Sightings

Sunday, 21 September 2025

After a stormy night things quietened down slightly remaining windy with a F6 north westerly and rather chilly with a mostly sunny day. Watches 0630-1140, 1715-1850. 

The Greenish Warbler remained elusive on corner field and the Red-necked Phelarope still showing well on Easington lagoon. Maybe the same 2 Common Cranes which have been nearby came into the area landing on the mud off the Humber then flew off south out over the point. 

The change in wind direction brought some movement over the sea with 84 Common Scoters, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, a Great Crested Grebe, 34 Arctic Skuas, 12 Great Skuas, 165 Red-throated Divers, 3 Fulmars, 4 Sooty Shearwaters, 16 Manx Shearwaters, 419 Gannets and a Shag while overland movement was much reduced with just a Grey Wagatil, 109 Meadow Pipits, 4 Redpolls and 3 Siskins of note. 

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Friday, 19 September 2025

A windy F6 westerly start that decreased as the day wore on, mainly sunny. Watches 0630-1030, 1315-1445, 1555-1930.

A Greenish Warbler found it corner field proved to be very elusive and only seen in the morning. It was a very busy day for the vismiggers at numpties with good totals for many including 512 Pink-footed Geese, 10 Black Terns, 1268 Common Terns, 3 Arctic Skuas, 6 Swifts, 2 Kestrels, 7 Skylarks, 112 Sand Martins, 2704 Swallows, 6377 House Martins, 13 Tree Sparrows, 5 House Sparrows, 4 Alba Wagtails, 6407 Meadow Pipits, 16 Greenfinches, 56 Linnets, 6 Redpolls, 19 Goldfinches and 130 Siskins. 

The Red-necked Phalarope was till present at Easington lagoons while nearby beacon ponds had a Pintail, 548 Ringed Plovers, a Greenshank, single Curlew Sandpiper and 600 Dunlins. 

Ringing 3 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 7 Goldcrest, 1 Redstart, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Siskin, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 21/9

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Thursday, 18 September 2025

Rather breezy F4 westerly but with some sunny spells and just the odd light shower. Watches 0630-1000.

The juvenile Red-necked Phalarope continued to show well at Eaasington lagoons while beacon ponds had 615 Ringed Plovers, a Spotted Redshank, 4 Ruff, 3 Curlew Sandpipers and 420 Dunlins. Grounded migrants were well scattered  the peak count though being 42 Chiffchaffs 934 trapped and ringed).

Some movement again mainly overland produced a Cory's Shearwater past the warren and beacon ponds, 125 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Black Terns, 42 Red-throated Divers, 2 Manx Shearwaters, 5 Swifts, 3 Kestrels, 15 Jackdaws, 13 Rooks, 11 Skylarks, 32 Sand Martins, 820 Swallows, 794 House Martins, a Flava Wagtail, 4 Grey Wagtails, 11 Alba Wagtails, 4346 Meadow Pipits, 28 Chaffinches, 56 Linnets, 16 Redpolls, 10 Goldfinches, 490 Siskins and 12 Reed Buntings. 

Ringing 1 Blue Tit, 2 Willow Warbler, 34 Chiffchaff, 1 Whitethroat, 12 Goldcrest, 7 Robin, 4 Dunnock, 3 Meadow Pipit, 5 Lesser Redpoll, 69/9

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Wednesday, 17 September 2025

 A wet start to the day clearing by midday when the wind increased to a F5 westerly.  Watches 0645-0945, 1445-1715.

Confusion during the day when a Grey Phalarope was found at Chalky point in the exact same spot as the Red-necked Phalarope from the weekend but that was relocated spinning around on Easington lagoon giving good views. Also here were a Spotted Redshank and 6 Curlew Sandpipers while 3 Ruff and a Purple Sandpiper flew south. Other bits on the move included 14 Wigeon, 105 Teal, 41 Common Scoters, 6 Sooty Shearwaters, 119 Gannets, a Swift, 2 Sand Martins, 81 Swallows, 56 House Martins, 214 Meadow Pipits, a Redpoll and 12 Siskins. 

Other bits included 6 Willow Warblers, 21 Chiffchaffs, 21 Goldcrests, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, a Redstart, 2 Whinchats, 5 Stonechats, 4 Wheatears and 21 Siskins.

Ringing 8 Goldcrest, 1 Robin, 1 Dunnock, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Goldfinch, 12/5

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Tuesday, 16 September 2025

Mostly sunny spells with the odd heavy shower and a stiff F5 westerly wind.

