Soil Hill birding; updates from the week 21st - 25th September

 This was again a short week due to spending the first half in Ireland visiting Lia’s family that are living there. That said, this condensed week really brought out the best of Soil Hill, with some very enjoyable visible migration (although very limited migrant numbers in the bushes), as well as a couple of huge surprises. Although for the most part the winds have been from the northwest and quite chilly, conditions have been clear with any rainfall occurring overnight. 

• There is one undoubted highlight of this week, with not one but two mega species for me here. At 09:09 on the 24^th I was stood on the North Slope VP counting the lively morning passage. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted a small flock of birds passing directly overhead which I did not immediately recognise. Quickly grabbing the camera, I rattled off as many shots as I could while the birds headed west and out of sight. A quick glance at the photos showed me clearly two Bar-tailed Godwit, recognised by their long, slightly upturned bills, as well as three other waders. In a panic, I messaged out the news should any other birders be able to pick them up. It was not until later when I studied the photos a bit better did I spot that the other three birds had black armpits, making them Grey Plover. This is two patch ticks, in the same flock and brings me up to 16 wader species for Soil Hill. Of all the amazing birding encounters I have had on this patch, this ranks up there with the very best. 

-Bar-tailed Godwit & Grey Plover

-Grey Plover

Its been quite the week for waders on Soil Hill, even away from the two exceptional species that I added to my list on the 24^th. 

• On the 25^th my optimistic search produced the first Jack Snipe of the autumn, as it typically erupted from the grass under my feet before flying a short distance and dropping into the adjacent field. It is still quite early, but good to know they are using the site despite its overall dryness.

• One species that has been regular on the weeks VizMig has been Common Snipe, with the highest count being 14 that all flew west on the 22^nd, followed by eight that flew west on the 24^th. A boot around the wetter areas also on the 24^th, flushed five different individuals.

• On the 24^th the first Golden Plover of the autumn could be heard calling, before picking them up as they headed south. These birds then u-turned and flew back north passing straight over me.  

• The only other wader species encountered this week include a Curlew that was feeding on the Bottom Cattle Fields on the 23^rd, and two sightings of Northern Lapwing that flew north on the 24^th and then one that flew east on the 25^th.

-European Golden Plover

-Common Snipe

In spite of the winds been mostly northerly, with just one day of southwesterlies, the main feature of the week has been visible migration. I’ve been looking forward to this ever since I knew my schedule would give me a full autumn here. Every day I have even taken the scope with me to help pick up distant migrants, and it has paid off with quite a few bits of interest. 

• The main species on passage this week has been Meadow Pipit. While the numbers have not be exceptional, they have been reasonable and consistent with 344 on the 24^th being the highest count of the week, followed by 259 on the 23^rd and 213 on the 25^th. Most have travelled directly over the hill, but others have passed further to the west, down the valley.

• There have been a few notable others moving, including Lesser Redpoll on the 23^rd, 25^th and two on the 24^th which are the first of the autumn. There have also been Siskins on two dates, the 24^th and 25^th. Commoner finches have also been moving in smaller numbers, but no counts of more than 10 for any species.

• Hirundines have continued in small numbers throughout the week, but have gone missing on some days. The best count of Barn Swallow was 24 south on the 23^rd, with 13 south on the 25^th being the only other double figure count. Eight House Martin flew south on the 21^st and nine flew north on the 23^rd, for some reason.

• Small totals of Pied Wagtail have also flown south, with 10 on the 25^th being the highest count, followed by 9 on the 23^rd. Grey Wagtail on the other hand has been in very small numbers, with no more than two on any date.

Migrants in the bushes have been well down on the previous weeks, as almost all of the summer breeders have moved on. Although stranger things have happened, it seems unlikely that any of them will make a late reappearance. 

• Although I said it the previous week, what is almost certainly the last Whinchat of the year was present distantly on Taylor Lane on the 22^nd. The revised final total for the autumn is now a conservative 17 individuals. 

• The only grounded migrant that has seen an increase in numbers this week is Stonechat, with birds seen nearly every day generally scattered around the site, with high counts of four on the 21^st and 23^rd.

