July 2022

Sunday 31^st July – 2 song thrush, blackcaps and common whitethroat family around edge of Fort, good numbers of swifts, house martins and swallows. From lighthouse 5 turnstone, a common sandpiper, several whimbrels, 40+ golden plover, 5 black tailed godwits, a flock of 11 teal west and a immature Mediterranean gull on the river.

Friday 29^th July – At least 3 porpoise present, a small flock of golden plover, 2 common scoter east, 4 teal on the strays, odd dunlin, good numbers of yellow wagtails, 3 distant terns, a shoveller on the edge of the river and good views of a osprey drifting over the saltmarsh and strays mobbed by a gull.

Sunday 24^th July – Quiet although common swifts were steadily streaming low east over the river for a couple of hours, a single summer plumage bar tailed godwit, whimbrel and 2 grey herons also seen.

Friday 22^nd July – At least 2 whimbrels present, a flock of approx. 20 common scoters on the river, at least 30 redshank, yellow wagtail, 6 comic terns east, 4 sandwich terns also east, a black tailed godwit, 11 dunlin, 5 little egret, marsh harrier and a flock of 43 golden plover. 2 sanderlings also reported in the morning, grey seal and a porpoise also seen.  

Sunday 17^th July – Good numbers of young yellow wagtails around, singing reed warblers, a flock of 60+ black tailed godwits over, whimbrel, 3 sandwich tern east more heard, 22 golden plover and a single dunlin. Good numbers of butterflies, especially gatekeepers, painted lady and some Essex skippers along with small skippers.

Friday 15^th July – a flock of 40+ golden plover in the distance, whimbrel, grey plover, 2 ringed plovers, another flock of 200+ golden plover, 2 sand martin, sparrowhawk and a little ringed plover flew over the lighthouse and out over the river.  

Tuesday 12^th July – A sandwich tern passed by the carpark followed by a flock of 3 common scoters going east. Several whimbrels seen off the lighthouse along with small flocks of bar tailed and black tailed godwits. Also 2 ringed plovers at least 27 golden plovers, a single turnstone, single lapwing and good numbers of curlew. A flock of 30+ common scoters drifted east on the river, 2 juvenile black headed gulls present and a few yellow wagtail sightings, also on the pond a moorhen with a freshly hatched chick. Butterflies included lots of gatekeepers, small heath, meadow brown, small skipper, green veined white and a small copper. A couple of grey seals also seen.

Friday 1^st July –  Singing blackcaps, common whitethroats and a chiffchaff around the reserve. Also a juvenile greylag goose, near the pond a singing yellowhammer and a grey wagtail over. Butterflies included small skippers, small heaths and good numbers of meadow brown. The gull numbers are picking up with lots of black headed gulls present on the strays.

June 2022

Sunday 26^th June – Chiffchaff and several common whitethroats singing, 2 yellow wagtails also seen. Little else bird-wise, good numbers of butterflies including large skipper, 2 small skippers, a early gatekeeper, small heath, good numbers of meadow browns, ringlet, common blue, speckled wood and a painted lady.

Saturday 25^th June – 6 lapwings crossed the strays before heading across the river, a few ringlets and meadow browns on the wing and a single small heath. Around the pond several 4 spot chasers, emperor dragonfly and a common darter. A fire along the flood-bank at the far end of the strays was just short of the hide.

Saturday 18^th June – 2 song thrush showed well near the fort entrance, a mixed flock of dunlin and ringed plover flew past, a marsh harrier crossed the river, the single brent goose present again off the saltmarsh and at least 2 grey seals seen. Meadow brown among a few butterflies, both pyramidal and bee orchids in flower.

Sunday 12^th June – A yellow wagtail on the edge of the fort, a single black tailed godwit, 2 shelduck broods (7+13) and a common buzzard. Butterflies included painted lady, red admiral, speckled wood and a meadow brown. Also a emergence of 5 spot burnets.

Monday 6th June – A stoat took a young rabbit. Also grey seal, 4 house martin and 42 swifts over, common buzzard, 18 ringed plovers, a single dunlin and turnstone, 2 cuckoos seen near the farm, a lesser whitethroat near the pond, single tree sparrow, a mistle thrush and a little owl briefly on the edge of the fort mobbed by a blackbird. Also a few painted lady and small heaths.  

Saturday 4th June – 12 ringed plover, common buzzard, 6 Arctic terns east, lesser whitethroat and a couple of swifts. Also reported were a single kittiwake and Mediterranean gull.

Wednesday 1st June – The brent goose again seen, a single avocet on the strays, calling cuckoo, 2 drake shovellers flew across the river, a few swifts and 2 whimbrels. Butterflies included 3 painted lady and 4 small heaths, also 4 spot chaser and emperor dragonfly on the pond

May 2022

Monday 30th May – The brent goose still near the lighthouse, a yellow wagtail over, 12 grey plovers, a swift east, a marsh harrier crossed the strays, as did a single lapwing, a whimbrel and a cuckoo showed well.

