Pallas's Warbler

Pallas's Warbler
Pallas's Warbler, Donna Nook 10th October 2010

Sunday 31 August 2014


   Highlights from the south end this morning included the first Pomarine Skua of the autumn heading south over the sea at 1025.   Onshore were 60 Sanderling, 220 Dunlin, 14 Whimbrel, 92 Curlews, 9 Redshanks and 9 Cormorants.   There were 18 Ruffs on the outmarsh, while on the flashes were a Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Kingfisher, 2 Yellow Wagtails and 8 Pied Wagtails.   Also seen were 2 Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff, 2 Whitethroats, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Common Buzzard.  

   An evening visit was made between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall for the movement of roosting terns.   Good counts were 5,600 Common Terns, 20 Arctic Terns, one Black Tern and 11 Sandwich Terns.   Other birds of note included a Great Skua, 3,000 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 20 Common Scoters, 80 Mallard, 8 Shelducks, 126 Greylag Geese, 3 Avocets, Black-tailed Godwit, 80 Curlews, 12 Whimbrel, 28 Redshanks, 145 Golden Plovers, 2 Grey Plovers, 10 Bar-tailed Godwits, 650 Oystercatchers, 60 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Greenshanks, 2 Ruffs, 6 Little Egrets and 21 Cormorants.




Saturday 30 August 2014

   Further to the notes below, Barry Clarkson reported 2 Spotted Redshanks, 16 Ruffs and 4 Mediterranean Gulls at the south end and a Spotted Flycatcher near Stonebridge in the afternoon.
   Beyond Stonebridge, Chris Atkin enjoyed a more productive visit.   Here, he saw 6 Common Buzzards, including 4 migrating south together, 2 Marsh Harriers, Peregrine, Arctic Skua, Ruff, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Whimbrels, 4 Greenshanks, Common Sandpiper, 3 Common Swifts, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Common Whitethroats, 3 Willow Warblers, 2 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Wheatears and 6 Yellow Wagtails.
   Another quiet day at the south end attributable to the strong WNW wind.   100 Swallows, one House and 7 Sand Martins flew north and one Common Swift south.   A sighting of 3 House Sparrows was the first record for this year.   3,500 Black-headed Gulls and 520 Starlings attended the ploughing of one of the coastal fields while on the dunes were 4 Little Egrets, 3 Teal, 7 Redshanks, Ruff, Kestrel and Tawny Owl.   An Arctic Skua flew south at sea where 20 Sandwich Terns were fishing and onshore were 55 Curlews, 6 Whimbrels, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits, 16 Oystercatchers, 45 Sanderlings and 144 Dunlin.

Friday 29 August 2014

   It was difficult to find birds in the bushes at the south end in the strong and blustery SSW wind, hence just 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Common Whitethroats, Reed Warbler, Tree Pipit, Pied Flycatcher, Robin, Hobby and Cuckoo.   Also recorded were 200 Swallows, mainly north, 5 House Martins, 2 Sand Martins, 2 Pied Wagtails, Sparrowhawk, 4 Grey Partridges, 5 Little Egrets, 13 Teal, Common Sandpiper, Ruff and 17 Lapwings.   On the shore were 5 Sandwich Terns, 5 Common Terns, 1,000 Black-headed Gulls, 3 Cormorants, 28 Curlews, 74 Sanderlings and 85 Dunlin.

Thursday 28 August 2014

   Yesterday, Graham Catley added an Osprey and a Merlin to the Pye's Hall sightings.

   Nothing of note was recorded today as a morning visit to Quad 3  and an evening visit to Stonebridge were both complete wash-outs.

Wednesday 27 August 2014


   There were fewer birds between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall on this evening's high tide.   Only 120 Common Terns and one Sandwich Tern were counted coming into roost, but 2,500 Black-headed Gulls were noted.   Waders were 480 Oystercatchers, 29 Curlews, 2 Whimbrels, Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Avocets, 3 Golden Plovers, 44 Grey Plovers, 54 Redshanks, 5 Greenshanks, Ruff, Common Sandpiper, 400 Knot, 250 Dunlin and 10 Sanderlings.   Other birds of note were 130 Common Scoters which flew into the Humber, 7 Little Egrets, 5 Cormorants, 11 Teal, 6 Shelducks and a Common Redstart.

