Sightings

Tuesday, 30 June 2026

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 200 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank. 

Hot and still although not as hot as last week.  Watches 0500-1000.

The Marsh Tit was again in church field while the years first 2 Roseate Terns were at the ponds with 2 Caspian Gulls on the wetlands. The ponds area also held an Arctic Tern, 10 Common Terns, 66 Sandwich Terns, 89 Little Gulls and 32 Mediterranean Gulls.

There was some movement through the area including 301 Common Scoters, 10 Curlews, 17 Black-tailed Godwits, a Grey Heron, 32 Sand Martins and 10 Swallows. 

The first Vagrant Emperor of the year was at canal scrape. 

Ringing 1 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 9 Whitethroat, 1 Wren, 1 Blackbird, 6 Robin, 2 Dunnock, 1 Linnet

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Monday, 29 June 2026

Hot and sticky still with a light wind and variable amounts of cloud. Watches0530-1000.

The first Marsh Tit since 2010 was the highlight of the day and a welcome Spurn tick for some. Around the area today were a Red Kite heading south, 2 Common Sandpipers, 55 Curlews, 44 Little Gulls, 36 Mediterranean Gulls and 8 Little Egrets at the wetlands and a Coal Tit at the warren. 

The first Vagrant Emperor of the year was at canal scrape. 

Ringing, 3 Great Tit, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Wren, 1 Robin

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Sunday, 28 June 2026

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 200 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.

Sunny spells with a stiff F6 south west wind. Watches 0550-2150.

A suspected Pallid Swift seen flying south early morning was confirmed from the photos taken at the time while 6390 Common Swifts also headed south. Other bits on the move included 3 Curlews, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, a Snipe, 7 Redshanks, 2 Knot, 12 Sandwich Terns, a Fulmar, single Red Kite, a Kestrel, 140 Sand Martins, 33 Swallows and 4 House Martins. 

There was increases in grounded returning Waders with 50 Curlews and 40 Redshanks, 2 Hobbies hunting the area and 3 Cetti's Warblers in the triangle. 

Ringing 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Wren, 1 Robin

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Friday, 26 June 2026

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 200 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.

Hot and humid with a lively storm early on, remaining hot with a nice breeze F3 southerly blowing. Watches 0615-0845, 1130-1200, 1450-1630, 1820-2205

There was no sign og the American Golden Plover but some movement over the sea saw a Tufted Duck, 53 Common scoters, 55 Black-tailed Godwits, single Puffin, 50 Large Auk sp, 9 Manx Shearwaters and 45 Gannets while overland 1069 Swifts, 16 Swallows and 2 House Martins kept the day interesting.

There was not much change in the ponds area with 3 Little-ringed Plovers, a Snipe, 80 Sandwich Terns, 22 Little Gulls, 416 Black-headed Gulls and 5 Mediterranean Gulls present. 

Ringing 2 Stock Dove (P), 1 Great Tit, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (P), 1 Wren, 1 Robin, 1 Reed Bunting

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Thursday, 25 June 2026

Bright and sunny to start with, then clouding over with a stiffening breeze making it rather pleasant. Watches 0600-0915

A superb adult (American Golden Plover) reidentified as Pacific Golden Plover was on the Humber with 14 Golden Plovers for the day eventually flying off south but few other passage Waders of note. The ponds area apart from the usual Little Terns had 43 Sandwich Terns, 11 Little Gulls, 7 Mediterranean Gulls and a Caspian Gull. 

Other bits saw a Barnacle Goose head south, a Hobby blogging the area and Cetti's Warbler in the triangle. 

Ringing 1 Wood Pigeon, 1 Sand Martin, 5 Swallow (P), 2 Blue Tit, 1 Reed Warbler, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Robin, 2 Dunnock

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Tuesday, 23 June 2026

Hot and sunny with a cooling F4 south east breeze off the sea. Watches 0610-1000.

There was little happening for the vismiggers and equally mot much change in the ponds area. The best of the day concerned 4 Black-tailed Godwits and 16 Redshanks flying south, 2 Little-ringed Plovers, a Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Terns, 9 Little Gulls, 9 Mediterranean Gulls, a Caspian Gull and 2 Hobbies in the ponds area while 2 Cuckoos and a Goldcrest in the triangle. 

The Caspian Tern remained at Welwick while 3 Purple Hairstreak butterflies appeared in the CA late evening

Ringing 3 Marsh Harrier (P), 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 9/5 3 Purple Hairstreak butterflies appeared in the CA late evening

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Monday, 22 June 2026

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 130 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.

Another hot day with clear blue skies and a light south east wind. Watches 0615-1000, 1115-1400, 1500-1700.