The day was dominated by visible migration with a wide variety of species on offer including 33 Pink-footed Geese, 2 Eider, a Red-breasted Merganser, 11 Snipe, a Pectoral Sandpiper calling as it went south, single Little Tern, 3 Black Terns, 3 Arctic Skuas, a Great Skua, 43 Red-throated Divers, 3 Fulmars, 4 Manx Shearwaters, an Osprey, a mobile Honey Buzzard, ringtail Hen Harrier, 43 Kestrels, 3 Hobbies, 17 Swifts, 108 Sand Martins, 3053 Swallows, 934 House Martins, 8 Alba Wagtails, 1278 Meadow Pipits, 34 Linnets, 16 Redpolls and 2 Reed Buntings.

Elsewhere the Garganey was again on beacon ponds along with a Little Stint and a Caspian Gull while a scatter of migrants included 8 Willow Warblers, a Grasshopper Warbler, 7 Blackcaps, a Garden Warbler, 6 Goldcrests, a Pied Flycatcher, 4 Spotted Flycatchers, 3 Redstarts, a Whinchat, 5 Wheatears, 25 Redpolls and 11 Siskins. 

Watches 0630-1030, 1430-1500 Ringing 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Blue Tit, 2 Willow Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 2 Dunnock, 1 Siskin, 22 Lesser Redpoll, 36/7

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Sunday, 14 September 2025

The third and final day of #MigFest 2025 and a brilliant way to finish with nearly 10k Meadow Pipits south amongst a varied vismig watch as well as a showy juvenile Red-necked Phalarope off Chalky Point. Thanks to everyone who participated in whatever you did, staff member, volunteer or visitor alike! See you there for Migfest 2026? Other Waders saw a Spotted Redshank, Little Stint and 4 Curlew Sandpipers again on the Humber at the warren with also a juvenile Caspian Gull flying south here. There was again a scatter of grounded migrants around the area including Pied Flycatcher, Whinchats, Redstarts and Wheatears while a Garganey was on beacon ponds. 

The 'Vismiggers' had another busy day which included the autumns first 108 Pink-footed Geese heading south, 4 Sovelers, 42 Wigeon, 46 Teal, 5 Swifts, 35 Golden Plover, 559 Common Terns, 78 Sandwich Terns, 44 Red-throated Divers, Cormorants, 5 Shags, an Osprey, 3 Marsh Harriers, a Common Buzzard, single Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Kestrels, a Hobby, 3 Skylarks, 25 Sand Martins, 126 Swallows, 62 House Martins, 62 Tree Sparrows, 4 House Sparrows, 3 Dunnocks, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 18 Alba Wagtails, 9655 Meadow Pipits (almost 18,500 for the weekend), 6 Tree Pipits, 24 Chaffinches, 15 Greenfinches, 121 Linnets, 6 Redpolls, 115 Siskins, a Yellowhammer and 34 Reed Buntings. 

Ringing: Robin 6, Cetti's Warbler 1, Wren 3, Dunnock 3, Blue Tit 1, Great Tit 1, Sedge Warbler 2, Reed Warbler 1, Willow Warbler 33, Chiffchaff 9, Blackcap 5, Goldcrest 7, Tree Sparrow 11, Lesser Redpoll 5, Reed Bunting 2. 91/15

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Saturday, 13 September 2025

Rain at dawn until 7am, then gave way to mostly sunny skies with some patchy cloud. Wind was steady F6 south westerly all day.

The second day of #MigFest25 successfully completed!  A brilliant day of talks and walks enjoyed by many, with plenty of visible migration on offer too with over five thousand Meadow Pipits recorded heading south enjoyed by many Migfesters. Here is to more of the same tomorrow! Many thanks to all the staff, volunteers and visitors that made it happen, and to those that sent in notes! The day was largely dominated by vismig (visible migration) at the warren with a wide variety and good number of birds on the move mainly in a southerly direction with 11 Wigeon, 8 Teal, 19 Swifts, a Great Crested Grebe, single Little Tern, 2 Black Terns, 3 Arctic Terns, 590 Common Terns, 5 Arctic Skuas, 3 Manx Shearwaters, 4 Marsh Harreirs, 5 Kestrels, a Merlin, single Hobby, 25 Sand Martins, 39 Swallows, 217 House Martins, 9 Tree Sparrows, a Dunnock, 16 Yellow Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail, 5210 Meadow Pipits, 5 Tree Pipits, 164 Linnets, 9 Redpolls, 271 Siskins and 4 Reed Buntings. 

Waders were in great abundance on the Humber including thousands od Dunlins, Grey Plovers, Bar-tailed Godwits and Knots along with a brief Red-necked Phalarope which flew north up the Humber, a Spotted Redshank, single Greenshank, a Little Stint, 5 Curlew Sandpipers while those after migrants maybe had a harder task with a Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Pied Flycatchers, a Black Redstart, single Redstart, 5 Whinchats, 4 Wheatears and a Tree Pipit widely scattered.

