Spurn Bird Observatory Sightings April 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, 21 April 2025
Cool cloudy and dull start, with rain setting in during the afternoon along with a F2 south easterly. Watches: 0630-1000. The lack of south westerly winds continues the dearth of any meaningful southerly movement for the vismiggers the best of todays meagre offerings of a Sparrowhawk, 2 Jays, 3 Jackdaws, 3 Rooks, 9 Carrion Crows, a Sand Martin, 10 Swallows, a House Martin, 5 Flav Wagtails, 4 Alba Wagtails and 3 Chaffinches with 9 Curlews and 31 Common Gulls heading out east.
Migrants continue to trickle through with each day having its next peak or trough though today saw an increase to 6 Grasshopper Warblers in what is turning out to be decent spring already for them plus the first Common Swift of the spring, 3 Willow Warblers, 10 Chiffchaffs, 13 Sedge Warblers, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 22 Whitethroats, 2 Ring Ouzels, a male Black Redstart, the rubicola Stonechat, 8 Wheatears and 5 Yellow Wagtails and while some good totals many are no doubt breeders returning to their territories.
Elsewhere the ponds area still held the usual Scaup with 4 Tufted Ducks and 5 Pink-footed Geese and seemingly the same Barnacle Goose returning again.
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Sunday, 20 April 2025
Cold dull start the day seeing the odd glimpse of sunshine with a cool F3 north easterly. Watches: 0630-1000. No big numbers but again a nice selection species scattered around the area with a Common Sandpiper, 5 Willow Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs, 4 Grasshopper Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, a Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Whitethroats, 2 Ring Ouzels, a male Black Redstart, 2 Redstarts, the rubicola Stonechat, 6 Wheatears, 10 Yellow Wagtails and 2 Siskins. There was also some light movement again with 43 Curlews, 4 Arctic Terns and 11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls out east with a Marsh Harrier and Yellow Wagtail south the best of the rest while in the ponds area the Scaup remained.
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Saturday, 19 April 2025
A cold bright start with a cool F3 easterly blowing. Watches: 0630-1000. There were few migrants around the area the best of which were 4 Little Terns on the Humber, 8 Arctic Terns out east, 3 Willow Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs, 8 Sedge Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, a Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 7 Whitethroats, 4 Fieldfares, 2 Ring Ouzels, male Black Redstart, 2 Redstarts, 2 Wheatears and 12 Yellow Wagtails.
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Friday, 18 April 2025
Cool, cloudy and dull start with the F3 south easterly wind strengthening making life for the the annual charity bike ride rather difficult as they head on into it. It also saw reduced numbers of observers out in the field and while full totals will be revealed the day saw the springs first 2 Little Terns and Common Sandpiper at beacon pond where the Scaup remained while other sightings saw 2 Ring Ouzels in sheep field, Black Redstart at the point, 2 Grasshopper Warblers reeling, a Jay over the triangle and a Great Northern Diver flying north.
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Thursday, 17 April 2025
A bright sunny start to the day with a coll F3 south westerly. Watches: 0630-0900. There was an increase in some migrants with 61 Wheatears the stand out count around the area plus 37 Willow Warblers, 10 Chiffchaffs, 10 Sedge Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, 2 Grasshopper Warblers, 8 Blackcaps, 3 Lesser Whitethroats (first of year), 9 Whitethroats, a Firecrest at the point, a male Redstart, 3 Black Redstarts, 2 Ring Ouzels, 20 Yellow Wagtails, 3 White Wagtails and a male Brambling with a Hen Harrier wandering the area. The vismiggers had another relatively quiet day but did see a small increase the best being 2 Marsh Harriers, a Buzzard, 26 Rooks, 24 Carrion Crows, 10 Flava Wagtails, 31 Linnets, 12 Goldfinches and 2 Siskins.
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Wednesday, 16 April 2025
Bright and sunny with a cool F5 southerly swinging westerly as the day wore on. Watches: 0630-1000. The day was similar to previous days with some light movment over sea and land and a scatter of grounded migrants which included 10 Willow Warblers, 6 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Ring Ouzels, rubicola Stonechat, 26 Wheatears and a Yellow Wagtail. The ponds area held the Black Brant with 300 Brent Geese, 5 Pink-footed Geese, 4 Pochards, 2 Tufted Ducks, the usual Scaup and 2 Marsh Harriers. There was a further 2 Scaup on the Humber along with 30 Common Scoters.