Sunday 29th May – At least 20 house martins over the fort, the brent goose still present, 3 common scoters drifted east along the river, a singing willow warbler near the pond, a flock of 40+ common swifts heading south and a cuckoo calling near the farm.

Friday 27th May – marsh harrier, yellow wagtail, ringed plover, sparrowhawk, 2 buzzard. Orange tip, large skipper, red admiral, painted lady, small heath.

Large skipper

Sunday 22^nd May – At least 2 cuckoos around the strays, a single brent goose on the edge of the river, a lesser whitethroat calling near the pond, whimbrel, a lapwing and a pair of moorhen with 3 young on the pond. A few butterflies including orange-tip and 2 or 3 painted ladies.

Monday 16^th May – A single turnstone, a flock of 5 common sandpipers near the lighthouse, 17 brent geese still on the edge of the river, odd swift over, good views of a marsh harrier, 3 Arctic terns east, a common buzzard been mobbed by a lapwing, 2 wheatears, whimbrel and a lesser whitethroat calling near the pond.

Sunday 15^th May – Several hundred dunlin feeding along the river with good numbers of ringed plover, grey plover, 2 whimbrel, 5 turnstone and a flock of 20 bar tailed godwits. Also 12 brent geese, at least 11 swifts east and a stoat.

Saturday 14^th May – A flock of 10 turnstones near the lighthouse, odd swallow, 2 dunlin, 2 whimbrels, 2 common buzzards, a singing willow warbler, a yellow wagtail over, 2 porpoise and a red admiral. Also recorded, 2 little gulls, 11 brent geese and 16 pink feet geese.

Monday 9^th May – very quiet viewing the river, a distant marsh harrier, 2 common  buzzards, calling cuckoo, a single tree sparrow and good numbers of singing sedge and reed warblers.

Sunday 8^th May – A few house martins seen on the edge of Paull village, 12 brent geese on the edge of the river, lesser whitethroat calling, a mistle thrush, 3 cuckoos around, a single wheatear near the lighthouse and at least 3 common buzzards.

Monday 2^nd May – At least 2 lesser whitethroats present, odd yellow wagtail over, a flock of 57 brent geese on the salt marsh, 2 common sandpipers near the lighthouse, 2 bar tailed godwit over, 4 teal, a grey heron, a great crested grebe flew east before landing on the river.

Sunday 1^st May – 2 lesser whitethroats heard, a flock of 5 swallows, 26 bar tailed godwit on the edge of the river, with grey plover, 200+ dunlin, 6 ringed plover and 11 black tailed godwits went east. Also 4 teal, sparrowhawk, 4 brent geese showed well, 2 gadwalls landed on the strays,  a greenshank called a couple of times, at least 3 yellow wagtails, a great crested grebe on the river, a single common tern east, marsh harrier over, a cuckoo been mobbed, 2 tree sparrows and good numbers of reed and sedge warblers.

April 2022

Saturday 30^th April – Lesser whitethroat, several whimbrels, 17 grey plover, yellow wagtail, willow warbler, calling Cetti’s, grey heron, 4 tree sparrow, mistle thrush and 2 common sandpipers near the lighthouse. Along the strays at least 8 sedge warblers singing and 6 reed warblers.   

Friday 29^th April – 7 whimbrels near the lighthouse, lots of singing chiffchaffs and blackcaps, a wheatear, grey plovers and 100+ dunlin. 4 tufted ducks on the river with another 3 seen flying, 3 house martin, odd Arctic tern east with one common tern, a cuckoo calling, 6 brent geese still around, yellow wagtails, a single sand martin, a singing willow warbler, 3 reed warblers now singing, marsh harrier, calling Cetti’s, a single ring ouzel on the lawn of the farm and 4 bramblings in the woods.

Monday 25th April – 4 common tern east, great crested grebe on river, jay over fort, common & lesser whitethroats, 3 swallow, wheatear near lighthouses, sparrowhawk flying north across river. Cettis warbler, sedge warbler and ring ouzle near Paull Holme Farm. A single golden plover east, porpoise and grey seal also seen

Sunday 24th April – fulmar east on river, lesser whitethroat, 4 swallow, housemartin, buzzard flying in from South side of river, rook. Good numbers of butterflies including green veined white, brimstone and holly blue, 2 ring ouzels again present, also 8 brent geese on the salt marsh and 4 common terns high over the strays

Saturday 23^rd April – Lesser whitethroats still around, calling cuckoo, whimbrel, the 2 ring ouzel with a mistle thrush, 4 swallows and a pair of brambling on the edge of the woods.

Thursday 21st April – lesser whitethroat, whitethroat, cettis warbler, 2 greylag, 2 wheatear. Stoat in rocks around lighthouse area.

Monday 18^th April – A minimum of 4 singing sedge warblers present, the Cetti’s showed, a grey heron over, calling cuckoo, tree sparrows, a whimbrel, mistle thrush and a pair of male ring ouzel on the lawn of Paull Holme Farm. Also a peregrine, the flock of brent geese still present on the salt marsh and a ruff past.

