Soil Hill

  A delightful day up on Soil Hill. Although I had a few hours bush-bashing this morning, the highlight of the day came during an afternoon visit when at 14:35 an Osprey flew over high southwest, my second here this year, always a brilliant bird to see.

  During the morning there was very little in the way of VizMig but a Yellow Wagtail flew south calling which is my second of the autumn here, and a Tree Pipit went south, which given the forecast could be my last of the autumn after a fantastic August for this species. Two Snipe also flew west, a species I always enjoy seeing on VizMig and is a highlight of early to mid-September when their migration picks up.

  The bushes this morning were quite productive with a few grounded migrants. The highlight were two Sedge Warblers, which were also joined by a Grasshopper Warbler, three Chiffchaff and three Whitethroat. In the reservoir field there were two Wheatears this morning, and during the afternoon three Wheatears flew high southwest, which may have been the same birds

-Osprey

-Sedge Warbler

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Grey Partridge, Common Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Moorhen, Northern Lapwing, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Osprey, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Barn Swallow, Western House Martin, Common Chiffchaff, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Northern Wheatear, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Western Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Eurasian Chaffinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting, 

Soil Hill birding; updates from the week 6th - 14th August

I was away working for the first few days of August, but the second week really brought home everything great about August on Soil Hill. Despite the heatwave, Lia and I managed to record over 40 species on nearly every morning before the oppressive weather set in. There were plenty of migrants scattered around in the various shrubby areas, including some of the more unusual ones, as well as my second patch tick of the year, bringing me up to 117 in total...

• The undoubted highlight of the week was a Lesser Whitethroat that was in the Koi Farm Copse on the morning of the 10^th August. As we walked up early doors a Sylvia warbler was ticking in the garden along Taylor Lane, but due to a Blackcap being present the previous day and the fact that we needed to check the bottom of the North Slope before the quarry opened, we made haste and didn’t investigate further. It was only when we saw this bird that it became clear. It showed incredibly well considering, which was awfully frustrating given my current camera predicament. Digiscoping through binoculars doesn’t work so well with Passerines. Huge thanks to JJL for use of his spare camera which allowed me to get some shots when we returned in the evening, when the bird continued to show well. I have searched for this species so long at this site, it was an incredible feeling to finally find one.

• On the morning of the 9^th a Short-eared Owl was hunting the fields along Ned Hill Track. It has been nearly two years since I last saw this species here, so it was much appreciated. Being a bigger bird I was able to get some digiscoped photos, although they are certainly lacking some quality.  

Migrants were really the stars of the week, as they usually are at this time of year. The warm weather brought out lots of activity with many birds flycatching and showing well in the early morning light. 

• The first Spotted Flycatcher of the week was on the 10^th when Lia found and identified the bird as we were waiting for the Lesser Whitethroat to appear. In the evening it showed very well on the wires above the Koi Farm Copse. The second of the week was in the North Slope Tree-Line on the 14^th, and it too showed very well.

•  The tall grass at the bottom of the North Slope has been a hubbub of activity, mainly Reed Buntings, Whitethroats and Goldfinches but also a few Warblers. At least one Grasshopper Warbler is lingering there, with another individual reeling at the top of the North Slope on the 14^th, so at least two birds present on that date. There has also been two Sedge Warbler in the area, occasionally showing well but generally elusive. Both are juveniles, so could indicate that breeding did occur here, but I personally remain skeptical.  

• As is typical for August, there was a good showing of Tree Pipit here. Often we heard an individual but it then did not call again and we did not see it, so would not commit to the ID. However, there were still enough individuals for which cooperated that during the week we managed to record eight different birds, some flying right overhead.   

• We also had a brilliant showing of Willow Warblers. Every day had double figures with a new record count of 20 on the 8^th, and counts of 17 on the 9^th and 16 on the 6^th. The yellow juveniles absolutely dazzled in the early morning sun.

• There has been light passage with Swifts seen on most days, including 17 on the 14^th. There have also been two dates with House Martins two on the 11^th and 4 on the 14^th.

