Birding highlights at Spurn – May 2002

 

Main falls and movements etc, ( unusual species and races in bold )

 

1st           Southerly passage ;  Swift 1, Skylark 2, Sand Martin 6, Swallow 90, House Martin 4, Tree Pipit 1, Flava Wagtail 33, Rook 6, Chaffinch 2, Greenfinch 3, Goldfinch 166 and Linnet 92. Grounded migrants ;  Flava Wagtail 2, Whinchat 2, Wheatear 7, Sedge Warbler 2, Blackcap 3, Chiffchaff 1, Willow Warbler 4 and Lesser Redpoll 1.

Seabirds ; Manx Shearwater 1 (S), Gannet 20 (S), Bonxie 1 (S), Arctic Skua 1 (S), Kittiwake 9 (S), Sandwich Tern 20, Common Tern 6 and Razorbill 1 (N).

 

2nd          Southerly passage ;  Swift 1, Skylark 2, Sand Martin 19, Swallow 350, House Martin 3, Flava Wagtail 6 and Goldfinch 30. Grounded migrants ; Common Sandpiper 1 (1st of year )Turtle Dove 2, Short-eared Owl 1, Cuckoo 1, Tree Pipit  1, Yellow Wagtail 2, Whinchat 12, Stonechat 1, Wheatear 46, Grasshopper Warbler 1, Sedge Warbler 3, Lesser Whitethroat 36, Whitethroat 55, Blackcap 7, Willow Warbler 55, Pied Flycatcher 1, Siskin 1, Lesser Redpoll 1 and Mealy Redpoll 1.

Seabirds ;  Fulmar 1 (E), Sandwich Tern 11 (E), Arctic Tern 31 (E) (1st of year ).

 

3rd          Southerly passage ;  Sparrowhawk 1, Swallow 37, Tree Pipit 1, Flava Wagtail 5, Goldfinch 15 and Linnet 9.  Grounded migrants ;  Turtle Dove 1, Tree Pipit 1, Yellow Wagtail 1, Wheatear 14, Sedge Warbler 5, Lesser Whitethroat 4, Whitethroat 69, Blackcap 2, Chiffchaff 1, Willow Warbler 3 and Siskin 3.

 

4th          Southerly passage ;  Swift 1, Sand Martin 6, Swallow 350, House Martin 4, Flava Wagtail 5 and Siskin 2. Grounded migrants ;  Turtle Dove 2, Wheatear 9, Grasshopper Warbler 2, Sedge Warbler 5, Lesser Whitethroat 2, Blackcap 2, Willow Warbler 2 and Corn Bunting 1. A  RED-RUMPED SWALLOW was seen on wires near the church briefly mid morning.

Seabirds ; Red-throated Diver 1 (N), Gannet 15 (N),  Little Gull 2(S) 24 out.

General ; 31 Brent Geese (inc. 1 Pale-bellied ), Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Ruff and Greenshank were all on the Humber and a Peregrine was also seen.

 

5th          Grounded migrants ;  Wheatear 4, Fieldfare 3, Redwing, Blackcap 2, Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Siskin and Brambling 2.

Seabirds ;  Gannet 9 (N) 3 (S), Kittiwake 20 (N), Arctic Tern 160 out.

 

6th          Southerly movement ;  Sparrowhawk 1, Turtle Dove 1.  Grounded migrants ;  Short-eared Owl, Flava Wagtail, Wheatear 3, Whinchat 3, Black Redstart, Fieldfare , Mistle Thrush, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat 2, Chiffchaff 2, Willow Warbler 2 and Lesser Redpoll 1.

Seabirds ;  Fulmar 3(N), Gannet 4 (N), Arctic Tern 15 out.

 

7th          Southerly movement ;  Sparrowhawk 1, Siskin 16 and a Marsh Harrier u-turned.

Grounded migrants ;  Cuckoo 1, Short-eared Owl 2, a Wryneck at Chalk Bank, Whinchat1, Wheatear 6, Blackcap, Chiffchaff 2, Willow Warbler 2 and a Goldcrest.

Seabirds ;  Kittiwake 15 (N), Sandwich Tern 12 (N), Arctic Tern 33 out, Guillemot 9 (N), Puffin 1 (N).

