Spurn Bird Observatory Sightings 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, 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.
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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Little Gull - John Hewitt.
Little Gull flock - John Hewitt.
Purple Hairstreak - Harry Appleyard.
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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Marsh Tit - Harry Appleyard. Between 2001 and 2010 there were 7 records of Marsh Tit at Spurn and presumed that it was going to become a regular visitor. How wrong we were.
Marsh Tit on the move!
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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Pallid Swift - Harry Appleyard.
Black-tailed Godwits - Harry Appleyard.
Saturday, 27 June 2026
Very hot and humid with some thunder late evening plenty of blue sky and a gentle breeze. Watches 0530-1000, 1535-1930
The day saw some varied movement including 4 Barnacle Geese, 9 Teal, a Tufted Duck, 48 Common Scoters, 525 Swifts, 2 Little Gulls, 2 Puffins, 109 Large Auk sp, a Fulmar, single Manx Shearwater, a Spoonbill, single Red Kite, 134 Sand Martins, 21 Swallows and 5 House Martins.
A Wood Sandpiper was on canal scrape whith a Greenshank nearby on the Humber, 2 Black-tailed Godwits and a Caspian Gull on Kilnsea wetlands while Passerine interest saw the first returning Willow Warbler in churchfield and 2 Cuckoos wandering the area.
Ringing 1 Blue Tit, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Wren, 1 Robin, 1 Dunnock
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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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Avocet family - John Hewitt.
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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Pacific Golden Plover with Golden Plover - John Hewitt.
Pacific Golden Plover with Golden Plover - John Hewitt.
Wednesday, 24 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 cloudless for long periods with a cooling F4 easterly sea breeze. Watches 0615-1000.
Sightings from the ponds area included 7 Wigeon, 7 Teal, a Black-tailed Godwit, single Green Sandpiper, an Arctic Tern, 24 Sandwich Terns, 11 Little Gulls, 408 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, a Caspian Gull and 4 Little Egrets.
Quiet for any movement with just 3 Tufted Ducks, 5 Kittiwakes and a Great White Egret of note.
Ringing 1 Blue Tit
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