May 2021

Monday 3^rd May – Lots of singing blackcap, several lesser whitethroat on site, from the lighthouse 4 sanderling, 30+ brent geese, a couple of yellow wagtails, grey heron, 4 wigeon, a turnstone, single Arctic and common terns east, odd swallow through, house martin, marsh harriers, common buzzards and across the river a female hen harrier which later circled over the river giving good views before heading east along the flood bank.

Sunday 2^nd May – 36 brent geese on the edge of the river, lesser whitethroat, a few swallows, 2 common scoter on the river, a drake shoveller east, avocet, marsh harrier and  wheatear. Also a few orange tips and our first holly blue of the year.

Saturday 1st May – Simon – 48 Brent Geese, Female Merlin, 1 Avocet, 6 Whimbrel, 1 Common Tern east, 1 House Martin, 24 Fieldfare and 2 Redwing at Paull Holme farm,
2 Tree Sparrow

April 2021

Friday 30^th April – Early morning produced a fox on the edge of the fort, short eared owl, cuckoo and 12 bar tailed godwit. Later a common tern east and 2 Arctic terns east, marsh harrier, good views of the cuckoo, yellow wagtail, a female hen harrier over the strays, 18 brent geese, at least 3 lesser whitethroat and a marsh harrier.

Sunday 25^th April – A calling lesser whitethroat next to the carpark, numerous blackcap, siskin, a single wheatear, willow warbler, the female ring ouzel still on the lawns of Paull Farm along with 2 fieldfare. Also odd swallow passing through, singing reed and sedge warblers and a small emergence of orange tip butterflies.

Saturday 24^th April – At least 3 willow warblers present, the first reed warbler of the year with 3 singing birds, common whitethroats increasing in number, 2 marsh harrier across the river, calling cuckoo, whimbrels in decent numbers, sedge warblers and a female ring ouzel showed well around the farm on the far end of the strays along with 2 fieldfare. Past the end of the strays a flock of 60-80 fieldfares were seen, also at least 6 common buzzards recorded, odd swallow and a single redwing near the church.

Friday 23^rd April – 2 bullfinch seen again, more migrant warblers appearing, a weasel briefly, yellow wagtail, marsh harrier, grey heron, a calling greenshank and 2 tree sparrows. Also calling cuckoo, sedge warblers, close views of 3 wheatear, yellow wagtail, 5 willow warblers around the area, 2 common buzzared and the first speckled wood of the year.

Tuesday 20^th April – At least 3 blackcap around, a couple of chiffchaff, 3 sedge warbler have finally arrived, sand martin, swallow, a single turnstone, willow warbler, a grey wagtail heard the first yellow wagtail of the year, common whitethroat, whimbrel and bullfinch again seen well.

Monday 19^th April – 6 siskin in the woods, 2 song thrush, common whitethroat, 2 whimbrel, 32 brent geese on the edge of the river, eventually moving off east, 7 shoveller, whimbrel, 2 singing willow warbler, 8 fieldfare, a ringtail hen harrier also drifted east along the floodbank, 5 distant Canada geese, and finally 2 twite flew east low over the lighthouse.

Sunday 18^th April – Blackcap and chiffchaffs singing, common whitethroat, 2 whimbrel, common buzzard and a very neat male ring ouzel showed well around the farm.

Saturday 17^th April – Chiffchaff and blackcaps in good numbers, 10 shoveller on the edge of the river, some displaying, willow warbler singing on the edge of the carpark pond, good views of a weasel. At Hedon Haven a flock of 65 black tailed godwits, many in summer plumage, also 2 avocet.

Friday 16^th April – Several chiffchaff and blackcaps singing, marsh harrier, 3 turnstone, a short eared owl hunting along the floodbank, swallow, odd teal, a peregrine perched in  a field on the far side, common whitethroat and a whimbrel.

Thursday 15^th April -3 singing chiffchaff, blackcap, 5 teal a few little egrets around, a male red breasted merganser was accidently flushed off the edge of the river, whimbrel and 2 sand martin.

Monday 12^th April – Half-hearted singing from a couple of chiffchaffs and blackcaps, a few waders present with a large flock of dunlin targeted by a peregrine, 4 mute swans and 2 siskin in the church woods.

Saturday 10^th April – A Canada goose was in the fields on the far side of the strays, also a small flock of redwing, a single fieldfare overhead, chiffchaff, blackcap and 2 pairs of bullfinch showed well. Good numbers of common waders including grey plovers, later a single swallow went past, a marsh harrier was across the river.

Friday 9^th April – Early morning produced a swallow, a sand martin and a common scoter, at least 3 singing chiffchaff present, blackcap, 3 more sand martin, 4 bullfinch and 7 distant goldeye on the river.

Monday 5^th April – Singing chiffchaff, at least 2 blackcap, a peregrine harrying everything in sight and a single kittiwake past.

Sunday 4^th April – At least 2  singing chiffchaffs, blackcap, a single siskin over, a sand martin along the river, at least 5 common buzzards present, kestrel, marsh harrier and a minimum of 15 small tortoiseshell on the wing.

