Spurn Bird Observatory Sightings September 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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Wednesday, 30 September 2026
Rain in the morning petered out by after lunch, remaining breezy with a F5 south westerly wind. Watches 0630-1000, 1230-1400
There were still a fair few grounded migrants lingering including a Quail at beacon ponds, single Jack Snipe, 8 Yellow-browed Warblers, a Willow Warbler, 18 Chifchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, a Whitethroat, 84 Song Thrushes, 36 Redwings, a Ring Ouzel, 135 Robins, 4 Pied Flycatchers, a Redstart, 11 Stonechats, a Whinchat, 8 Wheatears, a Yellow Wagtail, 4 Rock Pipits, 72 Chaffinches, 75 Bramblings, a Mealy Redpoll, 35 Lesser Redpolls, 7 Siskins and a Lapland Bunting while a Green Woodpecker was along green lane.
Some varied movement for the vismiggers brought 2 Brent Geese, 259 Wigeons, 11 Pintails, 625 Teal, 6 Tufted Ducks, a Goosander, single Ruff, a Purple Sandpiper, 2 Black Terns, 13 Common Terns, 24 Little Gulls, 3 Arctic Skuas, a Puffin, 51 Red-throated Divers, a Sooty Shearwater, 4 Manx Shearwaters, 57 Gannets, 2 Great White Egrets, 2 Jays, 156 Swallows, 12 Tree Sparrows, 263 Meadow Pipits, 19 Chafficnhes, 18 Bramblings and 13 Linnets while the Great Skua continued to do its thing on the Humber. .
Ringing 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 5 Robin, 1 Chaffinch, 6 Brambling, 6 Lesser Redpoll, 22/7
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Tuesday, 29 September 2026
A cloudy day with the odd spot of rain with a moderate F5 south east wind. Watches 0630-0830. The first 2 Yellow-browed Warblers were colour ringed today.
A fantastic day of arrivals and fingers crossed more days like this will offer themselves up. The days highlight was a superb 1cy female EYE-BROWED THRUSH trapped in churchfield and showing several times afterwards, 2 Little Buntings (warren, old boat house) and an adult American Golden Plover on the Humber off the crown. Further migrant totals included 18 Yellow-browed Wablers, 6 Willow Warblers, 41 Chiffchaffs, a Reed Warbler, 13 Blackcaps, a Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Whitethroats, a Firecrest, 101 Song Thrushes, 189 Redwings, 4 Ring Ouzels, 98 Robins, 8 Pied Flycatchers, 11 Redstarts, single Whinchat, 23 Stonechats, 14 Wheatears, 3 Tree Pipits, 11 Chaffinches, 168 Bramblings, 3 Mealy Redpolls, 60 Redolls, 11 Siskins, 2 Lapland Buntings, a Snow Bunting and 38 Reed Buntings.
Ringing 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 3 Song Thrush, 1 Redwing, 1 Eye-browed Thrush, 20 Robin, 1 Redstart, 27 Brambling, 21 Lesser Redpoll, 86/10
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Eyebrowed Thrush - Hazel Wiseman. A 1st for Spurn and only the 2nd Yorkshire record.
Little Bunting - Thomas Willoughby.
Yellow-browed Warbler - Thomas Willoughby.
American Golden Plover - Thomas Willoughby.
Eye-browed Thrush - Paul French.
Monday, 28 September 2026
A lovely warm calmer day with light winds from the morth west slowly picking u as the day wore on. Watches 0630-1000, 1620-1800
It was another morning for the vismiggers with more southbound migration including a Mandarin, 568 Wigeons, 4 Pintails, 806 Teal, 215 Common Scoters, 2 Quails in/off, 12 Little Gulls, a Caspian Gull, 3 Arctic Skaus, the Great Skua still on the Humber, 34 Razorbills, 41 Guillemots, 107 Red-throated Divers, a Great White Egrets, 5 Jackdaws, 7 Carrion Crows, 23 Skylarks, 6 Swallows, 2 House MArtins, 7 Tree Sparrows, 4 Chaffinches, a Lapland Bunting and 5 Reed Bunting with 174 Common Terns and 164 Sandwich Tern to roost.
A reduction in the wind didnt exactly reveal an increase in grounded migrants but a few bits anyway with a Yellow-browed Warbler, 6 Chiffchaffs, 7 Blackcaps, a Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Stonechats, 2 Wheatears, 9 Rock Pipits and 2 Bramblings. A change to easterly winds overnight should hopefully bring in a few birds in the morning.