Other birds included the first Common Snipe of the Autumn on the 13^th, Great Spotted Woodpeckers on the 10^th and 13^th, the latter date being the first time I have recorded two different individuals on the same day here, and finally two Ravens distantly mobbing a Buzzard on the 15^th. 

But perhaps the real 'best of the rest' was a covey of 10 Grey Partridge, clearly demonstrating successful breeding on the Hill this year. They were first seen on the 6^th before then being seen on the subsequent four days. It really was a sight to behold.

-Lesser Whitethroat

-Short-eared Owl

-Spotted Flycatcher

-Sedge Warbler

-Tree Pipit recording by LNK

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Grey Partridge, Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Little Owl, Short-eared Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Jay, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Willow Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, Spotted Flycatcher, European Robin, Northern Wheatear, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting, Roe Deer, Weasel, European Rabbit,

Soil Hill; Week 17th June - 19th June

This was a short week, due to being away for the first half, but also very important. During my absence of around 10 days, the Soil Hill Sedge Warbler finally turned up. I had given up hope of the species returning this year, given that it was already the 6th of June when I left, but fortunately, he arrived and has continued singing since. Whether or not a partner will arrive now, we will have to wait and see, but it does seem a little hopeless in all honesty. The bird itself is very active, frequently displaying and remixing a nice selection of species from the Soil Hill area; Linnet, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting and a particular favourite of this bird, Oystercatcher. 

Other birds of note have been a couple of juvenile Stonechats on the walls at the bottom of the North Slope on the 18th, and the continued presence of good numbers of Snipe in the bottom fields. also displaying early in the morning. A juvenile Northern Wheatear on the 17th was my first ever here in June, which was unexpected. And on the same date, I stumbled across a beautiful Lapwing nest with four eggs.

On the 17th we left the Moth trap out in the garden, and while I can't face identifying all the brown and nondescript species, a Small Elephant Hawkmoth was certainly a treat, the first time we have caught one. 

-Sedge Warbler

-Northern Wheatear

-Northern Lapwing nest

-Small Elephant Hawkmoth

Species List:

Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Swift, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Little Owl, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Northern Wheatear, European Stonechat, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting, 

Soil Hill & Whiteholme; Week 17th - 23rd May

Soil Hill

Once again Soil Hill was very steady with no significant arrivals during the week. Overall numbers of Whitethroats and Willow Warblers remained fairly consistent, although a sucessful Whitethroat territorie on Taylor Lane from 2020 at last returned, bringing the total number of territories up to at least nine. The Sedge Warbler finally returned on the 17th but was elusive and difficult to get to grips with. Otherwise notable observations were limited. A single Siskin flew north on the 22nd, a pair of Mistle Thrush were present on the 23rd and a pair of Collared Doves flew over the Ned Hill Track on two dates during the week. 

-Sedge Warbler

Whiteholme Reservoir

Passage wader numbers continued to drop and despite ideal conditions there was nothing of real note on any dates, with Dunlin numbers starting at seven on the 18th but dwindling down to just two on the 22nd. Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers remained present, with Oystercatchers also making intermittent appearances. There were a couple of notable sightings during the week. On the 17th there was a pair of Shelduck on the far shore. Although I can't be certain, I think this is a Calderdale tick for me, having failed to connect with any last year. Finally on the 22nd there was something more notable when I picked out a roosting Common Tern early morning. It remained settled for maybe 30 minutes before it was flushed by a Crow and flew strongly SW calling.

-Shelduck

-Common Tern

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, Black-headed Gull, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin, Common Reed Bunting,
Whiteholme Reservoir: Canada Goose, Common Shelduck, Mallard, Eurasian Teal, Eurasian Oystercatcher, European Golden Plover, Northern Lapwing, Common Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Common Tern, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Eurasian Skylark, Barn Swallow, Eurasian Wren, Northern Wheatear, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit,

Soil Hill; Isolation week 14

As July begins the feeling of autumnal bird migration gets stronger and stronger, especially due to the weeks weather which has ranged from drizzle to gales and torrential downpours. At times its been a struggle to motive myself to get out and go birding such has been the unpleasantness of the conditions.

