Sightings

Wednesday, 31 May 2023

Polite reminder for all visitors: the Little Tern colony at Beacon Ponds is extremely vulnerable to disturbance. PLEASE STAY WELL AWAY from the fenced area of beach, which is clearly signposted, and respect the wardens on duty. Up to 50 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.

The day was again decent for late migrants pushing through but with seeminly little change in terms of species until news of a ticking Bunting at chalk bank which flew south, the description and a subsequent analyse of a recording of the call confirmed it as RUSTIC BUNTING but the day didn't end here when a possible became a definite GREAT SNIPE showing extremely well on Clubleys from the watch point and still present in the evening. Totals for other migrants were quite decent with a Garden Warbler, 2 Willow Warblers, 7 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Pied Flycatchers, a Black Redstart, 7 Whinchats, 2 Wheatears andf a Tree Pipit.

The 2 Garganey were still on Kilnsea wetlands along with a Pochard, 3 Wigeon, 3 Teal, a Pintail, 8 Common Sandpipers and a Ruff while 2 Curlew Sandpiper were on the Humber.

 Ringing Swallow 1, House Sparrow 1, Chiffchaff 1, Willow Warbler 1, Blackbird 3, Robin 1, Dunnock 1, Chaffinch 1, Greenfinch 3, 13/9

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Tuesday, 30 May 2023

A cold cloudy day with afternoon drizzle and the continuing F3 north easterly. Watches: 0615-0930.  While typically for the time of year there were no big arrivals but the unusual continued push of late migrants continued today seeing 2 Common Sandpipers, a Willow Warbler, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, a Pied Flycatcher, 2 Black Redstart, 3 Whinchat and 5 Wheatear. 

The day also saw some movement again with 2 Black Terns, 21 Arctic Terns and 45 Kittiwakes heading out east and 42 Common Scoter, an Arctic Skua, a Puffin, 4 Red-throated Diver and 4 Fulmar the pick of the birds over the sea.

On Kilnsea wetlands the 2 drake Garganey remained along with 3 Teal, a Pintail, 2 Pochard, 4 Avocet, 2 Little-ringed Plover, 2 Ruff and 15 Redshank with 3 Curlew Sandpiper on the Humber off the Warren.

 Ringing: 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Robin. 3/3.

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Monday, 29 May 2023

Polite reminder for all visitors: the Little Tern colony at Beacon Ponds is extremely vulnerable to disturbance. PLEASE STAY WELL AWAY from the fenced area of beach, which is clearly signposted, and respect the wardens on duty. Up to 50 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.

A cool cloudy morning clearing to blue skies and sunshine with the cintinued F3 north easterly. Watches: 0600-1000. There was no sign of the Green-winged Teal on Kilnsea wetlands but the 2 Garganey were still present with a Little Stint nearby at beacon ponds. What was presumably the same female Red-backed Shrike had moved a short distance to Sammys while a few extra migrants included a Willow Warbler, single Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Wheatears, a Whinchat and a Tree Pipit. 

Kilnsea wetlands was again bustling with action with female Pintail, 3 Teal, 3 Pochard, 6 Avocet, 3 Little-ringed Plovers, a Ruff, 6 Common Sandpipers, 15 Redshank and a Hobby while a Wood Sandpiper was reported on Canal scrape.

The sea picked up a little as the wind comtinued in the north with 6 Eider, 13 Common scoter, 30 Kittiwakes, 102 Large Auk sp, 6 Red-throated Divers, 7 Fulmar, a Manx Shearwater and 80 Gannets. 

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Sunday, 28 May 2023

The first cloudy day for a while with a chilly F3 north easterly.  Watches: 0600-1200.  Early morning began with a drake GREEN-WINGED TEAL on Kilnsea wetlands accompanied at times by the 2 drake Garganey and 3 Teal with other nearby sightings of a Pochard, single Pintail, 2 Little-ringed Plover, a Ruff, 8 Greenshanks and 11 Common Sandpipers.

