, 10 Jackdaw, 13 Rook, 100 Sand Martins, 221 Swallows, 18 House Martins, a Coal Tit, 49 Flava Wagtails, 3 Alba Wagtails, a Tree Pipit, 13 Chaffinch, a Hawfinch, 1 Bullfinch, 259 Linnets, 177 Goldfinch and a Yellowhammer.

The long staying Shore Lark was again at beacon ponds while stand out migrants saw a Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Ring Ouzels, a Whinchat and 19 Wheatears recorded.

Ringing: 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Redwing, 2 Robin, 1 Chaffinch, 6 Linnet, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler. 20/10.
 

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Friday, 28 April 2023

A misty start remaining cloudy with a variable SW to NW wind.  Watches: 0630-0945.

It was another good day of migrant arrivals but the days highlight was a mammal, a totally mind boggling record of a PINE MARTEN at the point hunting Rabbits. Whatever its origin it still made its way to the point but there was no sign of it later. On the migrant front there were some good counts around the area with 39 Whimbrel, a Jack Snipe, 3 Common Sandpiper (1st of year), 12 Swifts, 47 Willow Warbler, 16 Chiifchaff, 12 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, a Grasshopper Warbler, 24 Blackcaps, a Garden Warbler, 38 Lesser Whitethroats, 36 Whitethroats, 4 Goldcrest, 7 Fieldfare, 3 Ring Ouzel, 5 Redstarts, 2 Stonechat, 18 Wheatears, a Tree Pipit and 12 Yellow Wagtails with the resident Shore Lark still at beacon ponds..

Passage was light the highlights being 4 Tufted Ducks, 4 Swifts, 8 Arctic Terns, an Arctic Skua and 2 Marsh Harriers.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Dunnock, 1 Goldfinch. 4/4

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Wednesday, 26 April 2023

Sunny spells and a F2 south easterly. 

A nice male Pied Flycatcher in Easington cemetery was our first of the year plus a small increase in returning breeders, but little change otherwise 5 Willow Warblers, 7 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 11 Whitethroats, 2 Redwing, a Fieldfare, 2 Ring Ouzels, 2 Redstarts, 6 Wheatears and a Yellow Wagtail. 

The change to a more southerly airstream brought some movement for the vismiggers with 13 Sand Martin, 83 Swallows, 5 House Martins, 25 Flava Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail, 41 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch, 332 Linnets, 217 Goldfinch, 5 Siskin, a Corn Bunting and 2 Yellowhammers.

Kilnsea wetlands was again good with 4 Tufted Ducks, a Little-ringed Plover, 350 Redshank, a Spotted Redshank and 5 Greenshank with the Shore Lark still present on beacon ponds. 

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Tuesday, 25 April 2023

A nice sunny day but still with a cilly F3 north easterly. 

There was little change but some new migrants in with a Little-ringed Plover, the Spotted Redshank, 6 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 4 Sedge Warbler, a Reed Warbler, 7 Blackcap, a Whitethroat, 3 Ring Ouzels, 3 Redstarts, a rubicola Stonechat, 4 Wheatears, a White Wagtail and 2 Bramblings while the Shore Lark was still lingering at beacon ponds.

Other bits of note on Kilnsea wetlands were a Pale-bellied Brent, 7 Pink-footed Geese, 46 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck and 2 Avocets.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Redstart, 3 Goldfinch. 7/5
 

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Monday, 24 April 2023

A generally cloudy day with a cool F5 north westerly. Watches: 0630-0945, 1500-1545.

The day was somewhat quieter than the previous despite nicer weather but maybe a few extra migrants were on view with a Little-ringed Plover, 8 Whimbrel, 12 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 8 Blackcaps, a Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Sedge Warbler, a Reed Warbler, 3 Ring Ouzel, a male Redstart, 7 Wheatears, a Brambling and 3 Siskins.

It was also slower for the vismiggers with just 3 Arctic Terns, 10 Sandwich Terns, 28 Gannets, a Red Kite, 17 Jackdaws, 13 Rooks while a Hen Harrier blogged the area. Elsewhere the Spotted Redshank was on Kilnsea wetlands along with 2 Tufted Ducks.

