Soil Hill; Isolation week 16

A far more productive week for Soil Hill than last week, although without the standout that was the Red-veined Darter. It began with a bang when two Raven flew over the Hill on the 11^th July, and the first returning juvenile Wheatear on the same day. The following day, the 12^th was really the standout day of the week when I got a really good patch tick. It was one I had hoped for at some point during the autumn but certainly not in July, a very juvenile Common Redstart in the copse oppsite the site entrance track. The local Robins gave it a hard time and it was not present when I passed again an hour later. On the same day there was a cracking male Whinchat on the walls at the bottom of the north slope, really the icing on the cake of an excellent morning. On the 16^th a Grey Wagtail flew West over the Hill, my first of the Autumn here, and that evening I had an incredible count of 24 Mistle Thrush all sat together on the wires above Taylor Lane. Finally on the 17^th I had my first yellow juvenile Willow Warbler, really giving the place an autumn passerine feeling. The Grasshopper Warbler has begun singing again and could be heard and occasionally seen at various points throughout the week. A pair of Bullfinch have also apparently set up at the bottom of the North Slope Tree-Line and were showing well at times. Sedge Warblers remain present and Reed Bunting numbers have really built up.

On the 13^th I made a visit to Whiteholme but the shoreline there is now almost none existent and there was nothing of any note. From there I carried on to Ringstone where I picked out the adult Mediterranean Gull that DF had found the previous day. Although it was distant and would go missing for long periods, it was nice to see it among the throngs of Black-headed Gulls. But the real standout of the day was on a visit I made to Fly Flatts. Sadly the site was fogged off on arrival but I had the surprise of my life when a Mole ran across the road in front of me. The first I have ever seen, I was stunned. On the 14^th I visited Ogden for the sake of variety and had a flyover Red Crossbill calling loudly. 

-Northern Raven

-Northern Lapwing

-Northern Wheatear

-Common Redstart

-Whinchat

-Eurasian Bullfinch

-European Mole

-Mediterranean Gull

Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Red-legged Partridge, Common Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Little Owl, Long-eared Owl, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Common Redstart, Whinchat, European Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin, Common Reed Bunting, Roe Deer, European Rabbit,

Whiteholme Reservoir: Common Swift, Common Sandpiper, Carrion Crow, Barn Swallow, Eurasian Wren, European Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit,

Ringstone Edge Reservoir: Mallard, Great Crested Grebe, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Mew Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, Carrion Crow, Barn Swallow, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Pied Wagtail,

Ogden Water LNR: Canada Goose, Mallard, Great Crested Grebe, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, European Green Woodpecker, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Blackcap, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, Red Crossbill, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin, 

Soil Hill; Isolation week 10

The week started bright but the weather became worse towards the end of the week. Although there was nothing exceptional. The Blackcap endured on Taylor Lane, singing intermittently. The Sedge Warbler continued to linger but became extremely elusive. A pair of Bullfinch on the 2nd June was a surprise, and probably the standout of the week. Starling numbers built up over the week as the regular birds were bolstered by fledging juveniles.

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, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Grey Heron, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Little Owl, Long-eared Owl, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Willow Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, European Stonechat, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting,
Fly Flatts: Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Swift, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Common Ringed Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Dunlin, Common Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Common Redshank, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Eurasian Skylark, Common Starling, Common Blackbird, Meadow Pipit, Common Reed Bunting,

Soil Hill; Isolation week 2

The Spring on Soil Hill really got going this week, with birds departing and arriving throughout the week. Heres a quick summary from each day I've been up to the Hill:

04 April

Visit from 07.00. Total 42 species observed. 

A nice early morning migration, which I observed from 08.00 - 09.00 with the following totals going north; 18 Woodpigeon, 52 Fieldfare, 92 Meadow Pipit, 2 Linnet

Birds on and around the Hill included a single Grey Partridge, another Collared Dove, 3 Oystercatcher, a Snipe and a Buzzard.

05 April

Visit from 07.00. Total 42 species observed.

No migration of note this morning, although a flock of 14 Fieldfare and 2 Redwing flew north

Birds on and around the Hill included the first Swallow of the year, single Oystercatcher, 2 Snipe, 2 Buzzards and a Goldcrest.

-Pied Wagtail

-Wren 

06 April

Visit from 11.00. Total 28 species observed. 