 

8TH         Southerly movement ;  Flava Wagtail 1.  Grounded migrants ;  Turtle Dove 1, Short-eared Owl 2, a  Wryneck at the Point, Swallow 100, Tree Pipit 4, Redstart 2, Whinchat 7, Wheatear 33, a THRUSH NIGHTINGALE  was very elusive in the Point dunes, Fieldfare 4, Sedge Warbler 6, Reed Warbler 2 (1st of year ), Lesser Whitethroat 16, Garden Warbler 3 ( 1st of year ), Blackcap 6, Chiffchaff 6, Willow Warbler 19, Pied Flycatcher 1 and Siskin 1. A  Hen Harrier was hunting over the Triangle.

9th          Grounded migrants ;  Turtle Dove 1, Tree Pipit 5, Flava Wagtail 3, Black Redstart 2, Redstart 2, Whinchat 2, Wheatear 15,  Fieldfare 2, Reed Warbler 1, Lesser Whitethroat 4, Whitethroat 85, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff 4, Willow Warbler 6, Pied Flycatcher and the THRUSH NIGHTINGALE was still being elusive in the Point dunes. A ringtail Hen Harrier was present along the peninsular.

 

10th        Southerly passage ;  Swallow 74. Grounded migrants ;  Turtle Dove 4, Tree Pipit, Flava Wagtail 5, Black Redstart 2, Whinchat 6, Wheatear 19, Fieldfare 2, Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat 4, Chiffchaff 4, Willow Warbler 7, Pied Flycatcher 4 and the THRUSH NIGHTINGALE  was still being elusive in the Point dunes. General ;  Pintail, Long-tailed Duck, 18 Whimbrel, 2 Spotted Redshank and a Greenshank were all present on the Humber.

 

11th        Southerly passage  ;  Marsh Harrier 3, Merlin, Swift 3, Swallow 500, House Martin 5, Flava Wagtail 4, Grey Wagtail 1, Goldfinch 16.  Grounded migrants ;  Cuckoo 3, Tree Pipit 3, Redstart 2, Whinchat 6, Wheatear 24, Fieldfare 4, Grasshopper Warbler 1, Sedge Warbler 6, Lesser Whitethroat 4,

Chiffchaff 3, Willow Warbler 6, Firecrest 1, Spotted Flycatcher ( 1st of year ), Pied Flycatcher 2, Brambling 3, Siskin 2, Lesser Redpoll 6, Mealy Redpoll 4.

Seabirds ; Red-throated Diver 1 (N), Gannet 6 (N), Arctic Skua 1 (E), Long-tailed Skua 2 (E), Great Skua 1 (E), Kittiwake 74 (N), Guillemot 6 (N), Razorbill 2 (N), Puffin 1 (N).

General ;  a Pintail, Eider and Long-tailed Duck were all on the Humber, 10 Goosander were on the sea and a Hen Harrier was hunting in the Triangle.

 

12th        Southerly passage ;  Swift 3, Sand Martin 3, Swallow 100, Flava Wagtail 1, Jay 1, Greenfinch 2, Goldfinch 9, Siskin 1 and Reed Bunting 2.  Grounded migrants ;  Turtle Dove 1, Cuckoo 1, Redstart 1, Whinchat 1, Wheatear 7, Sedge Warbler 1, Lesser Whitethroat 2, Willow Warbler 4, Chiffchaff 1.

Seabirds ;  Red-throated Diver 2 (S), Arctic Skua 1 (E), Kittiwake 26, Guillemot 25 (N), Razorbill 1 (S).  General ;  Eider 2, Common Scoter 16, Red-breasted Merganser 1 (W), Tufted Duck 20 (E).

 

13th        Southerly passage ;  Swift 2, Swallow 6. Grounded migrants ;  Common Sandpiper 3, Wheatear 1. Arctic Tern 3 (E).

 

14th        Southerly passage ;  Swift 80, Sand Martin 2, Swallow c.800, House Martin 8, Yellow Wagtail 1, Chaffinch 3, Greenfinch 4, Goldfinch 8 and Linnet 15. Grounded migrants ;  Turtle Dove 1, Wheatear 1, Lesser Whitethroat 3, Willow Warbler 2.

 

15th        Southerly passage ; Little Egret 1 at 15.30, Marsh Harrier 1, Sand Martin 2, Swallow c.500, House Martin 8, Goldfinch 4, Linnet 9.  Grounded migrants ;  Coot 1, Tree Pipit 1, Wheatear 8, Chiffchaff 2 and Chaffinch 1.