Sunday 17^th April – Singing chiffchaffs, blackcaps and common whitethroats, 4 teal, whimbrels, the calling Cetti’s warbler, a yellow wagtail north, 4 brent geese on the saltmarsh, a flock of 30+ curlew, 2 grey plover and 2 wheatear. Cuckoo calling near pond car park.

Saturday 16^th April – At least 4 whimbrel around, 10 brent geese on the saltmarsh, 2 singing sedge warbler, Cetti’s warbler, a lesser whitethroat near Paull Holme Farm and a sand martin over the ‘fishermans’ carpark. (record shot of cetti’s below)

Cetti’s Warbler

NOTE FROM 4th April – Hen Harrier reported heading west over screen at main stray

Friday 15^th April – Good numbers of chiffchaff and blackcap, singing mistle thrush, common whitethroat, a yellow wagtail, a flock of 60+ pink feet geese went west, 3 whimbrel, 2 rook over, good views of a porpoise, a singing yellowhammer near the pond carpark, common buzzard, Cetti’s warbler, 2 sedge warbler, a willow warbler, a wheatear and 24 avocets on Hedon Haven.

Thursday 14th April – Simon – Peregrine on the saltmarsh, 3 Whimbrel, 3 Wheatear (1 at lighthouses, 2 on Hedon Haven), 1 Whitethroat and 5 Blackcap., Sedge & Cetti’s Warbler singing at Paull Holme farm (Cetti’s showing very well), Willow Warbler at the paddock, 3 Tree Sparrow at Paull Holme farm, Yellowhammer east

Wednesday 13th April – Simon – Single Sandwich Tern and Kittiwake east, a Swallow and Yellow Wagtail west, Wheatear near the Lighthouses then flew South, Ring Ousel and a Fieldfare at the Fort, Cetti’s Warbler at Paull Holme farm, 2 Whitethroat and 2 Blackcap.

Tuesday 12^th April – Good numbers of singing chiffchaffs, a willow warbler, 2 wheatears showed very well near the lighthouse (pictures below), a siskin over, a yellow wagtail went north and a 3^rd wheatear near Paull Farm.

Monday 11^th April – 2 jays near the pond carpark, 150+ pink feet still present but flighty, a flock of 17 redpoll over the lighthouse, 2 avocets west, a grey heron, a single Canada goose over, tree sparrows, Cetti’s again calling, a whimbrel calling over the strays and a blackcap singing.

Sunday 10^th April – Singing chiffchaff and blackcap, a few common snipe, 200+ pink feet geese on the saltmarsh, 2 tree sparrows, and 30+ avocets on Hedon Haven.

Friday 8^th April – On Hedon Haven 4 avocets, 20+ teal still present, the pair of kestrels mating on the church, a tawny owl calling near the paddock, also a marsh harrier and common buzzard.

Ciffchaff

Monday 4th April – peregerine, 2 buzzard, kestrel and sparrowhawk. c.300 pink-footed goose, 20 grey plover on strays east of lighthouses along with up to 12 roe dear. A grey wagtail over the lighthouse and 3 common scoter went east.

Sunday 3^rd April – very quiet with a couple of singing chiffchaffs, still small numbers of teal and wigeon, calling Cetti’s warbler, tree sparrows, singing blackcap and 20 avocets on Hedon Haven with no sign of the black redstarts.

Saturday 2nd April – The 2 black redstarts still present on Hedon Haven but elusive, 5 common scoters drifted east on the river,  a ruff went west towards Paull and a peregrine caught a teal on the edge of the stays. A goosander also reported flying west.

A few pictures from Paul, including a levitating bleck redstart!

Snow storm passing by

Friday 1st April – Simon – Barn owl near farm along with singing cettis warbler, mistle thrush, 2 tree sparrow. Ruff and 2 black redstart on concrete armour at Hedon Haven

A couple of record shots from Simon, Ruff and Black Redstart

March 2022

Tuesday 29th March – very quiet – chiffchaff singing in woods, 2 little egret, siskin over, greater-spotted woodpecker, weasel by lighthouses.

Monday 28^th March – 2 or 3 singing chiffchaffs, a red throated diver went west, a single siskin over, 3 common scoters feeding upriver, 3 porpoises also feeding, and 8 avocets on Hedon Haven.

Sunday 27^th March – 8 avocets on Hedon Haven, a drake tufted duck went east before drifting upriver later in the day, 2 common buzzards, a late flock of 120+ pink feet geese, a flock of siskin over Paull Farm, singing Cetti’s warbler and a small flock of golden plover over. Near Fort Paull the first singing blackcap of the year.

Saturday 26^th March – Quiet with singing chiffchaff, a siskin over, single black tailed godwit, still small numbers of teal and wigeon present, grey heron, a terrapin sunbathing on the edge of the pond, singing Cetti’s again and 3 tree sparrows showed well. Another Cetti’s warbler is still present near BOP as is a peregrine.

