BIRD SIGHTINGS AT SPURN BIRD OSBERVATORY

 

DECEMBER 2004

 

Main movements and falls etc. with unusual species in bold.

Visible migration is usually of birds moving south unless otherwise stated.

1st             

Visible migration ; Whooper Swan 2, Wigeon 13 north, Teal 25, Eider 15, Common Scoter 22, Lapwing 90 U-turned, Alba Wagtail 1, Greenfinch 7, Goldfinch 5, Snow Bunting 10.

Grounded migrants ; Rock Pipit 1, Stonechat 2, Blackbird 15, Fieldfare 1, Redwing 4, Blackcap 2, Goldcrest 3, Greenfinch 50, Goldfinch 1.

Seabirds ; Red-throated Diver 1, Gannet 1, Shag 1.

General ; Pink-footed Goose 1, Brent Goose 70, Mallard 41, Eider 2, Common Scoter 21.

 

2nd

Visible migration ;  Wigeon 5, Eider 179 north, Common Scoter 52 + 4 north, Knot 1 in, Dunlin 2 in, Skylark 2 + 2 in, Meadow Pipit 1, Alba Wagtail 2, Greenfinch 4, Snow Bunting 4.

Grounded migrants ; Skylark 11, Meadow Pipit 3, Stonechat 3, Robin 17, Blackbird 26, Fieldfare 1, Song Thrush 1, Redwing 1, Blackcap 1, Goldcrest 3, Long-tailed Tit 10, Chaffinch 5, Brambling 1, Greenfinch 38, Goldfinch 1, Snow Bunting 25, Reed Bunting 18.

Seabirds ; Red-throated Diver 49, Great Northern Diver 1, Gannet 5, Bonxie 1, Kittiwake 1, Auk sp. 51, Guillemot 36, Razorbill 9.

General ; Pink-footed Goose 1, Tundra Bean Goose 1, Brent Goose 113, Tufted Duck 1, Eider 17, Merlin 2, Barn Owl 1.

 

3rd

Visible migration ; Greylag Goose 11, Pintail 4, Eider 22 + 28 north, Common Scoter 105 + 23 north, Goldeneye 1, Red-breasted Merganser 1, Goosander 1 west, Oystercatcher 1, Linnet 1, Twite 5, Snow Bunting 2 + 1 in.

Grounded migrants ; Stonechat 3, Fieldfare 2, Song Thrush 1, Redwing 1, Goldcrest 2, Chaffinch 2, Brambling 1, Greenfinch 48, Goldfinch 1, Snow Bunting 1, Reed Bunting 16.

Seabirds ; Diver sp. 2, Red-throated Diver 35, Gannet 1, Cormorant 1, Auk sp. 12, Guillemot 10, Razorbill 1.

General ; Gadwall 1, Tufted Duck 1, Eider 10, Merlin 1, Water Rail 1.

 

 

 

 

4th

Visible migration ;  Brent Goose 4 in, Shelduck 28 in, Wigeon 5, Teal 6, Pintail 1 + 6 in, Eider 1, Common Scoter 8, Ruff 1, Skylark 3 + 1 in, Rock Pipit 2, Goldfinch 4, Linnet 1, Snow Bunting 1.

Grounded migrants ; Rock Pipit 13, Stonechat 3, Fieldfare 1, Song Thrush 3, Chiffchaff 1, Goldcrest 6, Chaffinch 2, Linnet 1, Snow Bunting 2.

Seabirds ; Diver sp. 2, Red-throated Diver 33, Great Northern Diver 1, Gannet 1, Cormorant 2, Auk sp. 4.

General ; Wigeon 5, Pintail 2, Tufted Duck 1, Eider 9, Common Scoter 11, Woodcock 1.

 

5th

Visible migration ;  Lapwing 4, Greenfinch 3, Goldfinch 6.

Grounded migrants ; Rock Pipit 1, Stonechat 3, Song Thrush 1, Goldcrest 3, Chaffinch 3, Greenfinch 40, Snow Bunting 4, Corn Bunting 1.