Ringing 1 Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit, 4 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Song Thrush, 4 Robin, 2 Dunnock, 15 Meadow Pipit, 1 Chaffinch, 3 Linnet, 14 Reed Bunting, 52/12
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Caspian Gull - Harry Appleyard.
Sunday, 27 September 2026
Very strong F7 south east winds all day made bush bashing very hard work, some sunny spells. Watches 0630-1000, 1610-1845
Most of the days sightings were from the warren as the vismiggers had a few bits with 115 Wigeon, 2 Pintails, 364 Teal, 107 Common Scoters, a Great Crested Grebe, a Grey Phalarope, single Black Tern, 113 Common Terns, 9 Little Gulls, 2 Caspian Gulls, a Yellow-legged Gull, 4 Arctic Skuas, 42 Red-throated Divers, a Shag, single Great White Egret, 2 Grey Herons, 6 Jackdaws, a Sand Martins, 65 Swallows, 18 House Martins, 3 Alba Wagtails, a Tree Pipit, 4 Chaffinches, 228 Linnets, 3 Goldfinches and 5 Reed Buntings. The marauding Great Skua killed another Little Egret on the Humber!
It was difficult looking for migrants with 8 Chiffchaffs, a Goldcrest, single Whinchat, 4 Stonechats, a Rock Pipit and single Brambling. around the area while the Spotted Redshank was still present on the Humber.
Ringing 1 Blue Tit, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Meadow Pipit, 5/3
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Great Skua - Harry Appleyard. creating havoc on the Humber for its 2nd day.
Saturday, 26 September 2026
A nice calmer day with light south east winds and plenty of blue skies. Watches 0620-1000
It was a varied day of movement with 23 Common scoters, 92 Common Terns, 234 Sandwich Terns, 2 Little Gulls, a Caspian Gull, 3 Arctic Skuas, 102 Red-throated divers, a Great White Egrets, single Marsh Harrier, 2 Rooks, 41 Skylarks, 69 Swallows, 17 House Sparrows, a Flava Wagtail, 514 Meadow Pipits, 2 Rock Pipits, 14 Chaffinches, 2 Bramblings, 236 Linnets, 11 Goldfinches, a Lapland Bunting and 35 Reed Buntings while a Great Skua chased and killed a Little Egret on the Humber.
A scatter of migrants remained with still 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, a Willow Warbler, 9 Chiffchaffs, 9 Blackcaps, 3 Goldcrests, 8 Stonechats, a Wheatear, single Rock Pipit and 5 Bramblings
Ringing 5 Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 7 Blackcap, 3 Goldcrest, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Robin, 1 Dunnock, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Greenfinch, 7 Reed Bunting, 39/13
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Yellow-browed Warbler - Paul Lawrence.
Friday, 25 September 2026
A bit windier than of late with F3 south westerly blowing plus plenty of sunshine. Watches 0645-1000
There were 4 Yellow-browed Warblers around the area today but fewer grounded migrants though with a Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaffs, a Reed Warbler, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, a Goldcrest, single Redstart, 11 Stonechats, a Wheatear and 7 Bramblings.
The vismiggers had a bit again but similarly in small numbers with a Glossy Ibis, single Hobby, 18 Skylarks, 3 Sand Martins, 18 Swallows, 4 Alba Wagtails, 400 Meadow Pipits, 4 Chaffinches, 12 Greenfinches, a Lapland bunting and 4 Reed Buntings while the sea having a trickle also including a Shoveler, 6 Pintails, 55 Teal, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Little Gulls, 4 Arctic Skuas, a Great Skuas, 72 Red-throated Divers, singles of Sooty Shearwater and Manx Shearwater and 92 Gannets.
Ringing 1 Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Dunnock, 10 Meadow Pipit, 1 Reed Bunting, 21/11
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Thursday, 24 September 2026
A lovely sunny day with light north westerly winds that picked up a bit later on.
The day saw a small increase in migrant numbers on the ground including 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 Willow Warblers, 13 Chiffchaffs, a Sedge Warbler, 7 Blackcaps, a Barred Warbler at the point VTS tower, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Whitethroats, a Tree Creeper, a Pied Flycatcher, single Black Redstart, 15 Stonechats, 7 Wheatears and 9 Bramblings.