Tuesday 26 August 2014

   An evening visit with Mark Johnson was made for the high tide between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall, and also part of the realignment area.    Waders were 700 Oystercatchers, 100 Golden Plovers, 54 Grey Plovers, 6 Ringed Plovers, 7 Little Ringed Plovers, 135 Redshanks, 10 Greenshanks, 6 Avocets, 57 Curlews, 7 Whimbrels, 200 Dunlin, 3 Knot, 80 Sanderlings, 2 Common Snipe, Common Sandpiper and 2 Green Sandpipers.

   Terns were displaced by the tide from their roosting site at Horseshoe Point and instead were forced to roost quite close to Pye's Hall.   Counts were 2,100 Common Terns, 8 Arctic Terns, 2 Sandwich Terns and 5 Little Terns.   Also of note were 10 Cormorants, 11 Little Egrets, 22 Shelducks, 22 Teal, Brent Goose, Mediterranean Gull, Sparrowhawk, Wheatear and Whinchat.

Monday 25 August 2014

   Late news from Chris Atkin for an evening visit to the realignment area yesterday (24th).   One juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 7 Little Ringed Plovers, Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Ruffs, 3 Whimbrels, 4 Greenshanks, Common Sandpiper, 4 Snipe, Brent Goose, Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Hobbies, 3 Peregrines, Merlin, 3 Arctic Skuas, Lesser Whitethroat and 3 Yellow Wagtails.

   Tonight (25th), I went for a brief look at Stonebridge in driving rain and poor visibility.   The few items of note were 480 Oystercatchers, 17 Curlews, 12 Redshanks, Avocet, Grey Plover, 4 Sandwich Terns, 5 Common Terns, 5 Canada Geese, Brent Goose and a Song Thrush.

Sunday 24 August 2014

   Late additions for 23rd.    Chris Atkin saw some interesting birds during an evening visit to the realignment area, hence 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 11 Ringed Plovers, 9 Little Ringed Plovers, 4 Green Sandpipers, 3 Common Sandpipers, Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Ruffs, 8 Greenshanks, 7 Whimbrels, 160 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, Marsh Harrier, Merlin, Barn Owl, Wheatear, Lesser Whitethroat and 6 Yellow Wagtails.

   Today, (24th), I had a disappointing seawatch on the falling tide from 1000-1100.   Just 5 Teal flew north and 55 Sandwich Terns, one Common Tern and a Gannet south.   Birds onshore included 9 Cormorants, 27 Curlews, 2 Whimbrels and 17 Sanderlings.   The best birds on the landward side were 3 Kestrels, Merlin, Marsh Harrier, 150 Swallows, Mediterranean Gull, 2 Willow Warblers and 3 Wheatears.

Saturday 23 August 2014

Rather quiet at the south end this morning, hence 2 Common Buzzards, Kestrel, Marsh Harrier, Blackcap, 8 Common Whitethroats, 2 Willow Warblers, Reed Warbler, Robin, 4 Common Snipe, 29 Redshanks, 2 Greenshanks, Ruff, 2 Little Egrets and 2 Mediterranean Gulls.

Friday 22 August 2014

   Highlights of a morning visit to the realignment area by Ian Shepherd and Tony Houseman were 98 Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper, 11 Ringed Plovers, 8 Ruffs, 111 Redshanks, 5 Snipe, 2 Common Sandpipers, 24 Shelducks, 6 Cormorants, 12 Little Egrets and a Marsh Harrier.

   An evening circuit of the same area produced ca.100 Dunlin, 3 Ringed Plovers, 100 Redshanks, 5 Greenshanks, Spotted Redshank, 10 Ruffs, 9 Snipe, 11 Avocets, Black-tailed Godwit, Wood Sandpiper and 45 Golden Plovers.    Ducks were 42 Mallard, 210 Teal, 4 Tufted Ducks and 47 Shelducks.   Also present were 3 Mediterranean Gulls, 24 Cormorants, 26 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 4 Coots, 4 Little Grebes, 75 Swallows and a Tawny Owl.

   3,800 Common Terns flew to the Horseshoe Point roost.   Birds onshore include 2,000 Black-headed, 800 Common and 500 Herring Gulls, 7 Bar-tailed Godwits and 620 Oystercatchers.

Thursday 21 August 2014

Not many birds seen at the south end in the stiff south-westerly wind and overcast conditions.   The only warblers were 3 Willow Warblers and 3 Common Whitethroats, plus 200 Linnets, 2 Song Thrushes, 6 Mistle Thrushes, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Hobby, Green Sandpiper, 13 Golden Plovers and 2 Little Egrets.   210 Swallows and 2 House Martins flew north.

