A rather uneventful day as most night migrants had moved on.    The best birds were 2 Wheatears, Whinchat, Grey Wagtail, 8 Robins, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 25 Yellowhammers, 35 Lapwings, 200 Oystercatchers, 41 Curlews, 7 Cormorants, 2 Red-throated Divers and 5 Gannets.

      A Red-breasted Flycatcher was a new bird in the dead willow hedge by North Flash.   A few more birds were grounded today, hence 2 Wheatears, 3 Whinchats, 2 Stonechats, 10 Robins, 10 Blackbirds, Song Thrush, 2 Goldcrests, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcaps, Redstart, 40 Meadow Pipits, 2 Tree Pipits and a Rock Pipit.    Also of note were 2 Grey Wagtails, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk, 4 Jays, 14 Lapwings, 600 Oystercatchers, 45 Curlews, 60 Sanderlings, 30 Dunlin, 3 Little Stints and 12 Knot.

      Birds at the north end recorded by Chris Atkin between the RAF base and the north end of the realignment area included a Little Stint, Lapland Bunting, 6 Gannets, 122 Pink-footed Geese, 25 Common Scoters, 3 Pintail, 16 Greenshanks, 3 Common Buzzards, Common Tern, Guillemot, Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Grey Wagtail, Redstart, 8 Long-tailed Tits, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrests and a Jay.

                   A very approachable tired Common Snipe.

                                                  Dunnock and Stonechat.


      Grounded migrants at the south end were 8 Robins, 15 Blackbirds, 40 Meadow Pipits, 25 Chaffinches, Goldcrest, 3 Stonechats, 4 Whinchats and a Wheatear.   The only other birds of note were 3 Jays, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Kestrels, Grey Wagtail, 12 Teal, 250 Golden Plovers, 7 Lapwings, 600 Oystercatchers, 36 Curlews, 110 Sanderlings and 80 Dunlin.


      Additional observations for yesterday (27th) were provided by Chris Atkin whose two hour seawatch saw a Marsh Harrier in off the sea, 19 Sandwich Terns, 2 Common Terns, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 28 Brent Geese, 11 Pink-footed Geese, 6 Red-throated Divers, 4 Gannets, Guillemot, 16 Common Scoters, 3 Tufted Ducks and 9 Teal.

      A skein of Pink-footed Geese was heard, but was blocked from view by trees.   Night migrants seen today were 4 Whinchats, Wheatear, 12 Robins, 3 Song Thrushes, Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaffs.   A party of ca.30 Magpies represented a significant increase and a single Jay was present nearby.   Other birds of note were a Grey Wagtail which flew south, 30 Golden Plovers, 22 Lapwings, 27 Curlews, 25 Sanderlings, 15 Dunlin, 550 Oystercatchers, Common Snipe and Common Buzzard.

      Another quiet day.   At the south end this morning were 3 Robins, Wheatear, 4 Whinchats, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 24 Swallows, Common Buzzard, 8 Lapwings, 40 Curlews, 12 Oystercatchers, 120 Dunlin, 47 Sanderlings and 3 Eiders.

      Between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall in the afternoon, Barry Clarkson added 2 Goldcrests, Chiffchaff, Marsh Harrier and 3 Greenshanks.

      Most migrants had moved on with the change in the weather.   Highlights today at Quad 3 included 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Robins, Wheatear, Common Redstart, Water Rail, 29 Teal, 8 Common Snipe, Green Sandpiper, 16 Curlews, 11 Sanderlings, 28 Dunlin, 3 Turnstones and 2 Gannets.

      290 Pink-footed Geese in 5 skeins flew south this afternoon.   Migrants included 7 Whinchats, 4 Wheatears and a Tree Pipit.    Also seen were 40 Golden Plovers, 45 Curlews, 19 Sanderlings, 22 Dunlin, 5 Ruffs, Common Sandpiper, 9 Grey Partridges, 29 Teal and a Common Scoter.

      Between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall and around the realignment area, there were fewer passerines today, hence Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, 2 Blackcaps, Yellow-browed Warbler, 5 Goldcrests, Common Redstart, 25 Meadow Pipits, 2 Rock Pipits and a House Sparrow.   Waders were confined to 17 Curlews, 12 Dunlin, 4 Golden Plovers, 21 Lapwings, 14 Redshanks, 6 Greenshanks and 2 Common Snipe.   Ducks were 55 Teal, 100 Mallard, 6 Tufted Ducks and 14 Shelducks.

      Also of note were 2 Common Buzzards, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhaks, 25 Little Egrets, 6 Grey Herons and 28 Swallows.



22nd September per GW.

      Pye's Hall.   Three skeins of Pinkfeet flew over, but no counts given.   2 Peregrines, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Goldcrests, Firecrest, 3 Chiffchaffs, Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Common Redstarts, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Brambling, Stonechat and 4 Whinchats.



20th September per CA.

      Ponderosa to Pye's Hall.   Wood Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, 4 Spotted Flycatchers, 7 Common Redstarts, Whinchat, 2 Wheatears, 2 Tree Pipits, 2 Grey Wagtails, Yellow Wagtail, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Chiffchaffs, Willow Warbler, 7 Siskins, Redpoll (presumed Lesser), 3 Goldcrests, Greenshank, 5 Common Snipe, Kingfisher, Marsh Harrier and Merlin.

                                                                One of a flock of 18 Siskins.

      A Red-breasted Flycatcher was found near Pye's Hall and a Common Rosefinch was present between here and Stonebridge.   Totals of grounded migrants here and at the south end were 13 Willow Warblers, 8 Chiffchaffs (including 3 abietinus-type birds), 6 Blackcaps, 4 Garden Warblers, 6 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Common Whitethroats, 3 Goldcrests, 23 Common Redstarts, 6 Pied Flycatchers, 10 Spotted Flycatchers, 150 Meadow Pipits, 8 Tree Pipits, 20 Whinchats, Stonechat, 7 Wheatears, 2 Bramblings, 25 Siskins, 4 Redwings and a Fieldfare.   Also recorded were 4 Sparrowhawks, Osprey, 3 Little Stints, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Avocet and Common Sandpiper

     

      Poor visibility resulted in fewer migrants being seen.

The Ring Ouzel is still in my garden.   On the dunes were 6 Whinchats, Wheatear, Spotted Flycatcher, Common Redstart, Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Goldcrests, 8 Siskins, 4 Robins, 70 Meadow Pipits, 30 Chaffinches, Greenshank, Ruff and Little Stint.

      A fine Yellow-browed Warbler accompanied a tit flock comprising ca. 20 Blue Tits, 8 Great Tits and 8 Long-tailed Tits close to the coastguard cottages.   Other migrants at the south end were 5 Wheatears, 7 Whinchats, 3 Common Redstarts, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Willow Warblers, 5 Song Thrushes, 5 Robins, Goldcrest, 100 Meadow Pipits, 35 Chaffinches, Brambling and 3 Siskins.   Also of note were 130 Goldfinches, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Kingfisher, 1,000 Golden Plovers, 43 Curlews, Whimbrel, 15 Lapwings, 70 Oystercatchers, 50 Sanderlings and 40 Dunlin.   Ring Ouzel still present in my garden.

      Barry Clarkson recorded a Barred Warbler at Stonebridge.   Between here and Stonebridge and partly on the realignment area were 10 Common Redstarts, 3 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, Goldcrest, Grey Wagtail, 2 Blackcaps, 5 Lesser Whitethroats, Crossbill, Marsh Harrier and 7 Greenshanks.


     

      The Firecrest was still present at Pye's Hall and 6 Pink-footed Geese passed over the realignment area.

      Significant increases were noted of 120 Skylarks, 150 Meadow Pipits and 40 Dunnocks.   Grounded migrants were 4 Wheatears, 5 Whinchats, Common Redstart, Lesser Whitethroat and a Short-eared Owl.   Also seen were 45 Goldfinches, 50 Swallows, 4 Tree Sparrows, 2 Kestrels, Marsh Harrier, 330 Golden Plovers, 22 Lapwings, 150 Oystercatchers, 52 Curlews, 20 Dunlin and 32 Sanderlings.

      Another Redstart and a Ring Ouzel were in my garden in the afternoon.

      Between Quad 2 and Pye's Hall, Chris Atkin recorded the Firecrest again, 2 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 3 Common Redstarts, 2 Wheatears, 2 Willow Warblers, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Common Whitethroats, Goldcrest, Marsh Harrier, probably the same Common Buzzard as noted earlier, Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Greenshanks and a Kingfisher.