The day was somewhat enlivened further by a Turtle Dove which flew north and an elusive female Red-backed Shrike distantly behind Westmere farm with also Spotted Flycatcher and Wheatear new in during the day.

On the move 8 Arctic Terns headed out east while over the sea 8 Tufted Ducks and 4 Manx Shearwaters were the most noteable. 

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Saturday, 27 May 2023

Polite reminder for all visitors: the Little Tern colony at Beacon Ponds is extremely vulnerable to disturbance. PLEASE STAY WELL AWAY from the fenced area of beach, which is clearly signposted, and respect the wardens on duty. Up to 50 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.

The sunny blue sky weather with light southerly winds remains. There were several good birds during the day to keep everyone happy, our first confirmed Montagu's Harrier of the year around beacon ponds interacting with an adult male Hen Harrier, eventually flew off west. The Bee-eater put in another appearance over the triangle then flew south west while 5 Little Stints on Kilnsea wetlands was our largest spring flock for several years with 2 drake Garganey here also. Passerine wise a Siberian Chiffchaff was singing at canal scrape early morning.

The change to more southerly type winds saw some movement albeit in low numbers bringing 4 Eider, 40 Wood Pigeons, 3 Collared Doves, 5 Lapwings, 12 Kittiwakes, 17 Razorbills, 65 Large Auk sp, 7 Jackdaws, 5 Great Tits, 135 Swallows, 19 House Martins, a Mistle Thrush, a Flava Wagtail, 3 Alba Wagtails, 8 Chaffincha and 5 Greenfinch while 40 Brent Geese headed off east. 

Just outside the recording area a dapper White-winged Black Tern was at Welwick.

Other sightings mainly from around Kilnsea wetlands were a Pintail, single Pochard, 2 Cuckoos, 4 Little-ringed Plovers, 4 Common Sandpiper, a Greenshank, 20 Redshank and 5 Little Egrets.

Ringing: Great Tit 5 (P)

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Friday, 26 May 2023

A  blue Sky day and a light southerly. Watches: 0605-1005.  Sightings from the day saw a nice Cattle Egret in the triangle and presumably the same Bee-eater flying south with putting in two appearances with sightings a few hours apart eventually heading off west over the Humber with the Little Stint at beacon ponds.

The Kilnsea wetlands area also had 3 Shoveler, 14 Gadwall, 5 Teal, a Pochard, 4 Tufted Ducks, 10 Avocets, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Little-ringed Plover, a Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Little Egrets and a Short-eared Owl. 

There were some bits on the move with a Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, 12 Sand Martins, 139 Swallows and a Tree Pipit. 

Ringing: 1 Cuckoo, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackbird, 4 Goldfinch. 8/4

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Thursday, 25 May 2023

Polite reminder for all visitors: the Little Tern colony at Beacon Ponds is extremely vulnerable to disturbance. PLEASE STAY WELL AWAY from the fenced area of beach, which is clearly signposted, and respect the wardens on duty. Up to 50 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.

Another day of clear skies and a light north easterly. There were very few sightings of real note, a surprise Water Pipit on Kilnsea wetlands a strange record for the time of year with a Little Stint nearby on beacon ponds and a Corn Bunting wandering the triangle. 

The other noteable birds included a male Pintail, 2 Tufted Ducks and a Black-tailed Godwit on Kilnsea wetlands, 2 Arctic Terns on beacon ponds and 3 Cuckoos at westmere farm.

Ringing: 1 Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 7 Blue Tit (p), 3 Chaffinch, 2 Linnet. 14/5

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Wednesday, 24 May 2023

A lovely sunny day with a light north easterly. Migrants were again thin on the ground as maybe expected so late in the month but there were 2 Red-backed Shrikes in the triangle, the female and a singing male, a Grasshopper Warbler singing in the Obs garden, Tree Pipit at chapel cottage and a White Wagtail on Kilnsea wetlands.