Ringing: 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 2 Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch, 1 Brambling. 15/6

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Sunday, 23 April 2023

A wet murky day with poor visibility and prolonged heavy showers and a F2 north easterly. Watches: 0700-2000.

A day when nothing much was expected was in fact suprisingly good. Most of the best action was over the sea and the Humber, a Leach's Petrel close in going south was only the 4th spring record, 82 Arctic Terns , single Common Tern (1st of year), 2 Sandwich Terns and 6 Arctic Skuas were all heading out east with a Velvet Scoter on the Humber. A Great Skua onto the Humber took out an Oystercatcher in flight before killing it on the water. 

There was also some movement despite the rain with a Great White Egret, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Marsh Harriers, single Green Sandpiper, a Rook, 45 Swallows, 2 House Martins, 2 Flava Wagtails, 54 Meadow Pipits north, 96 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin and a Yellowhammer.

A possible Ashy-headed Wagtail was briefly at the point and will be looked for was the best of the few migrants about though a Hawfinch flew from the Warren to Kew where it was trapped and ringed while also seen were a Wood Sandpiper blogging (1st of year), 2 Ring Ouzels, 9 Willow Warblers, 11 Blackcaps, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Rock Pipit, 2 Bramblings and 9 Siskins and the usual Shore Lark on beacon ponds..

 Ringing: 5 Blackcap, 16 Goldfinch, 1 Siskin, 1 Hawfinch, 1 Lesser Whitethroat. 24/5.
 

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Saturday, 22 April 2023

Cloudy but long sunny periods and a F3 south westerly. Watches: 0645-1800.

The change in the weather brought about a change in the birds with some great visible migration and several migrant firsts for the year with a drake Garganey and Cuckoo at Kilnsea wetlands, Little Tern on beacon ponds, a Reed Warbler along the canal, 2 Grasshopper Warbler (triangle, sammys) and a Lesser Whitethroat by the YWT visitor centre with other totals of 5 Whimbrel, 5 Willow Warblers, 15 Chiffchaffs, 5 Sedge Warblers, 6 Blackcap, a Whitethroat, 1 Mistle Thrush, 3 Ring Ouzels, 2 Wheatear, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Brambling and 7 Siskins.

The vismig highlight was a spring record 482 Curlew heading out east along with 108 Oystercatcher, 34 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Whimbrel, 18 Teal, 2 Little Gulls, 35 Common Gulls and 2 Arctic Terns. Also moving a Great Northern Diver, a Tufted Duck, 3 Little-ringed Plovers, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, 79 Carrion Crows, 3 Blue Tits, 20 Sand Martin, 45 Swallows, 14 House Martins, 10 Flava Wagtails, 3 Lesser Redpoll, 27 Goldfinch and 16 Siskins.

Other bits of note were the Shore Lark and Spoonbill on beacon ponds, Spotted Redshank on Kilnsea wetlands and the Purple Sandpiper at Sammys.

Ringing: 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Blackcap, 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Robin, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Siskin, 1 Willow Warbler. 21/9

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Friday, 21 April 2023

A cloudy  overcast day and a cool F5 north easterly. Watches: 0530-1000.

There was no repeat of any big movement of birds out east with only 3 Arctic Terns and a Whimbrel of note while over the sea 4 Manx Shearwater, 71 Fulmars and 58 Gannets were recorded.

The Shore Lark was still at beacon ponds and around Kilnsea wetlands a nice adult Spoonbill, 27 Shovelers, a fantastic 542 Bar-tailed Godwits and 7 Pink-footed Geese with a Purple Sandpiper at Sammys. 

Migrant numbers while low included 2 Ring Ouzels, a Whitethroat and a Long-eared Owl. 

Ringing: 1 Stock Dove, 1 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Goldfinch. 7/5.

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Thursday, 20 April 2023

 A mild sunny day with a continued F5 north easterly. Watches: 0530-1800. 