Wednesday 20 August 2014

   Another evening walk around the realignment area in calm, pleasant conditions after a showery day.   Waders were 72 Redshanks, 15 Greenshanks, Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Common Sandpipers, 72 Dunlin, 11 Avocets, 5 Ruffs, 12 Curlews and 7 Common Snipe.   Other highlights were 270 Teal, Garganey, 40 Shelducks, 40 Mallard, 12 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 11 Cormorants, Kingfisher, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, Kingfisher, Common Buzzard, Kestrel, 1,900 Starlings and 3 Pied Wagtails.

   An incomplete tern count gave a total of ca.800 Common Terns going to roost.   600 Oystercatchers on the shore.

Tuesday 19 August 2014

   An evening circuit of the realignment area before a count of terns heading to roost.   Waders were 9  Avocets, Turnstone, Wood Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpipers, 53 Dunlin, 26 Ruffs, 60 Redshanks, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 10 Greenshanks and 34 Common Snipe, while on the shore were 3,500 Knot, 15 Curlews, 2 Whimbrels and 620 Oystercatchers.   Ducks were 250 Teal, at least one Garganey, Tufted Duck, 50 Mallard, 60 Shelducks and 5 Mute Swans.   Other birds included 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Grey Herons, 23 Little Egrets, 5 Little Grebes, 11 Cormorants, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 90 Swallows and 450 Starlings.

   2,100 Common Terns headed into a roost out from Pye's Hall which also held 2,500 Black-headed, 1,000 Common and 800 Herring Gulls.   Only 8 Sandwich Terns seen, and also an Arctic Skua over the sea.

Monday 18 August 2014

An evening visit to Stonebridge for the roosting movement of terns brought a short flurry of birds just after 2000.    Then the light quickly faded with the advent of rain so more birds might have come in later.   Totals were 540 Common Terns, 10 Arctic Terns and 18 Sandwich Terns.    Other birds seen included 1,000 Black-headed Gulls, 600 Common Gulls, one Mediterranean Gull, 390 Oystercatchers, 23 Curlews, Whimbrel, Greenshank, 30 Dunlin, Fulmar and 60 Swallows.

Sunday 17 August 2014

Sunday, 17th August 2014.

A full circuit of the realignment area and Pye's Hall in gale force winds produced only limited results.   Two Yellow-legged Gulls were on the outmarsh near Stonebridge, otherwise there were 490 Oystercatchers, 39 Curlews, 11 Whimbrels, 9 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 7 Grey Plovers, 3 Ruffs, 3 Avocets, 22 Redshanks, 2 Greenshanks, 4 Green Sandpipers, 18 Cormorants, 28 Little Egrets, 34 Shelducks, 8 Tufted Ducks, 40 Mallard, 60 Teal, 2 Mute Swans, 4 Little Grebes, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, 130 Swallows, 75 Goldfinches, 120 Linnets, 2 Yellow Wagtails and 2 Pied Wagtails.

Saturday 16 August 2014

      Today was uneventful at Quad 3, most notable being hirundines coming in and then heading NW or SW.   Totals were 100 Swallows, 10 Sand Martins and 88 House Martins.  Also 6 Common Swifts and a Marsh Harrier NW.   Additional birds included 8 Green Sandpipers, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, 11 Redshanks, Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Snipe, 6 Kestrels, 4 Mistle Thrushes, Corn Bunting and a Tree Pipit. 

Friday 15 August 2014

Today was fairly quiet at the south end.   Best were 2 Wheatears, 5 Willow Warblers, Green Woodpecker, Corn Bunting, 650 Starlings, 7 Cormorants, Eider, Gannet, Arctic Skua, 11 Curlews, 2 Whimbrels, 26 Redshanks, Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpipers, Wood Sandpiper, Ruff and 350 Golden Plovers.



Update for the 13th August

 A decent count for terns going to roost, at last.   At Stonebridge between 1900 and dusk, there were 4,360 Common Terns, 28 Arctic Terns, 86 Sandwich Terns, 3,500 Black-headed Gulls, 800 Common Gulls, one Mediterranean Gull, 94 Redshanks, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Ruffs, 3 Avocets, 840 Oystercatchers, 68 Curlews, 45 Whimbrels, 140 Dunlin, one Little Stint, 35 Grey Plovers, 5 Turnstones, 30 Knot, 5 Cormorants and an Osprey.

