Spurn Bird Observatory

  My intention had been to spend the bank holiday weekend at Spurn as a last goodbye before I return to Brazil, but with work completed I decided to extend my visit, so made the trip across on the Wednesday. This worked out rather nicely in the end, as a Death’s Head Hawkmoth had been trapped in Easington overnight and was set to be shown at lunchtime. After a quick walk around Soil Hill I made my way over in plenty of time to see the moth, the largest in the UK. Sadly due to the number of people present we could not antagonise it and so did not hear its characteristic ‘squeak’, but still awesome to see this rare migrant none the less.

  Once the moth had been seen I made my way to Beacon Lane to catch up with the Greenish Warbler that had been around for a few days. Unfortunately the wind was blowing right into the dell where the bird was, and it had become extremely elusive, but after an hour of looking I finally got some brief glimpses where it perched out nicely before it plunged back into the thicket. The photos I managed to get were very dark but helpfully all the features are on full display. This is a British tick for me, and the first time I have photographed this species. Subsequently I waited an additional half an hour before deciding it was a waste of time and went back for some lunch.

  These were the two highlights of the week, largely in part to the weather, which was a brisk northerly the whole time I was present. Normally this would mean good potential for seabirds but alas the overall passage on the sea was quite muted. There were a few Sooty Shearwaters which are always smart, as well as a couple of Arctic Skuas. Ringing was also hampered by the weather, but a Barred Warbler that we caught certainly livened things up. Tree Sparrows and Willow Warblers made up the bulk of the numbers, with a scattering of Sedge and Reed Warblers completing the migrant contingent. One afternoon we went out to capture Mute Swan chicks, which was a lot of fun although due to complications with the rings we only ringed half of the birds we caught.

  There were a few none birds as well. It was good to see my second ever Spurn Common Seal on the Humber, although it was as difficult to photograph as the last one which was in the surf off the breach. Dragonflies were thin on the ground but a Ruddy Darter in Church Field was nice. Despite the cool weather it was good to see a Barred Grass Snake out on Beacon Lane whilst I was waiting for the Greenish Warbler. 

-Death's Head Hawkmoth

-Greenish Warbler

-Barred Warbler

-Barred Grass Snake

-Common Seal

Species List:
Spurn Bird Observatory: Greylag Goose, Common Shelduck, Eurasian Wigeon, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common  Moorhen, Common Ringed Plover, Eurasian Whimbrel, Eurasian Curlew, Ruddy Turnstone, Dunlin, Common Snipe, Common Redshank, Arctic Skua, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern, Sooty Shearwater, Northern Gannet, Little Egret, Western Marsh Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Merlin, Eurasian Hobby, Eurasian Magpie, Carrion Crow, Great Tit, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Willow Warbler, Greenish Warbler, Garden Warbler, Barred Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Common Blackbird, European Robin, European Pied Flycatcher, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, Western Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Seal, Grey Seal, Brown Hare, Roe Deer, Red Fox, Barred Grass Snake, Common Blue-tailed Damselfly, Emperor Dragonfly, Migrant Hawker, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter,

RSPB Blacktoft Sands twitching White-tailed Lapwing

The weather was looking quite unappealing for my second day at Spurn, so it was mighty convenient that Yorkshires first White-tailed Lapwing was found at Blacktoft that morning. Having seen this species in Oman, India and Israel I was not desperate to dash off, but when Toby offered a lift and we assembled a small squad I was more than keen to tag along.

The bird had become more mobile not long before we arrived but thankfully was still in place and we were able to get onto it almost immediately. From the hide we spent about half an hour watching the bird before vacating so that others could come in and see it. Most of the time it was feeding along the back of the small scrape, but it would occasionally take flight, and circle round before dropping back down again.

Compared to others I have seen this one had a noticeably pale head, but otherwise was an adult in pristine plumage. The long yellow legs were absolutely stunning, and the pattern on the wings when the bird took off was brilliant to see again. It was well worth the morning out.