Decided to head up a little later today due to overcast, cloudy and windy conditions when I checked at 07.00. However, it paid off greatly! Having been following numerous lockdown birders recording Ospreys over their houses I was becoming very jealous and frustrated at the lack of such action on Soil Hill. AGAIN! 

I had been round the Hill and was climbing back up the north slope when I spotted a large bird in the sky above me. Before I even put bins on it I knew this was the one, and I was relieved when it banked revealing its white belly and axillaries. I was absolutely over the moon, at long last I had this raptor on my Soil Hill list. This is also my 100th species that I have seen on patch, to make it extra special. 

-Osprey

07 April

Visit from 07.00. Total 39 species observed.

First Wheatear of the year this morning, a fairly inactive individual along the walls of the top fields. Seen on the way up and could not find on the way back down. 

Other species of note include 2 Red-legged Partridge, ANOTHER Collared Dove, Snipe, 2 Coal Tit, Barn Swallow, Goldcrest and a flock of 35 Fieldfare

08 April

Visit from 07.00. Total 43 species observed.

A very productive morning with a nice species total. The standout was a pair of Bullfinch in the trees on the north slope. This is the first time I have seen them on site since the winter group moved off. 

Other species of note included; 4 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Grey Partridge, 2 more Collared Dove and the regular displaying Snipe. 

-Bullfinch

09 April

Visit from 07.00. Total 26 species observed

Waste of time this morning. Thick fog descended at about 07.15 and from that point there was little birding to be had. The best of it was a Green Woodpecker which was calling from somewhere towards the ogden plantation, not a hope in hell of actuallying seeing it. Was done in an hour.

10 April

Visit from 10.00. Total 40 species observed

Due to another foggy forecast I delayed my walk until late morning. The cool and overcast conditions meant birds were still fairly active and I mustered a few good birds. First of these were my first Willow Warblers of the year, with two singing. Three Wheatears were gracing the bottom fields with their presence, and my journey down to try and photograph them yeilded two Reed Buntings. A Jay also flew through. 

Other species of note included Snipe, Red-legged Partridge and another Barn Swallow

-Jay

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Red-legged Partridge, Common Pheasant, Grey Partridge, Rock Dove, Stock Dove, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Grey Heron, Western Osprey, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Little Owl, European Green Woodpecker, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Jay, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Redwing, Common Blackbird, Fieldfare, European Robin, Northern Wheatear, Dunnock, House Sparrow, White Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting, European Rabbit, Roe Deer, Red Fox, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, 

Spurn Week 19

Spurn 24.10.2016

Without rain the easterlies did not deliver in the way that the previous set had. That being said there was still a host of goodies to be had. We started the day by going down to the Snow Bunting that was present at Sandy Beaches and had continued to show well. We were able to get fairly close to it and get some nice photos.

-Snow Bunting

We walked the triangle and ended up back at the Obs. Whilst snacking at the obs we received news of a Long-tailed Duck at Kilnsea Wetlands. We raced up there but the bird had already gone, shortly after to reappear on the Humber. Having got to wetlands in the first place I could not face continuing to chase the duck around and proceeded to count the wildfowl. However, when we had finished there the duck was still present, so I headed down. At this point the bird, which had been sat in the middle of the Humber, began to move closer and soon was paddling just offshore allowing fantastic views of the species which previously I have only seen out at sea.

-Long-tailed Duck

Buzzed from that I decided to have a walk round the triangle, for which I was joined by Mick Cunningham. We had a good walk, the highlights being the presumed Northern Bullfinch, but we did not hear it call and see the bird at the same time. We also saw a Yellow-browed Warbler in Canal Hedge, which was the first one I have seen for some time.

Species List:

Kilnsea Wetlands: Mallard, Wigeon, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Teal, Lapwing, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Knot, Little Grebe, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Curlew,

Triangle: Chaffinch, Goldcrest, Siskin, Blackcap, Robin, Bullfinch, Song Thrush, Fieldfare, Snipe, Lesser Whitethroat, Yellow-browed Warbler, Mistle Thrush, Moorhen, Little Grebe, Mute Swan, Mallard, Wigeon, Teal, Chiffchaff, Brambling, Peregrine, Black-tailed Godwit, Blackbird, Redwing,

Spurn 25.10.2016

Of the most recent easterlies period today looked the most promising. However it started slow and until the afternoon not much really happened. A pine bunting was seen briefly but flew north and was not seen again. The search round the area did not produce much and by lunchtime I had all but given up on it reappearing.

