Spurn Bird Observatory Sightings July 2026
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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Sunday, 19 July 2026
A cloudy start brightening up later with a stiff F6 northerly wind, with some light drizzle in the morning. Watches 0615-1000, 1650-1750
The adult White-rumped Sandpiper remained showing well in the ponds area plus 3 Curlew Sandpipers and 2 Little-ringed Plovers.
A Great Northern Diver flying up the Humber was unseasonal while the sea had a Tufted Duck, 16 Common Scoters, 64 Oystercatchers, an Arctic Skua, 17 Kittiwakes, 68 Large Auk sp, 2 Red-throated Divers, 7 Manx Shearwaters and 29 Gannets.
Ringing 1 Whitethroat, 1 Dunnock
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Black-tailed Godwit - Harry Appleyard.
Saturday, 18 July 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.
A cloudy start clearing up from time to time with some very light drizzle thrown in and a breezy F5 north east wind. Watches 0610-1000.
The White-rumped Sandpiper was again showing well at beacon ponds along with 3 Curlew Sandpipers while the 'elusive' Pacific Golden Plover made a re-appearance at the warren. Other Waders present included 8 Little-ringed Plovers, 40 Black-tailed Godwits, a Snipe, single Common Sandpiper and 500 Dunlins. Elsewhere a Cuckoo was in the triangle.
The sea had 2 Storm Petrels heading north off Easington plus 24 Common Scoters, 8 Arctic Terns, 35 Kittiwakes, 24 Razorbills, 171 Large Auk sp, 74 Guillemots, single Fulmar, 7 Manx Shearwaters and 130 Gannets.
Ringing 1 Great Tit, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Wren, 2 Robin.
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White-rumped Sandpiper - Tate Lloyd.
White-rumped Sandpiper - Tate Lloyd.
White-rumped Sandpiper - Jack Petit.
Friday, 17 July 2026
Another cloudy start before it broke leaving sunshine, with a lightish north east wind. Watches 0615-1000
The day saw a couple of highlights firstly a locally rare juvenile Green Woodpecker wandering the area down to the warren and back north and then an adult White-rumped Sandpiper on the Humber and beacon ponds which are pretty much annual these days. The day otherwise was much quieter for Wader numbers on the Humber and ponds while Passerine interest came in the form of a Grasshopper Warbler along beacon lane and a Wheatear at Sammys.
Some light movement again with 11 Teal, 31 Common Scoters, 5 Oystercatchers, 3 Whimbrels, an Arctic Skua, 75 Large Auk sp, 24 Guillemots, 4 Razorbills and 80 Gannets while overland 109 Swallows headed south.
A Clouded Yellow was along beacon lane.
Ringing 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Wren, 2 Robin, 9/6
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White-rumped Sandpiper with Dunlin - John Hewitt.
White-rumped Sandpiper - John Hewitt.
Green Woodpecker - Harry Appleyard,
Thursday, 16 July 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.
A cloudy start again but clearing in the afternoon with a slightly wind. Watches 0615-1000
Beacon ponds had the best of the days sightings including 17 Avocets, 3 Little-ringed Plovers, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, 1520 Dunlins, 4 Arctic Terns, 16 Common Terns, 173 Little Gulls, 17 Mediterranean Gulls and a Caspian Gull.
Ringing 26 Sand Martin, 1 Great Tit, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Robin, 1 Linnet
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Dunlin - Tate Lloyd.
Wednesday, 15 July 2026
Cloudy start brightened up leaving clear blue skies and a lighter F3 north east wind. Watches 0630-1000.
There were increases in Wader numbers in the area with totals of 12 Avocets, 71 Grey Plover, 103 Golden Plover, 2 Whimbrels, 111 Curlews, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpipers, 30 Redshanks, 2 Greenshanks, 920 Knot and 2000 Dunlins.
The sea was somewhat quieter with just 33 Common Scoters, 4 Little Gulls, 2 Arctic Skuas, a Puffin, single Red-throated Diver and 2 Manx Shearwaters.
Ringing 1 Blue Tit, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Wren, 2 Blackbird 2 Blackbird, 2 Robin
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Avocet chick - John Hewitt.
Tuesday, 14 July 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.
Low cloud all day and a stiff F5 north east wind off the sea making it a lot cooler than last week. Watches 0615-1000, 1830-1930.
Todays offerings from the ponds area included 2 Wigeon, 3 Teal, a Little Grebe, singles of Common Sandpiper and Greenshank, 8 Arctic Terns, 14 Common Terns, 3 Roseate Terns, 300 Sandwich Terns,65 Little Gulls and a Yellow-legged Gull. Other bits saw a Brent Goose on the Humber and a Green Sandpiper and Cuckoo in the triangle .