The day saw a bt imore activity but less on the move for birds heading out east. The day did see the first Tree Pipit of the year, a Hawfinch wandering around Kilnsea, a Coal Tit at the Warren which headed back north while a Hen Harrier blogged the area and the Shore Lark still at beacon ponds. Other migrants included 56 Swallows, 31 Sand Martins, a Mistle Thrush, 2 Ring Ouzels and a Brambling.

Another good total of 130 Curlew headed out east but there was no repeat of the previous day with just 2 Little Gulls, 7 Black-headed Gulls and 4 Eiders heading the same way. A good count of 244 Bar-tailed Godwits on Kilnsea wetlands part of the big movement across the UK in the last few days.

Ringing: 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Goldfinch. 4/3
 

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Wednesday, 19 April 2023

A nice sunny day with a F4 north easterly. Watches: 0530-1930.

It was a great day of migration birds which had crossed the country overnight left to the east during the day with 324 Bar-tailed Godwit, single Turnstone, 40 Little Gulls and a Kittiwake. The sea also delivered an adult Iceland Gull, drake Scaup, single Red-breasted Merganser, 9 Sandwich Terns, 37 Fulmars including a 'blue phase' bird and 59 Gannets while overland a Hobby was the first of the year as it headed north. 

Other bits of note were 135 Bar-tailed Godwit on the Humber, the Shore Lark on beacon ponds, 14 Chiffchaff around the area, the Ring Ouzel still at Sammys but just 3 Wheatears.

Ringing: 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 2 Blackbird, 2 Robin, 1 Goldfinch. 9/5

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Tuesday, 18 April 2023

A nice sunny day and a F3 easterly. Watches: 0540-1800. 

The continued easterly saw another 29 Arctic Tern head out east with a Barnacle Goose and 59 Curlew heading the same way. Movement again was largely curtailed over land and sea the best of which were 4 Eider, 181 Common Gulls, 35 Fulmar, 31 Gannets, a Marsh Harrier and 6 Sewallows. Full counts on Trektellen.

Elsewhere the Shore Lark was still on beacon ponds, a female Hen Harrier wandering the area but again few migrants with 13 Chiffchaff the only double figure count though the Ring Ouzel contunes to show at Sammys.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Dunnock, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Goldfinch. 4/4

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Monday, 17 April 2023

A generally sunny day with a F3 south easterly. Watches: 0545-1830.

The easterly wind had an immediate effect with birds heading out the Humber including the 27 Arctic Terns which were the first of the year along with 7 Shelduck, 12 Grey Plover, 110 Curlews, 28 Bar-tailed Godwits and 29 Common Gulls. The wind direction was poor for southerly movement with just 51 Carrion Crows, a Brambling, 87 Linnets, 33 Goldfinch, 3 Corn Buntings and a Yellowhammer the stand out sightings. Full counts on Trektellen. 

Hopefully the easterlies will bring some migrants but in the meantime 3 Whimbrel, a Green Sandpiper, 13 Chiffchaff, a Whitethroat, the male Ring Ouzel, 9 Wheatears and a Brambling were the best of meagre pickings. The Shore Lark was also still on beacon ponds with no change on Kilnsea wetlands the Spotted Redhsank and Little-ringed Plover still in residence.

Offshore a pod of 10 Bottle Nosed Dolphins lingered.

Ringing: Chiffchaff 2, Wheatear 2, Wren 1, Robin 1, Chaffinch 2, Brambling 1. 9/6

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Sunday, 16 April 2023

A nice sunny day and a F2 south easterly. Watches: 0600-1200.

The wind is moving round to a more easterly vector for the next week or so and should see the first Terns and maybe Little Gulls and Skuas head out east. In the meantime there was a bit of movment albeit quite slow with 3 Velvet Scoters, 34 Common Scoter, 15 Fulmar, a female Hen Harrier, single Common Buzzard, 5 Rooks, 11 Carrion Crows, 5 Skylark, 24 Sand Martins, 26 Swallows, a Flava Wagtail, 8 Alba Wagtail, 5 Chaffinch, 135 Linnets, 82 Goldfinch and 11 Siskins while 103 Curlews flew out east in the late afternoon. 

Migrant numbers wee thin on the ground the best of the day a Hawfinch seen in Kilnsea with the male Ring Ouzel still at Sammys in the 1st paddock. 