Saturday 3^rd April – Singing blackcap and chiffchaff, 20+ teal still present and the odd wigeon, a common scoter, 2 grey herons, calling bullfinch, 3 mute swans, a siskin, an Iceland gull went west up the river and a flock of 25+ kittiwakes also went past. Also a grey seal.

Friday 2^nd April – 2 singing chiffchaff, blackcap, 4 long tailed tits, sparrowhawk and a coal tit.

Thursday 1^st April – 3 eider and 5 common scoter showed well on the river, a female blackcap and 5 singing chiffchaff in the woods and a porpoise off the lighthouse.

March 2021

Monday 29^th March – A singing chiffchaff in the woods, common buzzard, a nice male marsh harrier crossed the river, 5 grey plover, 3 avocets on the strays and a few lingering teal and wigeon.

Saturday 27^th March – Early morning produced common scoter, peregrine and the first singing chiffchaff and wheatear near the lighthouse. Otherwise quiet with a couple of kestrels and common buzzard seen.

Friday 26^th March – very quiet with marsh harrier and common buzzards both seen.

Sunday 21st March – short eared owl on main stray, buzzard, highlight of the day was a sun bathing Panda on the river, see below!

Saturday 20th March – distant pochard and goosander on south side of river

Monday 15^th March – 8 avocet across the river, lapwing, single knot, 5 or 6 common buzzards, a peregrine low over the river and a handful of redwings in the paddock.

Sunday 14^th March – A singing coal tit in the woods, 2 siskin low overhead, a distant goosander west, 3 kittiwake west, 6 grey plover, marsh harrier and 4 or 5 common buzzards.

Saturday 13^th March – A peregrine over the strays, female marsh harrier, common scoter, 14 knot and a coal tit.

Friday 12^th March – Quiet with a few godwits present and a woodcock flushed just off the path near the carpark.

Sunday 7^th March – 150+ golden plover present, 2 tree sparrow over, little egret, common buzzard, stock dove, 2 stonechat, 4 hares in nearby fields and a flock of 70+ avocet on Hedon Haven.

Saturday 6^th March – Several singing song thrushes, a single drake shoveller among wigeon, 6 redwing, 40+ pink feet geese over, a little owl was on Fort Paull wall briefly.

Friday 5^th March – Early morning produced a great crested grebe drifting on the river, redpoll over, a rook and merlin. Later 40+ lapwings seen, marsh harrier, little egret, 2 jackdaws, 3 or 4 common buzzard and 12+ redwing.

Monday 1^st March – 20+ knot again present, 6 turnstone, 3 grey plover, a single black-tailed godwit, a drake tufted duck on the river, decent views of a pair of pintail, little egret, common snipe, 2 stonechat and 6 avocets on Hedon Haven.

February 2021

Sunday 28^th February – Singing coal tit, 3 or 4 rock pipits, 2 knot, 60+ pink feet geese East, 2 distant pintail on the river.

Saturday 27^th February – Singing coal tit, 2 bullfinch, 4 knot, 200+ pink feet geese, little egret, 4 or 5 common buzzards and a small tortoiseshell again.

Friday 26^th February – A few redwing still around, 2 knot, 2 oystercatcher, 2 rook overhead, little egret, 4 stonechats, 3 common buzzard and a small tortoiseshell.

Monday 22^nd February – 24 knot along the river edge, 4 oystercatcher, drake shoveller, 3 mute swans, 300+ pink feet geese west and the lesser black backed gull again. 6 roe deer seen and on Hedon Haven at least 37 avocets feeding.

Sunday 21^st February – 29 knot on the river edge, 2 oystercatcher, 11 turnstone 250+ pink feet geese and an adult summer plumage lesser black backed gull showed well.

Saturday 20^th February – Single oystercatcher, 2 peregrine sightings, 2 marsh harrier, 3 roe deer and a kingfisher perched on the edge of the carpark pond.

Monday 15^th February – A single tree sparrow near the church, also a mistle thrush again. A short eared owl was flushed at the near end of the strays along with 2 common snipe, wildfowl included 5 shoveller, a pair of gadwall on the main  drain and 2 drake pintail. Among the greylag flock a single pink foot goose and 4 brent geese, also a single stonechat, 2 knot, 8 avocet, 10 turnstone and a flock of 120+ black tailed godwit. Later two flocks of pink feet geese headed out east.

Friday 12^th February – 6 avocet on Hedon Haven, 3 goldeneye west, a sparrowhawk and a mistle thrush in the church area.

Friday 5^th February – 2 or 3 singing song thrush heard, also a flock of 10 redwing, large numbers of wigeon and teal on the river with a single drake shoveller, a perched marsh harrier, common buzzard, a little egret and a snow bunting was heard calling over the strays but unfortunately not seen.

Wednesday 3^rd February – 4 ‘barnacle geese’ over, a female merlin, a flock of 24 avocets in the basin, 8 rock pipit, coal tit and 2 stonechat.