It was another day of little happening but at least an increase to 899 Swifts heading south but lnot much else on the move. Yet again the best of the days sightings were from the ponds area with a Green Sandpiper and a Yellow-legged Gull.

The Caspian Tern remined at Welwick and a Clouded Yellow was in Kilnsea. 

Ringing 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Robin (P), 10 Tree Sparrow (P),The Caspian Tern remined at Welwick

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Sunday, 21 June 2026

A hot sunny day with plenty of clear skies and a cooling F3 easterly breeze. Watches 0615-1000

It was a pretty quiet day the best of the days sightings included 5 Teal, 28 Avocets, 4 Little Gulls, 4 Mediterranean Gulls and a Caspian Gull in the ponds area with just 72 Swifts flying south. 

Just outside the area a Caspian Tern from was seen on the Humber off Welwick, late afternoon while the other remained at Hornsea. There was a good count of 50+ Red-veimed Darters on the wetlands. 

Ringing 3 Barn Owl (P), 1 Wood Pigeon, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 8/6 

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Saturday, 20 June 2026

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 130 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.

A hot and sunny day after the morning rain had cleared with plenty of clear blue skies and a light wind.  Watches 0445-1800

There was some good varied vismig with the 'autumns' first returning Waders including a Dark-bellied Brent, 14 Shedlucks, 6 Shovelers, 9 Teal, a Pochard, single Tufted Duck, 380 Common Scoters, 1063 Swifts, 2 Oystercatchers, 4 Lapwings, a Whimbrel, 77 Curlews, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 8 Turnstones, 55 Sanderlings, a Little Gull, single Cattle Egret, 105 Sand Martins, 23 Swallows, 21 House Martins and a Crossbill.  

The ponds area held 5 Teal, 28 Avocets, single Wood Sandpiper, 48 Sandwich Terns, 4 Mediterranean Gulls and 5 Little Egrets while 2 Cuckoos blogged the area.

Ringing 1 Great Tit, 1 Chiffchaff 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1Whitethroat, 1 Goldfinch

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Friday, 19 June 2026

A very hot day with light winds and variable amounts of cloud. Watches: 0630-1000, 1125-1155, 1350-2200

Some decent south bound vismig saw a good total of 4444 Common Swifts, 75 Sand Martins, 21 Swallows and 10 House Martins plus 3 Curlews and 3 Bar-tailed Godwits.

Other bits saw 2 Cuckoos in the triangle, a Green Sandpiper, 4 Black-tailed Godwits 3 Little Gulls and 11 Mediterranean Gull at the wetlands

Ringing 1 Blue Tit, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Robin, 1 Dunnock

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Thursday, 18 June 2026

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 130 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.

Sunny spells and warm with an increasing F4 south west wind. watches 0630-0845 1400-2200

The best of todays sightings included 2 Spoonbills, 563 Swifts and 41 Sand Martins flying south, a Quail singing at the lighthouse, 2 Pochards, and 2 Curlew Sandpipers on the wetlands and a Short-eared Owl blogging the area. 

Ringing 2 Great Tit, 3 Blackcap, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Robin

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Wednesday, 17 June 2026

A dry start but rain from early doors to mid-morning then rolling clouds all day with sunny spells and a stiff F6 south west wind. Watches 0540-2100 

There was a noticeable increase in southbound vismig typical of a strong south westerly wind including a Cattle Egret, 4 Barancle Geese, 3 Shovelers, 92 Common Scoters, 1689 Swifts, 2 Curlews, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 16 Sandwich Terns, 8 Manx Shearwaters, a Shag, 77 Sand Martins, 18 Swallows, 9 House Martins and 2 Siskins. 

The ponds area had a Mandarin, single Little Stint and a Spoonbill plus 2 Tufted Ducks, 9 Teal, 29 Avocets, 2 Little Gulls and 3 Mediterranean Gulls.

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Sunday, 14 June 2026

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 130 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.

Sunny spells with variable cloud cover with a lighter northerly wind than of late. Watches 0615-1000, 1700-2130

Some movement over the sea included 2 Shovelers, 65 Common Scoters, 27 Sandwich terns, 178 Kittiwakes, an Arctic Skua, 6 Puffins, 57 Razorbills, 26 Guillemots, 160 Large Auk sp, 2 Red-throated Divers, 19 Fulmars, 69 Manx Shearwaters and 91 Gannets. 

In the ponds area a Teal, single Little Stint, 28 Avocets and a Little Gull, while a Cuckoo was in the triangle. 

Ringing 1 Dunnock

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Friday, 12 June 2026

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 130 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.

Sunny spells after early morning rain some showers during the day with a stiff F5 north west wind. Watches 0620-1000, 1345-1800.