The Kilnsea wetlands area had the Black Brant, 8 Ruff, 2 Whimbrels, a Spotted Redshank and 30 Swallows while a Yellow-legged Gull was at Chalk bank.

Ringing: 2 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Dunnock, 3 Robin. 13/6

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Saturday, 15 April 2023

Early morning drizzle clearing with blue Skies in the afternoon and a light F2 northerly. Watches: 0615-0915.

There was not much change overall but the first Whitethroat of the year was at Sammys where the 2 Ring Ouzels were still present in the 1st paddock. Other migrants of note included 4 Ruff in the triangle, 2 Redstarts (rose cottage, cliffe farm), 21 Wheatears and 5 White Wagtails with 3 Cetti's Warbler and a Corn Bunting in the triangle noteworthy. The best of birds on the move was a Red Kite which headed back north west.

The Shore Lark and drake Scaup were still on beacon ponds with Kilnsea wetlands having the Black Brant, 2 Pale-bellied Brent, a good count of 798 Brent Geese, 2 Pintails, a Little-ringed Plover, a Spotted Redhank and 1 Greenshank. 

Ringing: 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch, 1 Reed Bunting. 11/6

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Friday, 14 April 2023

A mild but cloudy day and a F3 south easterly. Watches: 0655-1000.

Some south east in the wind brought a small arrival and the first double figure count of Willow Warblers while the vismiggers had a small but notieceable increase in southbound movement. On the move were an Iceland Gull, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 41 Wood Pigeons, a Marsh Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard, a Kestrel, 19 Jackdaws, 19 Rook, 15 Carrion Crows, 11 Skylarks, 8 Sand Martins, 2 Swallow, 2 House Martins, 5 Flava Wagtails, 8 Alba Wagtail, 47 Chaffinch, 3 Bramblings, 17 Greenfinch, 158 Linnets, 43 Goldfinch, 9 Siskins, a Corn Bunting and a Yellowhammer.

Grounded migrants included 2 Whimbrel, 4 Ruff, a Short-eared Owl, 20 Swallows, 10 Willow Warblers, 11 Chiffchaff, a Sedge Warbler, 4 Blackcaps, a Firecrest, 2 Ring Ouzels, a Black Redstart, single rubicola Stonechat, 37 Wheatear, 3 Yellow Wagtail and 5 White Wagtails.

A Pale-bellied Brent, 2 Pintail, 55 Teal, 6 Avocets and a Spotted Redshank were on Kilnsea wetlands with the Scaup and Shore Lark still on beacon ponds. 

Ringing: 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chaffinch, 4 Linnet. 9/4

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Thursday, 13 April 2023

Cloudy but bright with the odd glimpse of the sun and a breezy F5 westerly. Watches: 0630-1000.

With so many still about it seemed only a matter of time before another ALPINE SWIFT graced the area this one lingering over grange farm then flew south. It was quiet otherwise with no big numbers but a nice selection again moving with 39 Curlews, a Marsh Harrier, ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Common Buzzards, 6 Rooks, 6 Carrion Crows, 4 Swallows, a Flava Wagtail, 15 Chaffinch, a Brambling, 4 Greenfinch, 35 Linnets, 58 Goldfinch and 3 Siskins.

The Shore Lark and Scaup were still at beacon ponds along with a Little Gull plus 4 Ruff were wandering between here and the triangle.

A Firecrest in the Obs garden was the best of the grounded migrants while for impressive presence, an escaped Gyr Falcon between the Warren and Sammys, part of a mass breakout in South Yorkshire. 

Ringing: 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 2 Great Tit, 5 Goldfinch, 1 Linnet
 

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Wednesday, 12 April 2023

A sunny day with heavy showers in the afternoon and a strong F5-6 south easterly. Watches: 0550-0830.

There was very little on the move but remained good around Kilnsea wetlands and still good numbers of migrants with a nice Long-eared Owl in church field, a Short-eared Owl, 15 Sand Martins, 13 Swallows, a Willow Warbler, 18 Chiffchaffs, a Sedge Warbler, 3 Blackcaps, a Firecrest, 3 Goldcrest, 22 Wheatears and 5 White Wagtails. 

