Sightings

Tuesday, 23 July 2024

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

A Bittern dropping into long bank from the north was the pick of the days sightings, the ponds area also attracting 2 Little-ringed Plovers, 5 Lapwings, 7 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, 300 Redshanks, 8 Greenshanks, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 1700 Dunlin, 5 Caspian Gulls, 38 Little Egrets, a Great White Egret, 2 Marsh Harriers, a Hobby and single Peregrine among all the usual species present.

There was little of note for the vismiggers 6 Snipe, a Great Skua, 424 Sandwich Terns and a Kingfisher being the best while Passerine interest saw a juveile Wheatear at beacon ponds and 2 Willow Warblers in churchfield. 

Ringing: 2 Willow Warbler. 2/1. Watches: 0600 - 0900 & 1800 - 1915

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Monday, 22 July 2024

After early rain it quickly cleared to a nice mild sunny day with a F3 south westerly.  Inceases in Waders on the ponds and Humber were very evident with it being a WEBS count weekend, especially with good offshore passage which had some good variety and numbers 153 Oystercatchers, a Grey Plover, 52 Whimbrels, 3 Curlews, 271 Redshanks, 91 Turnstones, 90 Knot, 248 Sanderlings and 391 Dunlins along with a Black Tern, 436 Sandwich Terns, 13 Arctic Skuas and 302 Gannets. The best of the Waders were 3 Green Sandpipers, 200 Redshanks, 8 Greenshanks, 30 Turnstones, 421 Knot, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 152 Sanderlings and 3068 Dunlins. 

WeBS count. Ringing: 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Blackbird. 4/3. Watch times: 04:30-11:00, 13:00-15:20
 

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Sunday, 21 July 2024

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

Warm and sunny again with a moderate variable wind.  A record 304 Little Terns were counted today (184 in the colony and 120 heading south offshore). It was also another good dsy for offshore movement with 5 Tufted Ducks, 191 Common Scoters, 59 Oystercatchers, 55 Whimbrel, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 15 Black-tailed Godwits, a Snipe, single Wood Sandpiper, 29 Redshanks, 34 Knot, 54 Sanderlings, 195 Dunlin, 34 Arctic Terns, 533 Sandwich Terns, 1059 Kittiwakes, 6 Arctic Skuas, 2 Puffins and 51 Manx Shearwaters with a Spoonbill and 2 Red Kites overland.

Kilnsea wetlands had the first returning adult Curlew Sandpiper while there are now 1200 Dunlin on the Humber.

Ringing: Starling 64, Chiffchaff 1. 65/2 Watch times: 06:00-10:00, 11:00-12:00. Offshore passage increased when wind swung SE by 5pm and further when wind went S ay 7pm.

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Saturday, 20 July 2024

Another warm sunny day wijt some patches of cloud and a light south easterly again.  The vismiggers had some good movement and yet again it was over the sea where the more noteable counts were made including 27 Shelducks, 49 Teal, 4 Tufted Ducks, 165 Common Scoters, 251 Swifts, 204 Whimbrels, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 16 Redshanks, 21 Turnstones, 162 Knot, 44 Sanderlings, 6 Dunlin, an Arctic Skua, 124 Sand Martins, 176 Swallows, 224 Starlings and 13 Flava Wagtails. 

Not much change species wise in the ponds area but now upto 9 Common Sandpipers, 200 Redshanks, 854 Dunlins, 345 Sandwich Terns, 390 Little Gulls, a Caspian Gull, single Spoonbill, 37 Little Egrets, the Great White Egret, 2 Red Kites blogging, a Hobby and single Short-eared Owl. 

Ringing: Starling 59, Reed Warbler 1, Whitethroat 1, Blue Tit 1, Robin 1, Reed Bunting 2, House Martin 1, Swallow 6, Sand Martin 4. 76/9 Watch times: 06:00-10:00, 11:30-13:30, 16:00-19:15
 

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Friday, 19 July 2024

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

A nice warm sunny day throughout with a light south easterly.  There was unfortunately no sign of the Pratincole but other Waders were still present in good numbers including a Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpipers, 120 Redshanks, 5 Greenshanks and 500 Dunlins plus 5 Arctic Terns, a Roseate Tern, 300 Sandwich Terns, 142 Little Gulls, a Caspian Gull, 2 Spoonbills, a Great White Egret and a Wheatear.