The wetlands also had 2 Curlew Sandpiper, a Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Sandpiper, a Greenshank, 2 Tufted Ducks and a female Pintail while over the sea just 20 Grey Plover heading out east was the highlght.. 

Ringing: 1 Stock Dove, 1 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackbird, 1 Robin (p). 5/5

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Tuesday, 23 May 2023

Polite reminder for all visitors: the Little Tern colony at Beacon Ponds is extremely vulnerable to disturbance. PLEASE STAY WELL AWAY from the fenced area of beach, which is clearly signposted, and respect the wardens on duty. Up to 50 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.

Blue Skies and sunny with a light north easterly. Watches: 0600-1000. The mini arrival continued with an early morning Golden Oriole singing at Kew, which then went 'quiet' the day also yeilding 2 Red-backed Shrikes (the female in the triangle and a new male by the gas terminal) but apart from a Redwing there had been a clearout of the previous days common migrants though 4 Cuckoos drove the local Meadow Pipits mad. 

There waa some interest for the movers 40 Grey Plover and 250 Dunlin headed off out east with 5 Manx Shearwater and 2 Red-throated Divers south while overland a Coal Tit was interesting backed up by just 110 Swallows. Full counts on Trektellen.

There were still 177 Brent Geese on the Humber with Kilnsea wetlandas having a Wigeon, 2 Tufted Ducks, 12 Avocets, a Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Common Sandpipers.

Ringing: 1 Stock Dove, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Redwing. 3/3

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Monday, 22 May 2023

It was a cool cloudy day with a brisk F5 northerly. Following on from the previous days comment about the lack of migrants today saw a small but welcome arrival which brought 3 Red-backed Shrikes to the area, a male on clubleys and females at southfield farm and vicars lane. Upto the time of writing there was also a Pied Flycatcher in canal bushes, a Whinchat at the Point, 8 Spotted Flycatchers (2 crown, 2 Sammys, 2 canal, 1 Green lane, 1 vicars lane), a Willow Warbler, 1 Redwing and a Fieldfare, while in the late evening a Nightjar was flushed from the Obs garden then flew west.

Elsewhere Kilnsea wetlands drew in 2 Tufted Ducks, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, a Wood Sandpiper, 6 Common Sandpipers, a Greenshank and an adult Mediterranean Gull.

The sea did have a few bits to keep some interest up at least with 36 Common Scoter, 146 Kittiwakes, 355 Guillemots, 26 Razorbills, 8 Puffins, 4 Red-throated Divers, 12 Fulmars, 5 Manx Shearwater and 163 Gannets.

Ringing: 1 Crow, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chaffinch

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Sunday, 21 May 2023

Polite reminder for all visitors: the Little Tern colony at Beacon Ponds is extremely vulnerable to disturbance. PLEASE STAY WELL AWAY from the fenced area of beach, which is clearly signposted, and respect the wardens on duty. Up to 50 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.

A lovely sunny day with clear skies and a light north easterly. Watches: 0615-1010. The high pressure over the continent had given some hope of some easterly vagrants and in fact very few commoner migrants have been about this week. Today was again the same with no migrants of note bar an out of the blue BLYTH'S REED WARBLER singing the top of the Obs garden (Sonogram and song below). Typically elsusive it did put on a good song show during the day. A drake Garganey on Kilnsea wetlands was maybe the only other real noteable bird during the day.

It was quiet over the sea 8 Common Scoter, 3 Man xShearwater, 3 Gannets and 6 Cormorant with 51 Swallows and a Bullfinch on the move overland while elsewhere 101 Brent Geese still hung on with Cuckoo, 2 Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper and Cetti's warbler around the area.

Ringing: 2 Swallow, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Blackbird (p), 1 Robin (p), 1 Bullfinch, 2 Linnet, 1 Chaffinch. 10/8.

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Saturday, 20 May 2023

It was a mild bright and sunny day along with a light north easterly. Watches: 06:00-09:00, 17:30 -19:30.