The 2 Spoonbills were again on Kilnsea wetlands with the area also holding a Pale-bellied Brent, 423 Brent Geese, 18 Shoveler, 12 Gadwall, 4 Pintail, 70 Teal, drake Scaup, 2 Ruff, 685 Redshank, a Spotted Redshank, an adult Little Gull and the usual Shore Lark. .

Ringing: 1 Long-eared Owl, 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Chaffinch. 9/3.

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Tuesday, 11 April 2023

Sunny spells throughout light drizzle in the evening with a F3 south easterly. Watches: 0645-1000.

It was quite a busy day all round with more migrants particularly Wheatears and a varied species list for the vismiggers but generally low numbers with 147 Pink-footed Geese, 55 Curlew, 63 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Spoonbills, a Marsh Harrier, 7 Common Buzzards, a Red Kite, 36 Jackdaws, 25 Rooks, 52 Carrion Crows, 21 Sand Martins, 30 Swallows, 3 House Martins, 4 Alba Wagtails, 15 Meadow Pipits, 50 Chaffinch, 41 Linnets, 26 Goldfinch and 16 Siskins.

Grounded migrants included 2 Little-ringed Plover on Kilnsea wetlands, 10 Sand Martin, 8 Swallows, a Willow Warblers, 16 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, a Firecrest, a Black Redstart, male Redstart, 2 Stonechats, 38 Wheatears and 3 White Wagtails.

Around the Kilnsea wetlands/ beacon ponds area there was still a Pale-bellied Brent with 538 Brent Geese, the drake Scaup, a Tufted Duck and the Shore Lark.

Ringing: 1 Magpie, 1 Great Tit, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, 1 Wheatear, 6 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Linnet, 9 Goldfinch, 1 Blackcap. 26/11
 

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Monday, 10 April 2023

Rain in the morning and later in the afternoon with thunderstorms and a F4 southerly.  Watches: 0630-1000.

A wet day made it difficult getting out and around the area but breaks in the rain saw some movement south passed the Warren and the hides offered some respite. There were 2 Spoonbill on Kilnsea wetlands/beacon ponds, one flying off south and the drake Scaup still present along with a Pale-bellied Brent, 32 Shoveler, 4 Pintail, 44 Teal, 2 Pochard, 5 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Little Egrets.

There were still decent amount of migrants about with a Whimbrel, 17 Swallows, 3 Willow Warbler, 24 Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 3 Goldcrest, a male Redstart, 13 Wheatears, 3 White Wagtail and 2 Brambling. 

A small push of birds heading south inbetween the rain produced a Sandwich Tern, 11 Sand Martins, 10 Swallows, a Flava Wagtail, 7 Linnets, 5 Goldfinch and 218 Siskins. Full counts on Trektellen.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 2 Chaffinch. 3/2

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Sunday, 09 April 2023

Sunny spells witn fog late afternoon and a F3 south easterly. Watches: 0645-0915.

There was further Spring arrivals of migrants today and with the quick turnover of species as birds move on very quickly driven by their urge to get back to breeding areas there were also less of some. Today brought our first 3 Redstarts of the year to the area while totals were 4 Ruff, 13 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, 5 Goldcrest, 22 Redwings, 4 Fieldfare, a Ring Ouzel, 1 Black Redstart, 2 Stonechats, a Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 White Wagtails, a Brambling and a Redpoll sp.

Beacon ponds was quite productive with a Spoonbill and the usual Shore Lark and drake Scaup both present and Kilnsea wetlands chipping on with a Little-ringed Plover, 4 Pochard and 4 Pintail.

Ringing: 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird, 1 Redwing, 3 Linnet. 9/5.

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Saturday, 08 April 2023

A nice sunny day with the odd cloud in the sky and a light F2 north easterly. Watches: 0630-0930.