There was again some good movement especially over the sea with 22 Teal, 207 Swifts, a Great Crested Grebe, 7 Lapwings, 26 Whimbrel, 2 Curlews, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 16 Redshanks, 5 Turnstones, 5 Knot, 42 Sanderlings, 90 Kittiwakes, an Arctic Skua, 3 Marsh Harriers, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 68 Sand Martins and 20 Flava Wagtails. 

Ringing: 56 Starling, 1 Great Tit, 2 Sedge Warbler, 6 Reed Warbler 65/4. Watch times: 06:00-12:00, 18:15-19:15
 

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Thursday, 18 July 2024

Generally sunny the odd cloud about with light southerlies.  The fantastic July continued with a BLACK-WINGED PRATINCOLE found by John Price at Kilnsea wetlands which inbetween bouts of feeding around the area upto Easington settled on the wetlands regularly during the day and became yet another first for Spurn and an addition to the already large Wader list. The ponds area was again busy with Little-ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, 120 Redshanks, 2 Greenshanks, 216 Sandwich Terns, 20 Little Gulls, a Spoonbill, 29 Little Egrets and a Great White Egret.

Some decent passage over land and sea, 4 Shovelers, 175 Swifts, 68 Oystercatchers, 8 Whimbrels, 30 Redshanks, 2 Turnstones, 6 Knot, 53 Sanderlings, 24 Dunlin, 29 Little Gulls, 230 Kittiwakes, a Puffin, 2 Marsh Harriers, 126 Sand Martins, 120 Swallows, 170 Starlings and 18 Flava Wagtails. 

Other bits of interest saw 5 Common Dolphins offshore, very rare on our section of coast. 

Watch times: 05:15-10:00, 11:40-14:10, 15:45-16:30
 

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Tuesday, 16 July 2024

A windy wet and misty day brightened later to leave a sunny evening with a F5 north westerly. The 2 Humpback Whales lingered all day mainly off the seawatch hide but moved further north as the day wore on yet again putting on a fantastic display. The seawatchers also had a few bits of note with 370 Common Scoters, 257 Sandwich Terns, 9 Little Gulls, 3 Arctic Skuas, a Great Skua, single Puffin, 3 Manx Shearwaters and 353 Gannets. 

Others sightings saw the drake Scaup on beacon ponds, a Green Sandpiper, single Greenshank and 2 Spoonbills on Kilnsea wetlands and 6 Black Terns between here and the Humber. 

Watches: 06:15 - 10:00 & 12:45 - 15:15

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Monday, 15 July 2024

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

Warm and sunny clouding over later with a light south westerly.  The day was dominated by 2 HUMPBACK WHALES a female with a calf, ingering off beacon ponds having been seen off Wtihernsea earlier and with much anticipation they arrived into the area breaching and flipper slapping. The days other sightings birdwise were largely from the ponds area with 3 Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Greenshanks, a Black Tern, single Roseate Tern, 20 Little Gulls, 3 Spoonbills and 10 Little Egrets. 

There wasa also some light movement over the sea including 22 Whimbrels, 6 Curlews and 5 Bar-tailed Godwits with 81 Swallows heading south overland. 

Ringing: 1 Great Tit, 1 Blackbird, 1 Wren. 3/3. Watches: 06:10 - 10:00
 

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Sunday, 14 July 2024

Spurns first proper GULL-BILLED TERN in as much seen by more than a couple of observers graced Kilnsea wetlands for around an hour in the high tide roost. It headed south towards the Humber as the tide dropped so hopefully makes a re-appearance. Neaby 2 adult Roseate Terns were on beacon ponds along with the drake Scaup. Over the sea 2 Goldeneyes headed south and were only the second record for July. 

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Saturday, 13 July 2024

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

A cloudy overcast day with rain throughout sometimes heavy and a moderate north westerly.  The best of the day were a Roseate Tern past the seawatch hide along with 2 Arctic Skuas, juvenile Cuckoo nearby at the warren, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Green Sandpipers and a Greenshank on Kilnsea wetlands.

Watches 0615 - 1130

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Friday, 12 July 2024

A cool cloudy day with frequent showers and a  F3 north westerly.  The drake Scaup and Great White Egret were still in the ponds area along with Greenshank, single Ruff and 148 Sandwich Terns. 

The sea was somewhat subdued with 10 Little Gulls, 45 Kittiwakes, 8 Puffins, 189 Large Auks sp, 2 Red-throated Divers, 58 Manx Shearwaters and 214 Gannets. 

