Spurn Bird Observatory Sightings June 2022
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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Thursday, 30 June 2022
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 90 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.
After a blank year in 2021 it was nice to get Honey Buzzard back on the yearlist as a nice adult flew south over Kilnsea wetlands continuing south over the Humber. KIlnsea wetlands also had a Wood Sandpiper, the Spoonbill, a Ruff, 3 Common Sandpiper and 20 Redshank, and upto 40 Little Gull, with 2 Curlew Sandpipers and a Black Tern nearby on beacon ponds.
Ringing Oystercathcher 1 (p), Ringed Plover 2 (p), Great Tit 1, Whitethroat 1, Wren 1, Dunnock 1.
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Little Gull. John Hewitt.
Mediterranean Gull. John Hewitt.
Honey Buzzard. Thomas Willoughby.
Honey Buzzard. Thomas Willoughby.
Wednesday, 29 June 2022
Overcast to start with rain, sunny preiods in the afternoon and a F4 south westerly. Watches: 0540-1100.
A Turtle Dove was maybe bird of the day in Kilnsea before flying off north, but as usual Kilnsea wetlands had a good array of species with eclipse drake Garganey, 3 Green Sandpipers, a Spoonbill, 22 Little Egret, 15 Avocet, 2 Snipe, 4 Little Gull and 3 Mediterranean Gull.
The best of any movement saw 168 Common Scoter north over the sea and 22 Curlew either in/off or south. Full counts on Trektellen.
Ringing Wood pigeon 2, Great Tit 1, Blackcap 1
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Garganey. John Hewitt.
Garganey and Redshank. John Hewitt.
Little Gull with Black-headed Gulls. Brian Walker.
Tuesday, 28 June 2022
Bright and sunny with a F6 south westerly. Watches: 0530-1600.
The Spoonbill, summer plumage Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint all remained in the hotspot of the Kilnsea wetlands/beacon ponds area plus 9 Teal, 24 Little Egret, 19 Avocet, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, Green Sandpiper, 2 Little Gull and 12 Mediterranean Gull.
Some south bound movement saw 26 Curlew, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 1267 Swift and 4 Sand Martin counted. Full counts on Trektellen.
Ringing: 1 Starling Pulli, 7 Great Tit pulli.
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Little Gull. Paul Willoughby.
Swallows. Thomas Willoughby.
Monday, 27 June 2022
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 90 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.
Bright and sunny with a F6 south westerly. Watches; 0530-1600.
The Kilnsea wetlands/beacon ponds area yet again held the best birds with a Spoonbill, summer plumage Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint. Aslo here were 9 Teal, 19 Avocet, 3 Lapwing, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Little Gull and 8 Mediterranean Gull.
Another 1267 Swift flew south plus 26 Curlew and a Bar-tailed Godwit.
Ringing Starling 1 (P), Great Tit 7 (p)
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Little Gul and Mediterranean Gull. Thomas Willoughby.
Spoonbill. Thomas Willoughby.
Sunday, 26 June 2022
The best fo the day were a rather dashing male Ruff on Kilnsea wetlands with the general area also having Little Stint, Little-ringed Plover, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 14 Avocet, 22 Little Egret, 7 Little Gull and 12 Mediterranean Gull.
Overland 1795 Swift flew south plus 19 Shelduck, a Shoveler, a Whimbrel and 78 Curlew. Full counts on Trektellen.
Ringing Blue Tit 1, Great Tit 2
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Ruff. John Hewitt.
Ruff. John Hewitt.
Spoonbill and Mute Swan. John Hewitt.
Saturday, 25 June 2022
Bright and sunny start clouding over with a strong F5 south westerly. Watches: 0545-1700.
There were a few bits of note during the day with a Wood Sandpiper and 1356 Swift flying south, a Red Kite wandering the area and the Curlew Sandpiper still on beacon ponds.
Other bits of note were 28 Little Egret and 2 Mediterranean Gull on KIlnsea wetlands, 250 Bar-tailed Godwit on the Humber and 78 Little Tern still frequenting the coloony.