The spring is slowly cranking into gear and with it several more firsts for the year being a Sedge Warbler at long bank, Whimbrel in Holderness field, single Little-ringed Plover on Kilnsea wetlands and a wandering Spoonbill which flew off west eventually. There was a small increase in grounded migrants with a Woodcock, 1 Short-eared Owl, a Wood Lark, 15 Sand Martin, 11 Swallows, a House Martin, 6 Willow Warbler, 20 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, 10 Goldcrests, just 13 Robins, 4 Black Redstarts, 4 Stonechats, 11 Wheatear, 3 Yellow Wagtails and 5 Brambling. A Green Woodpecker wandering the area all the way to the point may have been the bird from a few days ago.

The Shore Lark and Scaup were both still on beacon ponds with Kiklnsea wetlands holding the Black Brant, 4 Pintail and 2 Pochard.

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Friday, 07 April 2023

A beautiful sunny day with a light F2 north westerly. 

The Good Friday charity bike ride was well attended by many Spurn birders dressing up in Harry Potter characters attire and raising money for good causes. It was also another good day for migrants around the area, 2 Ring Ouzels were new for the year (little hedge, Sammys) plus 5 Swallows, a Blackcap, 2 Willow Warblers, 21 Chiffchaffs, 5 Firecrests, 16 Goldcrest, 49 Robins, 3 Black Redstarts, 2 Wheatear, a Stonechat and 2 Bramblings, Full counts to come.

Both the Shore Lark and Scaup were still at beacon ponds. 

Ringing: 1 Firecrest, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Redwing, 3 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 1 Greenfinch, 1 House Sparrow. 11/7

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Thursday, 06 April 2023

A cloudy day with rain showers and drizzle with a F2 westerly.  Watches: 06:15-08:30.

Another small influx of migrants brought two firsts of the year with a House Martin and a Yellow Wagtail both heading north. The day also saw an influx of migrants throughout the area with yet another Wood Lark at the Point in what has been a good year for them so far along with 2 Woodcock, 8 Sand Martin, 6 Swallows, 2 Willow Warblers, 30 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcaps, 7 Firecrest (3 Point), 6 Goldcrests, 5 Song Thrush, 72 Robins, 2 Black Redstarts, 2 Stonechats, 2 Wheatears and 2 White Wagtail. 

The watchers at Numpties had a much quieter day a Spotted Redshank out east, 4 Swallows, 4 Alba Wagtails, 23 Chaffinch, a Greenfinch and 2 Siskins though a Swift sp by the lighthouse heading south did so into the sun and was just a silhouette.

There was no change on Kilnsea wetlands the Pale-bellied Brent with 472 Brent Geese, 2 Pintail, 2 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, 8 Avocets and 150 Black-tailed Godwits with the drake Scaup and Shore Lark still on beacon ponds. 

Ringing: 1 Wren, 3 Chaffinch, 1 Goldfinch. 5/3
 

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Wednesday, 05 April 2023

Another day of sunny spells and a light F2 southerly. Watches: 0615-0945. 

A trickle for the vismiggers, small Duck influx to Kilnsea wetlands and decent numbers of migrants remain all the while 9 Bottle-Nosed Dolphins stole the limelight off shore before heading north. Migrant number remained similar overall but Robin numbers dropped by half. Totals for the day around the area were 5 Sand Martin, 17 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcap, 4 Firecrests, 10 Goldcrest, a Mistle Thrush, 13 Fieldfare, 54 Robins, 2 Black Redstarts, 2 Stonechat, a Wheatear and a Brambling.

On the move were 32 Pink-footed Geese, a Great Crested Grebe, 40 Common Scoter, a Sparrowhawk, 1 Marsh Harrier, 7 Jackdaws, 3 Rooks, 7 Carrion Crows, 3 Sand Martins, 2 Swallows, 6 Alba Wagtails, 37 Chaffinch, 2 Bullfinch, 35 Linnets, 7 Goldfinch, 20 Siskin, a Snow Bunting and 2 Yellowhammers. Full counts on Trektellen.

Kilnsea wetlands had a nice array of species on offer which included a Pale-bellied Brent, 7 Pink-footed Geese, 29 Shoveler, 2 Pintail, 2 Pochard, 2 Tufted Duck, 5 Avocets and 3 Black-tailed Godwits with the drake Scaup and the Shore Lark still on beacon ponds. 