• The last warbler standing of the autumn is Chiffchaff, and they have been present every day although in small numbers, with a high count of three on the 21^st being the best of the week. 

• Finally, Goldcrest has been seen every day but the only day with multiple individuals was the 24^th when three were recorded in different locations.

-European Stonechat

While the winter wildfowl still keep arriving I will continue to break down sightings of these species until the variety returns to simply small counts of common species. Once again it was a good if not an exceptional week for geese and ducks on Soil Hill. 

• After last weeks near continuous stream of Pink-footed Geese, a single skein of 71 on the 21^st and two skeins totalling 182 on the 22^nd was not what I had imagined for this week. That was until the final day, the 25^th when the floodgates opened and 662 flew past between 08:00 - 10:00, in 10 different skeins. The largest of these were 151 and 111, both of which passed well to the north over Keighley. Greylag Geese were limited to four flying north on the 25^th.

• The Eurasian Teal remained on the NK Pond throughout the week, with the highest count being five on the 23^rd. The only other notable duck sighting of the week was a Goosander that flew south on 22^nd, before dropping into Ogden. 

-Pink-footed Goose

-Eurasian Teal

That has pretty much covered all the sightings from the week, with very little else of note. There have been a few Raven sightings during the week, with two on the 23^rd and then three together on the 21^st. And finally a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew east on the 24^th. 

-Northern Raven

Species List:
Soil Hill: Greylag Goose, Pink-footed Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Eurasian Teal, Goosander, Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Moorhen, Grey Plover, European Golden Plover, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Jack Snipe, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Little Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Common Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Whinchat, European Stonechat, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Common Linnet, Lesser Redpoll, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin, Common Reed Bunting, 

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 & 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, 

Spurn Day 2

Today the festival preparation began, so I decided to try and stay near enough to Westmere Farm for the days birding. It started with a little Seawatching where there were a few seabirds like Arctic Skua passing and a handful of duck, including a Pintail, which was a bit of a novelty.

I then headed round the triangle, through Beacon Lane, round to Wetlands and finished off at Sammies Point before work began. A Green Sandpiper on Holderness field was the highlight of the first half but the ponds had really impressive numbers of Knot and Grey Plover roosting, which was pretty cool to see. 

-Wader Roost

 Whilst walking to Sammies I was collared by Martin Stoyle, who asked if I was interested in moths. I said I had a passing interest, thinking it might be a rare brown migrant, but instead he produced 2 Convolvulus Hawkmoths which were a lifer and only my fourth Hawkmoth species ever. I was pretty impressed to say the least.

-Convolvulus Hawkmoth

There was nothing much doing at Sammies, but my trip there was cut short by a call to help with the festival preparations, and that is how I spent the rest of the day.

Species List:

Seawatching: Pintail, Wigeon, Arctic Skua, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Gannet, Black-Headed Gull, Great Black-Backed Gull, Red-Throated Diver, Fulmar, Razorbill, Common Scoter,

Triangle: Reed Warbler, Swift, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Tree Pipit, Cormorant, Sand Martin, House Martin, Linnet, Goldfinch, Swallow, House Sparrow, Mute Swan, Little Egret, Mallard, Rook, Jackdaw, Red-Backed Shrike, Starling, Robin, Black-Headed Gull, Common Tern, Knot,

Beacon Lane: Willow Warbler, Greenfinch, Linnet, Blackcap, Greenshank, Woodpigeon, House Sparrow, Blue Tit, Yellow Wagtail, Graylag Goose, Curlew, Green Sandpiper,

Beacon Ponds and Wetlands: Avocet, Turnstone, Greenshank, Little Grebe, Common Sandpiper, Sanderling, Dunlin, Knot, Redshank, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Mute Swan, Little Egret, Cormorant, Common Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Black-Headed Gull, Black-Tailed Godwit, Bar-Tailed Godwit, Pheasant, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Herring Gull, Sandwich Tern, Kestrel, Peregrine,

Sammies Point: Reed Bunting, Curlew, Kestrel, Little Egret, Peregrine, Linnet, Spotted Flycatcher, Willow Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, Siskin, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Wheatear, Whinchat, Meadow Pipit,

Spurn Weekend Day 2

First full day back at the site where I spent 3 months solid. I got up nice and early, half 5 and was just on my way up to numpties when Steve ran down saying Mick had got Bee-Eater up in Easington and turtle dove at Wetlands. As a result I jumped in the car with Steve and we rushed off to Easington to see if we could track in down on the wires. We could not, which follows the pattern of the bird the previous day.