The sea also produced suprisingly in rather slack winds with 31 Teal, 2 Little Gulls, a Puffin, 107 Red-throated Divers, a Great Northern Diver, single Leach's Petrel, a Sooty Shearwater, 47 Manx Shearwaters, a Balearic Shearwater and 197 Gannets while overland a Grey Heron, 12 Skylarks, 9 Swallows, 6 Alba Wagtails, 103 Meadow Pipits, 2 Rock Pipits, 5 Greenfinches, 25 Linnets and 2 Reed Buntings.
Watches 0630-1000, 1700-1900 Ringing 2 Blue Tit, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 7 Blackcap, 3 Robin, 2 Dunnock, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Brambling, 3 Linnet, 21 Reed Bunting, 54/12
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Wednesday, 23 September 2026
A nice calm day albeit with the wind picking up later and a few heavy showers early morning. Watches 0630-1000, 1045-1145, 1620-1905
A nice but small arrival brought the first 5 Yellow-browed Warblers of the autumn to the area (warren, obs, sykes, 2 point) plus 21 Chifchaffs, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, a Whitethroat, 5 Song Thrushes, 3 Pied Flycatchers, a Black Redstart, single Redstart, a Whinchat, 9 Stonechats, a Wheatear, 2 Rock Pipits, 19 Bramblings and 2 Bullfinches.
Some more movement over the sea was more varied with 126 Wigeon, 15 Pintails, 474 Teal, 227 Common Scoters, a Great Crested Grebe 5 Kittiwakes, 17 Arctic Skuas, a Puffin, 43 Guillemots, 7 Razorbills, 93 Large Auk sp, 145 Red-throated Divers, 5 Fulmars, 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 36 Manx Shearwaters, 292 Gannets and 3 Shags while just a trickle overland saw a Marsh Harrier, 26 Swallows, 31 Meadow Pipits and 73 Liinnets go south.
Ringing 3 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Robin, 1 Dunnock, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Brambling, 8 Reed Bunting, 21/10
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Brambling - Simon Jump.
Yellow-browed Warbler - Tim Jump.
Tuesday, 22 September 2026
A calmer day with very light winds picking up later on. Watches 0630-1000, 1750-1830
Some movement over the sea included a Whooper Swan, 961 Teals, 2 Black Terns, 171 Common Terns, 2 Arctic Skuas, 3 Great Skuas, 48 Red-throated Divers, a Sooty Shearwater, 12 Manx Shearwaters and 86 Gannets.
Grounded migrants saw 11 Chiffchaffs, a Sedge Warbler, 4 Blackcaps, a Whitethroat, single Goldcrest, a Redwing, 22 Robins, 5 Stonechats, a Wheatear and 8 Bramblings with the ponds area holding 11 Pintails, 142 Teals, 67 Wigeon, 6 Avocets and a Yellow-legged Gull,
Ringing 4 Blue Tit, 4 Great Tit, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 1 Wren, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Robin, 2 Tree Sparrow, 1 House Sparrow, 1 Dunnock, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Greenfinch, 14 Linnet, 1 Goldfinch, 26 Reed Bunting, 74/16
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Teal - Harry Appleyard.
Monday, 21 September 2026
Mostly cloudy with some sunny spells and light winds. Watches 0630-1000, 1405-1440, 1700-1930
A remarkeable flock of 4 Ravens u turned at the warren heading off north west an event which has become annual (a Chough doing the same would go down nicely) while the best of the days other action included 84 Pink-fotted Geese, 2 Eiders, 2 Little Gulls, 8 Arctic Skuas, 3 Great Skuas, 109 Red-throated Divers, 12 Manx Shearwaters, a Sooty Shearwater, 59 Gannets, a Marsh Harrier. single Jay, 3 Jackdaws, 10 Rooks, 8 Carrion Crows, 3 Flava Wagtails, 4 Alba Wagtails, 147 Meadow Pipits and 3 Siskins while again the roost movment had a Black Tern, single Arctic Tern and 898 Common Terns.. Full counts on Trektellen.
The years first Long-eared Owl was in churchfield plus an oncrease in grounded migrants with 2 Willow Warblers, 20 Chiffchaffs, 4 Blackcaps, a Lesser Whitethroat, single Goldcrest, a Black Redstart, single Whinchat, 8 Stonechats and a Rock Pipits.
Ringing 1 Long-eared Owl, 1 Short-eared Owl, 3 Blue Tit, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 1 Wren, 2 Robin, 2 Dunnock, 11 Meadow Pipit, 1 Linnet, 10 Reed Bunting, 39/11
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Raven - Hazel Wiseman.