 

16th        Southerly passage ;  Kestrel 2, Whimbrel 3, Curlew 1, Turtle Dove 1, Swift 8, Sand Martin 5, Swallow c.500, House Martin 10, Alba Wagtail 1,Goldfinch 14, Linnet 14 and Corn Bunting 1.  Grounded migrants ;  Cuckoo 1, Wheatear 5, Sedge Warbler 7, Reed Warbler 2, Garden Warbler 1, Blackcap 1, Chiffchaff 3, Willow Warbler 2, Spotted Flycatcher 2.

 

17th        Southerly passage ;  Sparrowhawk 1, Swift 16, Sand Martin 10, Swallow c.1600, House Martin  75 and Goldfinch 16.  Grounded migrants ;  Wheatear 2, Ring Ouzel 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Chiffchaff 1, Willow Warbler 1, Spotted Flycatcher and Corn Bunting.

Seabirds ;  Fulmar 18 (S), Manx Shearwater 1 (N), Gannet 12 (S), Herring Gull  43 (S), Kittiwake 106 (S), Sandwich Tern 8 (S), Arctic Tern 58 (E), Black Tern 1 (E), Auk sp. 3 (S), Razorbill 2 (S).

 

18th        Southerly passage ;  Hobby 2 ( 1st of year ), Turtle Dove 1, Swift 1, Sand Martin 15, Swallow 550, House Martin 64.  Grounded migrants ;  Turtle Dove 3, Cuckoo 1, Tree Pipit 1, Flava Wagtail 1, Bluethroat ( 1st yr male caught and ringed at the Warren ), Redstart 1, Whinchat 1, Wheatear 1, Fieldfare 1, Grasshopper Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 2, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Black cap 1, Wood Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 6, Willow Warbler 3, Spotted Flycatcher 1, Pied Flycatcher 1, Brambling 1 and Crossbill 1.  Seabirds ;  Fulmar 27 (S), Manx Shearwater 3 (S), Gannet 24 (S), Herring Gull 90 (S), Kittiwake 56 (S), Sandwich Tern 11 (S), Arctic Tern 16 (E), Auk sp. 22 (S), Razorbill 47 (S), Puffin 1 (S).

 

19th         Southerly passage ;  Shag 1, Tufted Duck 7, Marsh Harrier 4, Hen Harrier 1, Sparrowhawk 2, Kestrel 3, Hobby 2 + 1 u-turned, Swift 22, Sand Martin 25, Swallow 5000 ( equalled the spring record for Spurn ), House Martin 800, Flava Wagtail 2, Grey Wagtail 1, Greenfinch 5, Goldfinch 45, Linnet 73 and Corn Bunting 1. Grounded migrants ;  Cuckoo 2, Whinchat 1, Wheatear 1, Blackcap 1, Chiffchaff 2, Willow Warbler 2, Spotted Flycatcher 6, Chaffinch 1 and Crossbill 1. Waders ;  an Avocet circled and flew west up the Humber, Curlew Sandpiper 2, Greenshank 4 and Whimbrel 13 (E).

 

20th        Southerly passage ;  Marsh Harrier 1, Hen Harrier 1, Swift 12, Swallow 1500, House Martin 300, Chaffinch 1, Greenfinch 3, Goldfinch 13 and Linnet 68.  Grounded migrants ;  Robin 1, Stonechat 1, Wheatear 2, Lesser Whitethroat 2, Garden Warbler 2, Chiffchaff 2, Willow Warbler 2, Spotted Flycathcer 2. General ;  Shoveler 2 (N), Tufted Duck 2 (S) and Red-breasted Merganser 5 (S).

 

21st         Southerly passage ;  Montagu’s Harrier 1 ringtail ( 09.30 ), Turtle Dove 1, Swift 19, Swallow 1000, House Martin 300, Flava Wagtail 1, Grey Wagtail 1, Jackdaw 5, Goldfinch 11 and Linnet 28.  Grounded migrants ;  Stonechat 1, Blackcap 2, Chiffchaff 3, Willow Warbler 2, Spotted Flycatcher 4.  Single Arctic and Black Terns flew out east.

 

22nd        Southerly passage ;  Swift 30, Sand Martin 5, Swallow 1500, House Martin  200, Greenfinch 2, Goldfinch 4 and Linnet 5.  Grounded migrants ;  Chiffchaff 1, Willow Warbler 1 and Chaffinch 1.