Monday 1^st February – A singing song thrush heard, in the woods a flock of long tailed tits and a goldcrest, a single black tailed godwit with good numbers of bar tailed, 2 stonechats, marsh harrier, 2 peregrine over the strays again, common snipe, a female bullfinch and a round 20 avocet on Hedon Haven.

January 2021

Sunday 31^st January – On the far side of the stays at least 2 singing skylark, a flock of 8 yellowhammers beyond the hide which is officially closed at the moment, on Hedon Haven 15 avocets and at least 100 black tailed godwits feeding.

Saturday 30^th January – A bullfinch heard, good views of a marsh harrier, 4 goldeneye along the river, a goldcrest and great spotted woodpecker seen and on Hedon Haven 15 avocets present.

A few photographs added to photo page

Monday 25^th January – Quiet with a pair of roaming stonechats again, this time beyond the pond, a kingfisher briefly in the drain in the open area near the steps, odd redwing and the greylag flock still present.

Sunday 24^th January – 18 avocets on Hedon Haven, marsh harrier and two peregrines having a tussle over the salt marsh, 2 stonechat again, 2 ringed plover, around the paddock 2 redwing, mistle thrush and a grey squirrel.

Saturday 23^rd January – A flock of 15 pink feet over the carpark, little egret, 3 marsh harriers, a flock of 20+ goldeneye drifting west on the river, common snipe, a drake gadwall west, a single knot on the river edge, 8 turnstone and a rock pipit.

Friday 22^nd January – 5 drake goldeneye west, 20+ bar tailed godwits, 5 turnstone, a distant merlin, the 8 ’barnacles’ again, and a single redpoll in a mixed flock of finches.

Tuesday 19^th January – A kingfisher present on the reserve carpark ditch, a stonechat near the lighthouses and a rock pipit.

Monday 18^th January – A common buzzard seen on BP straight, a jack snipe was disturbed on the near edge of the strays, near the church a singing mistle thrush, 2 rock pipit, odd redwing and 2 seals on Hedon Haven again.

Sunday 17^th January – A kingfisher flew over Paull village, 2 little egrets seen, 3 common buzzard, 2 common scoter west, 2 goldeneye, a marsh harrier crossing the river, 2 seal on Hedon Haven along with 5 avocets.

Friday 15^th January – 40+ bar tailed godwits present, 2 turnstone, a drake goldeneye west, 5 rock pipit and a flock of 150+ curlew.

Sunday 10th January – A woodcock again over the fort and strays, 5 pink feet geese and the ‘barnacle geese’ among the large greylag flock, a stonechat at the pond, rock pipit and 3 fieldfare.

Saturday 9th January – 20+ redwing, fieldfare, usual good numbers of teal and wigeon, 200+ greylags, a woodcock over the fort and strays, 2 stonechat, 2 pied wagtail and a grey wagtail in the paddock area.

Friday 8th January – Very quiet with a single female shoveller, 2 rock pipit and a distant flock of jackdaws.

Sunday 3rd January – 40+ bar tailed godwit, marsh harrier, drake eider, 3 common scoter, a whooper swan, good numbers of distant goldeneye at least 100 birds, 100+ fieldfare, a flock of odd looking barnacle geese, bullfinch and a grey seal.

Saturday 2nd January – Early morning Simon recorded 6 scaup, woodcock, 7 whooper swan and a best of all a single drake pochard, his 200th record for the site. Also a single avocet, goldeneye drifting east, 2 tufted duck and good numbers of grey plover and bar tailed godwit.

Friday 1st January – A good mix of wildfowl recorded with 7 pintail, gadwall and shoveller. An early oystercatcher was on the football field, tree sparrows were heard, a single white fronted goose was in with the greylags, also 3 stonechat, bullfinch, coal tit and a water rail seen well.

December 2020

Thursday 31^st December – 5 whooper swans north, 4 pintail, 2 tufted duck and 3 goldeneyes west, 4 stonechats and a coal tit.

Wednesday 30^th December – A quick visit produced a hunting marsh harrier and good views of little owl hiding on the edge of the fort.

Tuesday 29^th December – 2 bullfinch were seen early morning along with an adult Mediterranean gull and 2 avocet, also 2 brambling over, 4 goldeneye west, 3 perched common buzzard and 7 tree sparrows.

Monday 28^th December – A flock of long tailed tits and a bullfinch showed well, a few redwing and fieldfare present among good numbers of blackbirds. At least 3 stonechat on site, a adult Mediterranean gull in partial summer plumage drifted down the river, a distant red throated diver and 2 drake eider flew west.

Sunday 27^th December – Hundreds of redwing and fieldfare seen, also 3 or 4 marsh harriers, 3 common buzzards, 2 kestrel, a short eared owl, merlin and a distant peregrine. Also a red throated diver west and 2 stonechat present.

Saturday 26^th December – Quiet with a few redwing and fieldfare, a single marsh harrier, 5 mute swans past and a calling coal tit.