It was a very quiet day all round a ringtail Hen Harrier out to sea from beacon ponds was the standout sighting as grounded migrants and visible migration were both disappointing. Overland just 206 Swallows heading south though the sea offered some interest with a Manx Shearwater and Red-throated Diver both north and 27 Grey Plover, 2 Whimbrel and 47 Kittiwakes which headed out east.

The most noteable of the few migrants present were widely scattered with a Redwing at the Point and 2 Willow Warbler making for hard work.

Ringing: 1 Magpie, 4 Starling (p) 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackbird (p). 8/5.

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Friday, 19 May 2023

Polite reminder for all visitors: the Little Tern colony at Beacon Ponds is extremely vulnerable to disturbance. PLEASE STAY WELL AWAY from the fenced area of beach, which is clearly signposted, and respect the wardens on duty. Up to 50 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.

A wet start to the morning with F2-3 SSW wind, clearing up for a nice bright afternoon.

It was another quiet day over the sea with 74 Common Scoter and 15 Gannet south, 10 Shelduck out east, 1 Great Crested Grebe and 62 auk sp. north. Vismig wasn't much better, with 151 Swallow and 1 wing tagged Marsh Harrier south.

The day was brightened up by a record count 12 Bee-eaters which flew south at 16:15 after they had been seen heading this way over Holmpton 10 minutes earlier.

Kilnsea Wetlands was again the place to be, with a Temminck's Stint present on and off for most of the day, and a Wood Sandpiper before flying south, and there was a Pale-bellied Brent Goose still on the Humber off Sammy’s Point 

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Thursday, 18 May 2023

A cloudy start with some sunny spells and an F3 SW wind.

The sea was a little better, with 47 Scoter south and 27 north throughout the day. 75 auk sp. 29 Oystercatcher and 3 Red-throated Diver went north, whilst a drake Red-breasted Merganser, 8 Kittiwake and 20 Gannet all went south.

Over land, vismig saw 2 Jackdaw, 109 Swallow, 1 House Martin, 4 'flava' Wagtails, 1 Grey Wagtail 5 Linnet and a Siskin go south.

A drake Garganey was on Kilnsea Wetlands before flying south mid-morning and the hybrid Gadwall x Wigeon remains in residence there. There was a brief appearance of the first Curlew Sandpiper of the year, and Little Tern numbers remain consistent with at least 40 birds today.

There was a Firecrest in the Canal Bushes, 4 Yellow Wagtail and 3 Wheatear.

Ringing: 5 Starling (5) 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap. 9/3. Watches 06:15 - 09:00 & 17.20 - 19:00

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Wednesday, 17 May 2023

Polite reminder for all visitors: the Little Tern colony at Beacon Ponds is extremely vulnerable to disturbance. PLEASE STAY WELL AWAY from the fenced area of beach, which is clearly signposted, and respect the wardens on duty. Up to 50 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.

A bright morning again with a light F2 south westerly, produced an improvement over the sea in the morning, with 488 auk sp. moving north, 12 Red-throated Diver which is quite a big movement for May, 210 Kittiwake, 103 Common Gull and three Puffin and one Arctic Skua all moving north. In the other direction were one Great Crested Grebe, 48 Sandwich Tern and four Manx Shearwater.

The day had limited activity among grounded migrants, characterised by the presence of a solitary Redwing and a Wheatear at the Point; however, the sighting of 4800 Dunlin, 600 Knot, 195 Grey Plover, eight Turnstone, and two Whimbrel provided some interest.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird (p), 1 Goldfinch, 1 Reed Bunting. 3/3.

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Tuesday, 16 May 2023

Another chilly, but bright start with a light F2 south westerly. Late morning cloud cleared for a lovely afternoon.

The highlight of the day was a Nuthatch which flew over the Little Tern hut at Beacon Ponds early morning, and appeared to drop down around Beacon Lane, however it wsa not relocated.