There have been days when the weather has put me off a Soil Hill visit all together, but overall the week has been fairly productive for the Hill. Not least because of a cracking patch tick on the 02^nd July when I finally got a taste of the recent Crossbill action that has been ongoing throughout the country. A noisy flock of roughly 20 individuals flew over Taylor Lane towards Ogden, presumably heading for the sites pine plantations. At the same time there were also two Siskins, heading in the same direction. But the real highlight of the week was on the 01^st July when I finally got to see the Sedge Warbler young, with three fully fledged chicks still being attended to by the adults. It was a very proud moment for me, having been following these birds since the first arrived in early May. These records aside, a fresh clutch of Moorhens is nice and hopefully they will fare better than those that have gone before. A few more Whitethroat fledglings have started to appear and the male Blackcap continues to sing in the North Slope Treeline.

Whiteholme Reservoir has also been a destination of choice this week, fuelled by optimism after a swathe of inland wader records across the north of England. On the 29^th there were four Dunlin present in truly awful conditions, as well as single Ringed Plover and the usual resident wader species. Sadly on subsequent visits only these resident species were present, but on the 01^st July there was a cracking Hobby hunting over the reservoir during an impressive Swift passage. Sadly my camera was fogged from the rain and the bird had moved on before I was able to get it clean. A couple of fresh juvenile wheatears was also nice.

Fly Flatts has also been on the agenda with a couple of short visits during the week. There was also a Hobby here on the 29^th blasting across the road and down the bank towards the reservoir. Windy conditions have made scoping from the road difficult but I still managed to pick out the resident pair of Ringed Plovers which is always nice.

And finally, I also made a stop at Ogden to see what was around. Both Little and Great Crested Grebes were on the reservoir and there were a few Siskins in the woods but overall it was fairly quiet, not helped by the large number of visitors to the site. 

-Dunlin

-Sedge Warbler

-Little Owl

-Red Crossbill

Species List:

Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Red-legged Partridge, Common Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Western Barn Owl, 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, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, European Stonechat, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, Red Crossbill, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin, Common Reed Bunting, Western Roe Deer, European Rabbit, Common Shrew,

Whiteholme Reservoir: Canada Goose, Mallard, Feral Pigeon, Common Swift, Northern Lapwing, Common Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Eurasian Hobby, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Skylark, Barn Swallow, Sand Martin, Eurasian Wren, Northern Wheatear, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Eurasian Siskin, Common Reed Bunting,

Fly Flatts: Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Swift, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Common Ringed Plover, Common Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Eurasian Hobby, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Common Reed Bunting,

Ogden Water LNR: Canada Goose, Mallard, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Swift, Black-headed Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Magpie, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Eurasian Blackcap, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Dunnock, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin,

Soil Hill; Isolation week 8

With lockdown loosening I made a couple of trips further affield during the week. The Hill was reasonable with its birding but there was nothing of particular note, but with daily visits theres always a chance of something before summer sets in.

16 May

Visit from 07.00. Total 38 species observed.

Not particularly an outstanding morning but with a few nice bits as usual. There were two Sedge Warblers today, with a new bird at the bottom of the north slope tree line, singing at the same time as the resident individual. Both Stonechat were showing as well.

-Sedge Warbler

17 May
Visit from 07.00. Total 41 species observed.
Another day with little to report. The second Sedge Warbler proved to a one day wonder, leaving just the resident bird present today. One Stonechat and two Sand Martin were the other species of note today.

18 May
Visit from 07.00. Total 42 species observed.
The Barn Owl was out and flying around early morning, which was the highlight of the day. There was also a single Wheatear on the bottom field.
I also took a trip over to Ogden to walk across the dam and the golf course. There were a few bits; a drake Tufted Duck was the best I saw, with a Cuckoo and Grasshopper Warbler singing on the golf course. The woods were alive with warbler song, although all common species; Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Chiffchaff.