Sunday, 20 September 2026
Another windy day with a F7 morth westerly and some showers early on brightening up later. Watches 0630-1000, 1720-1930
It was another day for visible migration albeit not particularly any big numbers but included 2 Brent Geese, a Swift, 8 Arctic Skuas, a Great Skua, 77 Red-throated Divers, a Sooty Shearwater, 3 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Sand Martins, 10 Swallows, 40 House Martins, a Grey Wagtail, 6 Alba Wagtails, 538 Meadow Pipits, 72 Linnets, a Siskin and 2 Reed Buntings with the roost movement chipping in with a Black Tern, 1112 Common Terns and 556 Sandwich Terns.
.Elsewhere little change with 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, a Curlew Sandpiper, Greenshank and Ruff on the ponds with 2 Willow Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, a Stonechat and 2 Yellow Wagtails the only grpounded migrants.
Ringing 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Robin
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Saturday, 19 September 2026
A windy F7 north westerly with a few showers chucked in for fun. Watches 0620-1000, 1450-1930
The evening roost movement produced again with 2 Sabines Gulls (adult and juvenile) south in the flocks of Terns which included a Black Tern, single Arctic tern, 1954 Common Terns and 515 Sandwich Terns. The sea also produced a Great Skua, 25 Red-throated Divers, singles of Sooty and Manx Shearwaater, 81 Gannets and a Shag with a single Swift overland. .
Very few migrants were seen with some easterlies desperatley needed with just a Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Black Redstarts, 4 Stonechats, a Wheatear and 6 Yellow Wagtails seen while on the ponds 12 Shovelers, 36 Wigeons, 15 Pintails, 15 Little Grebes, 5 Avocets, single Curlew Sandpiper, a Caspian Gull and 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.
Ringing 1 Robin
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Friday, 18 September 2026
Windy F7 north westerly yet again with a mostly cloudy day and some rain late on. Watches 0620-1000, 1620-2000
Another good evening roost movement produced 3 Black Terns, 357 Sandwich Terns, 7 Arctic Terns and 7839 Common Terns while movement during the day accounted for 10 Arctic Skuas, an Osprey, single Marsh Harrier, 2 Rooks, 22 Swallows, 24 House Martins, 742 Meadow Pipits, 92 Linnets and 5 Reed Buntings. Full counts on Trektellen.
Other bits included 34 Wigeon, 9 Pintails, 35 Teal, a Greenshank and 3 Curlew Sandpipers while just 4 Willow Wablers, 3 Chiffchaffs and 2 Yellow Wagtails were about the only grounded migrants.
Ringing 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Tree Sparrow
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Knot - Tim Jump.
Thursday, 17 September 2026
Sunny spells with a stiff wind as per previous days. Watches 0630-1000, 1500-1930
There was less southerly movement including the Tern roost both not normally good in north west winds but toodays totals included 12 Whooper Swans, 2 Whimbrels, 8 Snipes, a Great White Egret, 52 Red-throated Divers, a Black-throated Diver, single Sooty Shearwater, 4 Manx Shearwaters and 107 Gannets with the roost movement had just a Black Tern and 1426 Common Terns. Full counts on Trektellen.
It was maybe the first day this autumn a Willow Warbler didnt feature in the totals while just 4 Chiffchaffs, a Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Black Redstarts, a Stonechat, single Wheatear and 4 Yellow Wagtails of note.
A Lesser Emperor was at the point.
Ringing 1 Kestrel
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Manx Shearwater - Tim Jump.
Whooper Swans - Harry Appleyard.
Lesser Emperor - Harry Appleyard.
Wednesday, 16 September 2026
A windy F6 north westerly day with sunny spells. Watches 0615-1100, 1740-1945
Another good evening roost movement produced a Little Tern, 8 Black Terns, an Arctic Tern, 8822 Common Terns and a juvenile Sabines Gull while other bits during the day included 141 Pink-footed Geese, the autumns first Whooper Swan, 6 Pintails, 2 Manx Shearwaters, 3 Sooty Shearwaters, a Kesterl, 3 Rooks, 7 Sand Martins, 13 Swallows, 12 Tree Sparrows, 5 Flava Wagtails, 5 Grey Wagtails, 4 Alba Wagtails, 113 Meadow Pipits, 43 Linnets and 7 Reed Buntings.