I decided the wetlands would be a waste of time and instead got a lift back to Numpties where I hoped the bee-eater would go past. There was a steady trickle of swifts moving down over numpties and a few other bits and pieces. It was not pulling up trees but there was enough to keep you sharp whilst seeing some good stuff.

During the morning a reported 3 Grey Herons came in off the sea, though 2 were before I arrived. It was bizzare to see these great big birds which I usually see flying over wetlands or fields, out in the sea coming inland, and made for some more unusual photos of the birds in their habitat.

-Grey Heron

The wind was an absolute nightmare so we were watching from the downwind side of the seawatching hut. It was just as well as otherwise we would have missed some good stuff. Early in the morning Rich Swales picked out a couple of Egyptian Geese flying in the distance, which was the rarest bird recorded at spurn all weekend, but they were distant and seemed to drop down over the ponds, though we heard nothing.

Next I picked up a flock of Canada Geese at the same sort of distance. However, not yet completely familiar with the workings of Spurn I considered them 'just' Canada Geese and kept them quiet, until I mentioned it in passing later to a cry of them being suppressed. Awkward! Given they were now very unusual and I had only got the facial pattern on one of the birds I told Paul that there had been one Canada Goose and 5 other geese sp. but after seeing that a flock of 6 Canadas had been reported earlier in the week it would make sense that they were all canadas. The weird workings of birds at Spurn have caught me out again.

The highlight of the morning for me came a little later on. It all happened very quickly but simultaenously we heard a call that sounded familiar but I could not put my finger on it, and a pair of birds flew past us, the one closest to me was clearly red and a reasonably large finch sp. Had I time I would have got it, but the others there were onto it straight away, Common Crossbill, my third Spurn Tick of the morning. There seemed some confusion that it might have been two Crossbills and a Linnet but we will never know as the birds kept on going over and beyond the buildings at the Warren. I was pretty buzzing after that to be sure.

The same thing happened again not long after, with another call I knew I recognised but could not put my finger on it. This time we picked up the bird much quicker, though it still went through pretty fast, a Siskin, which is only my second for Spurn.

There had been Cuckoos calling yesterday up at wetlands but by late morning we had 3 flying about over Clubleys. Two went back to canal hedge but one did a full loop of clubleys allowing me to get some decent, if not exceptional, shots of the bird in flight.

-Cuckoo

By early afternoon the numbers of Swifts had started to pick up and we were soon on over 1000 having passed through. Other stuff continued to be around, and next on the list was a Hobby that one of the birders had picked up coming in over the Borough Pits. Obviously that's a long way away and I managed no photos of it. It kept diving below, and stayed down for a while before coming back up. It did this a couple of times before moving back out to sea and going south, again at a distance.

The Siskin decided to come back, unlike the crossbills, and did a loop over our heads before heading south again. I was keen to try and grab a photo but caught my camera on my bag, breaking the screen. fortunately no internal damage was done but it does mean I have now broken 2 cameras at Spurn, which is far from ideal.

-Siskin

After 8 hours up at numpties I decided to go for a little walk round the triangle, despite Ian saying it was a big mistake. The wind, of course, kept everything down in the triangle and the only birds I saw were Grey Plover and a solitary Brent Goose (Pale Bellied) from Canal Bank.

-Pale Bellied Brent Goose and Grey Plover

I was thinking to myself that I should have stayed at numpties when the inevitable happened; Pete text me saying that the bee-eater had gone south while I had been away. I was gutted, but felt surprising not bothered. Whilst I had not seen the bee-eater, major bummer, I had always wanted to tick it where I could appreciate it, and not some flyby, so I did not feel as bad as I could have done. That being said, it did not help me when I was being ripped to pieces by the guys when I returned to numpties...