Thursday 24^th December – 4 marsh harrier in the air together, a flock of 50+ redwing, 2 shoveller, 6 common scoter, 5 tufted duck and a juvenile lesser black backed gull.

Sunday 20^th December – A few redwing and odd fieldfare around, 2 marsh harriers, 2 or 3 yellowhammers seen, 5 distant whooper swans, 2 or 3 stonechat and a flock of 11 stock dove on the brick tower.

Tuesday 22nd December – Green Sandpiper on Strays near the hide, A Short-eared Owl hunting the Strays basin, A Kingfisher on the Pump Drain, 4 Stonechats, A Mistle Thrush at the Church, 170 Fieldfare and 84 Redwing. A Coal Tit at the Lorry Yard. A Snow Bunting east at the Lighthouse and 2 Corn Bunting at the eastern end of the Strays

Saturday 19th December – Brent Goose battling against the wind heading out of the Humber before giving up and dropping onto the strays basin

Saturday 12th December – 5 Shoveller, 2 drake Goosander cutting inland near the hide, 15 Snipe, a Green Sandpiper on the pump drain flushed by a dog walker, circled the Strays before going east, a Water Rail calling at Paull Holme farm, a Short-eared Owl on the Strays, 4 Stonechat, 170 Fieldfare and 32 Redwing. A Mistle Thrush at Paull Holme farm, 2 Yellowhammer

Friday 11th December – 13 Common Scoter west, A Kingfisher near the lighthouses and a Short-eared Owl on the Strays, 3 Stonechat, 34 Fieldfare and 76 Redwing
2 Tree Sparrows at Paull Holme farm

Monday 15th December – pretty quiet with bullfinch, marsh harrier and distant buzzard being the best of the day. A low flying RAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III gave us a bit of a fright!

Monday 7^th December – A marsh harrier through the mist, 2 stonechat present and a drake shoveller among the wigeon and teal.

Sunday 6^th December – A guillemot in close heading east, 7 black tailed godwit, at least 2 little egret, a peregrine again, a flock of 11 barnacle geese circled around the strays, a pair of goosander east, 3 tufted duck west, 6 pintail also west and the large flock of goldeneye still present. Also marsh harrier, sparrowhawk and common buzzard seen.

Saturday 5^th December – Early morning produced 3 pintail, common scoter, a goosander and a brent goose. Later a copule of stonechat, 3 ringed plover among many waders, shoveller, another common scoter, 2 red throated diver went east, 11 roe deer, 2 grey seal, and a hare. The water rail was in the drain adjacent to the riding school, 2 avocets across the river, a distant long tailed duck, calling bullfinch, 10+ redwing, a large flock of goldeneye viewed distantly on the river with 80+ birds seen. Also a calling little owl, common buzzard and a peregrine chasing lapwings.

November 2020

Sunday 29^th November – 2 stonechat again seen and decent numbers of bar and black tailed godwits.

Saturday 28^th November – A few redwing present, calling bullfinch, 2 goosander past, 4 shoveller, 4 stonechat, a flock of at least 10 yellowhammer near the hide, a short eared owl, 200+ fieldfare, a grey wagtail and a single redpoll over.

Friday 27th November – Simon – Snipe 22, Woodcock 1, Kingfisher 1, Fieldfare 200, Redwing 21, Stonechat 6, Tree Sparrow 1, Redpoll 2, Yellowhammer 8

Monday 23^rd November – A single yellowhammer on the edge of the fort, 3 common scoter west, at least 3 marsh harrier, 2 stonechat again, a single brent goose on the river, a mistle thrush at the paddock and a pair of bullfinch.

Sunday 22^nd November – 4 marsh harrier over the salt marsh, a distant goldeneye, common scoter, a black throated diver west, 2 stonechat, a peregrine and a merlin.

Saturday 21^st November – Early on 2 brent geese, 57 common scoter, 4 marsh harrier, peregrine, a mistle thrush near Paull Farm, 35 redwing, 115 fieldfare and a grey wagtail. Later 2 stonechat, 5 rock pipit, 2 knot, 3 pintail, 8 common scoter west and a merlin.

Friday 20^th November – 31 redwing over, at least 5 marsh harriers, 2 redpoll, 2 stonechat, 15 whooper swans past, tufted duck, common scoter, 18 common snipe, a woodcock flushed by a marsh harrier, a close goldeneye, guillemot, red throated diver and a calling bullfinch.

Thursday 19^th November – 5 knot 50+ black tailed godwit and little else.

Monday 16^TH November – 2 goldcrest, a fieldfare, marsh harrier and a few bar tailed godwit.

Sunday 15^th November – A kingfisher heard along the drain, a red throated diver west, 2 shoveller and 3 common scoter west.