Similar to the previous day other bits saw a Common Sandpiper, single Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshanks, 6 Curlew Sandpipers and 2 Ruff in the ponds area but even fewer migrants with just a single Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher and Wheatear while 2 Caspian Gulls and a Yellow-legged Gull were seen.
Ringing 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 2/2
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Whooper Swan - Harry Appleyard.
Tuesday, 15 September 2026
Sunny spells with a stiff F6 westerly wind blowing. Watches 0620-1400, 1600-2010
There was some good south bound movement but at last a late in the 'Tern season' a great roost movement which saw 8 Black Terns and 9551 Common Terns head past the seawatch hut. Also moving 2 Canada Geese,2 Pintails, 22 Teal, 2 Swifts, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 75 Gannets, a Short-eared Owl in/off, single Merlin, 123 Sand Martins, 378 Swallows, 394 House Martins, a Grey Wagtail, 6 Alba Wagtails, 632 Meadow Pipits, 119 Linnets and a Reed Bunitng.
Other bits from the ponds included 162 Teal, a Common Sandpiper, single Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshanks, 6 Curlew Sandpipers and the Purple Sandpiper while the few grounded migrants seen were 2 Willow Warblers, a Pied Flycatcher and Redstart, 2 Whinchats, 3 Wheatears and a Tree Pipit around the area in te windy conditions.
Ringing 1 Blue Tit, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Blackbird, 1 Meadow Pipit, 5/5
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Curlew Sandpipers - John Hewitt.
Monday, 14 September 2026
Light south westerly winds with plenty of sunshine making it rather pleasant. Watches 0620-1910.
The day saw yet again some decent movement across the board with 1038 Pink-footed Geese, 74 Wigeons, 186 Teal, 3 Tufted Ducks, 2 Eiders, a Swift, 46 Snipes, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Black Terns, 759 Common Terns, a Long-tailed Skua, 44 Red-throated Divers, a Great White Egret, 3 Marsh Harriers, 9 Jackdaws, 51 Sand Martins, 774 Swallows, 343 House Martins, 83 Tree Sparrows, a Dunnock , 9 Flava Wagtails, 5 Grey Wagtails, 11 Alba Wagtails, 3085 Meadow Pipits, 2 Tree Pipits, 3 Chaffinches, 128 Linnets, 4 Siskins, a Lapland Bunting, 2 Yellowhammers and 13 Reed Buntings.
The almost static number of grounded migrants remains with 6 Willow Warblers, 4 Blackcaps, 5 Spotted Fycatchers, 2 Pied Flycatchers, a Black Redstart, single Redstart, 2 Whinchats, a Stonechat, 3 Wheatears, 4 Yellow Wagtails and a Bullfinch while a good count of 1128 Shelducks and the Scaup were on the Humber and a Spotted Redshank and 4 Curlew Sandpipers on the ponds.
Ringing 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, 2 Swallow, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Robin, 5 Tree Sparrow, 2 Dunnock, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Reed Bunting, 29/14 Still lots of people staying for another day after the weekend
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Pink-footed Geese - John Hewitt.
Sunday, 13 September 2026
The second full day of #MigFest followed the same sort of pattern as the previous days albeit the vismiggers had a considerably easier morning but the afternoon into evening delvered some good birds for those lucky to have persisted looking at the sea as it chaged to a light north easterly.
A much calmer day with plenty of sunshine. The second day of Mig-fest with plenty of people about. Watches 0600-2000
The day saw some varied movement mainly in a southerly direction including 328 Pink-footed Geese, 5 Pintails, a Swift, 5 Little Terns, 1259 Common Terns, 66 Sandwich Terns, 21 Little Gulls, an adult Sabines Gull, 2 Long-tailed Skuas, 6 Arctic Skuas, a Pomarine Skua, single Great Skua, 71 Red-throated Divers, 6 Manx Shearwaters, 14 Sand Martins, 133 Swallows, 301 House Martins, 40 Tree Sparrows, 5 Flava Wagtails, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1683 Meadow Pipits, a Brambling, 37 Linnets, 12 Goldfinches, a Lapland Bunting and 14 Reed Buntings.
There was a hint of arrivals in the late afternoon with 6 Willow Warblers, 7 Chiffchaffs, a Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Garden Warblers, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Whitethroats, a Goldcrest, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, a Pied Flycatcher, single Redstart, 16 Wheatears, 6 Yellow Wagtails and 33 Chaffinches plus 4 Curlew Sandpipers and a Little Stint on beacon ponds and the Scaup still on the Humber..
Ringing 1 Wood Pigeon, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Dunnock, 1 Tree Sparrow, 8 Meadow Pipit, 2 Reed Bunting, 26/10
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Saturday, 12 September 2026
The first full day of #MigFest had a busy morning of movment which was at times spectacular as big, fast moving mixed flocks of Hirundines rushed south past the counters at the warren making for a challenging period.
Sunny spells but quite windy all day. Watches 0600-1530
Some fantastic ealry morning movement was a fitting start to #MigFest included 10 Swifts, 3 Arctic Skuas, a Roseate Tern, 20 Red-throated Divers, a Marsh Harrier, 117 Sand Martins, 1257 Swallows, 4500 House Martins, 9 Tree Sparrows, 12 Flava Wagtails, 2 Grey Wagtails, 1067 Meadow Pipits, 5 Greenfinches, 79 Linnets and 5 Reed Buntings. Migrants were few and far between with 8 Willow Warblers, 6 Chiffchaffs, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, a Goldcrest, a Spotted Flycatcher, single Pied Flycatcher, a Black Redstart, single Whinchat, 6 Wheatears, 6 Yellow Wagtails and 2 Bullfinches.
Elsewhere the ponds area had 20 Wigeons, a Sotted Redshank, single Greenshank, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Little Stints, 2 Caspian Gulls and 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.
Ringing 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Robin 6/6
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Friday, 11 September 2026
The start of #MigFest birding wise was nothing more than a whimper! There was still a scatter of migrants and Waders in very low numbers, the odd bit on the move and a few other bits interest. On the other hand the opening talk of #MigFest from the sound approach boys was a cracker!
A windy F5 north westerly day with plenty of sunny spells. Watches 0620-0930, 1705-2000
On the move 112 Pink-footed Geese, 7 Arctic Skuas, a Pomarine Skua, 25 Red-throated Divers, a Great Northern Diver, 3 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Grey Wagtail, a Jay and just 204 Meadow Pipits.
Migrants were represented by 6 Willow Warblers, 6 Chiffchaffs, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Spotted Flycatchers, a Pied Flycatcher, 2 Whinchats, a Stonechats, 12 Wheatears, 4 Yellow Wagtails and 2 Tree Pipits while the Garganey was still on beacon ponds along with a Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshanks, a Curlew Sandpiper and 2 Little Stints.
Ringing 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Wren, 18 Tree Sparrow, 22/5 Start of Mig-fest today
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Hobby - Calum Gray.
The opening talk at Migfest - Murray Orchard.
Wheatear - Harry Appleyard.
Thursday, 10 September 2026
#MigFest is almost upon us and a nice selection of species are present with some decent birds over land and sea and a scatter of grounded migrants present.
A calmer day all round with plenty of sunshine but the wind picked up later on. Watches 0620-1000, 1650-1930
The seawatchers and vismiigers had some interest during the morning and later in the eveing with highlights of 2 Shovelers, 7 Pintails, 70 Teal, 2 Swifts, 7 Arctic Skuas, 57 Red-throated Divers, 4 Fulmars, a Sooty Shearwater, 19 Sand MArtins, 85 Swallows, 26 House Martins, 15 Tree Sparrows, 6 Alba Wagtails, 6 Flava Wagtails, 1606 Meadow Pipits, 80 Linnets, 13 Siskins and 14 Reed Buntings while the evening Tern roost which has been ultimately poor had 1537 Common Terns and 2 Roseate Terns. .
Grounded migrants included 19 Willow Warblers, a Spotted Flycatchers, 4 Whinchats, 2 Wheatears and 4 Yellow Wagtails while other bits saw the Garganey still at beacon ponds, Caspian and Yellow-legged Gulls in the area and a Great White Egret.
Ringing 1 Blue Tit, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 15 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Sedge Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Wren, 4 Robin, 7 Tree Sparrow, 3 Dunnock, 15 Meadow Pipit, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Reed Bunting, 63/14
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Peregrine - John Hewitt.
Wednesday, 09 September 2026
Sunny spells with an increasing swinging F6 north westerly wind. atches 0630-1000, 1430-1535, 1745-1945
A late in the day superb movement over the sea saw 2 Leach's Petrels and 3 Sabines Gulls past the seawatch hut plus 10 Arctic Skuas, 4 Great Skuas, a Puffin, 38 Red-throated Divers, 7 Sooty Shearwaters, 4 Manx Shearwaters and 121 Gannets.