On the move were a Grey Heron, single Marsh Harrier, 3 Jackdaws, 5 Rooks, 3 Sand Martins, 10 Swallows, 3 Flava Wagtails, 5 Linnets and 6 Goldfinches while heading out east 14 Curlews, a Little Gull, 5 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 67 Common Gulls and an Arctic Skua.
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Tuesday, 15 April 2025
Rain and mist started the day clearing later with a F4 north westerly keeping it fresh. Watches: 0630-1000. A nice drake Garganey on Kilnsea wetlands was the days highlight and a first for the spring the Scaup still on beacon ponds nearby. Grounded migrants included a Green Sandpiper, 20 Swallows, 15 Willow Warblers, 9 Chiffchaffs, 4 Sedge Warblers, a Reed Warbler, 5 Blackcaps, 4 Whitethroats, single Ring Ouzel, the rubicola Stonechat, 6 Wheatears, a White Wagtail, 6 Yellow Wagtails and a Tree Pipit. Some light movement saw a Great White Egret head north, 80 Meadow Pipits, a Brambling and 2 Redpolls the best of what little there was.
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Monday, 14 April 2025
A mild sunny blue sky day with a F3 south westerly. Watches: 0630-1000. There was some decent vismig albeit in low numbers while the daily fluctuations of grounded migrants continues to day having 7 Willow Warblers, 10 Chiffchaffs, 5 Sedge Warblers, a Reed Warbler, single Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats, a Goldcrest, 2 Ring Ouzels, 2 Pied Flycatchers, a Black Redstart, 14 Wheatears, 4 Yellow Wagtails and a Rock Pipit with the vismiggers chipping in with 2 Common Cranes and a Water Pipit heading south plus a Swift sp, a Shag, single Grey Heron, 26 Sand Martins, 13 Swallows, a House Martin, an Flava Wagtail and 4 Chaffinches. Full counts on Trektellen.
The usual good numbers of birds in the ponds area contailed 5 Pink-footed Geese, 10 Shovelers, 12 Gadwalls, 2 Tufted Ducks, the Scaup, 22 Avocets, 2 Little-ringed Plovers and 2 Marsh Harriers.
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Sunday, 13 April 2025
Cloudy and dull start, brightening up throughout morning, clouding over later in the afternoon with a mild F4 westerly. Watches: 0630-1000. There was an increase in vismig with the change to more westerly based winds and migrant numbers again maybe also as some local breeders start to arrive and take up territories. The day brought the springs first Arctic Tern to the Humber and Reed Warbler to churchfield while the day also had 3 Whimbrels, a Jay, 7 Willow Warblers, 25 Chiffchaffs, 7 Sedge Warblers, 7 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats, the male Pied Flycatcher, single Black Redstart, 19 Wheatears, 5 Yellow Wagtails, a 'channel' Wagtail, single White Wagtail, 15 Pied Wagtails, a Brambling and single Corn Bunting. On the move were 136 Curlews out east, a Marsh Harrier, 8 Jackdaws, 13 Rooks, 22 Carrion Crows, 39 Sand Martins, 13 Swallows, 4 Flava Wagtails, an Alba Wagtail, single Tree Pipit, 2 Redpolls, a Siskin and a Yellowhammer.
Ringing: Chiffchaff 2, Robin 1, Reed Bunting 1
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Saturday, 12 April 2025
A bight and sunny day with light south easterly winds. Watches: 0645-1000. A great day around the area saw an increase in grounded migrants while the vismig while almost non existent saw 2 Common Cranes fly south always a fantastic sight and sound when they visit the area. Grounded migrants included a Long-eared Owl, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 11 Willow Warblers, 17 Chiffchaffs, a Grasshopper Warbler in church field, 7 Blackcaps, a Goldcrest, 9 Song Thrushes, 23 Redwings, 2 Ring Ouzels, 47 Robins, a male Pied Flycatcher (1st of spring), 3 Black Redstarts, 2 Redstarts, single Stonechat, 9 Wheatears, 3 Yellow Wagtails, a Tree Pipit and a Brambling.
Other sightings saw the Scaup still present with 2 Tufted Ducks plus 2 Pintails, 12 Shovelers, 10 Gadwalls, 14 Avocets and a Little-ringed Plover in the ponds area.