Watches 0615-1015 Ringing 3 Blue Tit, 1 Wren, 4/2
 

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Thursday, 11 July 2024

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

A generally wet day overcast day with persistent rain and drizzle later the sun making the occasional visit along with a moderate north westerly.  A drake Scaup appeared on the ponds with the Great White Egret still around all day. The same area also held 16 Black-tailed Godwits, 216 Redshanks, 2 Caspian Gulls and a Hobby. 

A Velvet Scoter flew south over the sea observers here also having 2 Roseate Terns, 146 Sandwich Terns, 12 Little Gulls, 2 Arctic Skuas, 4 Puffins and 13 Manx Shearwaters.

Watches 0615-1000, 1445-1645 ringing 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Dunnock, 3/3

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Wednesday, 10 July 2024

A generally cloudy day with a F4 south westerly.  The weather conditions were condusive to a great day of movement over land and sea with a varied list and good totals including 80 Shelducks, 24 Teal, 10 Tufted Ducks, 282 Common Scoters, 2119 Swifts, 37 Oystercatchers, 3 Ringed Plovers, 47 Whimbrels, 64 Curlews, 9 Bar-tailed Godwits, 21 Black-tailed Godwits, 63 Redshanks, 31 Knot, 4 Sanderlings, 66 Dunlin, 33 Little Gulls, 2780 Kittiwakes, 57 Black-headed Gulls, 5 Arctic Skuas, 2 Puffins, 34 Manx Shearwaters, 481 Gannets, 2 Hobbies, 234 Sand Martins, 12 Yellow Wagtails and a Grey wagtail. 

The ponds area was busy mirroring many of the species on the move with noteable counts of 3 Common Sandpipers, 202 Redshanks, 2 Greenshanks, 1103 Dunlins, 42 Little Gulls, 32 Mediterranean Gulls, 7 Little Egrets and a Great White Egret. Elsewhere a juvenile Cuckoo was at the warren. 

Ringing: Barn Owl 3 (P), Reed Warbler 2, Sedge Warbler 2, Whitethroat 1, Wren 2, Blue Tit 2, Swallow 1, House Martin 1. 14/8 Watch times: 05:00-10:00, 11:00-20:30

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Tuesday, 09 July 2024

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

Cloudy throughout the day rain during the morning becoming more sporadic in the afternoon with a decreasing F5-3 easterly.  The sea produced some good movement mainly in a southerly direction with 25 Teal, 445 Common Scoters, 10 Oystercatchers, 10 Whimbrel, 12 Curlews, 56 Redshanks, 6 Knot, 10 Sanderlings, 13 Dunlin, 149 Sandwich Terns, 291 Kittiwakes, 3 Arctic Skuas, 9 Puffins, 49 Razorbills, 283 Guillemots, 432 Large Auks, 3 Fulmars, 147 Manx Shearwaters, 745 Gannets and a Grey Heron. 

Sightings from the ponds area included 11 Teal, a drake Pochard, 3 Little-ringed Plovers, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper, 141 Redshanks, 5 Greenshanks, 461 Dunlins, 6 Arctic Terns, 18 Common Terns, an adult Roseate Tern, 7 Little Gulls and 12 Mediterranean Gulls. 

Watch times: 06:15-10:00, 12:00-14:45, 17:45-21:15

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Monday, 08 July 2024

Long sunny spells with some cloud with light south west to south east winds.  A Cattle Egret over Kilnsea wetlands dropped into the saltmarsh at the Warren in what has become an annual visitor to the area. Daily increases in Waders led to some good counts such as 9 Little-ringed Plovers (7 flew south in the evening), 4 Lapwings, 30 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Common Sandpipers, 100 Redshanks, 2 Greenshanks and 660 Dunlins.

On the move 2 Tufted Ducks, 6 Whimbrels, a Curlew, single Wood Sandpiper, 270 Kittiwakes, 2 Red-throated Divers, 23 Manx Shearwtaers, 272 Gannets and 2 Shags with another 80 Sand Martins and 12 Swallows heading south. 

Ringing: Little Tern 34 (P), Ringed Plover 10 (P), Oystercatcher 1 (P), Reed Warbler 1, Willow Warbler 1, Wren 1, Dunnock 3, Blue Tit 1, Blackbird 1. 53/9 Watch times: 05:30-10:00, 18:00-22:00

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