A scatter of migrants included 6 Willow Warblers, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, a Redstart, 5 Whinchats, 2 Wheatears and a Tree Pipit.
Ringing 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Robin, 15 Tree Sparrow, 20/5 Lots of mig fest setting u done this afternoon.
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Spotted Flycatcher - Joe Eckersley.
Whinchat - Joe Eckersley.
Tuesday, 08 September 2026
An increasing F6 north west wind all day with some sunny spells. Watches 0620-1000, 1820-2015
There was not a lot of change in the ponds area but it was still brilliant anyway with Pectoral Sandpiper, single Greenshank, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, the Purple Sandpiper, 3 Little Stints and Caspian Gull among the good counts of other species on offer.
The vismiggers had a varied morning of southbound traffic including 3 Pintails, 22 Teal, 3 Whimbrels, 27 Snipe, a Black Tern, single Puffin, 120 Gannets, single Great White Egret, a Marsh Harrier, 26 Swallows, 17 Flava Wagtails, a Grey Wagtail, 713 Meadow Pipts, a Tree Pipit and 26 Linnets.
Ringing 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Wren, 1 Meadow Pipit, 5/4 Mig fest is rapidly moving up a gear with things being organised
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Pectoral Sandpiper - John Hewitt.
Monday, 07 September 2026
An increasing F5 south west wind from a light to moderate with plenty of sunshine to be had. Watches 0620-1000, 1135-1310, 1515-1615, 1820-1950
The Pectoral Sandpiper remainws in the ponds area which also held 29 Shovelers, a Pintail, 251 Teals, 2 Tufted Ducks, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Greensjanks, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, the Purple Sandpiper, 4 Little Stints, Caspian Gull and Yellow-legged Gull.
Some movement over both land and sea produced 442 Teals, 138 Common Scoters, 18 Dunlin, 3 Little Terns, a Long-tailed Skua, 44 Red-throated Divers, a Shag, 68 Sand Martins, 186 Swallows, 125 House Martins, a Jay, just 47 Meadow Pipits and 22 Linnets. Full counts on Trektellen.
Ringing 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 4/2
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Jay - Harry Appleyard.
Sunday, 06 September 2026
Lighter F3 north west winds today with plenty of sunny periods. Watches 0650-1100
It was another good day for the vismiggers with the autumns first Lapland Bunting south past the seawatch hut while a mobile Ortolan Bunting was arond the triangle then north while other totals included 24 Wigeons, 4 Pintails, 78 Teal, a Greenshank, 3 Arctic Skuas, a Great White Egret, single Hobby, 4 Jackdaws, 9 Rooks, 67 Swallows, 56 House Martins, 15 Tree Sparrows, 6 House Sparrows, 16 Flava Wagtails, 3 Grey Wagtails, 1379 Meadow Pipits, 90 Linnets, 3 Siskins and 3 Reed Buntings. A scatter of grounded migrants included 11 Willow Warblers, a Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, a Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Pied Flycatchers, a Redstart, 2 Whinchats, 6 Yellow Wagtails and a Bullfinch.
The Pectoral Sandpiper remained at beacon ponds along with 2 Little Stints, a Purple Sandpiper, 2 Greenshanks, a Caspian Gull and Yellow-legged Gull.
Ringing 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackbird, 2 Tree Sparrow, 6/4
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Ortolan Bunting record shot - Harry Appleyard.
Meadow Pipit - Harry Appleyard. A good south bound movement today.
Saturday, 05 September 2026
Lengthy sunny spells with a stiff F6 north west wind. Watches 0620-1000, 1545-1720
The rarest bird of the day was a Black-necked Grebe showing well on beacon ponds where the Pectoral Sandpiper remained plus 5 Pintails, 104 Teals, 13 Little Grebes, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Common Sandpipers, a Greenshank, single Ruff, the Purple Sandpiper, 2 Little Stints, 2 adult Yellow-legged Gulls and 2 Short-eared Owls.
A small increase in some grounded migrants saw a juvenile Red-backed Shrike appear in corner field while other totals included 9 Willow Warblers, 4 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Pied Flycatchers, singles of Black Redstart, Redstart and Wheatear, 3 Whinchats and 7 Yellow Wagtails while the first sniif of decent south bound movment in the approach to Migfest included an Osprey, a Hen Harrier in/off and west, a Swift, 7 Sand Martins, 46 Swallows, 39 House Martins, 84 Tree Sparrows, 1125 Meadow Pipits, 2 Tree Pipits and 2 Siskins with a Pomarine Skua over the sea.