-White-tailed Lapwing

Species List:
RSPB Blacktoft Sands: Mallard, Eurasian Teal, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Moorhen, Northern Lapwing, White-tailed Lapwing, Ruff, Common Snipe, Common Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Western Marsh Harrier, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Blue Tit, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Barn Swallow, Pied Wagtail,

Soil Hill & Whiteholme; Week 23rd August - 29th August

Soil Hill

The autumn excitement continued to persist this week, despite gloomy and often quite breezy conditions. There continued to be a light scattering of migrants on offer, as well as a few nice oddball species. Visits were only managed on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday due to my spending a long weekend at Spurn, but that was time enough to record a few goodies on the old patch.

Willow Warblers peaked with 10 on the 23^rd, but remained present on each visit. Whitethroats were also present, but in much lower numbers, also peaking with 5 on the 23^rd. Although it was a poor start to August for Tree Pipit, they have been fairly regular in the last week and so it continued. Frustratingly all the birds were either heard only or observed flyovers, with just one bird on the 25^th actually spending any time on the deck. Scarcer drift migrants involved a single Whinchat at the bottom of the North Slope on the 24^th, and then a Spotted Flycatcher on Taylor Lane on the 25^th. Given that it is now the end of August, I was beginning to fret that Spotted Flycatcher might give me the slip this year, so it was a great relief to finally get one, although it was extremely elusive at all times. Grasshopper Warblers continued to be present in the long grass at the bottom of the North Slope. Typically elusive, it does appear to be two juveniles present.

There was sudden surge in Red-legged Partridge numbers, with a family at the bottom of the North Slope and another along Taylor Lane. The 23^rd had a few more unusual species, with a Great Spotted Woodpecker flying north over Ned Hill Track, plus six Cormorant flying north over the North Slope and a flock of three Common Snipe blogging, presumably feeding on the wet fields at the bottom of the North Slope. On the 24^th there was a minimum of four Grey Wagtails that flew south, but could have involved more birds blogging. 

-Spotted Flycatcher

-Whinchat

-Common Snipe

Whiteholme Reservoir

Due to the abridged nature of the weeks birding, I again only visited Whiteholme twice. The 23^rd was a bust, although on the drive back I did have a rather smart Red Kite soaring over Baitings Reservoir, so not a complete loss. The 24^th was much improved, with a smart juvenile Sanderling dropping in frustratingly briefly and at the north end of the reservoir where it could not have been much further away. Also on the 24^th were two juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, as well as a juvenile Common Ringed Plover. The female Goldeneye continued to be present on both days, and was joined by three Eurasian Teal on the 24^th. Wheatears were also present on both days.  

-Red Kite

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Moorhen, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Common Blackbird, Spotted Flycatcher, European Robin, Whinchat, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting,
Whiteholme Reservoir: Eurasian Teal, Common Goldeneye, Red Grouse, Common Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Sanderling, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Eurasian Wren, Northern Wheatear, Meadow Pipit, 

Soil Hill & Whiteholme; Week 16th August - 22nd August

Soil Hill

Although I have thoroughly enjoyed my time birding on Soil Hill this year, it has never felt like it ever reached the heights of last year. Although there has been some nice birds, nothing has stood out and there have been precious few days when the Hill itself seems to have been alive with birds and potential, as enjoyable as it has been.

This week however, the Hill has really felt alive. Despite a difficult breeze on most days and often foggy and drizzly conditions, the birding has been exceptional, with a good scattering of migrant species almost every day.

To kick start the week I flushed two Grasshopper Warblers out of the long grass at the bottom of the North Slope on the 16^th. These same birds were flushed every other day subsequently and on the 20^th they were even reeling from the brambles. Also on the 16^th were three juvenile Bullfinch along Ned Hill Track, but they did not linger during the week.

On the 18^th while trying to spot a calling Coal Tit in the garden on Taylor Lane, an immature Common Restart jumped out onto one of the conifers, sat for a few seconds and then dived back in. A subsequent search only got me another brief view in half an hour, so I called it a write off and went to check the rest of the site. On my way back I had another look and finally spotted the frequenting a small area of the garden where it would occasionally dive out of cover onto the lawn before returning. The message on the grapevine brought JJL up from Bradshaw and together we watched the bird feeding. Whilst we watched a Red Kite drifted over us heading west, which was a real surprise given the windy conditions. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was also calling in the same area but I could not spot it.