As a result I made the plunge and went down the point again to have another look at the Stenejers Stonechat. Given the wind change tomorrow, I doubt it will be staying overnight. I got down there and soon got to grips with the Stonechat. It was not showing massively close but was showing well and I was able to get better views of the rump.

-Stenejers Stonechat

I made a small detour to have a look for a reported Little Bunting, but I did not look particularly hard. I wandered round the point but became disillusioned with not finding any birds. As a result I called it quits and was about to set off back when the radio buzzed into life that a Red-flanked Bluetail had been found at the point. Despite a few rare things turning up back at the top I decided to stay and have a look at the Bluetail down here. On my way through the shrubbery to the location described I spotted a passerine lift up from the path into the bushes, and when I got onto it through bins I was surprised to see that it was the Little Bunting. It sat in the open for a few seconds before it dived into the shrubbery calling. I had a quick look but decided it was not worth chasing.

I got to the Bluetail location where a handful of people were already. Dave Constantine showed me the back of his camera and was absolutely stunned. The bird was a fully blue adult male. Now seriously excited I continued looking for the bird. The relief and awe when we first picked it up, before we got to enjoy it all and revel in what was a truly stunning bird. We saw it a few more times but the bird was mobile and quite elusive. It sat out when it showed but not for long, before it would drop into the bushes and go missing. Over an hour or so we had a few good views of it, but nothing that would allow me to get the cracking shots that would do the bird justice. After an hour it dropped and did not show again for long enough for me to decided that the time had come to leave and head back up north. Views through the bins were almost exceptional, and the bird was without doubt one of the best birds I have ever seen.

-Red-flanked Bluetail

Back up top I decided to check out the rarest bird of the day in Easington; an Eastern Black Redstart. Not a tick, but a really smart bird. When I got up there the light was fading but the bird was showing well and I was able to get a few acceptable photos of it. Obviously the bird is only a subspecies but it’s still a stunner and I’m glad I went up to see it.

-Eastern Black Redstart

Species List:

Spurn Peninsula: Little Bunting, Siberian Stonechat (Stenejeri), Red-flanked Bluetail, Reed Bunting, Siskin, Greenfinch, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Fieldfare, Sparrowhawk, Swallow, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Robin, Wren, Chaffinch, Brambling,

Kilnsea: Long-tailed Tit, Common Snipe, Stock Dove, Black Redstart, Robin, Wren, Chaffinch, Swallow, Skylark, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow,

Spurn 26.10.2016

The weather changed again, from the short easterly period into a period of prolonged south-westerly. I was hoping for an insane vis-migging session, but sadly movement as very steady and there was not a great deal moving. The undoubted highlight was when a shrill call alerted us to the presence of a Waxwing on the bushes at the Warren and showing nicely. It showed for about 10 mins before it turned around and flew north.

-Waxwing

Late morning/afternoon was spent wandering round the wetlands and the triangle to see if there was anything new in. Wetlands was fairly quiet, with a large clear-out of wildfowl but still a few bits and pieces. Paul caught a Woodcock at Kew which I went to have a look at. During the afternoon I walked round the triangle where I had a smashing Merlin north and a flock of six Whooper Swans south.

-Woodcock

-Whooper Swan

A much quieter day overall than yesterday…

Species List:

Triangle: Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Wigeon, Robin, Siskin, Blackbird, Goldcrest, Song Thrush, Merlin, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Little Egret, Wigeon, Teal, Turnstone, Redwing, Waxwing, Woodcock, Jack Snipe,

Kilnsea Wetlands: Mallard, Mute Swan, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Wigeon, Teal, Black-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Knot, Brent Goose, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Goldcrest, Magpie, Carrion Crow,

Spurn 27.10.2016

With a RL buzzard on the east coast I was out at Numpties for first thing. Sadly though the bird never appeared and the steady state of passage that we had seen yesterday continued into today. In fairness though there were still plenty of good birds. Up to three Swallows went south, which could well be the last ones I see this year and are almost certainly my latest birds ever.