Friday 25^th March – 40+ avocets on Hedon Haven, 6 redwings seen, a woodcock past near the fort, 2 avocets on the Humber, siskin over, a marsh harrier, 3 turnstones,  a pair of kestrel were mating on top of the church, singing mistle thrush, Cetti’s warbler again along with a calling water rail, 2 tree sparrows with nesting material and a singing yellowhammer reported. Also, small tortoiseshell, 2 peacocks and a brimstone seen.

Monday 21^st March – At least 3 singing chiffchaff, 3 redwing and 2 fieldfares over, 2 Canada geese on the strays, 3 common snipe, a jay briefly and 2 mistle thrush near the farm, the Cetti’s warbler showed in flight and called constantly in the ditch near the farm

Sunday 20th March – marsh harrier on south side of river, chiffchaff singing in fort wood, mute swan drifting east on river, 58 avocets on Hedon Haven

Saturday 19th March – marsh harrier, 2 short-eared owl over floodbank and 1 short-eared owl flew in from the river being chased by gulls. 7 buzzards and red kite east of strays. A yellowhammer was singing again near the pond carpark, 7 turnstones, still 250+ pink feet present.

Friday 18th March – up to 12 buzzards in the air at the same time over farmland north of strays, 2 red kite (1 on south side of river and 1 flying east over main stray), short eared owl, 3 marsh harrier, sparrowhawk, kestrel. Yellowhammer over at lighthouses. A yellowhammer singing from the pond carpark scrub, 3 redwings and 2 fieldfares over the fort, 3 tufted duck drifted east down the river and still 200+ pink feet geese on the salt marsh. Also a few small tortoiseshells on the wing.   

Monday 14^th March – A flock of 6 shoveller among wigeon and teal, grey heron, 2 avocets crossed the river, a grey wagtail over, 400-500 pink feet geese still present on the salt marsh, single rook near the church, 2 lapwing over, a water rail called constantly for 10 minutes on the corner reed bed of the strays, Cetti’s warbler calling, a hare, 7 common buzzards in the air at once, a yellowhammer over the lighthouse, a mistle thrush and 30+ redwing feeding in the paddock, also 2 small tortoiseshell.

Sunday 13^th March – A flock of 12 shoveller went west, at least 3 common buzzard and 3 marsh harrier seen, 3 fieldfare near the lighthouse, another 13 on the edge of the paddock, a single brent goose seen several times and a flock of 10 lapwings. A few more bits from Simon for Hedon Haven on Sunday – A singing chiffchaff, short eared owl going east and 198 avocets present.

A selection of photos during March from Paul: Turnstone, Teal & Curlew

Saturday 12^th March – 2 Canada geese went east, a male common scoter west, 4 marsh harrier and a flock of 10 corn bunting.

Thursday 10^th March – A short visit produced a short eared owl crossing the strays.

Monday 7^th March – A flock of 9 Canada geese crossed the river, landing on the strays before heading off inland, a very distant raptor was probably a merlin, 3 little egrets, 2 marsh harrier, 7 turnstone, 3 ringed plover, 200+ golden plover, 2 common snipe, 24 bar tailed godwit, 5 black tailed godwit, 16 corn bunting. On Hedon Haven – 51 avocets and 210 black tailed godwits.

Sunday 6^th March – A woodcock flew over, near the church, 40+ pink feet geese, marsh harrier, 20+ golden plover, a chiffchaff briefly, a flock of 30 lapwings, 4 or 5 common buzzards, 2 drake goldeneye west, 25 black tailed godwit and a goldcrest in the woods.

Saturday 5th March – Simon – 3 Canada Geese west, 6 Tufted Duck drifting down river with 3 flying back upriver, 10 Goldeneye west. A Woodcock over the fort, 113 Black-tailed and 4 Bar-tailed Godwits

Friday 4^th March – Several flocks of black tailed godwits all going west, 2 avocets on the strays, 2 rock pipit, a flock of 16 corn bunting over, Cetti’s warbler calling.

February 2022

Sunday 27th February – very quiet with low wader and wildfowl numbers. Sub adult mute swan appeared briefly in front of lighthouse before flying off east, grey plover. Marsh harrier on south side of river.

Saturday 26^th February – Several flocks of pink feet geese totalling 200+ birds, calling Cetti’s warbler and a merlin, also reported was the corn bunting flock with 11 birds and a stonechat.

Friday 25th February – 20 turnstone, 4 buzzard plus one in paddock along with; long-tailed tit, mistle thrush and great spotted woodpecker. Marsh harrier on south side of river near Skitter. Good numbers of wigeon & teal present.

Wednesday 23rd February – 4 redwing and 1 fieldfare over paddock.

Monday 21^st February – A few common waders present with a flock 27 turnstone, 3 oystercatcher and a bar tailed godwit, rock pipit, 2 adult lesser black backed gulls and a merlin chased off by crows. Couple of nice redshank shots from Paul.

Saturday 19^th February – A adult lesser black backed gull on the strays, a flock of around 200 pink feet geese on the edge of the river, 4 black tailed godwit, 3 bar tailed godwit, a guillemot went east, 2 or 3 common buzzard, at least 2 marsh harrier and a sub-adult male hen harrier crossed the river. On the edge of the paddock 10+ redwing and a mistle thrush.

Saturday 12th February – Simon – male marsh harrier, male peregrine and female merlin over strays and buzzard in the paddock

Friday 11th February – 2 short-eared owls hunting over flood bank, Mediterranean gull in field near pond car park – record shots below. 2 common buzzards, snipe, 2 little egret, male bullfinch and a single siskin over the fort.

Sunday 6^th February – 3 buzzards across the river, a marsh harrier, large numbers of waders in the basin which included a flock of 32 bar tailed godwits, also 4 turnstone and the common buzzard in the paddock area again.

Saturday 5th February – Simon – 2 Com Scoter west, 6 Marsh Harrier, 23 Snipe, 3 Bar-wit and 29 Black-wit, 1st winter Mediterranean Gull east and a 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull in the basin,
18 Redwing in the paddock, A Fieldfare and a Yellowhammer at Low Paull farm, A Barn Owl on Hedon Haven

Friday 4th February – 2 buzzard on south side of river, c.40 bar-tailed godwit and similar numbers of black-tailed godwit, rock pipit, 5 snipe on main stray. A flock of 25 ringed plover and the common buzzard perched in the paddock.

January 2022

Species list and Visit Stats pages updated based on Paul’s records

Sunday 30^th January – A flock of 22 avocet went south across the river, two flocks of pink feet geese went west, 170 birds approximately, a flock of 4 cormorant over, also a common buzzard, marsh harrier, little egret and the corvid flock has at least 80 rooks. Song thrush, collared dove and skylark all singing and 12 redwings in the paddock.

Friday 28^th January – A pair of shoveller among the hundreds of wigeon and teal, 9 pink feet geese seen, a single mute swan over, 2 yellowhammers over the edge of the strays, a male bullfinch, 40+ rooks present, grey heron, little egret, 12 turnstone, black tailed godwit and 21 avocet on Hedon Haven.

Sunday 23^rd January – The resident male merlin spent the morning upsetting the lapwing and golden plover flocks, joined by a peregrine which was chased off by the merlin, also good numbers of goldeneye on the river again with a least 60 birds, a perched common buzzard and 2 shovellers among the large numbers of teal and wigeon. Also a grey seal seen.

Saturday 22^nd January – Quiet with 6 bar tailed godwit, single bar tailed, 4 turnstone, 300 + pink feet geese, a nice flock of rooks with 30+ birds and the corn bunting flock still present with around 20 birds, also the common buzzard perched in the paddock.

Friday 21st January – Long-tailed tit, goldcrest, bullfinch, coal tit, blue tit, chaffinch, great tit, wren, blackbird, crow, buzzard, dunnock, goldfinch, wood pigeon, collared dove, robin, curlew, magpie – all around the paddock and fort woods. c.20 Pink footed geese in flock of greylags on main stray and c.300 over. Merlin, kestrel. Distant goldeneye with 50+ on south side near Skitter, avocet on Hedon haven. Good numbers of golden plover and lapwings on strays and estuary.

Thursday 20^th January – From lighthouse 8 black tailed godwits, 4 bar tailed godwits, 14 ringed plover, 3 grey plover, single turnstone, 40+ goldeneye drifting on the river, 300+ pink feet geese, common buzzard and a marsh harrier.

Monday 17th January – merlin and peregrine hunting the strays, marsh harrier, kestrel, buzzard single ringed plover, grey plover, large numbers of lapwing and golden plover. Bullfinch near fort entrance and buzzard in paddock. distant avocet and goldeneye on south bank near Skitter.

Sunday 16^th January – A male marsh harrier hunting over the salt marsh, 72 pink feet geese over and 10 briefly on the strays, a drake gadwall was with the wigeon flock, a great crested grebe went west before landing on the river, a buzzard perched in the paddock area.

Saturday 15^th January – Quiet with fog a problem, a single fieldfare present, pink feet geese overhead and 3 song thrush near the riding school.

Friday 14^th January – 17 goldeneye drifting along the river,  a single fieldfare, 5 black tailed godwits, marsh harrier, around 1000 pink feet geese over, at least 2 common buzzard, the male merlin terrorising the lapwings and golden plover, and a male bullfinch near the fort entrance. The far end of the strays produced good views of 10 corn buntings, 2 stonechats and 2 short eared owls hunting along the old floodbank.

Monday 10^th January – On Hedon Haven, 43 bar and black tailed godwits, a flock of 16 avocet and several hundred dunlins. Off the strays 5 shoveller (4 drakes) were among large numbers of wigeon and teal, a flock of 70+ pink feet east, now 2 brent geese in the greylag flock and good views of a hunting merlin. On the far side of the strays there were 3 grey heron, common buzzard, close views of a marsh harrier and a single stonechat. A couple of shots of teal from Paul.