On the move, 10 Woodpigeon were seen flying straight out east mid-afternoon, 111 Swallows, 26 Jackdaw's u-turned, 10 Carrion Crow went south, and a Marsh Harrier came in-off and went west in the morning. 

There was an increase in Odonata sightings, with the first Red-veined Darter sighting since 2021 along the Canal, at least five Four-spotted Chasers, Hairy Dragonfly and Broad-bodied Chaser all reported.

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 11 Starling (p). 12/2

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Monday, 15 May 2023

A cold start clearing slowly to warm blue skies and a F4 north westerly. Watches: 0630-1000.

The day saw some subdued vismig and few migrants around the area, a Little Stint at beacon ponds new for the year with the Hooded Crow lingering nearby on holderness field were the pick of the day with 3 Wheatear and a Tree Pipit the stand out migrants.

On the move were 2 Great Crested Grebe, 126 Kittiwakes, 33 Guillemots, 210 Large Auk sp, 2 Puffins, a Manx Shearwater and 48 Gannets with 54 Swallow a huge decline on the previous days glut.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird

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Sunday, 14 May 2023

Polite reminder for all visitors: the Little Tern colony at Beacon Ponds is extremely vulnerable to disturbance. PLEASE STAY WELL AWAY from the fenced area of beach, which is clearly signposted, and respect the wardens on duty. Up to 50 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.

Cool misty morning clearing to a warm sunny day and a F2 southerly. Watches: 0600-1500.

The better condiotions allowed for some decent Hirundine passage and it was easier to find grounded migrants. The best of these was a rare spring record of Ortolan Bunting being almost annual in the autumn. The day also brought a Wood Lark to Kilnsea, 3 Willow Warbler, a Garden Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Pied Flycatcher, a Redstart, 3 Wheatears, a White Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipit and a Brambling around the area.

There was a pick up in overland vismig a good total of 1333 Swallows heading south along with a 4 Swifts, Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harriers, 24 Sand Martins, 23 House Martins, 13 Flava Wagtails, 2 Chaffinch, 82 Linnets, 25 Goldfinch, 6 Siskin and a Corn Bunting while the best for the seawatchers were a Pochard, 6 Tufted Ducks, 4 Red-throated Divers. Full counts on Trektellen.

Other birds of note were the Purple Sandpiper on beacon ponds, the 3cy Caspian Gull, 2 Wood Sandpipers and a Greenshank on beacon ponds and Hooded Crow still in holdernes field.

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Tree Pipit, 1 Redstart, 1 Wren, 1 Linnet. 7/7.

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Saturday, 13 May 2023

A cloudy day feeling cold in the F4 north easterly. Watches: 0600-1000.

The sea was somewhat quieter than the previous day but did deliver another 3 Great Northen Divers and a pod of 4 Bottlenose Dolphins plus 8 Tufted Ducks, a Goosander, 81 Kittiwakes, an Arctic Skua out east, a Puffin, 3 Red-throated Diver, a Manx Shearwater, 100 Gannets and a Shag while overland a few more birds despite the adversw wind direction brought a Red Kite, 141 Swallows, a Tree Pipit and 23 Siskins. Full counts on Trektellen.

Passage Waders were still moving through today bringing 17 Whimbrel, a Purple Sandpiper, 2 Wood Sandpipers and a Greenshank with decent numbers of birds counted on the Humber, 381 Grey Plover, 8 Curlew, 185 Bar-tailed Godwit and 4635 Dunlin.

Yet again there was a scatter of migrants with Cuckoo,, 4 Willow Warbler, 19 Sedge Warblers, a Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Wheatears, a 'Channel' Wagtail, 2 White Wagtails, a Brambling and 15 Siskins. 

Ringing: 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Blackbird (p), 1 Siskin. 6/4
 

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Friday, 12 May 2023

Polite reminder for all visitors: the Little Tern colony at Beacon Ponds is extremely vulnerable to disturbance. PLEASE STAY WELL AWAY from the fenced area of beach, which is clearly signposted, and respect the wardens on duty. Up to 50 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.