Ringing: Song Thrush 1.
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Hummingbird Hawkmoth. Tony Broom.
Roe Deer swimming 'other' water frequenting species. John Hewitt.
Friday, 24 June 2022
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 90 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.
Bright with sunny spells and a 3 south westerly. Watches: 0550-1100.
It was a decentish day of south bound movement with 25 Teal, 2 Tufted Duck, 130 Common Scoter, 3 Curlew, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, a Dunlin, 3 Redshank, 1344 Swift, 2 Jackdaw, a Flava Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Alba Wagtail and 4 Linnet.
There were still 2 Curlew Sandpiper on beacon ponds, a Green Sandpiper flighty around the area, an increase to 10 Teal (from 2), 4 Mediterranean Gull on the wetlands and 2 Cuckoo still around.
Ringing Blue Tit 4, Great Tit 3, House Sparrow 8, Starling 2, Blackcap 1, Blackbird 2, Dunnock 5, Robin 1, Greenfinch 3, Goldfinch 2, Linnet 1.
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Common Buzzard. Hazel Wiseman.
Buff Ermine. Tony Broom.
Thursday, 23 June 2022
Bright and sunny with a F2 south easterly. Watches: 0550-1100.
Despite it being a good year in the UK including Yorkshire, its suprisingly taken until late in June for our first Golden Oriole of the year despite Spurn being the best place in the county to see one. Elsewhere the Curlew Sandpiper was again on beacon ponds with the same area also hosting a Tufted Duck, 20 Little Egret, a Little-ringed Plover, 42 Black-tailed Godwit and a Little Gull.
There was a trickle of south bound overland movement, 347 Swift, 55 Sand Martin. 8 Swallow, 4 House Martin. a Yellow Wagtail, 3 Alba Wagtail and a Siskin.
Ringing Great Tit 7, Blackcap 1, Wren 3 (1p).
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Mediterranean Gulls. John Hewitt.
Mediterranean Gulls. John Hewitt.
Black-tailed Godwits. John Hewitt.
Wednesday, 22 June 2022
Bright and sunny with a light F2 south easterly. Watches: 0500-1800.
A nice Curlew Sandpiper in breeeing plumage was on Kilnsea wetlands with 29 Little Egret, 3 Mediterranean Gull and 71 Little Tern in the area.
Over the sea 54 Common Scoter, 2 Fulmar, 3 Curlew and a Little Gull,were the most noteworthy and while not a headline in reality the first?, but confirmed breeding of Red-legged Partridge in Kilnsea.
Ringing: Stock Dove 2 (p), Great Tit 5, Whitethroat 2 (1p), Dunnock 2, Linnet 1 (p)
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Avocet chick. John Hewitt.
Tuesday, 21 June 2022
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 90 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.
A nice sunny day with a light F2 north westerly. Watches: 0530-1000.
The best of the day were a rather nice unseasonal male Brambling at the Warren and the Little Stint still at beacon ponds.
Other sightings were mainly all the usuals, but did included 4 Mediterranean Gull and 2 Cuckoo wandering the area.
A notable record concerned only our 2nd ever Lesser Emperor Dragonfly seen along Long Bank-Beacon Lagoon.
Ringing Barn Owl 3 (p), House Sparrow 5, Starling 2, Blue Tit 1, Blackbird 1, Song Thrush 1, Wren 2 (1p)
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Curlew. John Hewitt.
Broad-bodied Chaser. Tony Broom.
Monday, 20 June 2022
Sunny spells with a stiff F5 north westerly. Watches: 0550-1100.
The sea accounted for most of todays action the bst being a good total of 87 Manx Shearwater along with 40 Common Scoter, 26 Fulmar, 258 Gannet, just 5 Kittiwake, 174 Razorbill and 9 Puffin.
Aslo today a good cont of 28 Little Egret mainly on Kilnsea wetlands and the frst juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker of the 'autumn'.