Ringing: Robin 4, Blackcap 5, Redstart 1, Willow Warbler 2, Chiffchaff 8, Grasshopper Warbler 1. 21/6
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Friday, 11 April 2025
Mild and sunny all day with a light north westerly. Fairly typically for this time of year daily fluctuations of migrants species and numbers pushing through north and west is expected and with yesterdays decrease today saw a small increase of some species bringing totals of 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Willow Warblers, 19 Chiffchaffs, 3 Sedge Warblers, 9 Blackcaps, the springs first Common Whitethroat, 44 Redwings, 2 Black Redstarts, the rubicola Stonechat, 6 Wheatears and 2 Yellow Wagtails. There was still very little on the move the best being 4 Whimbrels north, 38 Curlews and 137 Common Gulls out east, a Marsh Harrier, 25 Rooks, 5 Sand Martins, 7 Swallows and 3 Yellowhammers south.
Ringing: Cetti's Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 4, Willow Warbler 1, Song Thrush 1, Redwing 2, Blackbird 3, Robin 1, Reed Bunting 1. 14/8
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Thursday, 10 April 2025
Cool and dull start, high cloud. clearing later and warming up in the afternoon along with a moderate north westerly. Watches: 0645-1000. There was a decrease in grounded migrants but more Thrushes about with 6 Chiffchaffs, 2 Sedge Warblers, a Goldcrest, 66 Redwings, 6 Fieldfares, a Ring Ouzel, 5 Black Redstarts, the continental Stonechat and 2 White Wagtails.
The Scaup remained with 2 Tufted Ducks for company and 12 Avocets and a Little-ringed Plover the best of the other sightings in the ponds area.
Ringing: Chiffchaff 1, Chaffinch 1, Robin 2, Wren 1, Redwing 1. 6/5
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Wednesday, 09 April 2025
Watches: 0640-1000. Sightings from the day showed an increase in some grounded migrants bringing the first of the spring Grasshopper Warbler reeling at middle camp, both Firecrests still present, a Ring Ouzel at the point, single Jack Snipe and Sedge Warbler along the canal, 7 Black Redstarts, a showy Long-eared Owl, 6 White Wagtails and a Yellow Wagtail. Further totals saw 2 Willow Warblers, 6 Chiffchaffs, a Sedge Warbler, 7 Blackcaps, 2 Goldcrests, 10 Song Thrushes, 3 Redwings, a Stonechat and a single Brambling.
The Black Brant made a re-appearance in the ponds area with 550 Brent Geese and the Scaup still on beacon ponds with also 14 Gadwalls, 4 Pintails, 55 Teal, 14 Avocets and the 2 Little-ringed Plovers still in the area. It was still quiet for vismig the best being a Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harriers, 5 Sand Martins and a 6 Alba Wagtails.
Ringing: Chiffchaff 3, Goldcrest 1, Robin 1, Blackcap 2, Song Thrush 3, Redwing 1, Blackbird 1
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Tuesday, 08 April 2025
Bright and sunny all day, light south east winds and quite mild. Watches: 0645-1000. It was a decent day for arrivals of migrants 9 Willow Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs, the first Sedge Warbler of the spring, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Firecrests, 4 Goldcrests, 9 Song Thrushes, 3 Black Redstarts, a Stonechat, 2 Wheatears, a Yellow Wagtail, 7 White Wagtails and a Brambling while a Cattle Egret and summer plumage Water Pipit flying north added some class.
The Barnacle Goose and Scaup were still in the ponds area among all the usuals.
Ringing: Chiffchaff 5, Goldcrest 1, Firecrest 1, Blackcap 2, Dunnock 1, Blackbird 1.
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Monday, 07 April 2025
A cool sunny day, wind dropping off later in the day. warm out of the F4 south easterly wind. Watches: 0645-1000. A nice selection of grounded migrants included a Woodcock, single Long-eared Owl, 12 Swallows, 2 Willow Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, 5 Goldcrests, 3 Black Redstarts, 2 Stonechats, 3 Wheatears, a Rock Pipit and single Brambling. Some light movement saw a Red Kite, 9 Jackdaws, 12 Rooks, 17 Sand Martins, 6 Swallows, a House Martin, 8 Chaffinches and a Siskin.
THe ponds area held 1000 Brent Geese, the Barnacle Goose, 2 Canada Geese, 30 greylags, 5 Pink-footed Geese, 166 Wigeon, 6 Pintails, 78 Teal, the usual Scaup, 12 Avocets and 2 Little-ringed Plovers.