A cloudy cold day with a brisk FF4 north easterly. Watches: 0615-1030, 1200-1300, 1350-1515, 1550-1800. 

THere was little to be seen regards grounded migrants the wind making it quite difficult so most of todays action was over the sea a fantastic spring record total of 8 Great Northern Divers all heading north with just a single Red-throated Diver. Aslo moving were an Osprey north along the beach then north west, 87 Common Scoter, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Whimbrels, 43 Kittiwakes, 17 Sandwich Tern, 54 Guillemots, 14 Razorbills, 7 Puffins, 3 Fulmar, 2 Manx Shearwaters and 89 Gannets while unsuprisingly just 10 Swallow flew south overland.

Other noteable sightings from the day were a drake Pintail, a Greenshank, 2cy Mediterranean Gull and a 3cy Caspian Gull on Kilnsea wetlands, 2 Cuckoo wandering, a Purple Sandpiper showing well at sandy beaches and a male Pied Flycatcher on beacon lane.

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Thursday, 11 May 2023

Watches: 0515-1030, 1430-1600.

It was a quiet day on all fronts with little on the move and for grounded migrants. The best of the day was a Caspian Gull at Kilnsea wetlands with this area also holding a 12 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 5 Teal, a Pintail, 4 Tufted Ducks, a Little-ringed Plover, 1600 Dunlin, a Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank and 2 Little Egrets.
On the move a Marsh Harrier, 25 Carrion Crow, 10 Sand Martins, 261 Swallows, 3 Alba Wagtails and a Siskin were the most noteable. Full counts on Trektellen.

Ringing: 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Chaffinch.

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Wednesday, 10 May 2023

Polite reminder for all visitors: the Little Tern colony at Beacon Ponds is extremely vulnerable to disturbance. PLEASE STAY WELL AWAY from the fenced area of beach, which is clearly signposted, and respect the wardens on duty. Up to 50 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.

Sunny spells and thundery showers and a F2 north westerly. Watches 0600-0900, 1300-1400.

The day started in a nice fashion with a Bee-eater heading south at numpties then down the peninsula and while it was very quiet there was still a Hooded Crow, a Pallid or Montagu's Harrier heading south also and a Turtle Dove which flew north.

The day also brought our first Wryneck on the year feeding along humberside lane but not much in the way of back up species with just 3 Willow Warblers, a Redwing, 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 2 Wheatears which were obvious migrants.

Ringing 1 Wood Pigeon, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 7/5
 

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Tuesday, 09 May 2023

Generally cloudy with the odd sunny spell and a moderate F3 south easterly. Watches: 0515-1000, 1515-1620, 1640-1740.
There was some reasonable overland movement along with a scatter of migrants including the Wood Lark still at the warren along with 2 Cuckoos, a Long-eared Owl, 3 Willow Warblers, a Garden Warbler, 2 Fieldfare, 3 Redstarts, 3 Whinchats, 3 Wheatear and a Tree Pipit. 

Hirundines typically continued to be the commoner species on the move 603 Swallows carrying our second Red-rumped Swallow of the year along with them while a Grey Heron, 3 Marsh Harriers, a Common Buzzard, 14 Jackdaws, 12 Rooks, 15 Flava Wagtails, 3 Alba Wagtails, 9 Chaffinch, 23 Linnets, 39 Goldfinch and 2 Siskins made up the rest of the movers.

Also of note were 85 Brent Geese at Sammys, a Common Sandpiper, Pintail, 3 Wigeon and 11 Teal on Kilnsea wetlands and 22 Whimbrel in the long bank area.

Ringing: 2 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Redstart. 5/3.

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Monday, 08 May 2023

A cloudy day with the odd glimpse of the sun and a F3 south easterly. Watches: 0500-1200, 1400 -1730. 