A few photographs from Monday 23rd November including: redshank, wren, stonechat, wigeon, goldfinch and a couple of ships – sightings update to follow

Monday 9^th November – An interesting array of wildfowl on the river in calm conditions, good numbers of wigeon and teal, a few mallard, at least 25 shoveller, 5 tufted duck, 3 gadwall and best of all a single pochard, a first record for us at Paull. Also a single pintail east and 18 common scoter east, a red-breasted merganser showed well and a very close bridled guillemot drifted west up the river. Other birds included a short eared owl, stonechat, single redpoll, 2 marsh harrier, tree sparrow, bullfinch and a small arrival of redwing.

A few pictures from Paul including: close bridled guillemot, common darter taken mid October, distant merganser and a couple of atmosphere shots to keep the theme going, spot the cod!

Sunday 8^th November – 2 woodcock seen, 2 grey wagtails, a good arrival of redwing with a few fieldfare, and a coal tit. Also a redpoll, marsh harrier, 2 crossbill close overhead, 50+ redwing and a peacock butterfly.

Saturday 7^th November – 2 stonechat, buzzard, coal tit, redpoll and 60 fieldfare recorded.

Friday 6th November – Marsh harrier, 2 stonechat, brambling over, twite over. From Simon – Stonechat 4, Redwing 15, Fieldfare 71, Redpoll 2, Bullfinch 2, Yellowhammer 3, Green Sandpiper at Cherry Cobb. 2 Peacock butterfly, 1 common darter

Monday 2nd November – 3 stonechat, 4 crossbill over near riding school, kingfisher, several hundred fieldfare in fields opposite church and fort Paull, 2 marsh harrier, buzzard, sparrowhawk, kestrel. Update from Simon – Swift sp. south-west over the village, Redwing 23, Fieldfare 242, Siskin 2 & Redpoll 10 fort wood.

October 2020

Friday 30th October – Great white egret seen by Simon early morning, 3 stonechat, 2 marsh harrier, sparrowhawk, kestrel, little stint, 3 sanderling, redpoll over – updates to follow.

Sunday 25th October – 3 stonechat

Saturday 24^th October – Merlin seen early on, regular sightings of pintail with at least 7 birds present, 2 shoveller, 2 marsh harrier, several thousand pink feet geese, an immature gannet, grey wagtail, 200+ fieldfare, a few redwing, short eared owl and a single late swallow.

Friday 23^rd October – A flock of 18 whooper swans south, 9 shoveller, 5 pintail, an adult Mediterranean gull, kingfisher, grey wagtail, 5 stonechat, 115 fieldfare, 42 redpoll and a leuistic linnet on Hedon Haven.

Thursday 22^nd October –  Early on pintail, common scoter on the river, brambling over, 2 marsh harrier over salt marsh, 3 stonechat present, good numbers of skylarks over, 10 whooper swan east, still flocks of field fare on the move, 2 goldcrest and 2 swallows. Also a red admiral and 3 roe deer.

Wednesday 21^st October – A crossbill seen again, and at least 48 redpolls over.

Tuesday 20th October – 7 Pintail, Imm. male Merlin, Arctic Skua west, 73 Skylark South, 4 Stonechat, 420 Fieldfare, A Pipistrelle Bat near the Old Vicarage early morning

Monday 19^th October – A gannet west, a goldeneye west, 15 common snipe and 2 jack snipe. Also 4 stonechat, a mistle thush, 10 brambling, 3 redpoll and a possible Lapland bunting over.

Sunday 18^th October – A flock of 12 barnacle geese flew close overhead to the lighthouse, goldcrest, at least 12 avocet, a short eared owl briefly,  calling bullfinch and a marsh harrier.

Saturday 17^th October – 25 common snipe, 2 woodcock, 3 redpoll, 2 swallows, chiffchaff, 2 brambling, 8 common scoter west, a flock of 40 + avocets, a peregrine took a dunlin, and 12 pintail.

Friday 16^th October – 7 redpoll, 2 brambling and a merlin early morning. Also 7 shoveller, 7 barnacle geese, 2 chiffchaff, marsh harrier, the shag seen again, a late wheatear, 2 bullfinch on the edge of the fort, 3 goldeneye, 2 house martin a drake tufted duck west, a late Arctic tern, and 30+ avocet.

Thursday 15^th October – More crossbills seen, 2 brambling, siskin, 2 redpoll, a blackcap, 9 common snipe, goldeneye, a flock of 90+ jackdaw, 6 mute swans, short eared owl, shag, little stint, grey wagtail an immature red kite, a yellowhammer over, 2 common buzzard and a flock of 60+ avocets on the far side. Also common darter, 2 migrant hawker, small white and a peacock.

Updates from Paul & Simon to follow, in the meantime a few pictures, reflecting sightings of huge numbers of redwing & fieldfares, tens of thousands of pink feet, 7 barnacle geese and a record shot of a late wheatear, along with the obligatory skyscapes!

Wednesday 14^th October – A gannet went east, approx. 5000 pink feet geese, 3 tufted duck west, a merlin, ruff, little stint, 10 common snipe and another sighting of purple sandpiper.  Also little owl, kingfisher, 32 skylark, 10 rock pipit, grey wagtail, 5 stonechat, 794 redwing, 127 fieldfare, 24 song thrush, 2 ring ouzel, chiffchaff, 4 brambling, 3 redpoll and 2 siskin.