Ringing Kestrel 3 (p), Great spotted Woodpecker 1, House Sparrow 4, Tree Sparrow 11, Starling 3, Blackbird 4, Song Thrush 1 (p), Dunnock 1, Goldfinch 3.
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Gadwall and brood. John Hewitt. Not that many years ago Gadwall was a notable spring visitor to Spurn.
Shelduck and young. John Hewitt.
Sunday, 19 June 2022
Bright start couding over with a F4 north westerly. Watches: 0545-1800.
The best of the day were a Hooded Crow that eventually went south, 26 Manx Shearwater over the sea, the Little Stint still on beacon ponds, 2 Little Gull on the Humber, 4 Mediterranean Gull in the area, a Water Rail calling along the canal and a Hobby hunting the area.
Ringing: Common Buzzard 1 (p), Marsh Harrier 3 (p), Blue Tit 3, House Sparrow 10, Tree Sparrow 6 (p), Starling 3, Wren 1, Dunnock 1, Chaffinch 1, Greenfinch 1, Goldfinch 1.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Hooded Crow. John Hewitt.
Saturday, 18 June 2022
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 90 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.
Overcast with light rain and heavier showers with a F2 north westerly. Watches: 0600-1100.
There was some movement over the sea the best being 25 Manx Shearwater, a Barnacle Goose, 1 Tufted Duck, 3 Eider, 62 Common Scoter, a Red-throated Diver, 3 Fulmar, 49 Gannet, 25 Kittiwake, a Puffin and 46 Large Auk sp.
The Little Stint was still present on beacon ponds plus 11 Black-tailed Godwit in breeding plumage, 40 Dunlin and 3 Redshank with 2 Cuckoo and a Siskin in the area and 500 Swift feeding over the general area.
Ringing: Swallow 3 (p), House Sparrow 1, Blackbird 1, Dunnock 2, Robin 2, Chaffnch 2, Greenfinch 1, Linnet 1.
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Waders at the breach. Dave Constantine,
Hare. Hazel Wiseman.
Friday, 17 June 2022
Bright and warm with a F2 south westerly. Watches: 0530-1930.
It was another typical summers day with all the usuals present, but a decent passage of 1774 Swift south past the Warren was hopefully a sign of things to come and a Little Stint was another nice distraction on beacon ponds.
The best of the sea were 4 Eider, 57 Common Scoter and 7 Manx Shearwater while the first returning Golden Plover was on the Humber. Full counts on Trektellen.
Ringing: 5 Swallow pulli, 2 Robin, 1 Great Tit.
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Cuckoo. Adam Hutt.
Little Egret. Thomas Willoughby.
Thursday, 16 June 2022
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 90 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.
Bright start again clouded over with a light F2 south easterly. Watches: 0500-1100.
The best of the day were an increase to 13 Teal on Kilnsea wetlands with 14 Grey Plover, 2 Kittiwake, 2 Little Gull and 17 Little Egret also in the area.
Of interest 12 Swift were hanging around the Obs and 2 Siskin were blogging the area.
Ringing: Starling 2, House Sparrow 8, Long-tailed Tit 1, Blue Tit 3, Blackbird 2, Song Thrush 1, Wren 3, Dunnock 4, Goldfinch 1, Siskin 1, Linnet 1.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Sanderling. Marcus Brew.
Little Gulls. Dave Constantine.
Hummingbird Hawkmoth. John Hewitt.
Hummingbird Hawkmoth. John Hewitt.
Wednesday, 15 June 2022
Bright start clouding over but warm with a F1 southerly. Watches: 0500-1100.
A bit out of the blue a singing BLYTH'S REED WARBLER was discovered at Rose cottage and present till late evening. The day also saw 2 Spoonbill on Kilnsea wetlands and a Curlew Sandpiper on beacon ponds. This area also had 2 Lapwing, 3 Grey Plover, 6 Turnstone, 2 Knot, 46 Dunlin, a Common Sandpiper and 2 Little Gull along with a good total of 115 Little Tern.