Some light movement typical of recent days with 7 Teal, a Tufted Duck, 169 Common Scoters, 2 Great Crested Grebes, 36 Kittiwakes, 6 Manx Shearwaters and 150 Gannets.
Ringing 1 Robin
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Brent Goose - Harry Appleyard.
Monday, 13 July 2026
A cloudy start cleared as the day wore on leaving clear blue skies and the tempreture rising with a stiff wind. Watches 0615-1000
The run continues with a single adult Roseate Tern present on beacon ponds alongside good totals of 10 Teal, 16 Avocets, 51 Redshanks, a Greenshank, 11 Arctic Terns, 11 Common Terns, 508 Sandwich Terns, 24 Little Gulls and 12 Mediterranean Gulls.
Very little for the vismiggers just 39 Teal, 41 Common Scoters, an Arctic Skua, 4 Manx Shearwaters and 51 Gannets.
Ringing 2 Reed Warblers, 1 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Robin
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Sunday, 12 July 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.
Bright and sunny today with a cool F4 north east wind blowing. Watches 0615-1000.
There was ultimately very little change during the day though there are now 4 Roseate Terns on the ponds along with a Wigeon, single Greenshank, 2 Arctic Skuas, 9 Common Terns and 26 Mediteranneean Gulls of note.
Elsewhere Passerine interest included 2 Willow Warbler and a Wheatear continuing the slow push of returners.
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Cuckoo - Harry Appleyard.
Saturday, 11 July 2026
A foggy start slowly lifted but remained cloudy with a moderate north east breeze.
The best of the sightings saw a Black Tern on the Humber and an adult Roseate Tern on beacon ponds with 59 Black-tailed Godwits, single Greenshank, 3 Arctic Terns, 198 Sandwich Terns, 8 Little Gulls, 1160 Black-headed Gulls and 58 Mediterranean Gulls in the ponds area.
Ringing 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Robin, 2 Goldfinch
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Willow Warbler - Harry Appleyard.
Friday, 10 July 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 no clouds and litght north east wind. 0500-1000
The ponds area again had the majority of the sightings including 2 Turtle Doves which flew north towards Easington plus a Wigeon, 3 Tufted Ducks, 4 Little-ringed Plovers, 38 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Common Sandpipers, 11 Redshanks, 10 Common Terns, a Roseate Tern, 250 Sandwich Terns, 64 Little Gulls, 582 Black-tailed Godwits, 8 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Caspian Gulls and a Yellow-legged Gull.
Other bits saw the Cuckoo still at the warren, 8 Whimbrels on the Humber, Hobby and Marsh Harrier hunting the area.
Ringing 1 Cuckoo, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Wren, 1 Blackbird, 3 Linnet (2 P)
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Thursday, 09 July 2026
Hot and sunny with a moderate F4 north west wind. Watches 0615-1000
Sightings from the ponds area included a Teal, 12 Avocets, 5 Little-ringed Plovers, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Common Sandpipers, an Arctic Tern, single Roseate Tern, 278 Sandwich Terns, 12 Little Gulls, and 190 Sand Martins.
Other bits saw the Cuckoo still at the warren, a Willow Warbler in churchfield and a Manx SHearwater over a quiet sea.
Ringing 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Robin
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Roseate Tern - Hazel Wiseman.
Wednesday, 08 July 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.
Bright and sunny with few clouds and a very light wind. Watches 0500-1000
There was again 2 Roseate Terns on beacon ponds plus 231 Little Terns, 23 Common Terns, 23 Little Gulls and 2 Common Sandpipers, 440 Shelducks on the Humber along with a Greenshank and an increase to 220 Dunlins. Passerines saw a Cuckoo, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Willow Warbler, single Garden Warbler and a juvenile Wheatear as more birds start to return through the area. The best of the movers saw an Arctic Skua and Great White Egret head south.
Our first ever Silver-washed Fritillary flew south over Clubleys and a male Keeled Skimmer was along the canal.
Ringing 4 Barn Owl (P), 1 Whitethroat, 1 Starling, 2 Linnet (1 P)
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Juvenile Little Tern - Tate Lloyd.
Juvenile Little Tern - Tate Lloyd.
Tuesday, 07 July 2026
Remaining overcast and a windy F6 north westerly but hot and humid. Watches 0630-1000
The best of todays sightings included a Dark-bellied Brent on the Humber, a Cuckoo at the warren, 14 Little-ringed Plovers, 220 Little Terns, an adult Roseate Tern, 168 Sandwich Terns, 22 Little Gulls, 272 Black-headed Gulls and 8 Mediterranean Gull in the ponds area and yet another Lesser Emperor at the point.
Ringing 2 Robin
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Gadwall with young - John Hewitt.
Monday, 06 July 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.