Tuesday 13^th October – 12 whooper swans passed over, 4,720 pink feet geese, 129 barnacle geese, gadwall, 10 pintail, a goldeneye west, 8 common snipe, 49 stock dove, 55 skylark, a single swallow west, 2,832 redwing over, 963 fieldfare, 7 song thrush, 4 chiffchaff, 3 coal tit, 55 brambling, 7 redpoll, a siskin, a single bullfinch at the fort and 2 yellowhammer.

Sunday 11^th October – 136 skylarks over, 21 song thrush, 3,978 redwing, 123 fieldfare, 21 blackbird, 5 tree sparrow, 7 brambling, 5 siskin and 22 redpoll. Also a single wheatear, peregrine, 2 coal tit, 2 swallows, 2 chiffchaff, 30+ avocet across the river, marsh harrier and a couple of common buzzard. A stoat was seen briefly, odd small white present and a comma.

Saturday 10th October – 3,986 Pink-feet, 134 Greylags, 5 Pintail, Marsh Harrier, 70 R-l Partridge, Avocet, 3 Ruff, 77 Skylark, 4 Swallow, Stonechat, 3 Mistle Thrush, 242 Redwing, Blackcap, 9 Chiffchaff, 4 Bearded Tit, 5 Siskin, 12 Redpoll

Friday 9^th October – Early morning produced a grey wagtail, 2 kingfishers, 5 gadwall, a mistle thrush, 3 brambling, 2 siskin and the first of 11 shoveller. Also 2 pintail, small flocks of redpoll, a stonechat, a handful of swallows, 2000+ pink feet geese, 2 or 3 marsh harriers, a flock of 20+ red legged partridge, a hunting peregrine, common buzzard and 2 crossbill over. Later another 5 crossbills over, little stint and a ruff.

Thursday 8^th October – Good numbers of common waders with hundreds of dunlin, 20+ grey plover, 160+ lapwing, 11 knot, 4 bar tailed godwit, 3 common snipe and a single avocet. Also 6 swallows, a single house martin, marsh harrier, a yellowhammer over and 4 stonechats.

Sunday 4^th October – 3 mute swans across the river, 2 brambling over, a flock of 7 whooper swans east, a few rooks around, goldcrest, redpoll over a few swallows, 2 gannets and 5 pintail. A purple sandpiper showed well, only our second record, 3 mistle thrush over, 2 siskin, 2 brent geese east, 5 more gannets west, chiffchaff, rock pipit, 27 black tailed godwit and good views of a little stint.

Saturday 3^rd October – A rainy day produced 19 gannet west, 4 east, 178 wigeon, 95 teal, a little stint, 13 common snipe, 2 rock pipit, 3 sand martin, 3 swallow, 4 house martin, 210 redwing, 34 song thrush, single chiffchaff and brambling, redpoll and yellowhammer also seen.

Friday 2^nd October – 5 goldcrest present, calling little owl, 7 avocets seen on the strays, 9 redpoll, a single gannet east, kingfisher, 7 siskin, a tree sparrow, 5 pintail and a brent goose. Later 3 more gannets, 4 common buzzard, a Mediterranean gull west, 20 swallows, a sand martin, 5 stonechats feeding along the stone beach, chiffchaff and a blackcap. Also common darter, red admiral common and 3 species of white seen.

Photos of purple sand and little stint from Simon

Sightings update to follow, a few pictures from a typical early autumn morning, including a record shot of purple sandpiper (hopefully better to follow from Simon)

September 2020

Sunday 27^th September – A grey wagtail along path to carpark, a single swift over, chiffchaff, the first of 50+ gannets west, a distant female scaup, 9 shoveller,  4 barnacle geese, avocet, 2 common snipe, odd redpoll, 4 razorbill west, later returning east, a yellow wagtail, 2 more swift, a single kittiwake, a pintail, 4 goosander west, a blackcap, 2 bullfinch and good views of a perched hobby.

Saturday 26^th September – Still good numbers of swallows and house martins present, chiffchaff, 10 shoveller, a barnacle goose, goldcrest, good numbers of redpoll over, 2 or 3 swift, yellowhammer, a Canada goose, a common tern west, 4 common buzzards, 40+ knot, a goldeneye, 2 common snipe, a perched peregrine, 16 pintail, marsh harrier and 3 little egret.

Sunday 20^th September – A single ruff recorded, a little stint, a common swift, a redpoll west, a kingfisher and a juvenile stonechat was on Hedon Haven.

Saturday 19^th September – A few siskin around the fort, several chiffchaff, 3 redpoll, a single common scoter and 5 common swift over the strays.

Friday 18^th September – Little stint present, a single pintail in with a wigeon flock, a distant wheatear, 2 lapwing over, 100’s of black tailed godwits on the other side of the river, 2 common buzzard, marsh harrier and a common whitethroat. A wood mouse was also seen.