With the wind having a bit more south east in its direction there was some southerly movement along with a small arrival again of migrnats. Grounded birds included a Wood Lark which spent the day at the Warren, Cuckoo, 2 Little-ringed Plover, a Common Sandpiper, 12 Willow Warbler, 11 Chiffchaffs, 8 Blackcaps, 3 Garden Warblers, a Redwing, 3 Pied Flycatchers, a Black Redstart, 2 Redstarts, 2 Whinchat, 12 Wheatears, 3 Yellow Wagtails and a Tree Pipit. 

It was a better day for vismig albeit with no big numbers the best of which were 10 Swifts, 2 Marsh Harriers, a Hobby, 35 Carrion Crows, a Hooded Crow, 22 Sand Martins, 506 Swallows, 15 House Martins, 12 Flava Wagtails, 5 Alba Wagtails, 38 Chaffinch, 28 Linnets, 38 Goldfinch, 4 Siskins and 3 Corn Buntings.

Ringing: 1 Fieldfare, 1 Swallow, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Woodpigeon, 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Wheatear.

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Sunday, 07 May 2023

A cloudy foggy morning slowly clearing to a bright sunny afternoon and a light northerly. Watches: 0630-0830, 1345-1545. 

It seems strange to call the day a 'quiet one' but a small arrival of migrants brought a brief singing GREAT REED WARBLER to Sammys. our 6th record after which it which flew into a crop field never to be seen or heard again. There was also 3 Pied Flycatchers, a Redtsart, 2 Black Redstarts, a Garden Warbler, 6 Willow Warbler and a Tree Pipit.

Apart from all the usuals the Kilnsea wetlands/ beacon ponds area had a Pintail, 2 Little-ringed Plover, 16 Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, 1 Wood Sandpiper, a Greenshank, single Spoonbill, a Short-eared Owl and the resident Shore Lark. 

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackbird. 

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Saturday, 06 May 2023

It was a better day for visible migration with an increase in Hirundines which brought our first 'annual' record of RED-RUMPED SWALLOW of the year south past numpties watchpoint along with a Grey Heron, 4 Marsh Harriers, a Hobby, 12 Rooks, 16 Carrion Crows, 42 Sand Martins, 856 Swallows, 10 House Martins, 17 Flava Wagtails, 3 Alba Wagtails, 2 Tree Pipits, a Bullfinch, 9 Greenfinch, 109 Goldfinch, 80 Linnets, a Siskin, 2 Corn Buntings and a Reed Bunting.

Despite a cleaout there was still a decent scatter of migrants around the area with a Cuckoo, 3 Wood Sandpipers, 3 Greenshank, 12 Willow Warblers, 4 Blackcap, a Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 37 Whitethroats, a Goldcrest, 2 Fieldfares, a Redstart, 4 Whinchats, 19 Wheatears, 7 Yellow Wagtail and a White Wagtail with the resident Shore Lark still on beacon ponds.

Other sightings included 133 Brent Geese, 2 Tufted Ducks on Kilnsea wetlands and 4 Scaup on the Humber.

Ringing: 1 Stock Dove, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 3 Wheatear. 9/5. Watches: 04:45 - 11:20.

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Friday, 05 May 2023

Sunny spells and thundery showers with a mild F3 south westerly. Watches: 0545-1000, 1415-1500.

There were afew bits on offer for the vismiggers but no real numbers whereas an increase in migrants across the area was noticeable 2 Cuckoos, our first Wood Warbler of the year in Easington, 39 Willow Warblers, 19 Chiffchaffs, 17 Sedge Warblers, 2 Grasshopper Warblers, 16 Blackcaps, 2 Garden Warblers, 21 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Fieldfare, 2 Spotted Flycatchers (first of the year), 3 Redstarts, 3 Whinchats, 15 Wheatears and 2 White Wagtails. 