The following day on the 19^th, I was stunned to find that not only had the Common Redstart lingered, but it had now been joined by a second bird. When I passed at around 07:00 the two birds were frantically chasing each other round, but when I returned they had clearly drawn their lines in the sand, as each was operating from a separate end of the garden. Willow Warblers peaked for the week today, with nine, as did Wheatears with three. A pair of Collared Doves flew south over Taylor Lane, as did a Grey Wagtail, and a Sparrowhawk took out a Meadow Pipit in the field adjacent to the mast.

On the 20^th just a single Common Redstart remained and it was being rather elusive. But there was a lot of birds to get through. On Ned Hill Track I had a Tree Pipit fly north calling which is only my second here this year. At the bottom of the North Slope the aforementioned Grasshopper Warblers were attempting to reel, and in the same area was a juvenile Sedge Warbler. And then to crown it all off was a cracking juvenile Whinchat on the fence line between the reservoir and the neighboring field. As seems typical with Soil Hill Whinchats, it made rapid progress along the fence-line before flying off down into the valley, but it did spend a short time flycatching, allowing me to get a proper view of it.

In summary, a fantastic week for Soil Hill! 

-Common Redstart

-Red Kite

-Whinchat

Whiteholme Reservoir

I made two visits to Whiteholme this week. The first on the 17^th was a write off due to poor weather conditions but the second on the 19^th was much more productive. As I was arriving AT was leaving and he commented that there was a wader on the centre ‘island’ but it was too difficult without a scope. Since I had my scope with me we has a check and spotted an absolutely stunning adult summer plumage Grey Plover. This is my second here this year, but the vastly improved weather meant that I could actually take time to enjoy this bird, rather than get frustrating glimpses through the fog. In the end it stayed present, feeding away for the hour that I was present. 

-Grey Plover

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Grey Heron, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Red Kite, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Common Redstart, Northern Wheatear, Whinchat, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting,
Whiteholme Reservoir: Common Goldeneye, Red Grouse, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Common Redshank, Eurasian Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Carrion Crow, Barn Swallow, Northern Wheatear, Meadow Pipit,

Soil Hill; Week 09th August - 15th August

Soil Hill

Having spent most of the week at Spurn, there were only a few days when I could visit the old stomping ground before work. Still I managed four visits in often frustratingly windy conditions; not ideal for site where passerines make up the majority of the birds present. Still, I persevered and had a few nice bits to show for it. The best of the week was my first Wheatear of the autumn, which was present on the Thursday upon my return and then stayed in place for the rest of the week. The number of Willow Warblers present varied daily but peaked with 7 on the 12^th. Also on the 12^th I had my first Tree Pipit of the year here. Last year I recorded them many times during August so to have my first as late as the 12^th was a little frustrating but still gratefully received when it finally happened. Otherwise it was only the regular species, but it was still good to record over 30 species every day.

-Northern Wheatear

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Moorhen, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Blue Tit, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Northern Wheatear, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting,

Spurn Bird Observatory

  The annual Spurn BBQ gave me an excellent excuse to return to Spurn, primarily to see people before I leave but also to fit in some early autumn birding as the migration season begins to gain momentum. I arrived on Thursday and stayed until the following Tuesday, giving me plenty of time to enjoy the birding between hangovers.

  There was some nice birds during my stay, the undoubted highlight of which was the juvenile Black Stork that was tracked down the coast on the Sunday. A group of us spent our day on the Obs platform, scopes at the ready, awaiting for the bird to appear over the horizon. Rainstorms hindered its progress and it took longer than anticipated to arrive, but once we received news that it had passed over Holmpton we knew that it was a matter of time. Once we picked it up the bird spent most of its time flying over Easington and landing in fields. Most birders drove up to get a better view but a small group of us stayed on the platform where, although distantly, we could watch the bird as the local Peregrine forced it down again and again until it landed in a ditch out of sight. It was not until the next morning that it finally came south, passing low over the platform just above us, but frustratingly the wrong side of the sun. A brilliant Spurn tick for me, making up for missing out on the bird in 2015.