Ringing 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 3/2
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Black-necked Grebe - John Hewitt.
Pied Flycatcher - John Hewitt.
Friday, 04 September 2026
A persistent nagging F5 north westerly wind from a poor direction continues with plenty of cloud about and some overnight rain. Watches 0630-0930
A lovely juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper was found at beacon ponds the same area also productive for 7 Avocets, 3 Common Sandpipers, a Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshanks, a Curlew Sandpiper, single Purple Sandpiper, 3 Little Stints, 4 Roseate Terns (which then flew south), 284 Sandwich Terns, 128 Mediterranean Gulls, a Caspian Gull, single Yellow-legged Gull and 2 Ospreys flying south together.
Again a sprinkle of grounded migrants remain including a Cuckoo, 10 Willow Warblers, 3 Reed Warblers, 5 Pied Flycatchers, a Redstart, single Whinchat, 5 Wheatears, 12 Yellow Wagtails and a Tree Pipit.
Ringing 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 1 Blackbird, 4/3
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Pectoral Sandpiper - Hazel Wiseman.
Thursday, 03 September 2026
Rather windy F5 north westerly and cloudy and dull. Watches 0615-1000, 1800-2005
A lack of any new easterly winds to bring in new arrivals there were still a nice selection of grounded migrants remaining around the area including a Cuckoo, 13 Willow Warblers, a Garden Warbler, single Goldcrest, 4 Spotted Flycatchers, 7 Pied Flycatchers, a Redstart, 7 Wheatears and 6 Yellow Wagtails and likewise beacon ponds had 650 Ringed Plovers, a Common sandpiper, single Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshanks, 5 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Little Stints and a Yellow-legged Gull.
The sea saw a bit of movement highlighted by a Sooty Shearwater flying north plus a Roseate Tern, 582 Common Terns and 8 Red-throated Divers. Full counts on Trektellen.
Ringing 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackbird, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 5 Tree Sparrow, 9/5
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Curlew Sandpiper - John Hewitt.
Little Stint - John Hewitt.
Wednesday, 02 September 2026
Less windy than the previous days remaining with sunny spells and cloudy periods. Watches 0620-0900, 1900-1950
There were still decent numbers of migrants lingering from last weeks arrivals including the female Red-backed Shrike, 17 Willow Warblers, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 9 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Redstarts, 3 Whinchats, 11 Wheatears, 11 Yellow Wagtails and 2 Tree Pipits.
Beacon ponds held all the same species that have been around for a while with 32 Teal, a Spotted Redshank, single Greenshank, 5 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Little Stints and a Yellow-legged Gull while in the evening roost movement a Roseate Tern flew south.
Ringing 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Willow Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Wren, 3 Robin, 8 Tree Sparrow, 3 Meadow Pipit, 36/12
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Redstart - John Hewitt.
Tuesday, 01 September 2026
A breezy day with a F4 north westerly .with sunny spells. Watches 0630-1000
The Red-backed Shrike (point) and Barred Warbler (Corner field) were still present plus 14 Willow Warblers, 5 Sedge Warblers, a Garden Warbler, 13 Whitethroover both sea and land including 6Shovelers, ats, a Tree Creeper, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, 10 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Redstarts, 6 Whinchats, 3 Wheatears, 6 Yellow Wagtails, a Tree Pipit and 3 Siskins and beacon ponds still being superb with 5 Pintails, 57 Teal, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, single Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, 5 Curlew Sandpipers, 1569 Dunlin, a Purple Sandpiper, 2 Little Stints and an adult Yellow-legged Gull.
There was some mixed but interesting movement including 6 Shovelers, 5 Swifts, 4 Snipe, 5 Wood Sandpipers,a Caspian Gull, 4 Arctic Skuas, a Great Skua, 3 Red-throated Divers, a Shag, 2 Ospreys, a Marsh Harrier, 4 Rooks, 16 Sand Martins, 274 Swallows, 33 House MArtins, 36 Tree Sparrows, 5 Flava Wagtails, 2 Grey Wagtails and 22 Meadow Pipits.
Ringing 14 Swallow, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Tree Creeper, 5 Willow Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 8 Tree Sparrow, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Reed Bunting, 46/14
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Osprey heading south - Harry Appleyard.