Ringing: 1 Black-headed Gull, 2 Dunnock, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Great Tit.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Blyth's Reed Warbler. Thomas Willoughby.
Hummingbird Hawkmoth. Thomas Willoughby.
Tuesday, 14 June 2022
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 60 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.
Sunny spells with a cool F3 north westerly. Watches: 0550-1800.
A very quiet day the best of which were 27 Common Scoter, 1 Puffin and a Red-throated Diver over the sea, a Mediteranean Gull on Kilnsea wetlands and a Cuckoo in the triangle.
Ringing: 1 Starling, 4 Robin, 6 Dunnock, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 7 House Sparrow, 4 Goldfinch, 1 Greenfinch.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Little Owl. Brian Walker.
Monday, 13 June 2022
Sunny spells with a coll F5 north westerly. Watches: 0540-1800.
A generally quiet day was enliveneed by a Bee-eater lingering around the triangle eventually flew south being seen at Gibraltar point an hour later. Along the peninsula a Quail was calling near the lighthouse and 2 Redwing were on green lane and 2 Cuckoo were in the area.
There was little else of change noted though a lethargic Sandwich Tern at Kilnsea wetlands later killed by a Carrion Crow was worrying with the latest explosion of bird flu in the UK.
Ringing: 2 Greylag Geese, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Dunnock, 1 Robin.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Yellow Wagtail. Hazel Wiseman.
Sunday, 12 June 2022
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 60 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.
The 'annual' record of Rose-coloured Starling spent the day around the triangle, though not the brightest individual to ever grace the Spurn area.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Rose-coloured Starling. John Hewitt.
Rose-coloured Starling. Thomas Willoughby.
Rose-coloured Starling. Tom Wright.
Bee Orchid. Tony Hull.
Southern Marsh Orchid. Tony Hull.
Saturday, 11 June 2022
Sunny spells with a F5 south westerly. Watches: 0545-1900.
A 'local rarity' Nuthatch was the highlight of the day at the warren, the frst record was only in 1998 spending time on the point jetty and a total of 13 previous records have been amassed since then. The day also saw 3 Crossbill fly north, 516 Swift fly south plus 16 Sand Martin, 18 Swallow, 9 House Martin. 2 Goldfinch and a Siskin.
The day also saw a Black-tailed Godwit and 2cy Little Gull on beacon ponds plus some late migrants with a Spotted Flycatcher at Kew and Wheatear in clubleys.
Ringing: 1 Spotted Flycatcher.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Little Gull. Dave Constantine.
Avocets. Hazel Wiseman.
Shelduck. Hazel Wiseman.
Thursday, 09 June 2022
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 60 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.
A day of showers and afternoon sunshinw with a F4 south westerly. Watches: 0545-1200.
A female Red-backed Shrike was the best find of the day at chalk bank and being a typically late migrant no other back up species were seen.
The best of the rest were 47 Canada Geese and 71 Swift heading south, a Wigeon on Kilnsea wetlands and a Hobby hunting the area.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Gadwall on Kilnsea wetlands. Tony Hull.
Fox. Tony Hull.
Wednesday, 08 June 2022
Early morning rsain then sunny afternoon with a F2 south westerly. Watches: 0600-1800.
The first pulse of the Swift summer saw 246 fly south with hopefully better days to some and maybe a rarer one with them. 18 Canada Geese also flew south.
A Black Redstart remained at the point, 2 Green Sandpiper dropped into long bank, 2 Mediterranean Gull on Kilnsea wetlands, a Hobby hunting the area and 2 Siskin were at the point.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Siskin. Tim Jump.
Mallard with young. John Hewitt.
Tuesday, 07 June 2022
Overcast with sunny spells and a cool F4 north westerly. Watches: 0545-1600.
There was a complete clear out of all the previous days good birds with 2 Black Redstart the unusual finds for the time of year along the peninsula. The only other migrants were a Garden Warbler in Easington, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Wheatear and a Hobby and 5 Siskin which flew south.