Ringing: Woodpigeon 1, Blue Tit 1, Great Tit 3, Willow Warbler 6, Chiffchaff 3, Blackcap 3, Sedge Warbler 3, Reed Warbler 1, Goldcrest 7, Pied Flycatcher 1, Robin 2, Blackbird 2, Meadow Pipit 6, Tree Sparrow 4, Linnet 1, Lesser Redpoll 7, Siskin 2, Reed Bunting 1. 54/18

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Friday, 12 September 2025

Thundery showers and stronger F5 south westerly winds in afternoon. Watches: 06:15-11:15, 13:50-16:30, 1830-19:20.

The first day of #MigFest25 was good for vismig along with a nice scatter of grounded migrants and passage Waders. Highlights for the vismiggers during the day included 3 Swifts, 4 Little Stints, 2 Little Terns, 3 Black Terns, 1100 Common Terns, a Roseate Tern, single Caspian Gull, a Great White Egret, 2 Ospreys, 2 Marsh Harriers, a Red Kite, single Hobby, 113 Swallows, 8 Yellow Wagtails, 3543 Meadow Pipits, 4 Tree Pipits, 36 Linnets, a Crossbill, 90 Siskins and 2 Reed Buntings. Migrant numbers were well down on the bumper arrival at Migfest 2024 but it was still nice to get a few on the list for the weekend with 6 Willow Warblers, 2 Garden Warblers, a Barred Warbler on green lane, 3 Goldcrests, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, a Pied Flycatcher, the usual Black Redstart, 3 Redstarts, 9 Whinchats, 3 Stonechats and 2 Wheatears. 

A Garganey was sometimes showy on canal scrape with beacon ponds attracting 2 Caspian Gulls, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, single Spotted Redshank, single Greenshank, 2 Ruff, 7 Curlew Sandpipers and a Little Stint. 

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Wednesday, 10 September 2025

Sunny spells throughout with light drizzle and heavy cloud in afternoon with a F4 south easterly. Watches: 06:20-10:00.  MigFest setup started, with thanks to all staff and volunteers for their hard work. 

A Quail was the bird of the day along the canal but otherwise a Spotted Redshank and 8 Curlew Sandpipers were about the best of the rest. 

Just outside the area the 2 Cranes continued to reside at Oustray.

Ringing: 1 Blue Tit, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackbird.

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Tuesday, 09 September 2025

Lots of sunny spells with a veering wind increasing in strength to a F6 south easterly. Watches 0615-1000, 1730-1900.

There was a further decrease in grounded migrant numbers with 34 Willow Warblers, 5 Blackcaps, a Garden Warbler, 10 Whitethroiats, 15 Goldcrests, a Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Pied Flycatchers, the usual Black Redstart, 8 Redstarts, 4 Whinchats, 3 Stonechats, 3 Wheatears, 6 Yellow Wagtails and a Tree Pipit.  Grounded Waders also remained in decent numbers with 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 750 Redshanks, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, 2 Ruff and 11 Curlew Sandpipers.

Ringing 1 Great Tit, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 4 Goldcrest, 2 Blackbird, 1 Robin, 3 Tree Sparrow, 1 Goldfinch, 15/8

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Monday, 08 September 2025

Sunny spells with a decreasing F5-3 south east wind. Watches 0630-1000, 1515-1645.

The \Wryneck was still present at the point while a decrease in grounded migrants still saw 25 Willow Warblers, 9 Sdeg Warblers, 8 Reed Warblers, 5 Blackcaps, 2 Garden Warblers, 10 Whitethroats, 8 Goldcrests, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, 12 Pied Flycatchers, 10 Redstarts, 15 Whinchats, 5 Yellow Wagtails and a Tree Pipit. Beacon ponds was again busy with 2 Pintails, 235 Teal, 5 Shovelers, a Little-ringed Plover, 3 Snipe, a Green Sandpiper, 500 Redshanks, a Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshanks, 20 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Little Stints and a mobile Hen Harrier. 

There was some decent movement over the sea including 11 Shovelers, 36 Wigeon, 405 Teal, 4 Tufted Ducks, 199 Common Scoter, a Black Tern, single Little Gull, 3 Arctic Skuas, 8 Red-throated Divers and a Shag while overland 9 Swifts, 20 Sand Martin and just 16 Swallows. 

Ringing 1 Guillemot, Cetti's Warbler 1, 11 Willow Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Robin, 1 Redstart, 1 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch, 1 Reed Bunting, 30/12

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Sunday, 07 September 2025

Sunny spells with a strong F7 south east wind. Watches0630-1030, 1730-1930.

At last the change to some winds from the east brought an arrival of migrants though it was difficult finding them in the strong winds. The best was a sometines showy Wryneck at the point while good totals included a Short-eared Owl in/off, 10 Willow Warblers, 2 Garden Warblers, 5 Goldcrests, a Spotted Flycatcher, 31 Pied Flycatchers, the usual Black Redstart, 15 Redstarts, 67 Whinchats, 16 Wheatears, 17 Yellow Wagtails, a Tree Pipit and a Rock Pipit. Passage Waders continued  to be present in the area mainly on the ponds including a Ruff, 6 Curlew Sandpipers, a Little Stint, single Common Sandpiper and 5 Greenshanks. 