19 May
Visit from 07.00. Total 44 species observed.
There was cloud and occasional drizzle during my walk today, and this seemingly brought down a cracking male Wheatear on the walls near the mast, with yesterdays bird still lingering in the bottom fields. Four House Martins that flew north were only my second of the spring. A 1st summer Black-headed Gull also flew over north, which is my first here for about six weeks.

20 May
Visit from 07.00. Total 41 species observed.
A very similar species makeup to previous visits. A single flyover Sand Martin was about as good as it got. Looks like any hope of breeding has vanished. A Grey Squirrel was on the walls near the mast, which was a solid Soil Hill tick, not sure why it was there.
Headed out over to Ogden again and was delighted when I found myself a cracking Green Hairstreak, my target for the day. Strangely I could only find one individual but there were plenty of Small Heath on the wing in the same area.

-Grey Squirrel

-Green Hairstreak

21 May

Visit from 07.00. Total 43 species observed.

A Blackcap was present on Ned Hill Track, although it moved off fairly quickly singing on and off. Given the time frame between this individual and the previous, I can only assume this is a different bird. Two Sand Martins and two House Martins flew over, the best of the rest.

I also visited Fly Flatts and Cold Edge Dams for the sake of variety after BS had seen a few waders at the former. Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper were all present but viewing was difficult due to being restricted to scoping from the road. A pair of flyover Ravens were also very welcome, and a Grasshopper Warbler reeled twice from the sedge just off from the road. Cold Edge had a nice group of Tufted Ducks as well as three Common Sandpipers. The adjacent trees were alive with Willow Warblers. 

22 May

Visit from 08.00. Total 34 species observed.

It was blowing an absolute gale today which was the reason for my delayed visit and reduced species count. There was little of note.

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, Black-headed Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Grey Heron, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Western Barn Owl, 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, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, European Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting, Red Fox, Western Roe Deer, Grey Squirrel, European Rabbit,

Ogden Water LNR: Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Common Pheasant, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Cuckoo, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Black-headed Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Great Spotted Woodpecker, European Green Woodpecker, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Jay, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Blackcap, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting, Grey Squirrel, Green Hairstreak, Small Heath, Orange Tip, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock,

Fly Flatts: Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Northern Lapwing, Common Ringed Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Eurasian Skylark, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Barn Swallow, Common Blackbird, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Reed Bunting,

Cold Edge Dams: Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Swift, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Kestrel, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Common Blackbird, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting,

Soil Hill; Isolation week 6

A mixed week with variable weather and mixed birding results. My work finally arrived on Monday so will finally be able to commence home office. That said, a Soil Hill visit every morning is still very much on the agenda.

02 May

Visit from 07.15. Total 42 species observed

Cold but clear and sunny with a nice selection of species but nothing outstanding. Highlights from the morning included three flyover Cormorants and a Greylag Goose. A Sand Martin also flew across the summit. 

03 May

Visit from 07.30. Total 42 species observed 

Overall sunny and pleasant morning but with scattered cloud cover. Generally similar makeup, regular assortment of species all on site. Three Wheatears were the highlight with another particularly showy male at the bottom of the north slope, as well as two females. A new Whitethroat territory at the top of the north slope treeline was also welcome, with the male singing from nice exposed perches. Two Sand Martins blogging was the best otherwise. Also first Swift of the year over Bradshaw.

-Reed Bunting

-Northern Wheatear

-Common Whitethroat

04 May

Visit from 07.00. Total 39 species observed.

Cold and overcast morning with low fog for the first hour. After being so close last week, it was nice to clinch a YELLOW WAGTAIL today, when one flew westward across the bottom of the hill. As before I heard the bird calling first and looked up to see it directly level with me at a reasonably low altitude. Despite the dull conditions the bird was glowing yellow, beyond doubt a male. Sadly it did not stop in the Lapwing field as I hoped, but carried on towards Ogden, calling all the way. I did not have my camera at the ready and since it was already level with me when I picked it up, there was no chance for photos.

Despite this excellent hill record, other birds were thin on the ground. A Jay flew over heading southwards and that was the only other notable from the day, although the male Stonechat and at least one Wheatear were still in place.