The migration watchers enjoyed both a PALLID HARRIER (tuesdays bird) and an Osprey both head south with 22 Ruff and 2 Wood Sandpipers heading north and just 383 Swallows the stand out count heading south.

The usual Shore Lark was still on beacon ponds and KIlnsea wetlands held a Wood Sandpiper, 10 Ruff, and 3 Greenshanks.

Ringing: 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Redstart, 1 Blackbird (p), 1 Chaffinch, 1 Linnet

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Thursday, 04 May 2023

Cloudy with sunny spells and a F5 easterly. Watches: 0515-1000, 1645-1800.

It was a very quiet day for the vismiggers but the day did see 20 Ruff and a Great Skua fly north but overall little else.

The Shore Lark remained at beacon ponds with a Caspian Gull, Wood Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, a Common Sandpiper and 2 Greenshank on Kilnsea wetlands.

Grounded migrants were again widely scattered with a Cuckoo, 4 Willow Warbler, a Goldcrest, 2 Fieldfare, 3 Redstarts, 12 Wheatear and 2 White Wagtails with each day also seeing breeding Warblers slowly fill their territories.

The Pine Marten put in another series of sightings heading along the road past the Visitor centre then seen at the point several hours later.

 Ringing: 2 Woodpigeon, 2 Stock Dove, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 BLackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Robin. 16/9

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Wednesday, 03 May 2023

A day of sunny spells and a F3 south easterly. Watches: 0615-1015, 1330-1515.

It was quiet on the ground for spring migrants while again there was some light passage bringing some highlights with a Spoonbill, Great White Egret and a Red Kite all heading south plus a Tufted Duck, 20 Whimbrel, 3 Jackdaws, 3 Carrion Crows, 8 Sand Martins, 148 Swallows, a House Martins, 9 Flava Wagtails, 21 Linnets and 34 Goldfinch.

The best of the grounded migrants was a Woodcock, 4 Ruff, a Garden Warbler, 2 Redstarts, 2 Stonechats, 11 Wheatears and a White Wagtail.

Ringing: 1 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat. 3/2

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Tuesday, 02 May 2023

A bright morning with a chilly F2 easterly breeze. Watches 05:45 - 09:10 & 14:45 - 16:00.

There wasn't a great deal of passage over land or sea, but an Osprey low over the Humber and then cutting out to sea was the first of the year. A Turtle Dove over Easington Straight towards Lounts Farm was was also a first of the year but wasn't relocated, and then a 2CY male PALLID HARRIER was seen flying past the lighthouse and was tracked up the peninsula and further up the coast at Holmpton and Withernsea, the 6th individual for the recording area.

A Temminck's Stint was then on Kilnsea Wetlands and relocated onto Beacon Ponds, where the long staying Shore Lark still resides.

There were a few migrants still scattered across the recording area, with 27 Wheatear, 17 Whitethroat, and 2 Grasshopper Warblers the best.

The PINE MARTEN made a surprise reappearance at Kew Villa in the morning, where it was seen jumping from the Bay Tree and away behind the storage sheds in the morning, and then seen briefly a couple of times mid-afternoon trying to cross the road, and at dusk it was on the move again down Kilnsea Road and disappeared around Southfield Farm.

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Monday, 01 May 2023

A cloudy start with some showers clearing and becoming sunny and warm, with a F3 westerly wind. Watches 05:30 - 09:00

With the wind moving round from the west, there was very little on the move. A Spoonbill south early morning, 19 Jackdaw, 13 Rook, 50 Carrion Crow, 6 Sand Martin, 161 Swallow, 2 Fieldfare, 33 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Meadow Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, 32 Linnet, 2 Redpoll and 12 Goldfinch.

The best of the grounded migrants was a Firecrest at Chalk Bank, 33 Willow Warbler, 28 Whitethroat, 1 Whinchat, 34 Wheatear and 1 Brambling.

Ringing wasn't any better, with 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Wheatear, 1 Greenfinch and 1 Goldfinch.

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