Thursday 14 August 2014

 North end including realignment circuit:- an Osprey, 3 Marsh Harriers, 8 Greenshanks, 14 Redshanks, 3 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Common Sandpipers, Wood Sandpiper, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 14 Avocets, 6 Ruffs, Little Stint, 2 Whimbrels, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 1,200 Black-headed Gulls, 130 Mallard, 60 Teal, 25 Shelducks, Brent Goose, 26 Cormorants, 30 Little Egrets, 5 Grey Herons, 6 Common Terns, 9 Sandwich Terns, 6 Little Grebes, 2 Willow Warblers, 9 Yellow Wagtails and 270 Swallows.




Tuesday 12 August 2014

11th

Was hoping for some decent tern numbers, but the roost flight was not very marked tonight, so perhaps there will be better nights to come.   Terns were 273 Common, 10 Arctic, 40 Sandwich and one Black.    Other highlights were 1,200 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Mediterranean Gulls, one Yellow-legged Gull, 16 Whimbrels, 11 Curlews, 3 Avocets, 40 Dunlin, 67 Oystercatchers, 4 Ruffs, 2 Grey Plovers, 19 Shelducks, 4 Cormorants and an Osprey.

10th

 Managed to get the WeBS count between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall in the best part of the day.   It meant an early start though, from 0445-0645.   Waders were 365 Oystercatchers, 13 Curlews, 35 Whimbrels, 34 Bar-tailed Godwits, 31 Grey Plovers, 5 Turnstones, 15 Sanderlings, 47 Redshanks, Greenshank, 30 Knot, 50 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper and 3 Ringed Plovers.   Other highlights were 97 Common Terns, 11 Sandwich Terns, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Arctic Skuas, Gannet, 14 Teal, 105 Swallows, 6 Sand Martins, Osprey, Merlin and Tawny Owl.


9th

 The WeBS count at Quad 3 was disappointing in the strong wind.   2 Gannets, 18 Sandwich Terns, 75 Common Scoters, 32 Curlews, 10 Bar-tailed Godwits, 12 Knot, 15 Dunlin, 14 Sanderlings, 8 Oystercatchers, 3 Cormorants, 13 Mallard, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Greenshanks, 8 Green Sandpipers, 90 Golden Plovers, 3 Kestrels and 5 Swifts.   At the north end, Steve Routledge added 8 Common Sandpipers, 3 Wood Sandpipers, 3 Green Sandpipers, 15 Ruffs, 8 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Greenshanks, 41 Little Egrets, 53 Teal, 42 Common Scoters, 17 Sandwich Terns and a Cuckoo.

Friday 8 August 2014

 It was the WeBS count for the realignment area today.   As I have discovered earlier, it is a rather exposed walk in strong wind and heavy rain, but at least there were a few decent birds present.   Waders were 120 Golden Plovers, 47 Redshanks, 4 Greenshanks, 27 Avocets, 21 Common Snipe, Green Sandpiper, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 7 Common Sandpipers, 3 Curlews, Whimbrel, Little Stint, Knot, 39 Dunlin, 3 Little Ringed Plovers and 9 Ruffs.   Ducks were 25 Mallard, 35 Teal, Tufted Duck, 31 Shelducks and a Brent Goose.   Other waterbirds included 15 Cormorants, 25 Little Egrets, 5 Grey Herons, 3 Mediterranean Gulls and 5 Little Grebes plus 2 young.   Also of note were 65 Swallows, 12 Pied Wagtails and a Common Buzzard, and a party of 20 Common Scoters which flew into the Humber.

Thursday 7 August 2014

Fairly quiet at Quad 3.    3 Marsh Harriers, 220 Linnets, 2 Willow Warblers, 6 Lesser Whitethroats, Mistle Thrush, 6 Green Sandpipers, 11 Common Snipe, 4 Redshanks, Whimbrel, 10 Sandwich Terns and an Arctic Skua.

Tuesday 5 August 2014

1st August

Tried an evening visit for terns, but only managed to get wet and badly bitten.   Light and visibility deteriorated rapidly after 2045, so if there were any later roosting flights I was not able to see them.    Only birds of note were 2 Sandwich Terns, 3 Cormorants, 39 Mallard, 5 Teal, 9 Curlews, 4 Golden Plovers, 3 Common Snipe, 3 Green Sandpipers and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.