Ringing: Chiffchaff 4, Blackcap 2, Blackbird 1, Brambling 1, Chaffinch 1
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Sunday, 06 April 2025
Bright and sunny all day, warm out of the F4 easterly wind. Watches: 0700-1000. It was another decent day for grounded migrants with a trickle of southbound movers, the best of today being our first Whimbrel of the spring, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Willow Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrests, 5 Black Redstarts, 2 Common Redstarts, a White Wagtail, single Brambling and 2 Siskins. Moving saw 2 Sandwich Terns, a Great White Egret, 24 Jackdaws, 5 Rooks, 4 Sand Martins, 8 Swallows, 6 House Martins and 3 Linnets recorded which is till quite poor but equally not unexpected with the east wind blowing.
Up in the ponds area 1000 Brent Geese, a Barnacle Goose, 10 Gadwalls, 6 Pintails, the Scaup and 3 Goldeneyes and single Little-ringed Plover were the best of the sightings.
Ringing: Robin 1, Song Thrush 1, Goldcrest 2. 4/3
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Saturday, 05 April 2025
Bright and sunny throughout, warm out of the F4 north easterly. Watches: 0645-10:00. Yet again there were no standout counts but a good scatter of grounded migrants with the first Sandwich Tern of the spring, 2 Willow Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, 5 Redwings, a Fieldfare, 4 Black Redstarts, 2 Common Redstarts, 2 Stonechats, 2 Wheatears, a White Wagtail, 7 Pied wagtails and a Rock Pipit. There was some light movement again but its still to get going in winds not condusive to visible migration the best today being 3 Canada Geese, 5 Jackdaws, 3 Rooks, 3 Sand Martins, 13 Swallows, 2 Chaffinches, 3 Linnets and a Siskin.
The best of the ponds area were a Pale-bellied Brent, single Barnacle Goose, 5 Pink-footed Geese, 6 Pintails, a Tufted Duck, the usual Scaup, 3 Goldeneyes, 2 Little-ringed Plovers and 2 Little Egrets.
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Friday, 04 April 2025
A bright start, cool but mild out of the F3 north easterly wind. Watches: 0645-0900. A small but noticeable arrival of grounded migrants was evident bringing some new ones for the spring with a male Common Redstart in corner field and Tree Pipit flying north. Other migrants included 2 Little-ringed Plovers, 7 Sand Martins, 5 Swallows, a House Martin, 6 Willow Warblers, 11 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Black Redstarts, a comtinental Stonechat, single Wheatear, a Brambling and a mobile Hawfinch around Kilnsea with a Red Kite wandering the area.
The ponds area had the usual Scaup and 3 Goldeneyes, 600 Btrent Geese, a Barnacle Goose and a Pintail.
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Thursday, 03 April 2025
A cold bright start, warm out of the cool F3 easterly wind later on. Watches 0700-1000. The usual Scaup and 3 Goldeneyes remained on beacon ponds, 12 Pintails on Kilnsea wetlands with a Pale-bellied Brent on Easington straight. There were just a few grounded migrants about with 8 Chiffchaffs, a Brambling, 4 Siskins while a Little Gull and 3 Swallows flew south.
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Wednesday, 02 April 2025
Cold first thing and in the evening but warm in the sunshine with a moderate north westerly blowing. Watches 0645-1000, 1430-1520. The typical east birding at this time fo year needs some nice warm southerlies for good arrivals but the continued conditions are only good for cold fingers. Saying that there was still a scatter around the area with 2 Little-ringed Plovers, 8 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, maybe the same Firecrest at potato fields, a Black Redstart, 2 Stonechats inc a continentall bird and a Swallow.
Other sightings saw a Pale-belied Brent with the Brent flock, the Scaup and 3 Goldeneyes, a single Greenshank and a Short-eared Owl.
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Tuesday, 01 April 2025
A cold and cloudy start brightening later with a F3 south easterly. Watches: 0700-1000. The day saw less groundd migrants and overall a reduction with just 2 Little-ringed Plovers, 5 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, 6 Redwings, a Black Redstart and 2 Bramblings while the best of the vismig were 5 Sand Martins south. Elsewhere the ponds area still had a Scaup, 3 Goldeneyes and 18 Pintails.
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