Sunday 9^th January – Off the lighthouse 3 knot, black and bar tailed godwits, on the far side a single rook flew over the strays, grey heron, little egret and a singing skylark, also a single stonechat.

Friday 7^th January – A song thrush, single fieldfare and 11 redwing seen in the paddock fields, on the strays 80 greylags, the brent goose again, a good mix of waders including 30+ bar tailed godwit, 8 black tailed godwit, 6 grey plover hundreds of dunlin and 8 turnstone. Also 18 goldeneye drifted east on the river, a flock of 20+ fieldfare over and a drake goosander went west over the fort.

Monday 3^rd January – Quiet with a few stock doves, jackdaws, grey heron, good views of a common buzzard and the flock of corn bunting which flew across the strays and along the far flood bank. Two distant swans seen flying east along the edge of the Humber turned out to be 2 BEWICK’S SWAN a first for Paull.

Sunday 2^nd January – A little egret present with 2 knot, rock pipit, a single bar tailed godwit on the strays, 7 pink feet goose west, 100+ fieldfare over, 2 common buzzard, 15 turnstone, common snipe, a stonechat near the lighthouse, 4 greylags and 4 redwings. The corn bunting flock was recorded from the far side of the strays again along with a jay burying acorns near Paull Farm and another stonechat.

Saturday 1^st January – Two flocks of pink feet geese went west numbering 73 in total, oystercatcher off Hedon Haven, a single brent goose on the strays, a marsh harrier went past, 8 knot, 8 black tailed godwit and a flock of 24 turnstone were all seen. Also 30+ fieldfare, 3 skylarks, a large flock of linnet and a perched male merlin showed well but distantly.

December 2021

Friday 31^st December – A flock of 150 greylags on the strays with a single brent goose, 80+ fieldfare flew south, a few common snipe, 8 knot, 8 black tailed godwit and good views of a peregrine. Simon recorded a flock of 13 corn bunting in the pond carpark scrub.

Thursday 30^th December – Several thousand lapwings seen, with 2 pairs of shovellers, 200+ greylag, a brent goose, 2 grey plover, marsh harrier and both black and bar tailed godwits.

Friday 29^th December – An impressive count of 366 greylags along with equally impressive record of 52 common snipe, also 9 redwing, 4 fieldfare and a woodock at Hedon Haven

Monday 27^th December – 2 rock pipits near the lighthouse, thousands of lapwings and golden plovers, 6 turnstone, good views of a single sanderling, little egret and both godwits present.

Friday 24^th December – A few small flocks of fieldfare over, with the odd redwing, a good mix of common waders with several hundred lapwing, golden plover, at least 12 ringed plover, bar and black tailed godwits, a single knot, and  at least 12 common snipe. Also marsh harrier and buzzard, 12 avocets on Hedon Haven and 8 goldeneye drifting on the river.

Thursday 23^rd December – Hundreds of lapwing and golden plover present, 5 ringed plovers, a flock of 12+ fieldfare and a single auk species went east. Simon recorded a Lapland bunting flying over the strays.

Saturday 18th December – Simon – A Water Rail showing well on the Strays off the Riding School with a further bird calling at Paull Holme farm. A LONG EARED OWL see in flight then perched on Hedon Haven along with a flyby Woodcock. A first-winter Glaucous Gull flew upriver. Single Fieldfare, The regular Redpoll and a Siskin, Male Yellowhammer at the Riding School

Friday 17th December – Caspian Gull reported flying west with black headed gulls, buzzard perched in paddock, bullfinch calling at Fort, marsh harrier, 2 grey plover, knot, 6 turnstone, 18 siskin over, also a mistle thrush and bullfinch . Update from Simon – 12 Fieldfare west, A Blackcap along the Fort road with a Chiffchaff at the Church and 6 Goldcrest at various sites. Single Siskin and Redpoll. Lapland Bunting still on Hedon haven

Saturday 11^th December – A flock of 13 snipe over and 3 marsh harrier.

Pictures taken across river from lighthouse

Sunday 12th December – Simon – The Merlin still here with a male Peregrine on Hedon Haven. A Grey Wagtail, 222 Fieldfare and 110 Redwing going over mid morning. Single Bullfinch, Siskin and Redpoll

Saturday 11th December – Simon – 3 Shoveler and a female Pintail, Merlin, 2 Water Rail calling at the car Park pond ditch, A Woodcock on Hedon Haven, 25 Redwing and 1 Fieldfare in the area with a Mistle Thrush near the Fort. Cetti’s Warbler showing well at Paull Holme Farm, A Brambling in the Fort Wood along with a Redpoll and 2 Bullfinch

Friday 10^th December – A flock of 60+ fieldfare across the strays, a perched merlin, good numbers of common wildfowl and waders with black, bar tailed godwits, 4 knot and a ringed plover along with a pair of shoveller. Close views of a common buzzard and picture of a fieldfare from Paul.