Similar to the previous day but a little more movement as we drift into the summer and potential for new migrants diminishing by the day. What little there was inluced 48 Common Scoters, 22 Sandwich terns, 17 Kittiwakes, 4 Razorbills, 4 Guillemots, 70 Large Auk sp, 2 Red-throated Divers, 17 Fulmars, 45 Manx Shearwaters, 72 Gannets, 3 Jackdaws, 7 Sand Martins and 5 Swallows. 

Elsewhere the 3 Teal, single Cuckoo, 3 Little-ringed Plovers and Cetti's Warbler were all still present. 

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Thursday, 11 June 2026

A bright start clouded up with rain showers in the afternoon with an increasing wind. Watches 0600-1040

A quiet day around the area the best of todays sightings including 3 Teal, a Cuckoo, 3 Little-ringed Plovers, 2 Little Gulls, a decent 271 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the Humber, a Peregrine, 50 Sand Martins and a Cetti's Warbler. 

Ringing 2 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat (P), 2 Robin

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Wednesday, 10 June 2026

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 130 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.

A bright start clouded over later with showers in the afternoon and evening with a moderate wind. Watches 0620-1000

The sea had the best of todays sightings including 41 Common Scoters, 13 Sandwich Terns, a Puffin, 8 Razorbills, 48 Large Auk sp, 2 Fulmars, 55 Gannets, and a Shag while overland 42 Swifts, 6 Sand Martins, 9 Swallows and 2 Chaffinches. 

Elsewhere Wader counts saw 32 Avocets, a Little-ringed Plover, single Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper and a 150 Sanderlings recorded while 2 Hobbies were again hunting the area.  

Ringing 2 Blackcap, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Robin,

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Tuesday, 09 June 2026

A sunny start clouded over giving heavy thundery showers by early evening with a stiff F6 north west wind. Watches 0620-1000

Given the conditions it was maybe a suprise to see a Quail arriving in off to land in the triangle. There was a small movement over land and sea including a Teal, 66 Common Scoters, 28 Swifts, a Whimbrel, 3 Kittiwakes, 2 Fulmars, 26 Gannets, 8 Sand Martins, 9 Swallows, 8 House Martins and a Siskin. 

Elsewherea Little Gull on Kilnsea wetlands, 2 Tawny Owls in Easington, a Mistle Thrush in the triangle and 2 Hobbies and a Peregrine hunting the area. 

Ringing 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Chaffinch

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Monday, 08 June 2026

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 130 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.

A windy day with a F6 north westerly along with frequent showers and just a glimpse of the sun. Watches 0800-1200.

The arrival into the country continued with 3 Quails to the Spurn are while yet another Cattle Egret visited the area for a while before flying south. Also moving were 24 Swifts, a Mediterranean Gull and a Puffin  continued the generally poor spring for vismig. 

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Friday, 05 June 2026

Sunny spells albeit with a stiff F5 westerly wind. Watches 0630-1100

A better day saw several good birds seen around the area with a typically languid Cory's Shearwater slowly heading north, 2 Quails vocal in the beacon ponds and wetlands area, 2 Red Kites which eventually wandered off south and another? hybird Hooded x Carrion Crow flying south. Also on the move 508 Swifts, a Mediterranean Gull, 261 Large Auk sp, 7 Fulmars, 28 Gannets, a Marsh Harrier, 13 Sand Martins, 15 Swallows, and 19 House Martins. 

A Spotted Flycatcher was the first for several days while Kilnsea wetlands chipped in with 3 Little Gulls. 

A Lesser Emperor was along the canal.

Ringing 1 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat (P), 2 Robin

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Thursday, 04 June 2026

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 130 birds are present in the colony and can be viewed well from the flood bank.

A windy wild day with some heavy showers and the odd sunny spell.  Watches 0620-1545

A crazy flcok of 12 Egyptian Geese flew south along with another 11 Canada Geese and 5 Manx Shearwaters plus 275 Swifts but ultimately little else. 

A single Barnacle Goose wandered the area but apart from the usual good numbers of breeders there were no grounded migrants, 

Ringing 1 Barn Owl (P

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Monday, 01 June 2026

A bright start clouded with the odd shower late on with an increasing wind. Watches 0550-1120

A Serin initally u-turned at the warren then later on the feeders at driftwood was the days highlight closely followed by a Quail lingering around schippers field.

It was again a day of limited movement with 2 Great Crested Grebes, Puffin, single Great Northern Diver, 18 Gannet, 18 Sand Martins, 22 Swallows and 23 House Martins.

There were 5 Red-veined Darters around the triangle. 

Ringing 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Robin

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