As yesterday, there was clear highlight when 3 Shorelarks flew south flying past numpties. Common Buzzard, Twite and a reasonable passage of corvids and tree sparrows made for a reasonable supporting cast. However once passage had slowed down the day ground to something of a halt, with previous days remaining birds seemingly moved on leaving us with not much at all.

-Shorelark

Species List:

Triangle: Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Shore Lark, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Starling, Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Tree Sparrow, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Linnet, Twite, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Kestrel, Little Egret, Wigeon, Greylag Geese, Brent Goose, Mallard, Golden Plover,

Spurn 28.10.2016

With a Spurn wedding later in the day, the birding force at Spurn was vastly reduced. I was left in charge of the daily log and sorting the daily recording. I started up at Numpties, which was where I spent most of the morning. The passage was fairly average, with a good variety of species but no massive movement. A couple of Twite, a Merlin and a Short-eared Owl were the best of it, the Merlin especially giving great views as it flew by.

Come early afternoon I decided to get on with some outstanding jobs around the Obs garden. Whilst I was doing this the radio buzzed into life that a Rough-legged Buzzard was flying over Kilnsea. I rushed over the Obs to see everyone in it rushing out! The Buzzard was already on it was down being mobbed by a crow, but once it had entered the triangle to settled down and spent the rest  of the day blogging around. At times it showed incredibly well, sat on a fence post before flying only a few feet over our heads. So far as showing well goes for raptors, it does not get much better than this. The bird is thought to be an adult male, possibly a returning bird from the last couple of years.

-Rough-legged Buzzard

Species List:

Triangle: Chaffinch, Greenfinch, House Sparrow, Mistle Thrush, Twite, Woodpigeon, Ringed Plover, Siskin, Rock Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Stock Dove, Redpoll, Linnet, Meadow Pipit, Goldfinch, Common Scoter, Merlin, Pintail, Swallow, Long-tailed Tit, Skylark, Jackdaw, Rook, Grey Wagtail, Knot, Golden Plover, Short-eared Owl, Reed Bunting, Tree Sparrow, Rough-legged Buzzard,

Spurn 29.10.2016

The continued lack of Spurn birders (for the morning at least) left open the possibility of glory, in that fewer birders to notice things meant more chance of picking it up myself. However, I was keener to test myself Viz-migging, see how much I had learnt. As a result I headed up to numpties where, for over an hour, I was on my own. It was a challenge but also rewarding, as I picked up a Lapland Bunting going down the cliffs, and a couple of Long-tailed Ducks going south on the sea.

After a while I was joined by a couple of other Spurn birders who were still on site. As the morning drew on we added a Waxwing going north and a pair of Snow Buntings going south. Overall it was a very successful morning. By mid-morning though birders started to return, so I spent most of the day either napping or doing odd-jobs.

Perhaps the most exciting bird of the day was when Barry radioed up that he had caught a Bullfinch and asked if we want to see it. I should state that I was unaware of the issues surrounding Bullfinches and ringing, so I blissfully photographed the bird. Fortunately the bird did not keel over and die in the hand, but in future I will think twice about Bullfinches in the hand.

-Bullfinch

Species List:

Triangle: Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Rook, Lapland Bunting, Long-tailed Duck, Jackdaw, Siskin, Rock Pipit, Greylag Goose, Skylark, Linnet, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting, Linnet, Lesser Redpoll, Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, Woodpigeon, Whooper Swan, Common Scoter, Waxwing, Twite, Snow Bunting, Pied Wagtail, Wigeon, Carrion Crow, Tree Sparrow,

Spurn 30.10.2016

The continued westerlies meant a lack of new birds incoming and as a result it made birding a bit more challenging that it had been the last few weeks. I headed down the point to check the beach for wheatears, but I failed to find any. That being said I did have a few nice bits and pieces, including a Snow Bunting, Purple Sandpiper and a personal highlight; Firecrest.

By midday I had returned from the point and spent the afternoon clearing up the garden by doing a host of outstanding odd jobs. In the end it felt like a rather productive day despite the lack of birds. That is all that I can really say for it to be honest…

Species List:

Spurn Peninsula: Snow Bunting, Purple Sandpiper, Firecrest, Blackbird, Robin, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Fieldfare, Redwing, Reed Bunting, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Sparrowhawk, Wren, Dunnock,