Thursday 9th December – Simon – A pair of Shoveler and a male Pintail on the cut with 5 Com Scoter on the river, 2 Avocet, A Barn Owl on the other side the river. 161 Fieldfare and 53 Redwing pushing inland, 2 Bullfinch and a Redpoll

Saturday 4th December – A redhead Goosander and male Com. Scoter west with 80+ Goldeneye off Goxhill, Male Merlin, A Kittiwake east, 3 Fieldfare and 43 Redwing, Lapland Bunting  with a Yellowhammer, Siskin and a Redpoll over

Friday 3rd December – LAPLAND BUNTING still present in South West corner of field near car park at junction of Main Street and Back Road, elusive on the ground and in flight but seen several times in flight and within the green foliage area between 10:00AM and 13:30PM today. (record shot below) Also woodcock and a flock of 27 redwing over. In addition, Simon recorded: Single Brent Goose, Goldeneye, Com Scoter, female Pintail and an adult Iceland Gull up river early morning, 25 Avocet on Hedon Haven, Juv male Merlin.

November 2021

Tuesday 30th November – LAPLAND BUNTING seen by Simon at 08:05 in same place as previous report.

Monday 29th November – LAPLAND BUNTING reported in corner of field near shipyard at Hedon Haven. Glaucous gull flew west and Grey seal on mud to east of Red Lighthouse. 2 knot, marsh harrier and a tame redwing near Paull church

Sunday 28^th November – A Great Crested Grebe east, A Barnacle Goose east and 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese west, 5 Shoveler, 4 gannets, 12 Goldeneye west, 12 Common Scoter sat on the Humber and a further 2 birds west, Immature male Merlin, A single Avocet west with a further 21 birds on Hedon Haven, A Guillemot upriver then sat on. The first Barn Owl of the year, albeit in Lincolnshire!

Friday 26th November – 25 Pintail and 3 Shoveler amongst the Wigeon and Teal. An immature male Merlin attacking the Golden Plover closely followed by a successful pair of Peregrines. A first-winter Mediterranean Gull and a Guillemot west, Female Stonechat, A Bullfinch calling at the Fort, 4 Siskin west

Monday 22nd November – Several sightings of goldeneye including single birds and flocks up to 18 birds, drake eider, great crested grebe west, common scoter. Marsh harrier, buzzard, siskin over, rock pipit, bullfinch calling near fort, small numbers of fieldfare and redwing. A very late red admiral around the fisherman’s car park.

Rock Pipit

Sunday 21^st November – 1 Common Scoter & a male Goldeneye west, 2 Peregrine and 2 Marsh Harrier over the saltmarsh, 33 Fieldfare and1 Redwing over, Spotted Redshank still on Hedon Haven. Update from Paul – 3 yellowhammer over Paull Farm, 2 whooper swans over the strays, 7 siskin in church woods.

Saturday 20th November – 8 Shoveller hunkering down with the Wigeon and Teal, 2 Goldeneye west, 22 Knot, 27 Siskin battling south

Friday 19th November – Simon – A Water Pipit on ‘Avocet Lagoon’, 23 Fieldfare west, 6 Siskin and a Redpoll, plus a nice shot of a pheasant. Update from Paul – 15 knot off the lighthouse, 2 marsh harrier and a single avocet on ‘Avocet Lagoon’

Monday 15^th November – A single yellowhammer over the pond, another jay, small flocks of siskin over, a single common scoter on the river, a calling water rail in the ditch near the small reservoir.

Sunday 14th November – Simon – 8 Common Scoter drifting on the Humber, 18 Knot, 73 Redwing and 252 Fieldfare pushing inland, A male Stonechat, 1 Brambling at the Stables, 23 Siskin and 2 redpoll west, A Bullfinch at the Fort, also 2 Avocet and the Spotted Redshank still on Hedon Haven

Saturday 13th November – Simon – Male Pintail and a Brent Goose on the river off the Lighthouses, A Jack Snipe, 6 Snipe, 1 Short-eared Owl and  3 Water Pipit on the Strays off Paull Holme Farm with a Cetti’s Warbler singing at the Farm, 2 Jays, 1 Brambling at the Paddock, 1 Siskin, also  a Woodcock on Hedon Haven

Friday 12th November – Simon – 3 Pintail and a male Shoveler off the cut, 5 Buzzards over Paull Holme Farm and a female Merlin, Pair of Stonechats, 7 Redwing and 4 Fieldfare, 2 Siskin west

Saturday 6^th November – Simon – GREY PHALAROPE feeding on the Strays drain outfall shoreline near the white lighthouse for 2 minutes. Also single Brent Goose, Pintail & Goldeneye, 110 Fieldfare, 59 Redwing & 41 Siskin moving west

Friday 5^th November – Simon – A bit of movement inland this morning, Fieldfare 779, Redwing 1540, Blackbird 14, Song Thrush 2, Starling 141, Chaffinch 19, Brambling 4, Siskin 16, Redpoll 1, Greenfinch 3, Bullfinch 2 plus 2 at the Fort, Best of the rest….Brent Goose 1 on the river, Pintail 5, Goldeneye 1 west, Woodcock 5,Stonechat 2, Juv. Ring Ouzel and a Mistle Thrush at the church

October 2021

Saturday 30^th October – Early morning produced flocks of 7 bramblings and 7 pintails on site, a couple of common buzzards, good numbers of wigeon and teal, a single redpoll over, a couple of sparrowhawks, 8 black tailed godwits past, a drake shoveller on the river and a couple of siskin over the woods. At Hedon Haven the spotted redshank present again along with one or possibly two Cetti’s warblers calling.