Seabirds ; Red-throated Diver 2, Cormorant 1.

General ; Wigeon 5, Mallard 32, Pintail 2, Tufted Duck 1, Eider 1, Common Scoter 10.

 

6th

Visible migration ;  Grey Goose sp. 2, Common Scoter 6, Linnet 1.

Grounded migrants ;Stonechat 3, Song Thrush 1, Goldcrest 3, Chaffinch 5, Snow Bunting 4.

Seabirds ; Red-throated Diver 27, Black-throated Diver 1, Gannet 4, Cormorant 2, Auk sp. 10.

General ; Water Rail 1.

 

7th

Visible migration ; Skylark 4 in.

Grounded migrants ; Skylark 11, Meadow Pipit 1, Stonechat 3, Song Thrush 2, Chiffchaff 1, Goldcrest 1, Chaffinch 6, Reed Bunting 18.

Seabirds ; Red-throated Diver 14, Great Northern Diver 1, Gannet 1, Cormorant 2, Auk sp. 7, Guillemot 1.

General ; Wigeon 2, Shoveler 3, Tufted Duck 1, Eider 2, Common Scoter 13.

 

8th

Visible migration ;  Brent Goose 1, Common Scoter 10, Brambling 1.

Grounded migrants ; Stonechat 3, Song Thrush 1, Goldcrest 2, Chaffinch 3, Snow Bunting 1, Reed Bunting 15.

Seabirds ; Red-throated Diver 6, Gannet 1, Guillemot 2.

General ; Wigeon 7, Gadwall 11, Teal 2, Tufted Duck 1, Eider 2, Common Scoter 11.

 

 

9th

Visible migration ;  Greylag Goose 1 in, Shelduck 1, Wigeon 19, Gadwall 9, Mallard 1, Eider 3, Common Scoter 2, Rock Pipit 1, Alba Wagtail 1.

Grounded migrants ; Meadow Pipit 1, Stonechat 1, Song Thrush 1, Goldcrest 2, Goldfinch 4, Snow Bunting 1.

Seabirds ; Red-throated Diver 20, Gannet 2, Glaucous Gull 1 1st winter.

General ; Brent Goose 92, Wigeon 5, Tufted Duck 1, Eider 2, Common Scoter 9.

 

10th

Visible migration ;  Brent Goose 7, Shelduck 8, Wigeon 28, Teal 85 + 50 north, Mallard 5, Pintail 8, Eider 2, Goldeneye 2 + 2 north, Fieldfare 9 west.

Grounded migrants ; Water Rail 2, Stonechat 2, Blackbird 70, Fieldfare 4, Song Thrush 4, Redwing 22, Goldcrest 2, Goldfinch 3.

Seabirds ; Red-throated Diver 17, Lesser Black-backed Gull 1, Guillemot 1.

General ; Mallard 37, Tufted Duck 1, Eider 1, Common Scoter 7, Merlin 1, Woodcock 1, Barn Owl.

 

11th

Visible migration ;  Teal 4, Goldeneye 4, Lapland Bunting 2 north.

Grounded migrants ; Water Rail 4, Stonechat 1, Blackbird 54, Song Thrush 2, Redwing 5, Blackcap 1, Chiffchaff 1, Goldcrest 1, Goldfinch 5, Snow Bunting 1.

Seabirds ; Red-throated Diver 4, Gannet 1, Guillemot 1.

General ; Woodcock 1.

 

12th

Grounded migrants ;  Tawny Owl 1*, Stonechat 3, Blackbird 30, Chiffchaff 2, Goldcrest 2, Greenfinch 65, Goldfinch 5, Corn Bunting 2.

 

13th

Visible migration :  Wigeon 2, Common Scoter 1, Velvet Scoter 2 U-turned, Goosander 1.

Grounded migrants ; Stoenechat 3, Song Thrush 2, Redwing 7, Greenfinch 76.

Seabirds ; Red-throated Diver 4, Shag 1.

General ; Wigeon 3, Common Scoter 10, Eider 1.