-Eurasian Jay

05 May

Visit from 06.45. Total 43 species observed. 

Another cold and generally overcast morning with a chilly east wind. Had a very pleasant morning with a stunning female Whinchat gracing the heather on the summit. Sadly it was extremely mobile, and no sooner did I pick it up than it flew to the North Slope top fenceline. Here I managed to grab some record shots before it flew down the slope with purpose. Despite thoroughly searching the slope I was unable to find it and can only assume that it moved on.

A pair of Grey Partridge on the north slope were only my second since my regular lockdown visits began. One Wheatear remained on the bottom fields but was distant and difficult to spot. Two House Martins that flew through were my first of the year as well, bringing my Soil Hill lockdown list up to a very respectable 83.

-Whinchat

06 May

Visit from 07.00. Total 42 species observed.

A bright and sunny morning with very little wind. Very pleasant birding with a few nice bits. First was a singing Chiffchaff in the copse opposite the site entrance track, it eventually moved closer and started to show but was flighty and passing cars frequently caused it to dive back into cover.

At the bottom of the hill there was two Wheatears and two Sand Martins, but the standout bird was a female White Wagtail. Helpfully it was with a male Pied Wagtail. Frustratingly I did not get a view of the rump, but in the field the bird overall was strikingly pale and after discussion with TDJ, KBL, JHF and SH from Spurn any doubts were safely removed. It flew off shortly after I found it, but I was unable to relocate it anywhere. 

'2nd calendar year Motacilla alba alba. The grey shading up the nape should rule out M.a. yarelli. The streaking effect seen on a couple of the photos is caused by the angle of the feathers, so you can almost see under them causing shadowing from this angle, otherwise you'd see the streaks come up towards the nape'

-Chiffchaff

-White Wagtail

Visit from 18.45. Total 38 species observed.

In the evening I decided to go back up to Soil Hill after reading that NK had a Sedge Warbler during his morning visit. It was a very pleasant evening and since the quarry workers had departed I was also able to have a look at the Stonechats, with both birds showing well. The Sedge Warbler was very elusive, but it showed well on brief occasions.

-European Stonechat

-Sedge Warbler

07 May

Visit from 07.00. Total 46 species observed.

It got warm quickly today, and by the time I left the Hill at 09.30 it was already hot and slowing down. Before that I managed a very nice haul of species with a few highlights. The Sedge Warbler was still present and far more vocal than it had been the previous evening. My first Soil Hill Swift also drifted over, bringing my Soil Hill year list up to 85. A Cuckoo was singing distantly towards Ogden, but there was never any chance I would be able to see it. There was still a single Wheatear, Stonechat and Sand Martin.

08 May

Visit from 07.00. Total 45 species observed.

It was a more overcast morning than the previous day, but had warmed up by the time I left. Another day with lots of species but little standout. The Sedge Warbler was still present and showing well. There was a lot of Sand Martin activity too, which will certainly be something to keep an eye on during the spring. Two Wheatears, four Swifts and a Goldcrest were the best of the rest.

Species List:

Soil Hill: Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Red-legged Partridge, Common Pheasant, Grey Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Cuckoo, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Little Owl, European Green Woodpecker, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Jay, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Common Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Whinchat, European Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Western Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting, Weasle, Roe Deer, Orange Tip, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, 

Spurn Weekend Day 1

So for my first full day at spurn before the NGBs arrived in the evening I had already decided to do the point providing there was not much moving. There was nothing moving as a thick fog had set in overnight. As a result I set off down the point with the intention of doing a proper count and hopefully getting plenty of stuff seen.

It was pretty quiet, with most of the birds seen being Common Whitethroats, of which I counted 36 singing birds, though there were undoubtedly more. At the point I was harassed by a crow overhead which would not stop calling while I was there, which probably did not help the number of birds. This crow played this way all weekend according to other birders that went down the point. There were plenty of Brown-Tailed Moth caterpillars which I had heard so much about but never seen, as well as a host of Garden Tiger moth caterpillars. The birding highlight was a Tree Pipit that went over my head calling. I did not recognise the call but a quick check of the Collins App left me in no doubt. I also found a Redpoll at Chalk Bank, as well as a Sedge Warbler.