Thursday 17^th September – A calling coal tit, 2 swift over the fort, 6 blackcap, jackdaw, 2 common snipe over, a single curlew sandpiper among good numbers of common waders with 67 knot included. Also a greenshank calling, yellow wagtail, 30 teal west, avocet, at around 11.30 a honey buzzard along with 3 common buzzard drifted over the strays heading along the river towards Cherry Cob, a green sandpiper was also seen in flight.

Saturday 12^th September – In the morning 19 siskin over, hobby, common scoter, 41 Canada geese, a shoveller and 4 swift over. Also several chiffchaff present, willow warblers,  2 pintail, 2 redpoll over, lesser whitethroat and 13 red admiral.

Friday 11^th September – A pintail west with 200+ teal, 46 pink feet geese west, a hybrid snow goose/barnacle?, 42 avocet east with 23 on Hedon Haven, 11 snipe west, 3 curlew sandpiper, a common sandpiper, 6 swift over and a juvenile stonechat on Hedon haven.

Thursday 10^th September – 3 redpoll over, also a few siskin, a pied flycatcher, spotted flycatcher, coal tit, lesser whitethroat, a single pintail on the river, 14 pink feet geese over, greenshank, marsh harrier, reed warbler, a stonechat, curlew sandpiper, little stint and a hobby over the fort.

Wednesday 9^th September – Singing chiffchaff, a grey wagtail, 2 siskin over, 3 curlew sandpiper, among butterflies a single comma.

Sunday 6^th September – Early on a grey wagtail, a tree pipit over Paull village, ruff, peregrine and siskin over. Willow warblers and chiffchaffs present, a calling bullfinch, possible little owl calling from the fort, 2 swift, 2 avocet, a few teal and wigeon, 3 common buzzard, a marsh harrier and a common scoter.

Saturday 5^th September – Curlew sandpiper and little stint seen, 3 siskin and a tree pipit over, a spotted flycatcher near the Fort entrance, willow warblers and chiffchaffs, 2 sand martin and 2 red throated divers west, a few swifts, 30+ knot, hobby over the river, pintail, a merlin perched on the saltmarsh, hundreds of black tailed godwit on the far side of the river, a little stint, 3 common buzzard and 2 lesser whitethroat.

Friday 4^th September – A close common buzzard, 2 siskin overhead, 100+ house martin around the lighthouse, decent numbers of swifts, curlew sandpiper and 9 avocet.

Wednesday 2^nd September – 35 Wigeon present, 2 avocet, a whinchat, a kingfisher, on Hedon Haven 3 curlew sandpiper and a greenshank.

Tuesday 1^st September – 500+ greylags, 3 avocet, green sandpiper, little stint, 4 tree sparrow, 7 sanderling, curlew sandpiper and a stoat.

August 2020

Monday 31^st August – A couple of siskin over, 2 lesser whitethroat, chiffchaff, good views from the lighthouse of several knot, little stint and a curlew sandpiper. Also 3 or 4 common buzzard, yellow wagtails, teal and wigeon. The pond had emperor dragonfly, 2 migrant hawker and at least 14 common darter.

Sunday 30^th August – A spotted flycatcher and garden warbler were seen early doors, later several swifts over, reed warblers still present, 8 turnstone, 3 marsh harrier, good numbers of lesser whitethroats, willow warbler, 3 greenshank and a hobby across the strays.

Saturday 29^th August – 12 sanderling off the lighthouse, a distant spoonbill, 2 curlew sandpiper, little stint, yellow legged gull, 1000+ golden plover, 20+ common scoter, 8 pintail west, a peregrine, several bar tailed and black tailed godwit and a Arctic Skua causing mayhem over the river and strays.

Friday 28^th August – The awful conditions produced 2 fulmar over the strays, a brent goose, 7 avocet, 2 sandwich tern, teal, wigeon and 20+ common scoter. Later 4 common sandpiper were present along with 3 sanderling and 2 curlew sandpiper.

Thursday 27th August –STOP PRESS! Today Paul recorded his 200th species on the patch with our fist sighting of Purple Sandpiper near the lighthouse and then again on the rocks near the white lighthouse along with a small flock of turnstone. Also had good views of male and female peregrine, marsh harrier, curlew sandpiper, little stint and large flocks of golden plover. A kingfisher was seen briefly on the pond, also a wheatear. Other bits included green sandpiper, a grey wagtail, 10 common snipe and 5 avocets among a total of 17 wader species recorded.

Digiscope record shots of purple sandpiper

Wednesday 26^th August – A whinchat and 2 marsh harriers were present.

Sunday 23^rd August – Willow warblers everywhere with odd chiffchaff, at least 3 pied flycatchers, a minimum of 3 spotted flycatcher, lesser whitethroat, a small flock of redpoll, tree sparrows, a siskin heard, yellow wagtails, single wheatear and whinchat. Good numbers of waders with whimbrel still present 1000+ golden plover 4 knot and a single sanderling. A peregrine went through, 2 great white egrets drifted slowly over the strays and saltmarsh and a spoonbill fed across the river.