  Other birds were also around. An Osprey flew south on the Tuesday, and there was a constant trickle of waders flying in off the sea as we watched from the Obs platform. Turnstones, Black-tailed Godwits and Whimbrels were all among the highlights. Passerine-wise it was still a little steady but there was a nice scattering of Willow Warblers that helped keep the ringing entertaining in a morning. We also tried Storm-Petrel ringing but we failed to even attract any, never mind catch them. It was not a complete loss though, as, in addition to some incredible shooting star action, we also caught a Sandwich Tern, which was a ringing tick for PC. And that does not happen often!

  The weather was warm so in the afternoons we went out to hunt for Odonata. I had a Spurn tick when JHF pulled a male Brown Hawker out of the Church Field Heligoland trap. This is was the easiest species I still needed at Spurn, so was a welcome addition to my list. There was an influx of Banded Demoiselles over the weekend as well. I caught up with two in the end, one in Kew and another in Sykes Field, but there were double-figures over the weekend, an event only previously documented once at Spurn. There were Small Red-eyed Damselflies to enjoy as well, but the highlight was a female Southern Migrant Hawker that I removed from the end of the Church Field Heligoland. My suspicions were raised so I grabbed some photos on my phone, but then talked myself out of it and let it go, forgetting all about it until the next morning when I opened the book and realized what a fool I had been. Still, the first female for Spurn, and not a mistake I will be likely to make in future…

-Black Stork

-Sandwich Tern

-Osprey

-Southern Migrant Hawker

-Brown Hawker

-Banded Demoiselle

Species List:
Spurn Bird Observatory: Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Common Shelduck, Mallard, Common Scoter, Common Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Cuckoo, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Oystercatcher, European Golden Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Eurasian Whimbrel, Eurasian Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Ruddy Turnstone, Red Knot, Sanderling, Dunlin, Common Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Common Redshank, Common Guillemot, Black-headed Gull, Little Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Little Tern, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Sandwich Tern, Black Stork, Northern Gannet, Great Cormorant, Little Egret, Western Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Western Osprey, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Western Barn Owl, Common Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine, Eurasian Magpie, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Sedge Warbler, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Western Yellow Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Yellowhammer, Common Reed Bunting, Roe Deer, Red Fox, Brown Hare, European Rabbit, Common Lizard, Banded Demoiselle, Azure Damselfly, Common Blue-tailed Damselfly, Small Red-eyed Damselfly, Migrant Hawker, Southern Migrant Hawker, Brown Hawker, Emperor, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter,

Soil Hill & Whiteholme; Week 02nd August - 08th August

Soil Hill

It was another week with few visits to the old stomping ground, due to reservoir preferable weather and spending the weekend at Spurn. Still, in the early days of the week it was delightful to be back up and checking the various bushes for passing migrants. Although there was nothing major to report, a Sedge Warbler on the 2^nd and 2 on the 3^rd was a nice treat. Both were juveniles so hopefully this is a good indication that they did breed successfully here, despite being unable to keep a watchful eye on them. Willow Warblers peaked at 12 on the 4^th, when the early morning sun really brought out the stunning yellow of the juvenile plumage. A single ‘browncap’ Blackcap was also present on the 4^th, presumably another dispersing juvenile but it would be nice to think that it is one of the juveniles from the Koi Farm Copse. A pair of juvenile Bullfinch on the 4^th was the only other standout of the week. 

-Willow Warbler

Whiteholme Reservoir & Blackstone Edge Reservoir

  Whiteholme was reasonably uneventful this week, although there was a nice scattering of common waders and a Willow Warbler on the 2^nd was very pleasant. Obviously the handful of Wheatears that saw out the week were the real highlights, but then they always are.