I waited at numpties to see if it would come back, but it did not. I helped Steve count Swifts and in the end there were around 2300 that went through, which is not bad going at all. Another fantastic days birding at Spurn, with 3 Spurn Ticks to boot.

Species List:

Numpties: Egyptian Goose, Gannet, Swift, House Martin, Linnet, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Black-Headed Gull, Brent Goose, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Sandwich Tern, Carrion Crow, Whimbrel, Mallard, Little Tern, Grey Heron, Kestrel, Jackdaw, Feral Pigeon, Starling, Common Crossbill, Great Black-Backed Gull, Greenfinch, Canada Goose, Collard Dove, Goldfinch, Oystercatcher, Reed Bunting, Skylark, Little Egret, Collard Dove, Common Scoter, Pied Wagtail, Cuckoo, Siskin, Common Gull, Grey Plover, Graylag Goose, Hobby, Tufted Duck, Knot,

Spurn Day 30

Most of today was taken up with a shopping trip into Withernsea, but while I was at the hide the weather had a part to play in the fact that the species type remained consistent. It was good to see that the number of waders of the ponds is increasing again, after there seemed to have been a lack of them on my other shifts.

The raft diversity has also increased, with the addition of Med Gull and Shelduck to its biodiversity. The Shelduck spent most of the day sleeping on it, while the Med Gull count reached a peak of 3, all of them being juveniles.

Since there was a lack of things to photograph a grabbed a distant photo of the wader roost in the rain. There are a good number of Grey Plovers in summer plumage in it, which re striking birds to say the least.

-Wader Roost

There were notable species during the day; Yellow Wagtail and Arctic Skua but they keep their distance and just passed through, so were nothing to write home about.

The Daily Oystercatcher

I was interested to see that the adults still were feeding the chicks, even though they are more than capable of feeding themselves at this stage. One chick received a massive lungworm from the parent, so long it was dragging along the ground as the parent brought it up.

Species List:

Beacon Ponds: Redshank, Herring Gull, Whimbrel, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Turnstone, Sandwich Tern, Dunlin, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Mediterranean Gull, Oystercatcher, Knot, Grey Plover, Little Egret, Mallard, Gannet, Mute Swan, Linnet, Little Tern, Meadow Pipit, Common Gull, Arctic Skua, Black-Headed Gull, Kestrel, Shelduck, Skylark, Cormorant, Yellow Wagtail, Swallow, Blackbird, Common Teal, Sanderling, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, House Sparrow, House Martin, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Black-Tailed Godwit, Golden Plover, Bar-Tailed Godwit,

Spurn Day 2

So day 2 begun, with my first shift. This shift began at 5.00 in the morning, so a 4.00 rising was required. To say it was testing is an understatement, it was really grim. Thankfully the rain had eased, leaving only the wind to contend with. On the way to the hide I passed a singing Sedge Warbler, which was a nice recovery.

I passed by the Tern areas to a chorus of angry adults overhead voicing their discontent at my presence. I met the other warden who was finishing his night shift and settled down for a 5 - 5 shift of watching Little Terns and anything else that may be around. The colony, some 45 pairs strong, is between the sea and a saline pool. On the pool there were the waders that had been brought up to rest by high tide, predominantley Dunlin, Redshank and Grey Plover. One of the latter was in stunning summer plumage, which is a plumage tick for me.

-Dunlin

-Grey Plover in Summer Plumage

As the morning wore on the numbers of wading birds began to drop as they moved off into their feeding grounds. It was during this time that I noticed an unusual specimen among the Dunlin. Its bright buff plumage drew me to it, that and the fact that it had no black on its belly. On closer inspection it was also larger than dunlin, and had a longer, curved bill. Could it be that I had found another lifer, curlew sand? I considered it and mentioned it to the warden as one, but I failed to see the white rump so I’m unable to confirm or deny it either way. I checked photos of curlew sand online and have not found a photo of a bird as buff as mine, so I have opted not to call it as one and wait for one with a white rump.

-Mysterious Wader, above the rock

But of course the birds that I was here to watch were the Little Tern. There were at least 7 juveniles and numerous adults. They often flew over the hut on their way between fishing and the colony. I got great views as they moved around the place, sometimes even fishing in the pond in front of me. To say it was only a lifer yesterday they have very quickly become a familiarity in my current line of work.