 

14th

Visible migration ;  Brent Goose 4, Shelduck 1, Mallard 2, Lapwing 60 U-turned.

Grounded migrants ;Stonechat 1, Goldcrest 1, Greenfinch 45.

Seabirds ; Red-throated Diver 2, Guillemot 1.

General ; Brent Goose 8, Shelduck 14, Mallard 30, Shoveler 1, Tufted Duck 1, Eider 1, Water Rail 1.

 

 

15th

Visible migration ; Wigeon 2, Tufted Duck 1, Common Scoter 5, Lapwing 30.

Grounded migrants ; Robin 12, Stonechat 2, Blackcap 1, Goldcrest 1, Snow Bunting 1.

Seabirds ; Red-throated Diver 20, Gannet 5, Lesser B.B.Gull 2, Auk sp. 2, Guillemot 7, Razorbill 5, Puffin 1.

General ; Teal 1, Eider 1, Common Scoter 10.

 

16th

Grounded migrants ; Rock Pipit 1, Stonechat 1, Robin 12, Song Thrush 1, Goldcrest 2, Snow Bunting 1.

Seabirds ;  Red-throated Diver 10, Black-throated Diver 1, Gannet 3, Auk sp. 11, Guillemot 3, Razorbill 1, Puffin 1.

General ; Brent Goose 100, Teal 1, Mallard 4, Eider 1, Coot 1, Merlin 1, Jack Snipe 1.

 

17th

Visible migration ; Common Scoter 34 + 5 north, Dunlin 1.

Grounded migrants ; Stonechat 2, Fieldfare 1, Redwing 1, Goldcrest 2, Chaffinch 1, Reed Bunting 13.

Seabirds ; Red-throated Diver 19, L.B.B.Gull 1, Auk sp. 14, Guillemot 11.

General ; Teal 1, Tufted Duck 1, Eider 2, Velvet Scoter 1, Sparrowhawk 1, Jack Snipe 1.

 

18th

Visible migration ;  Red-necked Grebe 1 north*, Common Scoter 7 + 3 north.

Grounded migrants ; Skylark 1, Pied Wagtail 1, Stonechat 1, Robin 12, Goldcrest 1, Long-tailed Tit 3, Chaffinch 4.

Seabirds ; Red-throated Diver 34, Gannet 22, Cormorant 1, Shag 1, Glaucous Gull 1, Kittiwake 6, Auk sp. 17, Guillemot 3, Razorbill 4.

General ; Brent Goose 87, Shelduck 5, Teal 1, Water Rail 1, Merlin 1, Jack Snipe 1.

 

19th

Visible migration ;  Teal 5 north, Mallard 2, Common Scoter 13, Velvet Scoter 2.

Grounded migrants ; Rock Pipit 1, Pied Wagtail 1, Redwing 1, Goldcrest 1.

Seabirds ; Red-throated Diver 16, Black-throated Diver 1, Red-necked Grebe 2 on sea, Fulmar 4, Manx Shearwater 2, Gannet 29, Cormorant 7, Shag 1, Kittiwake 157, Auk sp. 32, Guillemot 6, Razorbill 1.

General ; Brent Goose 62, Shelduck 7, Wigeon 2, Mallard 38, Tufted Duck 1, Eider 3, Common Scoter 9, Water Rail 1, Merlin 1.

 

20th

Visible migration ;  Pintail 2.

Grounded migrants ; Rock Pipit 1, Pied Wagtail 1, Stonechat 2, Goldcrest 1.

Seabirds ; Red-throated Diver 2, Auk sp. 5.

General ; Brent Goose 46, Teal 1, Mallard 30, Tufted Duck 1.

 

21st

Visible migration ; Shelduck 1, Teal 5 north.

Grounded migrants ; Fieldfare 1, Song Thrush 2, Blackcap 1, Goldcrest 2, Goldficnh 1, Linnet 1.

Seabirds ; Red-throated Diver 9, Auk sp. 1.