There was some good Wildfowl movement over the sea which saw 2 Shovelers, 2 Gadwall, 17 Wigeon, 2 Pintails, 537 Teal, 2 Tufted Ducks and 216 Common Scoter head south while the first Pale-bellied Brent of the autumn was on the Humber. Also over the sea 2 Great Skuas one of which flew ontyo the Humber and killed a Guillemot. 

Ringing: 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Redstart, 3 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Greenfinch, total 9/5

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Saturday, 06 September 2025

Sunny spells some lengthy with an increasing F6 south east wind. Watches 0615-1330, 1730-1900.

Some movement over land and sea produced 7 Wigeon, a Pintail, 169 Teal, 4 Tufted Ducks, 80 Common Scoters, 28 Oystercatchers, 8 Whimbrels, 13 Dunlin, 5 Arctic Skuas, 9 Red-throated Divers, 3 Fulmars, a multi observer Cory's Shearwater lingering, 3 Kestrels, 81 Sand Martins, 947 Swallows, 37 House Martins, 7 Flava Wagtails, 4 Alba Wagtails, 1486 Meadow Pipits, 42 Linnets, a Redpoll, 267 Siskins and 12 Reed Buntings. 

A tagged White-tailed Eagle was a fine sight as it crossed the Humber lingering north of Sammys then headed off north.

Ringing 1 Blue Tit, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Goldcrest, 3 Robin, 4 Meadow Pipit, 1 Siskin, 25/13

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Friday, 05 September 2025

Sunny spells with light F2 south west winds. Watches 0615-1000, 1430-1530, 1730-1900.

The day some nice mixed movement over sea and land for the vismiggers with 110 Oystercatchers, 15 Dunlin, a Black Tern, 2 Arctic Skuas, a Shag, 3 Marsh Harriers, 3 Buzzards, 45 Sand Martins, 1975 Swallows, 200 House Martins, a Grey Wagtail, 518 Meadow Pipits, a Tree Pipit, 23 Linnets and 16 Siskins. 

There was a small increase in grounded migrants with now 35 Willow Warblers, 10 Reed Warblers, 7 Goldcrests, a Treecreeper, 5 Spotted Flycatchers, 30 Robins, a Pied Flycatcher, 2 Whinchats and 6 Wheatears. Similarly the same with Waders with a Green Sandpiper, 3 Ruff, 3 Curlew Sandpipers and a Little Stint.  

Ringing 2 Blue Tit, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 14 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Sedge Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Wren, 6 Robin, total 36/11

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Thursday, 04 September 2025

A brisk west wind, cool bright start. Watches: 0600 - 10:00.

A Quail was flushed at middle camp while other migrants saw 20 Willow Warblers, 4 Goldcrests, 7 Spotted Flycatchers, 3 Whinchats, a Stonechat, 14 Wheatears, 10 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Tree Pipits and a Redpoll recorded. Good numbers of passage Waders were again on beacon ponds and the Humber including 2 Black-tailed Godwits, a Common Sandpiper, single Ruff, 3 Curlew Sandpipers and 3 Little Stints plus a Caspian Gull. 

Some varied southerly movement saw 5 Shovelers, 124 Teal, 12 Common Scoters, 10 Swifts, 25 Little Terns, a Black Tern, 7 Arctic Skuas, 31 Fulmars, 18 Cormorants, a Shag, single Hobby, 10 Sand Martins, 329 Swallows, 21 House Martins, a Grey Wagtail, 556 Meadow Pipits, 27 Linnets and 84 Siskins. 

Ringing: Reed Warbler 1, Sedge Warbler 5, Goldfinch 1, Cettis Warbler 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Willow Warbler 19, Chiffchaff 1, Goldcrest 1, Greenfinch 1. 31/9

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Tuesday, 02 September 2025

Showers again today some heavy with a blustery F6 south westerly wind and some sunny spells. Watches 0630-1000, 1745-1900.

The general lack of migrants continues and what few there are were widely scattered with 13 Willow Warblers, 21 Whitethroats, 4 Goldcrests, a Redwing, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Pied Flycatchers, the Black Redstart, a Redstart, 2 Whinchats, a Stonechat, 5 Wheatears, 14 Yellow Wagtails and a Tree Pipit. Like wise it has been poor for offshore movement of Waders but a smattering of grounded birds continues including a Little-ringed Plover, 2 Ruff, a Greenshank and singles of Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint. 

Other bits saw 3 Ruddy Shelducks on the Humber while 201 Teal, a Roseate Tern and 6 Black Terns south over the sea. 

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