-Little Tern

During the latter part of the morning it got to a stage where my tiredness was beginning to catch up with me. It was a struggle to keep awake, and it was still less than half way through my first shift. However I was awoken from my drowsiness by a small flock of summer plumage Little Gull that flew over the pond, allowing me to get a great view of them coming towards me and grab a few record shots of these lovely birds. 

-Little Gull

Things frequently slowed down on the pool so I frequently looked out to sea. There were usually some gannets passing by but the highlights of my seawatch were the small groups of Common Scoter that flew past, quickly becoming a regular feature through the day. They were often far out to sea though, so it was difficult to get any decent photos of.

  In the dunes themselves there were a few insects around, but due to the wind they were not in excess. The most notable of these was a large orange moth flying around, but it did not land at any point so I was unable to get a clear identification of it. When I came up to it I got a better view of it and when it got trapped in some grass. It was a Garden Tiger Moth, but it did not stay still so I could not get any decent photos, only record shots.

-Garden Tiger Moth

The morning passed and the afternoon drew on. Soon the waders started to come back from their feed and accumulate on the pond. Among them there were a few summer plumage Grey Plover, adding to the one earlier and a few other dubious Dunlin that could have been something else but I was not it a position to comment anyway. I managed another year-tick in the form of a pair of summer plumaged Knot that had mingled in with the waders. It’s the first time I have seen a summer plumage knot, so that was an exciting development in the day.

-Summer Plumage Knot

My shift came and went, and so did I. On my walk back along the beach I had to pass a small group of Dunlin on the beach in front of me. Naturally I wanted to avoid spooking them but it was not going to happen, they had taken up all the space between the terns and the beach. I ended up having to send them up twice as the first time they did not get it that I was going that direction. For all that I managed to get some decent shots of the birds...

-Dunlin

When I had almost made it back the Warren, worn and weary, I found another species that required photographing. This time though it was not a bird but a mammal. A Roe Deer was muching grass in the field next to the road. It was very bold and I managed to get some decent shots before it ambled away, seeming pretty careless about my being there.

-Roe Deer

I headed back to the Warren to grab some dinner. After that I decided to go for a bit of Seawatching, to see if I could find anything. In about an hour I managed a good few Gannets, a couple of Guillemots and a pair of Sandwich Terns, so not overly productive but good practice.

I decided to have a wander around the warren to see what was about and to try and find the pools where the darters were. I headed towards the spit first but soon realised the pools were not that way. There was a Linnet singing from one of the signposts, and I spotted a few Whimbrel along the shoreline, which was my first time in a while seeing them. I continued along the shoreline to try and see if the ponds were behind the hedge, but they were not. I did succeed in flushing a Brown Hare and a Fox though, which definitely counts for something.

I eventually did find the pools in the field behind the Warren. As expected for this time of day there were no dragonflies, but there was a Roe Deer feeding in the long grass, possibly the same one as earlier. Again, it was quite bold too so I was able to get some good shots of it, even though the light was so low. 

-Roe Deer

And as such my first full day at Spurn, and my first working day finished. I was knackered and ended up in bed by 9.30. Looking forward to more of the same tomorrow!

Species List:

Beacon Ponds: Ringed Plover, Gannet, Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Little Tern, Sandwich Tern, Dunlin, Little Egret, Meadow Pipit, Shelduck, Little Gull, Greater Black-Backed Gull, Grey Plover, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Common Scoter, Avocet, Mute Swan, Common Tern, Sedge Warbler, Black-Headed Gull, Swallow, Common Gull, Carrion Crow, Feral Pigeon, Linnet, Swift, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Turnstone, Knot, Garden Tiger, 6 Spot Burnet Moth, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown, 22 Spot Ladybird,

Seawatching: Gannet, Swallow, Guillemot, Sandwich Tern, Common Gull, Fulmar, Shelduck, Great Tit, Grey Seal,

Warren Walk: Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Whimbrel, Swallow, Chaffinch, Yellowhammer, Pied Wagtail, Woodpigeon, Roe Deer, Brown Hare, Fox