A selection of pictures from Paul including; convulvous hawkmoth, pied flycatcher, mute swan, tortoishell and painted lady.

Flycatcher pictures from Simon

Saturday 22^nd August – Simon had 3 redpoll over the fort, Sean located a very vocal pied flycatcher which showed a couple of times in the morning, a few sand martin in among the swallows and house martin, still good numbers of swifts passing through, 14 turnstone, 30+ black tailed godwit, 2 common buzzard and a convulvous hawkmoth was a first for us at Paull.

Friday 21^st August – A whimbrel, 4 turnstone, yellow wagtails, a sandwich tern east, 3 Arctic terns east, 5 teal, marsh harrier, a Arctic tern west, 5 pintails went west before returning later and landing on the strays.

Wednesday 19th August – 3 redpoll over the fort, reed warbler, 7 snipe, 1 sandwich tern east, common sandpiper, a calling green sandpiper, 5 little egret, 4 avocet on the strays, 4 comic tern went inland, 2 lesser whitethroat, marsh harrier and a calling greenshank.

Sunday 16^th August – A juvenile Mediterranean gull seen, good views of a little stint feeding among a good mix of common waders, common sandpiper, green sandpiper and greenshank all present along with 100+ black tailed godwit, 2 common tern, 13 knot, a great skua went west, lesser whitethroat, 3 sandwich terns, more terns passing through and a flock of 20+ common scoter.

Saturday 15^th August –  7 teal, grey and golden plover, common sandpiper, greenshank, marsh harrier, a peregrine, at least 3 lesser whitethroat, little ringed plover, a Mediterranean gull, also juvenile yellow legged gull, avocet, a flock of 300+ greylags went past, 6 common tern, 4 avocets on Hedon Haven.

Friday 14^th August – A common sandpiper seen, 21 common scoter west, marsh harrier,  a great skua west, a curlew sandpiper seen well and a yellow legged gull drifted past.

Wednesday 12^th August – A porpoise seen off the carpark, a very tame mute swan present, 14 teal west, 2 whimbrel, 9 little egret together, 10 comic tern east, and a lesser whitethroat. Good numbers of butterflies which included small copper and holly blue.

Sunday 9^th August – 2 distant spoonbill started the day well, several whimbrel, 4 knot, a ruff, 190+ black tailed godwits, bar tailed godwit, 11 common sandpiper, 40+ golden plover, turnstone, greenshank, 41 oystercatcher (record numbers along the coast), little egrets, grey heron, a few common terns east, 3 sandwich terns east, another 4 west, several flocks of teal. Also a hobby over the fort, a common crossbill over, 2 close tree pipits flew close overhead, a yellowhammer, also a few warblers including willow warbler, chiffchaff, common whitethroat, blackcap and one lesser whitethroat, 2 buzzards. At least 2 grey seals present and 3 porpoise.

Saturday 8^th August – Early morning produced 2 little ringed plover, fox and a stoat. A spoonbill was on the strays, whimbrel, greenshank, green sandpiper, a whinchat along the strays, 3 common buzzard, on the pond emperor dragonfly, small red eyed damselfly and common darter. Around the fort willow warbler, blackcap and lesser whitethroat.

Friday 7^th August – Along the strays ruff, 3 greenshank, 2 Mediterranean gulls, 70+ black tailed godwit, 2 lesser whitethroat, 4 knot, 11 teal, yellow wagtails, 3 whimbrel, 3 heron, common tern west, a common snipe, 5 little egret, 5 lapwing, 60 redshank, 60 common scoter, sandwich terns, marsh harrier, another Mediterranean gull, 90+ golden plover, 14 jackdaw, 3 turnstone. On the pond at least 40 small red eyed damselfly, 3 emperor dragonfly, ruddy darter and a broad bodied chaser.

Red-eye damselfly – Paul

Thursday 6^th August – Sean recorded a Mediterranean gull, 36 black tailed godwit, also 3 turnstone, lapwing, at least 3 whimbrel, 80+ redshank, a grey plover, small numbers of sandwich terns, 2 sand martin, 20+ flock of teal, marsh harrier, common sandpiper and 2 avocets on the far side. Around Hedon Haven saw 2 more common sandpiper, a sedge warbler and a adult peregrine near the nest box at BP.

A couple of pictures from Paul from a bit further afield, white letter hairstreak at Danes Dyke

Sunday 2^nd August – Juvenile peregrine seen on a nest from Hedon Haven, 4 green sandpiper, a fox at the fort again, marsh harrier, a hobby, still chiffchaff feeding 2 chicks, 2 willow warblers and 2 lesser whitethroat.

Short winged cone head – Paul

Saturday 1^st August – First migrant hawker of the year on the edge of the fort, 100+ golden plover, 3 black tailed godwit, yellow wagtail families, 2 roe deer, 2 marsh harrier, small flocks of teal west, whimbrel, 2 green sandpiper, buzzard, a sanderling, a distant hobby, 2 red kites on the other side of the river, buzzard and 2 mute swans.