      A one hour seawatch over the high tide period saw northerly passage of 185 Common Scoters,  17 Wigeon, 3 Gannets, 3 Sandwich Terns and 8 Kittiwakes, while to the south were 6 Gannets and 3 Red-throated Divers.   Birds onshore included 46 Curlews, 222 Oystercatchers, 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, 42 Sanderlings, 35 Dunlin, Little Stint, 3 Curlew Sandpipers and 9 Cormorants.

      Grounded migrants on the dunes were 4 Wheatears, 7 Whinchats, Stonechat, Common Redstart, 4 Blackcaps, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Common Whitethroats, 6 Robins and a Tree Pipit.   Also seen were 6 Greenshanks, Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpipers, 18  Golden Plovers, 11 Lapwings, 1,700 Starlings, 60 Swallows, 3 House Martins, 6 Little Egrets, 50 Goldfinches, Common Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrels, Merlin, Hobby and a Tawny Owl.

      A seawatch 0950-1110 following the high tide saw northerly movement of 23 Wigeon, 26 Teal, 20 Common Scoters, 6 Shelducks, Great Skua and 2 Gannets.   To the south were 4 Teal, 42 Common Scoters, 3 Gannets, 3 Fulmars, 2 Sandwich Terns, Arctic Skua and a Red-throated Diver.   Onshore were 22 Cormorants, 152 Oystercatchers, 52 Curlews, 13 Knot, 3 Ringed Plovers, Grey Plover, 27 Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper and 35 Sanderlings.

      On the outmarsh were 2 Common Snipe, Yellow Wagtail, an early Rock Pipit, 40 Goldfinches and 2 Sparrowhawks.   The dunes were quiet with 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 2 Greenshanks, at least 6 Long-tailed Tits, Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whinchats and a Redstart which was taken by a Sparrowhawk.

      The Firecrest was still present at Pye's Hall.   Also here were 2 Redwings, Goldcrest and Lesser Whitethroat.

      An early Firecrest at Pye's Hall was seen well by several observers.   Between here and Stonebridge and around the realignment area, other grounded migrants included 40 Meadow Pipits, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Whinchats, Wheatear, Common Redstart, 3 Pied Flycatchers, Spotted Flycatcher, Robin, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, 5 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Common Whitethroats and 2 Willow Warblers.

      Waders were rather disappointing with 75 Curlews, Whimbrel, 85 Grey Plovers, 66 Redshanks, 9 Greenshanks, Ruff, Ringed Plover and Common Snipe while ducks were limited to 24 Mallard, 6 Wigeon, 130 Teal, 2 Tufted Ducks and 35 Shelducks.   Also noted were Peregrine, Merlin, Osprey, Common Buzzard, Tawny Owl, 4 Sandwich Terns, 25 Little Egrets, 23 Cormorants, Kingfisher, 9 Little Grebes, 9 Tree Sparrows and a Common Swift.

      Just after high tide this morning there were northerly movements of 720 Common Scoters, 190 Wigeon, 170 Teal, 2 Shelducks  and an Arctic Skua.   Onshore were 55 Curlews, Whimbrel, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, 20 Dunlin and 173 Oystercatchers.

      Grounded migrants included 70 Meadow Pipits, Yellow Wagtail, 5 Whinchats, Wheatear, 3 Common Whitethroats, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, Blackcap, 2 Willow Warblers, 3 Robins, Goldcrest and 2 Pied Flycatchers.   Also of note were 3 Kestrels, Peregrine, Tawny Owl, 150 Golden Plovers and 4 Little Egrets.

      An afternoon at Quad 3 was not very productive.   Best birds were a Common Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawks, Tawny Owl, 2 Common Snipe, 60 Mallard, 18 Canada Geese, Yellow Wagtail, 4 Tree Sparrows and 5 Whinchats.

      A good day for raptors with juvenile and adult Hobby, 7 Common Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, Kestrel, Osprey and a roost of 8 Marsh Harriers on the realignment area.   Grounded migrants restricted to a Barred Warbler by Stonebridge, first located last night, 7 Common Whitethroats, 6 Lesser Whitethroats, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler, 4 Yellow Wagtails and a Pied Flycatcher.   8 Tree Sparrows were also seen.