Ringing: 1 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird, 1 Goldfinch. 3/3

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Tuesday, 04 April 2023

A nice sunny day with light F1 southerlies. Watches: 0616-0900.

The day saw some steady movement for the vismiggers, a notiecable clear out of migrants but a few bits of interest around the area. Migrant wise 4 Woodcocks, a Willow Warbler. 10 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 14 Goldcrests, single Firecrest, 10 Song Thrush, 5 Mistle Thrushes, 106 Robins, 2 Black Redstarts, 2 Wheatears, a Stonechat, 2 White Wagtails and a Brambling. 

The day was a tale of two Gulls with an Iceland Gull heading north and a 2cy Caspian Gull on Kilnsea wetlands which headed south. There was also a surprise drake Eider here along with a drake Scaup, the Black Brant, 1 Pale-bellied Brent. 602 Brent Geese, 33 Shovelers, 2 Pintail and 10 Avocets and the usual Shore Lark nearby on beacon ponds.

The movers overland included a Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Common Buzzard, 67 Jackdaws, 10 Rook, 2 Sand Martins, 7 Swallow, 40 Starling, 10 Alba Wagtails, 67 Chaffinch, a Brambling, 12 Linnets, 61 Siskins and 2 Reed Buntings. Full counts on Trektellen.

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Monday, 03 April 2023

A suuny day with a F2 easterly. Watches: 0615-0930.

It was another good day for migrants and for the second day in a row Robins were the commonest Passerine while decent numbers of Warblers were present. Totals for the day saw a Woodcock, 2 Willow Warblers, 21 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Firecrests, 10 Goldcrrest, 7 Song Thrush, a Mistle Thrush, 161 Robins, 2 Black Redstart, 2 Wheatear and a White Wagtail. 

Depite the easterly wind a trickle of southbound vismig saw a Sparrowhawk, 36 Jackdaws, 4 Rook, 12 Carrion Crows, 2 Blue Tits, 7 Alba Wagtails, 65 Chaffinch, 4 Greenfinch, 11 Linnets, 13 Goldfinch, 13 Siskin and 3 Yellowhammers recorded. Full details on Trektellen. 

There was no sign of the Black Brant but a Pale-bellied Brent was still on KIlnsea wetlands along with 2 Pintails and the Shore Lark nearby on beacon ponds. 

Ringing: 3 Blackbird, 1 Redwing, 1 Great Tit, 6 Robin, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Dunnock, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Reed Bunting. 16/9

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Sunday, 02 April 2023

Sunny spells and light F3 north easterly winds. Watches 0645-0945.

A Green Woodpecker around canal scrape was the pick of the bunch today, a rare but seemingly more regular visitor to the Spurn area. There was a significant arrival of migrants in particular Robins with day totals of 3 Woodcocks, 3 Firecrests, a Willow Warbler, 20 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 4 Goldcrests, 3 Mistle Thrush, 64 Redwings, 123 Robins, a Swallow, 11 Sand Martins, a White Wagtail, 1 Wheatear, 2 Black Redstarts, a Brambling, 49 Chaffinch and 4 Siskins around the area.

The Black Brant with 2 Pale-bellied Brents was again on KIlnsea wetlands and the Shore Lark at beacon ponds. 

Ringing 1 Great Tit, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Redwing, 2 Dunnock, 20 Robin, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Bullfinch, 38/12

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Saturday, 01 April 2023

A cold misty overcast drizzly day with a F5 north easterly. Watches: 0700-0845.

There was a clear out of much of the previous days migrants with a Woodcock, 4 Firecrests, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Goldcrests, a Swallow, 10 Fieldfare, 63 Redwing, 55 Robins, 35 Chaffinch and a Siskin remaining or new and a Cetti's Warbler was again in sykes field..

The Black Brant reappeared on Kilnsea wetlands with a Pale-bellied Brent among 250 Brents with the Shore Lark still creeping around the edges of beacon ponds.

Ringing 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 4 Blackbird, 2 Redwing, 8 Robin, 10 Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinch, 30/8

 

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