A day of sunshine of increasing temperatures after early fog and mist with a light north-easterly, and a gem of a bird to reward the ringing team’s pre-dawn endeavours – a cracking male Red-spotted Bluethroat was trapped before 0600hrs, and went on to perform superbly for a steady stream of admirers in the Rocket Pole
A day of thick fog and a cold northerly wind hampering observations. On the sea (at least, the sliver that could be seen) a few terns on the move included two Common and one Arctic, the Surf Scoter was just visible in the murk, while five Yellow Wagtails, 85 Swallows, 60 Sand Martins and 15
A quieter day today with a light easterly wind and plenty of sunshine. After three days awol (at least two of which were spent at Flamborough), the first-year drake Surf Scoter returned and was close inshore along the north side of the Brigg. On the sea, a good movement of Sandwich Terns numbered 371 south
A mostly sunny day with a moderate to brisk southerly wind which delivered plenty of interest. Highlights included a Red Kite south over the Country Park (MJP, IR) and a Black Redstart briefly at the Yacht Club (CW), plus firsts of the year in the shape of an Arctic Tern in the bay, a male Pied
A quiet day today with a strong southerly wind and sunshine. Two Greenland-type Wheatears were fresh-in on Carr Naze, 18 Sandwich Terns and a single Red-throated Diver were the pick of the sea, and a Common Sandpiper was on the Brigg.
Today’s highlight was a local rarity in the shape of a female Red-crested Pochard (HJW et al) at the Dams, where there was also a Little Egret, a Dunlin and the usual cast of regulars (including e.g five Grey Herons, four Gadwall and 12 Teal). Visible migration from Muston Sands this morning included the year’s
Raptors have provided the highlights over recent days, with a Rough-legged Buzzard reported heading south this morning (SC, JS) and an Osprey heading north across a foggy bay from the Gap on 28th (KC). A Great Northern Diver went south and a Cuckoo was in Long Lane on 30th, but otherwise it’s been fairly slim
A slow few days, with an unhelpful northerly airflow setting in and new arrivals thin on the ground. A Cuckoo to the south of Primrose Valley today was the first of the year, while hailstorms brought 140+ Swallows to the Dams yesterday; several more Whitethroats are now on territory alongside good numbers of other warblers
Another quiet couple of days enlivened by the year’s first Osprey powering into the cold northerly wind along the cliffs this afternoon (MJP); otherwise, very much as you were, with trickles of hirundines, Yellow Wagtails and other expected migrants in the log.
High pressure settling over us at this time of year usually means a dearth of interesting visible movement (conversely because conditions are ideal for high-flying, pit stop-free migration) but a healthy arrival of expected, often local breeders, which has been just the case over the last 48 hours. Warblers are out (or rather, in) in