      680 Common Terns, 4,000 Black-headed and 1,000 Common Gulls came in to roost at high tide and other counts included 430 Oystercatchers, 230 Dunlin, 320 Grey Plovers, 200 Knot, 20 Bar-tailed Godwits, 70 Curlews, Turnstone, 2 Avocets and 2 Greenshanks.

      An afternoon around the realignment area was disappointing.   Highlights were 6 Avocets, 3+ Whimbrels, 30 Redshanks, 5 Greenshanks, 2 Common Snipe,  270 Golden Plovers, 30 Little Egrets, 6 Grey Herons, 10 Cormorants, 11 Little Grebes, Water Rail, 2 Kingfishers, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine, 220 Linnets, 120 Swallows, Sand Martin, 4 House Martins, Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Common Whitethroats, 2 Willow Warblers, Common Redstart and 2 Goldcrests.   On the shore were 450 Oystercatchers, 25 Curlews, and 25 Grey Plovers.  A party of 16 Common Terns flew south at sea.

      Between the Ponderosa and the north end of the realignment area, Chris Atkin recorded 3 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, Common Redstart, 9 Whinchats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Common Whitethroats, 10 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrests, Osprey, Marsh Harrier, Merlin, Common Buzzard, Little Ringed Plover, 3 Whimbrels, 11 Greenshanks, 4 Common Sandpipers, 2 Kingfishers and 2 Yellow Wagtails.

      Evening additions for the realignment area for 6th by CA were 10 Common Sandpipers, Little Ringed Plover, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Whimbrel, 6 Common Snipe, 10 Greenshanks, Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail, 5 House Sparrows, Common Redstart and Marsh Harrier.   A fifth Little Stint was also seen by BC.

      The WeBS count at the south end this morning (7th) was poor for waders.   A one hour seawatch saw northward passage of 12 Teal, 11 Cormorants, a Grey Heron and a Gannet while to the south were 42 Sandwich Terns, 34 Oystercatchers, 6 Knot, 11 Common Scoters, 2 Fulmars and a Red-throated Diver.   Onshore were 59 Curlews, 26 Sanderlings and a Ruff.

      Grounded migrants on the dunes included 30 Meadow Pipits, Tree Pipit, 10 Whinchats, 3 Wheatears, 5 Willow Warblers, 2 Common Whitethroats and a Spotted Flycatcher.   Other birds of note were 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 2 Sparrowhawks, Green Sandpiper, Common Snipe, Lapwing, 4 Grey Herons, 4 House Martins and 95 Swallows.

      A Common Redstart was in my garden in the late afternoon.

                                                                 Spotted Flycatcher.

      Notes today are mainly between Pye's Hall and the Ponderosa with a few items from Quad 3.   Chris Atkin and Barry Clarkson also added some observations.   Grounded migrants were 4 Spotted Flycatchers, Pied Flycatcher, 11 Whinchats, Wheatear, 2 Garden Warblers, 6 Common Whitethroats, 10 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Willow Warblers and 5 Reed Warblers.   Over the sea were 3 Common Terns, Great Skua and a Manx Shearwater.   The Osprey was eating a fish on its rusty bin and a Peregrine and 5 Sparrowhawks were recorded.

      Waders were in generally low numbers, hence 54 Curlews, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 7 Grey Plovers, 47 Golden Plovers, 430 Dunlin, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Little Stints, 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Avocets and 7 Ringed Plovers.   Also of note were 63 Teal, 40 Mallard, 14 Shelducks, 20 Little Egrets, 12 Little Grebes, 300 Linnets, 80 Meadow Pipits, Kingfisher, 80 Swallows and 50 House Martins.

                           Part of the large Little Egret flock.

      Today was the WeBS count for the realignment area.   Waders were 120 Dunlin, 4 Little Stints, Curlew Sandpiper, 26 Redshanks, Spotted Redshank, 6 Greenshanks, 550 Golden Plovers, 3 Avocets, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Ruffs and 4 Common Snipe.   A new record flock of 67 Little Egrets was present along with 10 Grey Herons and 9 Cormorants.   Ducks were 149 Teal, 69 Mallard, Pintail, Tufted Duck, 18 Shelducks and a Mute Swan.   Other birds included 340 Linnets, 15 House Sparrows, 14 Tree Sparrows, Kingfisher, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk and 8 Little Grebes.