General ; Teal 1, Mallard 19, Tufted Duck 1.

 

22nd

Grounded migrants ; Stonechat 2, Song Thrush 1, Goldcrest 2, Chaffinch 1.

Seabirds ; Red-throated Diver 9, Shag 1.

General ; Wigeon 26, Mallard 30, Tufted Duck 1, Eider 1.

 

23rd

Grounded migrants ; Stonechat 1, Song Thrush 1, Redwing 2, Goldcrest 1, Goldfinch 1, Reed Bunting 6.

Seabirds ; Red-throated Diver 6, Auk sp. 3, Guillemot 1.

General ; Mallard 23.

 

24th

Grounded migrants ; Water Rail 1, Stonechat 2, Blackbird 20, Song Thrush 1, Goldcrest 3, Chaffinch 1, Snow Bunting 44.

Seabirds ; Red-throated Diver 3, Gannet 2, Auk sp. 2, Guillemot 2.

General ; Mallard 23, Tufted Duck 1, Eider 1.

 

25th

Grounded migrants ; asio sp. (probably Long-eared Owl) 1, Pied Wagtail 1, Stonechat 1, Fieldfare 1, Song Thrush 1, Redwing 3, Goldcrest 3, Snow Bunting 1.

Seabirds ; Shag 1, Auk sp. 2, Guillemot 1.

General ; Shelduck 6, Sparrowhawk 1, Barn Owl 1.

 

26th

Grounded migrants ; Pied Wagtail 1, Robin 13, Stonechat 1, Fieldfare 1, Song Thrush 2, Mistle Thrush 1, Redwing 6, Goldcrest 2, Chaffinch 4, Brambling 1, Greenfinch 29.

Seabirds ; Red-throated Diver 3, Gannet 2, Cormorant 2, Guillemot 1, Razorbill 1.

General ; Brent Goose 1, Shelduck 5, Sparrowhawk 1.

 

 

 

27th

Grounded migrants ; Rock Pipit 2, Pied Wagtail 1, Stonechat 3, Song Thrush 2, Redwing 7, Goldcrest 3, Chaffinch 2, Goldfinch 1.

Seabirds ; Red-throated Diver 9, Auk sp. 1.

General ; Brent Goose 30, Sparrowhawk 2, Merlin 1.

 

28th

Visible migration ; Pintail 1.

Grounded migrants ; Stonecat 1, Song Thrush 3, Chaffinch 2.

Seabirds ; Red-throated Diver 5, Shag 1, Auk sp.9.

General ;  Shelduck 1, Wigeon 65, Teal 4, Sparrowhawk 1, Merlin 1, 9500 Golden Plover (new record), 3500 Lapwing (new winter record).

 

29th

Visible migration ; Whooper Swan 2 west. 

Grounded migrants ; Stonechat 2, Song Thrush 4, Goldcrest 2, Chaffinch 3, Reed Bunting 7.

General ; Brent Goose 10, Teal 1, Eider 1, Peregrine 1, Jack Snipe 1.

 

30th

Grounded migrants ; Pied Wagtail 1, Waxwing 2, Stonechat 2, Song Thrush 1, Chaffinch 1.

Seabirds ; Red-throated Diver 23, Cormorant 1.

General ; Brent Goose 92, Shelduck 6, Wigeon 4, Sparrowhawk 1, Merlin 1, 10,000 Golden Plover.

 

31st

Grounded migrants ; Robin 15, Stonechat 2, Blackbird 27, Fieldfare 2, Song Thrush 4, Redwing 4, Goldcrest 2, Chaffinch 3, Goldfinch 3.

General ; Brent Goose 327 including 5 pale-bellied, Shelduck 14, Wigeon 20, Teal 1, Mallard 40, Tufted Duck 1, Eider 1, Common Scoter 32, Sparrowhawk 3, 9000 Knot.

 

 

 

ANDY ROADHOUSE                      

 

SPURN BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST        Registered charity 1084312

 

Kew Villa, Kilnsea, via Patrington, E.Yorkshire  HU12 0UG