Similar to the last few days overcast, windy F6 north westerlyand hot. Watches 0620-1000
Overall thee was little change with an adult Roseate Tern at beacon ponds which also hosted 8 Little-ringed Plovers, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Snipe, a Common Sandpiper, 3 Arctic Terns, 6 Common Terns, 119 Sandwich Terns, 4 Little Gulls and 6 Mediterranean Gulls.
Some light movement included 9 Redshanks, 2 Knot, 8 Mediterranean Gulls, 9 Kittiwakes, 186 Sand Martins and 31 Swallows.
A male Lesser Emperor was on canal scrape.
Ringing 3 Barn Owl (P), 1 Blackcap, 1 Wren
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Redshank - Thomas Willoughby.
Sunday, 05 July 2026
Windy F6 north westerly with cloudy skies but remaining warm. Watches 0615-1000
The best of the day saw 4 Roseate Terns on beacon ponds plus a Tufted Duck, 25 Avocets, 6 Little-ringed Plovers, a Common Sandpiper, 233 Little Terns, 5 Common Terns, 16 Little Gulls and a Caspian Gull.
A Cuckoo was at the warren but little on the move with 57 Sand Martins the best count.
Ringing 1 Blackcap, 1 Wren
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Roseate Tern - Tate Lloyd.
Saturday, 04 July 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.
windy day with just the odd sunny spell remaining hot. Watches 0630-1000
The Pacific Golden Plover was again on beacon ponds then on the Humber off the warren while a Wood Sandpiper was also on the ponds along with 5 Little-ringed Plovers, 47 Black-tailed Godwits, a Greenshank, 2 Roseate Terns, 104 Sandwich Terns and 11 Little Gulls.
Some light movement included 4 Whimbrels, 9 Curlews, 19 Redshanks, 7 Knot, a Red Kite, 63 Sand Martins and 37 Swallows.
Ringing 1 Magpie, 1 Blackcap, 2 Wren
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Pacific Golden Plover - John Hewitt.
Pacific Golden Plover - John Hewitt.
Pacific Golden Plover - John Hewitt.
Wood Sandpiper - John Hewitt.
Friday, 03 July 2026
Sunny spells with an increasing wind but on the whole warm. atches 0615-1000
A Quail was on Clubleys while 2 adult Roseate Terns visited Beacon ponds the area also holding 7 Little-ringed Plovers, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, a Common Sandpiper, a Greenshank, 50 Sandwich Terns, 60 Little Gulls and 10 Mediterranean Gulls. Other bits saw 2 Spotted Redshanks on the Humber and 106 Kittiwakes, 177 Gannets and 7 Manx Shearwaters over the sea.
Ringing 7 Ringed Plover (p), 18 Little Tern (P), 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Wren, 1 Robin,
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Roseate Tern - Tate Lloyd.
Roseate Tern with juvenile Sandwich Tern - Tate Lloyd.
Thursday, 02 July 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.
A windy F7 north westerly with plenty of warm sunshine. Watches 0600-1000, 1245-1415.
The adult Pacific Golden Plover was again at beacon ponds in the morning flying off west with a Golden Plover. In the ponds area there were 21 Avocets, 2 Little-ringed Plovers, a Common Sandpiper, 11 Little Gulls, 17 Medierranean Gulls, a Caspian Gull and a Hobby while 4129 Swifts moved through the area.(2929 south) along with a Hobby.
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Cuckoo wit Meadow Pipit - Harry Appleyard.
Cuckoo- Harry Appleyard.
Wednesday, 01 July 2026
Sunny spells cloudy up later with a light wind. Watches 0630-1000
A Plover which had been around sporadically over the last week and generally seen in bad heat haze ideintified as an Amercan Golden Plover was eventually seen very well at the south end of beacon ponds where its plumage and jizz allowed its identity to be confirmed as an PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER. Other bits seen during the day included a Black Redstart in Kilnsea and a Spoonbill on beacon ponds plus 3 Little-ringed Plovers, a Common Sandpiper, single Green Sandpiper, 69 Little Gulls, a blogging Red Kite, a Willow Warbler abd 3 Cetti's Warblers.
There was very little on the move the best being 5 Teal, 99 Common Scoters, 3 Curlews, 35 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Redshanks and 94 Gannets.
Ringing 1 Great Tit, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Wren, 1 Blackbird, 1 Dunnock,
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Pacific Golden Plover - Thomas Willoughby. Despite its seemingly long primary projection its overall appearance looks at odd with AGP.
Pacific Golden Plover - Thomas Willoughby. Large white spotting on the mantle and scapulars.
Pacific Golden Plover - Thomas Willoughby. Typical of the species pair of American and Pacific Golden Plovers this bird had grey auxillaries and underwing.
Pacific Golden Plover - Thomas Willoughby. The obvious broken white line down the flanks.