      Grounded migrants were fewer today, hence 14 Whinchats, 2 Pied Flycatchers, Spotted Flycatcher, Common Redstart, 3 Willow Warblers, Common Whitethroat and 3 Yellow Wagtails.

      Whinchats were the main migrants today with a total of 60, made up of 31 around the realignment area, 13 between Stonebridge and the Ponderosa and 16 between the coastguard cottages and the Quad 3 building.   Other night migrants were 8 Pied Flycatchers, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, 5 Common Redstarts, 20 Common Whitethroats, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, Reed Warbler, Wheatear, 15 Robins and 2 Tree Pipits.

      Other highlights included 3 Green Sandpipers, 3 Common Sandpipers, 10 Greenshanks, 7 Ruffs, Curlew Sandpiper, Avocet, 8 Ringed Plovers, Turnstone, 400 Golden Plovers, 3 Yellow Wagtails, Marsh Harrier and Sparrowhawk.

      A few migrants were new to the south end this morning.   Totals were 13 Common Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, Garden Warbler, Sedge Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs, 6 Willow Warblers, 4 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 5 Whinchats, Wheatear, Tree Pipit, Goldcrest, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 10 Robins and 2 Common Redstarts.   Also of note were 10 Tree Sparrows, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 9 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Pied Wagtails, Barn Owl, Sparrowhawk, 3 Marsh Harriers, 5 Ruffs, 3 Green Sandpipers, 7 Redshanks, 300 Golden Plovers, Whimbrel, 45 Curlews, 22 Oystercatchers, 10 Sanderlings, 8 Cormorants and 10 Sandwich Terns.

      A Pied Flycatcher was also in my garden in the afternoon.

      A Weasel with 6 almost fully-grown kittens in close attendance was an interesting sighting along the edge of one of the flashes.

      Sorry for my error and poor appearance of the text.   Rewritten herewith:-

      An evening visit between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall.   A Honey Buzzard which probably came in from the sea, crossed the dunes and flew across the realignment area and SW inland at 1910.   Two Marsh Harriers and a Peregrine were also seen here and the Osprey was eating a fish on its usual pole.   5,000 Common Terns came into the roost along with 6,000 Black-headed Gulls, but only one Mediterranean Gull was found tonight.   Waders were 72 Curlews, 6 Whimbrels, 7 Bar-tailed Godwits, 240 Golden Plovers, 22 Redshanks, Spotted Redshank, 67 Oystercatchers, 3 Avocets, Common Sandpiper and Green Sandpiper.   Ca. 50 Common Scoters flew into the Humber.

      Other birds of note were just 2 Sandwich Terns, 13 Little Egrets, 230 Linnets, 4 Robins and a Redstart.

      An evening visit between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall.   A Honey Buzzard which probably came in from the sea, crossed the dunes and flew across the realignment area and SW inland at 1910.    Two Marsh Harriers and a Peregrine were also seen here, and the Osprey was eating a fish on its usual pole.    5,000 Common Terns came into the roost along with 6,000 Black-headed Gulls, but only one Mediterranean Gull was found tonight.    Waders were 72 Curlews, 6 Whimbrels, 7 Bar-tailed Godwits, 240 Golden Plovers, 22 Redshanks, Spotted Redshank, 67 Oystercatchers, 3 Avocets, Common Sandpiper and Green Sandpiper.   Ca. 50 Common Scoters flew into the Humber.

      Other birds of note were just 2 Sandwich Terns, 13 Little Egrets, 230 Linnets, 4 Robins and a Redstart.

                            A Muntjac born and raised in my garden in Marsh Lane.


      A damp start to September with long periods of drizzle until mid-afternoon.   An afternoon visit to the south end was not very productive, the best birds being 2 Marsh Harriers, 950 Golden Plovers, 80 Lapwings, 32 Curlews, 200 Dunlin, 50 Sanderlings, 5 Redshanks, Green Sandpiper, Common Snipe, 15 Teal, 5 Little Egrets, 2 Yellow Wagtails and 65 Meadow Pipits.