  I had been keeping an eye on Blackstone Edge as more of a courtesy that with any real hope of finding anything, given it was showing some nice shoreline and I was already in the area to check Whiteholme. The morning of the 5^th was no exception and having found Whiteholme very quiet I thought I would give it a go. As soon as I got there I could see more birds, with a small flock of Black-headed Gulls feeding on the far side. Among them, through the scope, I noticed another gull in tandem. Although distant, the posture and structure, combined with the rather plain plumage made me wonder if this could be a Caspian Gull, but then I have tried so many times to turn commoner species into Casps that I assumed I would be wrong again. But closer inspection of the plumage did nothing but make me more hopeful that this could finally be my Calderdale Casp. It then took flight and landed nearer to me on the mud. In flight it showed clear primary windows as well as what appeared to be white axillaries. The photos I managed to get I sent to a couple of friends for confirmation but to me this was a perfect juvenile Caspian Gull. Frustratingly it then took off again and instead of dropping back in, as it initially appeared it was going to, it headed straight over the dam wall and into Lancashire. Not long after I received confirmation of my suspicions, but the bird did not returned. This is the 3^rd record of this species for Calderdale, and the 1^st juvenile. 

-Caspian Gull

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Red-legged Partridge, Common Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Grey Heron, Common Buzzard, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Little Owl, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting,
Whiteholme Reservoir: Canada Goose, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Eurasian Curlew, Common Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, Common Kestrel, Carrion Crow, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Eurasian Wren, Northern Wheatear, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Reed Bunting, 
Blackstone Edge Reservoir: Mallard, Eurasian Teal, Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Caspian Gull, Common Kestrel, Carrion Crow, Northern Wheatear, Pied Wagtail,

Soil Hill & Whiteholme; Week 26th July - 01st August

Soil Hill

Unfortunately, due to the weather I did not visit Soil Hill too many times this week, but on the days that I did visit there were quite a few bits to keep me entertained. For starters on the 26^th I managed a whopping 45 species, which I think is my best count this year, but I can’t be certain about that. Willow Warblers were the stand outs of the week, with small numbers of juveniles present daily giving the place a very lively feel. A Grasshopper Warbler was also nice on the 26^th, as were two Grey Wagtail that flew south and 2 Common Buzzard that circled low overhead. Once the storm had passed, I returned to the hill but there was not the fall of passerines I dreamt about, the highlight on the 1^st being a Green Woodpecker that was calling from down in Bradshaw.

-Common Buzzard

Whiteholme Reservoir

Where Soil Hill was more tranquilo this week, Whiteholme was exceptional. With the storm in the offing I made a visit during the afternoon of the 27^th to sus out the habitat and see which birds were already present. I was stunned to spot a Red Knot still in its summer finery on the centre ‘island’. I then flew to the near shore and became unbelievably confiding, allowing me to gather some nice shots. It was carrying a limp but this did not seem to hamper it behaviour at all.

The 28^th was unexceptional despite the weather, but the storm continued and on the 29^th it delivered. Fog greatly hampered visibility but in the glimpses I was able to obtain of the ‘island’ I managed to spot 6 Arctic Terns all sitting out the storm, which then turned into 7 when they got up and had short fly around before presumably deciding against it. When the fog lifted again there was a summer plumage plover sitting on the island. Frustratingly, because of the wind direction, it kept facing me the whole time, and then the fog descended again. It was another 10 minutes before the fog lifted again, but the bird continued to face me. Consequently I moved along the shore to hopefully get an angle that would confirm my suspicions that the bird was a Grey Plover. I managed a better angle, but it was not needed, as the bird decided to leave the reservoir, flying low over my head revealing its stunning black axillaries.

And then to wrap it all up on the 31^st a stunning adult Turnstone arrived mid-morning and after flying around calling landed in the top NW corner of the reservoir. It lingered here for all of about 30 seconds before it took off again. Frustratingly I was trying to digiscope the bird at the time and as such lost it as it flew off, so I have no idea which direction it went. I did however scour the whole reservoir, and it was certainly not present on Whiteholme, nor on Blackstone Edge. Turnstone is my 150th species in Calderdale and the 15th species of wader on Whiteholme so far in 2021.

-Red Knot

-Arctic Tern

-Grey Plover

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Red-legged Partridge, Common Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Northern Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Grey Heron, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting,
Whiteholme Reservoir: Canada Goose, Mallard, Eurasian Teal, Goosander, Common Swift, Red Grouse, Eurasian Oystercatcher, European Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Red Knot, Dunlin, Ruddy Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Arctic Tern, Great Cormorant, Common Kestrel, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Northern Wheatear, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit,