Pallas's Warbler

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

Sunday 31 May 2015


                                                                     Marsh Harrier


                                                                           Muntjac

         An afternoon visit after the morning rain, but very windy again.   Moving north were 23 Swallows and 11 Common Swifts.   Raptors today were 3 Common Buzzards, 2 Kestrels and a Marsh Harrier.    Other birds of note were 22 Shelducks, 7 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, a good count of 40 Stock Doves, 2 Turtle Doves, Grasshopper Warbler, Yellow Wagtail  and Sandwich Tern.

Saturday 30 May 2015

         31 Swallows, 3 House Martins and 8 Common Swifts north over the dunes and 2 Sandwich Terns north at sea.   3 Common Buzzards thermalling over the fields and a fourth bird over the southern marshes where 2 Marsh Harriers were hunting all morning.    Young Mallard and Coots were probably being exploited here.   Also present were 2 Grey Herons, 5 Little Egrets, 2 Tufted Ducks, 10 adult Mallard and 23 Shelducks.   Elsewhere on the dunes were 3 Reed Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Song Thrush, 3 Corn Buntings and 2 Kestrels.

Friday 29 May 2015

         As expected, a short visit to the Stonebridge and near realignment sections in the heavy rain and cold conditions produced very little.   Sightings included 10 Avocets, 7 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons, 6 Tufted Ducks, 2 Little Grebes and a Pied Wagtail.   98 Common Swifts and 12 House Martins flew NW.

Thursday 28 May 2015

         Moving north were 31 Swallows, 2 House Martins and 15 Common Swifts.   Not much seen in the stiff cold wind, a Turtle Dove and 2 Common Buzzards being the best I could find.

Wednesday 27 May 2015

 

                              Aberrant quadriocellata, the four-spotted form of Wall Brown.

         Moving north along the dunes were 34 Swallows, 2 House Martins, one Sand Martin and 12 Common Swifts.   A Sandwich Tern headed north at sea and 2 Gannets passed south.   A Jay was the only new bird of significance.

Tuesday 26 May 2015

         Highlights on the realignment area were 30 Avocets, Little Ringed Plover, 32 Shelducks, 4 Canada Geese, Common Buzzard and 12 Little Egrets.   On the shore were 117 Oystercatchers, 10 Grey Plovers, 40 Sanderlings and 60 Dunlin while 4 Gannets flew north at sea.    Also noted were 25 Common Swifts, 20 Swallows, a Cuckoo, 3 Blackcaps and 4 Sedge Warblers.
         A Kingfisher was at my garden pond yesterday evening.

Monday 25 May 2015

         Moving north were 53 Swallows, 12 Common Swifts, 20 Linnets and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.   A Gannet flew north at sea.   Little change on the dunes, most noteworthy being 3 Turtle Doves, a Cuckoo, Song Thrush, 2 Pied Wagtails, 4 Grey Partridges, 4 Kestrels and a Common Buzzard.

Sunday 24 May 2015

         Another largely uneventful morning at the south end mostly ahead of the rain.   30 Swallows present and 7 Common Swifts south.   A Turtle Dove and a Mistle Thrush were the best of the rest on the dunes, plus a hunting Marsh Harrier over the fields and a Peregrine that secured a racing pigeon.

Saturday 23 May 2015


                                                                   Green Hairstreak


                                                                         Turtle Dove


         Despite an easterly wind there was practically nothing new at the south end.   On the shore at high tide were 240 Sanderlings, 110 Dunlin, 30 Ringed Plovers and 2 Curlews.

Friday 22 May 2015

         Not many waders were seen during a circuit of the realignment area this morning.   At least 26 Avocets, possibly 31, seen with 5 Oystercatchers, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 20 Common Ringed Plovers, 5 Dunlin and singles of Whimbrel, Redshank and Common Sandpiper.   A further 30 Oystercatchers were out on the shore.    Ducks were 49 Shelducks, 27 Mallard, drake Shoveler and 9 Tufted Ducks and other waterbirds were 2 Grey Herons, 3 Little Egrets, Cormorant and Kingfisher.   Two Common Buzzards, 3 Kestrels, Peregrine and Marsh Harrier present, also 28 Swallows, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Wheatear, House Martin, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Reed Warblers and 3 Sedge Warblers.   138 Common Swifts came in across the mouth of the Humber and continued mainly SW inland.

Thursday 21 May 2015

         Moving north or NW were 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 30 Swallows, 6 House Martins and 10 Common Swifts.   A fine Red-throated Diver in summer plumage flew south offshore.    Two Whimbrel were on the sandflats.
         The best birds on the dunes were 3 Common Buzzards, 3 Kestrels and 5 Corn Buntings.

Wednesday 20 May 2015

         The quiet period continues.   Highlights today were 3 Gannets, Common Buzzard, Hobby, 30 Swallows, 8 Swifts, 2 Cuckoos, Mistle Thrush, 2 Tree Sparrows and a Garden Warbler.

Tuesday 19 May 2015

         An exceptionally quiet morning before the onset of thundery showers.   17 Swallows and 8 Common Swifts flew north along the dunes where the only birds of note were 2 Yellow Wagtails, a Whimbrel, 3 Mistle Thrushes and a Common Buzzard.

Monday 18 May 2015

         Yesterday afternoon, Chris Atkin had an Osprey heading NW over the north end of the realignment area at 1250, also a Marsh Harrier NW, and singles of Peregrine, Little Ringed Plover and Little Stint.

         Today, after persistent rain which lasted into the afternoon, I decided to visit Stonebridge for the evening high tide.   Waders on the outmarsh were 1,100 Dunlin, 310 Ringed Plovers, 84 Grey Plovers, 80 Oystercatchers and a Whimbrel.   13 Common Terns and a Little Tern flew north at sea.
         Highlights on the realignment area included 43 Shelducks, 24 Avocets, 3 Turnstones, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Little Stints, a Common Sandpiper and a Little Gull.

Sunday 17 May 2015

         The WeBS count between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall produced the following highlights,   80 Knot, 1,200 Dunlin, 270 Sanderlings, 320 Ringed Plovers, 147 Grey Plovers, 2 Whimbrel, a Gannet, 46 Swallows, a House Martin, 3 Common Swifts, Whinchat, Wheatear, 2 Cuckoos and 2 House Sparrows.

Saturday 16 May 2015

         Rather quiet in the strong wind.   An hour's seawatch from 0945 saw southerly passage of 220 Herring Gulls, 13 Gannets and a Fulmar.   The only waders were 20 Sanderlings and 6 Oystercatchers.   One Peregrine on the sandflats.   40 Swallows, 3 House Martins and 7 Common Swifts north along the dunes where highlights were confined to 5 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Pied Wagtails, 3 Corn Buntings, a Turtle Dove and a Common Buzzard.   On the flashes were 12 Mute Swans, 10 Mallard, 3 Teal, 7 Shelducks, 6 Tufted Ducks and 7 Little Egrets.

Friday 15 May 2015


                                                                             Avocet


                                                                 Little Ringed Plover

         WeBS count for the realignment area this morning.   Waders were 26 Avocets, 12 Redshanks, one Greenshank, 9 Oystercatchers, 4 Common Ringed Plovers, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, one Turnstone, 102 Dunlin, 2 Curlew Sandpipers and one Little Stint.   Also relevant to the count were 42 Shelducks, 19 Mallard, 3 Tufted Ducks, 5 Little Egrets, one Grey Heron and one Cormorant.
         Further birds of note were 2 Kestrels, 2 Common Buzzards, 35 Swallows, 8 Common Swifts, Pied Wagtail, 2 Tree Sparrows and a Cuckoo.

Thursday 14 May 2015

         Fewer birds were seen today in the very cold wind.   A late Stonechat was on the outmarsh with a Whinchat and 5 Wheatears.   60 Swallows hawked flies on the sheltered side of the sea-bank all morning with a House Martin and 3 Common Swifts.   Warbler numbers seemed to be  down, but included a Garden Warbler.   2 Common Buzzards, 3 Corn Buntings and 3 Yellow Wagtails on the fields, while on the flashes and marshes were 12 Mute Swans, 24 Shelducks, 4 Tufted Ducks, 2 Grey Herons, 8 Little Egrets, a Greenshank and 3 Whimbrel.

Wednesday 13 May 2015


                                                                      Spotted Flycatcher

         A small, but welcome, arrival of 4 Spotted Flycatchers was apparent.   Other summer visitors of note included 8 Wheatears, 6 Blackcaps, Garden Warbler, 3 Yellow Wagtails, Turtle Dove, Hobby, 2 Whimbrel and 4 Greenshanks.   Also seen were 6 Corn Buntings, a Long-tailed Tit, Common Buzzard, 8 Shelducks and 50 Ringed Plovers.   Moving north along the dunes were 61 Swallows, a Sand Martin, 11 House Martins and 3 Common Swifts.
         Two Kingfishers and 3 Little Ringed Plovers were recorded in the Pye's Hall area.

Tuesday 12 May 2015



                                                                      Green Hairstreak

         A trip of 11 Dotterel flew north over the coastal fields ahead of a thunderstorm at 1235.   Also moving north over the dunes during the morning were 45 Swallows, 2 Sand Martins and 7 Common Swifts.   Heading north at sea on the rising tide were 10 Gannets, a Fulmar, 2 Arctic Skuas and 2 Sandwich Terns while to the south were 2 Little Terns, 4 Shelducks, 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Whimbrel.   27 Ringed Plovers were onshore.
         On the dunes in the very windy conditions, the main birds of note were 2 Wheatears, 3 Yellow Wagtails, Pied Wagtail, Garden Warbler, 3 Corn Buntings, 3 Kestrels and 3 Common Buzzards.  On the flashes and marshes were 12 Mute Swans, 18 Mallard, 14 Shelducks, 4 Little Grebes and 24 Little Egrets.

Monday 11 May 2015

         Southerly passage along the dunes during a strong south-westerly this afternoon involved 55 Swallows, 6 House Martins, 3 Sand Martins, 12 Common Swifts, a Whimbrel and 11 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.   Other birds of note were 4 Wheatears, Yellow Wagtail, Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Corn Buntings and a Water Rail.

Sunday 10 May 2015


                                                                      Northern Wheatear



                                                                        Mallard ducklings.

         A seawatch over the high tide period produced southerly passage of a few gulls, a Gannet and a dark phase Arctic Skua.   60 Sanderlings were on the shore.   Moving south over the dunes were 68 Swallows, 5 House Martins and 2 Common Swifts.
         Warblers today were 40 Common Whitethroats, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, a Garden Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Willow Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers and 2 Sedge Warblers.   Also of note were 3 Turtle Doves, 3 Wheatears, 4 Corn Buntings, 12 Shelducks and 2 Teal.

Saturday 9 May 2015

         A very blustery morning at the south end where few changes were apparent.   A superb male Whinchat was new and other migrants of note included 2 Turtle Doves, only 10 Swallows today, a House Martin and 3 Sand Martins.   On the flashes were 12 Shelducks, 9 Tufted Ducks, a Canada Goose and 9 Little Egrets.   Four Corn Buntings and singles of Pied Wagtail and Yellow Wagtail on the fields while raptors were 2 Kestrels, one Sparrowhawk and 2 Common Buzzards.
         Five Gannets flew south over the sea and 12 Sanderlings on the tide-line.

Friday 8 May 2015

         82 Swallows flew north while to the south were 5 Goldfinches, 3 Lesser Black-backs and a Marsh Harrier.   Common Whitethroats were slightly up at 35, but all the other warblers appeared largely unchanged.   The first Spotted Flycatcher was seen along with a Cuckoo, 2 Turtle Doves and a Wheatear.   Also noted were 3 Common Buzzards, 3 Corn Buntings, 2 Pied Wagtails, a Song Thrush and a Long-tailed Tit.

Thursday 7 May 2015


                                                        Jay about to leave to the south.



                                                                            Corn Bunting.