-Common Whitethroat

-Sedge Warbler

By the time I had done at the point I decided to head off up to the ponds to have a proper look at my Little Terns for the year. Along Beacon Lane I re-encountered the Lesser Whitethroats that were still keeping a very low profile and proving very difficult to photograph.

-Lesser Whitethroat

I wandered round Holderness field. I kept checking the ponds to see what was there. I checked the phalarope pool, but the bird had not been seen for a week, so imagine my surprise when I saw it feeding. I radioed it out, but still could not believe I had refound it. Given the butterflies I had for a obvious bird that was only a refind, imagine how tense its going to be when I find something new and mega!! 

-Red-Necked Phalarope

After watching the phalarope for a while I head on my way. I had a look over wetlands with Mick, and we spotted Little Grebe (which was later put out as a red-necked) and a drake tuftie, both good birds for Spurn. Ponds was quiet, but there were a few Little Terns along the edge of the ponds and with the new Swaro I was finally able to get a proper good look at them, even though I had all of last summer.

Mick had told me about the Corn Buntings, that they were up at the top of the Easington lagoons. I had always planned to head up that way but this was good news to hear. The Lagoons were quiet courtesy of a some disruptive dog walkers. At the top of the lane, exactly where Mick had described I connected with only my second (third and fourth) Corn Bunting. 2 birds were in the corn in the field, but one was singing from the hawthorn next to the path giving me a proper good look and a chance for some nice shots of the yeartick.

-Corn Bunting

I could tell I was a little close to the birds singing perch so did not stay long. I decided to walk back down the beach to find anything there. I was rewarded with a Fulmar flying down the beach super close, probably as a result of the fog. There was also an adult Guillemot in the shoreline breakers. It seemed fine and had probably been disorientated by the fog.

-Common Guillemot

Since it was only early afternoon and I had already done the point and the lagoons I decided to do all of Spurn for the first time since I had been here, so I headed over to Sammies via Long Bank. There was not a great deal there, not even for the day list, but it was in the mid afternoon lull in the middle of the day, so its not a massive surprise.

I finished off the walk down Canal Bank where I added Coot to the day list, but not a lot else and I was knackered so after that went back to the Warren for a little sit down. Overall a smashing day with Corn Bunting the star species being only my second ever, best ever view and Year and Spurn tick, its got it all really.

Species List:

Spurn Point: Mistle Thrush, Swallow, Whitethroat, Dunnock, Linnet, Little Tern, Meadow Pipit, Sandwich Tern, Shelduck, Gannet, Guillemot, Reed Bunting, Starling, Great Tit, Woodpigeon, Wren, Carrion Crow, Tree Pipit, Kestrel, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Herring Gull, Sparrowhawk, Lesser Redpoll, Sedge Warbler,

Numpties and Beacon Lane: Woodpigeon, Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Swallow, House Martin, Common Gull, Skylark, Magpie, Starling, Mallard, House Sparrow, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Greenfinch, Whitethroat, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Dunnock, Lesser Whitethroat,

Holderness Field, Beacon Ponds and Kilnsea Wetlands: House Martin, Magpie, Black-Headed Gull, Mallard, Reed Bunting, Great Tit, Whitethroat, Avocet, Woodpigeon, Swallow, Starling, Linnet, Red-Necked Phalarope, Skylark, Pied Wagtail, Shelduck, Gadwall, Oystercatcher, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan, Little Tern, Little Egret, Redshank, Knot, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Sedge Warbler, Grey Heron, Bar-Tailed Godwit, Corn Bunting, Blackbird, Herring Gull, Fulmar, Guillemot, Sandwich Tern, 

Sammies Point and Canal Bank: Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Shelduck, Mallard, Starling, Swallow, Carrion Crow, Skylark, Linnet, House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Stock Dove, Little Egret, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Reed Bunting, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Blackbird, Black-Headed Gull, Oystercatcher, Sanderling, Sand Martin, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Common Gull, Coot, Great Tit, Coot,