Seabirds ;  Fulmar 4 (S), Gannet 10 (S), Pintail 2 (S), Sandwich Tern 35 (S).

 

23rd        Southerly passage ;  Marsh Harrier 4, Hen Harrier 2, Turtle Dove 16 flew north over the area, Swift 15, Sand Martin 10, Swallow 1400, House Martin 450, Tree Pipit 1, Chaffinch 2, Greenfinch 2, Goldfinch 16 and Linnet 20.  Grounded migrants ;  Short-eared Owl 1, Garden Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 1, Willow Warbler 1. A Spoonbill spent a while on Clubley’s Scrape and the Humber. Seabirds ;  Fulmar 22 (S), Gannet 6 (N), Tufted Duck 2 (S), Common Scoter 2 (S), Arctic Skua 1 (S), Kittiwake 18 (S), Sandwich Tern 24 (S), Black Tern 1 (N).

 

24th        Southerly passage ;  Common Scoter 12, Common Tern 3, Swift 5.  Grounded migrants ;  Wheatear 1, Lesser Whitehroat 1, Willow Warbler 3, Chaffinch and Brambling.

 

25th        Southerly passage ;  Marsh Harrier 1, Montagu’s Harrier 1 ringtail, a sub-adult  Common Crane eventually left south after spending a short time just north of the area, Turtle Dove 3 + 11 u-turned, Swift 11, Sand Martin 4, Swallow 300, House Martin 80, Flava Wagtail 1, Grey Wagtail 1, Greenfinch 2, Goldfinch 12 and Linnet 8. Grounded migrants ;  Short-eared Owl 1, Blackcap 1 and Siskin 1. The Spoonbill was seen over the Triangle.

 

26th        Southerly passage ;  Turtle Dove 4, Swift 2, Swallow 200, House Martin 10 and Goldfinch 3.

Grounded migrants ;  Yellow Wagtail 1, Reed Warbler 3, Garden Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 2, Willow Warbler 2 and Crossbill 1.  Seabirds ;  Fulmar 12 (S), Manx Shearwater 1 (S), Gannet 3 (S), Sandwich Tern 9 (S).

27th        Southerly passage ;  Greylag Goose 2, Marsh Harrier 1, Swift 2, Sand Martin 5, Swallow 1500, House Martin 400, Flava Wagtail 1,Goldfinch 13.  Grounded migrants ;  Flava Wagtail 1, Lesser Whitethroat 2, Garden Warbler 1, Willow Warbler 1. The Spoonbill was seen on Clubley’s Scrape.

 

28th        Southerly passage ;  Swift 4, Sand Martin 1, Swallow 200, House Martin 60, Goldfinch 8.  Grounded migrants ;  Flava Wagtail 2, Wheatear 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Blackcap 1, Willow Warbler 3 and Chaffinch 3.

 

29th        Southerly passage ;  Greylag Goose 2, Common Buzzard 1 ( after spending a while drying off at Chalk Bank ), Marsh Harrier 1, Lapwing 2, Swift 13, Swallow 200, House Martin 60.

Grounded migrants ;  Lesser Whitethroat 2, Garden Warbler 1, Willow Warbler 3 and 2 Golden Orioles at the Point.

 

30th        Southerly passage ;  Swift 4, Skylark 3, Sand Martin 4, Swallow 50, House Martin 23, Chaffinch 2 and Goldfinch 2.  Grounded migrants ;  Willow Warbler 3.  Seabirds ;  Fulmar 4 (N) 2 (S), Gannet 13 (N) 4 (s), Common Scoter 7 (S), Sabine’s Gull 2nd year (N). A Marsh Harrier was seen over the Triangle.

 

31st         Southerly passage ;  Sparrowhawk 1, Wood Pigeon 9, Swift 22, Sand Martin 6, Swallow 400, House Martin 120, Goldfinch 16. A Golden Oriole flew west up the Humber.  Grounded migrants ;  Reed Warbler 2, Chiffchaff 2, Willow Warbler 3, Spotted Flycatcher 1 and Chaffinch 3.   Seabirds ;  Red-throated Diver 2 (S), Fulmar 15 (S), Cormorant 3 (S), Kittiwake 14 (S), Auk sp. 25 (N) 11(S).

 

 

Andy Roadhouse

 

SPURN BIRD OBSERVATORY TRUST                     Registered charity 1084312

 

SPURN BIRD OBSERVATORY, KILNSEA, via PATRINGTON, HULL  HU12 0UG.