         A Jay near the old coastguard cottages departed to the south and another from the direction of Pye's Hall flew south over my garden in the evening.   32 Swallows, 7 Common Swifts and 12 Goldfinches flew north.
         My first Garden Warbler was singing this morning and other warblers were 30 Common Whitethroats, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, one Blackcap, 2 Reed Warblers, 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Willow Warblers and 3 Chiffchaffs.   Other summer migrants were 2 Turtle Doves and a Wheatear.   Also of note were 3 Ringed Plovers, 6 Little Egrets, 3 Little Grebes, 28 Mallard, 9 Tufted Ducks, 3 Corn Buntings, Song Thrush, Common Buzzard and 3 Kestrels.

Wednesday 6 May 2015

        Just a short early evening visit to the realignment area after a miserably cold wet day.   The only highlights were 40 Shelducks, 4 Tufted Ducks, 4 Little Egrets, 400 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, 3 Avocets, 13 Swallows, 3 Pied Wagtails and a Peregrine.

Tuesday 5 May 2015

         Very little was seen at the south end in this afternoon's gale.   Numbers were generally meaningless.   Items of note were 21 Mallard, 12 Tufted Ducks, 6 Teal, 7 Little Egrets, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Common Swifts and singles of Wheatear, Common Snipe and Common Buzzard.

Monday 4 May 2015

         25 Swallows, 2 House Martins and 2 Whimbrel flew north and a Marsh Harrier came in from the sea and turned south.  Fewer birds on the marshes, hence 12 Mute Swans, 12 Tufted Ducks, 11 Mallard, one Teal, 2 Shelducks, 13 Little Egrets, Common Sandpiper and 7 Yellow Wagtails.   A fairly late Merlin was over the outmarsh and 4 Common Buzzards were thermalling over the dunes.   Also of note were 2 Wheatears, a Cuckoo and 4 Corn Buntings.   Little change in warbler numbers with 15 Common Whitethroats, 6 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 5 Sedge Warblers and singles of Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler and Grasshopper Warbler.

Sunday 3 May 2015

         A party of 17 Kittiwakes was resting on the tide-line and 6 Lesser Black-backs flew south.   On the marshes and flashes were 12 Mute Swans, 23 Mallard, 2 Garganey, 19 Tufted Ducks, 2 Curlews, a Greenshank, Common Snipe, Jack Snipe, Grey Heron, 11 Little Egrets and 2 Yellow Wagtails.   Raptors were 7 Kestrels, a Sparrowhawk and a Common Buzzard and summer visitors were the first Turtle Dove and the first Swift, a female Redstart, 3 Wheatears, 3 Sedge Warblers, 20 Common Whitethroats, 5 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, Willow Warbler and 22 Swallows.
         Between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall Mark Johnson added a further 6 Wheatears, Chiffchaff, 2 Avocets, Little Ringed Plover and 2 Gadwall.

Saturday 2 May 2015

         The Nightingale was singing less in the very cold wind.   Other summer migrants were 13 Common Whitethroats, 8 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Blackcaps, 3 Sedge Warblers, Reed Warbler, Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs, Yellow Wagtail, 2 Wheatears and 16 Swallows.   Raptors were 4 Kestrels, a Hobby, a Sparrowhawk, a Marsh Harrier and 4 Common Buzzards.   On the flashes were 12 Mute Swans, 17 Mallard, 2 Teal, 19 Tufted Ducks, 5 Shelducks, 8 Coots and 6 Little Egrets.   Also a Mistle Thrush, a Pied Wagtail and 4 Red-legged Partridges.

Friday 1 May 2015

         Birds on the flashes included 14 Mute Swans, 21 Tufted Ducks, 7 Shelducks, 17 Mallard, Little Grebe, 6 Little Egrets, Grey Heron, Whimbrel and 3 Yellow Wagtails.   A bit more birdsong in the lighter wind produced counts of 18 Common Whitethroats, 5 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Blackcaps, 4 Sedge Warblers, a Reed Warbler and a Willow Warbler.   A singing Nightingale near the old coastguard cottages was the first record since May 2012.   Also noted were 2 Common Buzzards, the same Hen Harrier as yesterday, 2 Kestrels, 4 Red-legged Partridges, Wheatear, 6 Swallows, 5 Corn Buntings and a Mistle Thrush.