Ringing: 1 Starling, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blue Tit, 6 House Sparrow, 4 Goldfinch.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Black Redstart. Thomas Willoughby.
Starlings. Hazel Wiseman.
Monday, 06 June 2022
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 60 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.
The hint of easterly finally produced some birds as we get late into the spring, sightings today saw a Hoopoe found at the point, a Nightjar (presumably Friday's bird) around canal scrape which showed in the evening, an Icterine Warbler singing at chalk bank and a female Red-backed Shrike at the poatao fields. Other migrants included 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Spotted Flycatcher (churchyard and canal bushes), 3 Wheatear (point, beacon ponds, Sammys), a Common Sandpiper on the Humber and 2 Siskin.
Over the sea a Storm Petrel heading north was a good June record with 3 Manx Shearwater heading the same way. The Spoonbill was again wandering the area.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Hoopoe. Andy Bunting.
Hoope. Thomas Willoughby.
Nightjar. Thomas Willoughby.
Hoopoe. Harry Appleyard.
Red-backed Shrike. Thomas Willoughby.
Sunday, 05 June 2022
Overcast with rain much of the day and a coll F5 north easterly.
Still very little sign of any arrivals with just a Hobby, 1 Mislte Thrush, a Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Wheatear and 2 Sisin, but the Spoonbill remanied on Kilnsea wetlands.
Over the sea 2 Long-tailed Duck were a good record with a Red Kite wandering the area.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Saturday, 04 June 2022
Overcast with a cool F5 north easterly. Watches: 0530-1200.
Not a lot was happeining during the day, the east in the wind being more local, the best of the migrants being a Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Wheatear and a Hobby. The Spoonbill was again in the Kilnsea wetlands area.
Over the sea there was a trickle of movement with 6 Eider, 23 Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Diver, 7 Fulmar, 2 Manx Shearwater, 13 Kittiwake, a Great Skua and 2 Puffin.
Ringing: 1 Swallow, 2 Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, 4 House Sparrow, 1 Goldfinch, 4 Reed Bunting pulli.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Friday, 03 June 2022
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 sunny day with a brisk F5 easterly.
Sightings from today saw a Hawfinch wander around the Warren area then head north west, a Bee-eater which flew south (after being seen up at the coast at Grimston), a Blue-headed Wagtail heading south and a Nightjar in the evening around canal scrape.
Also today a Spoonbill still on Kilnsea wetlands, a Jay wandering the area and a late Tree Pipit in sykes field.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Stock Dove. Thomas Willoughby.
Blue-headed Wagtail type. Thomas Willoughby.
Blue-headed Wagtail type. Thomas Willoughby.
Thursday, 02 June 2022
Sunny spells with showers and a F4 north to south easterly. Watches: 0500-1800.
There were a few bits about today the best being a Wood Sandpiper and drake Garganey on Kilnsea wetlands along with 3 Spoonbill, 5 Teal, a Lapwing, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Redshank and a Mediterranean Gull.
Also seen today were a Great Crested Grebe on the Humber, Snipe in Holderness field and a Hobby wandering the area.
Ringing: 1 Starling, 1 Dunnock, 1 House Sparrow, 1 Goldfinch.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Garganey. Hazel Wiseman.
Wood Sandpiper. Hazel Wiseman.
Wednesday, 01 June 2022
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 with scattred showers and a light F1 north westerly. Watches: 0500-1700,
Late in the day a Quail was singing by Kilnsea wetlands where the Spoonbill was still present along with a Mediterranean Gull, 2 Common Sandpipers and a Little-ringed Plover. Other sightings included a Spotted Flycatcher at the Warren, increases in Waders on the Humber with now 63 Curlew, 25 Grey Plover, 59 Ringed Plover, 22 Bar-tailed Godwit, 41 Sanderling and 4 Redshank.
Ringing: 1 Mistle Thrush.
Use the archive navigation to see more sightings.
Reed Bunting. John Hewitt.
Common Sandpiper. John Hewitt.