Monday 25^th October – large flocks of starling moving all morning with excess of 1600 birds in total, also 3 rock pipit, grey heron, a great crested grebe flew east and landed on the river, 7 fieldfares south and a few redwings. 3 snow buntings also went south, 4 pintails in a flock of mallard, single redpoll, 2 stonechats still present, at least 2 bullfinch and later a hunting merlin. The Cetti’s warbler was calling in the ditch opposite Paull Farm where a jay was present and another one near the church.

Sunday 24^th October – 2 common scoters flew close along the river heading east, another jay, 2 stonechat, 50+ redwing south, a kittiwake went west upriver, at least 3 marsh harriers seen, 2 common buzzards, 3 knot and a flock of 29 whooper swans heading south.

Saturday 23^rd October – 3 bramblings around the fort, bullfinch calling,  a pair of tree sparrows, 20+ black tailed godwits, on the strays at least 5 pintails mixed in with wildfowl, 4 knot, a spotted redshank was also present. A mistle thrush passed overhead, 6 snipe, good views of a perched merlin, Arctic skua seen going west and east a bit closer, 6 whooper swans, a goosander west,  a few redwing flocks over, 5 common buzzards in the air together, a snow bunting went over the lighthouse, a siskin and a single fieldfare near the fort along with more bramblings.

Friday 22nd October – Shag up river, 22 Whoopers (16,6) south, Merlin, First Woodcock of the autumn, 1st winter Med Gull, A pair of Stonechat, 2 Jays, 5 Twite along the Humber shoreline, 15 Siskin, 10 Brambling, coal tit and a blackcap near fort

Monday 18^th October – Fairly quiet with 47 redwings going south, a chiffchaff, good views of a marsh harrier, near Paull Holme Farm a jay feeding in the trees, a common buzzard, Cetti’s warbler still calling and a single siskin over, also a porpoise seen again.

Sunday 17^th October – At least 2 chiffchaffs still around, 1000+ pink feet geese over, 8 turnstone, stonechat, 30 lapwing, 8 grey plover, a single swallow went east, marsh harrier, common buzzard, good views of a male merlin chasing birds over the strays before a small flock of gulls pushed it across the river which had a feeding porpoise.

Saturday 16^th October – 12 whooper swans were settled in the middle of the river, near the hide a rock pipit showed well, also a marsh harrier, 6 redwing, 5 redpoll and 5 siskins over.

Friday 15th October – 25 Whooper Swan south, Goldeneye, Spotted Redshank on Hedon Haven, A Little Owl calling at the Fort, 3 Swallow still hanging on, A Cetti’s belting it out in the sun at Paull Holme Farm, 4 Redwing, 2 Yellowhammer south

Spotted redshank – Simon – Hedon Haven

Thursday 14th October – Back to normal, scratching around for decent birds…., 20 Whoopers east early on, 50 Redwing, 5 Chaffinch 1 Brambling,2 Redpoll, 1 Siskin & 1 Yellowhammer west. 2 Pintail, Cetti’s Warbler & a Jay at Paull Holme Farm, 3 Swallow.

Wednesday 13th October – Simon – Star bird today a RICHARDS PIPIT over, 2 Peregrine, First Tawny Owl in over 2 years, 2 Stonechat, 4,770 Redwing pushing inland along with 105 Starlings, 35 Chaffinch, 29 Brambling, 9 Greenfinch, 21 Redpoll & 2 Yellowhammer

Tuesday 12th October – Simon – 07.40-13.30 all pushing inland (N) – Redwing 9,360, Song Thrush 7, Ring Ouzel 1, Chaffinch 104, Brambling 32, Siskin 1, Redpoll 24, Jay 1, Pintail 2, Shoveller 1, Goldeneye 2 w, Common Scoter 5 w, Knot 50, Ruff 2, Peregrine 2, Grey Wagtail 1, Swallow 3, Stonechat 2, Chiffchaff 1, Coal Tit 2

Monday 11th October – 3 goldcrests on the edge of the woods, 5 redwings in and 3 swallows near the stables, also a peregrine hunting around the strays before heading over the fort, another jay seen, a guillemot on the river, 3 Common buzzards and a marsh harrier.

Saturday 9th October – 2 Gannet, male Shoveller & 3 Pintail, 25 Com. Scoter, Grey Wagtail west, Cetti’s Warbler near Paull Holme. Mistle Thrush at the Fort, 1 Jay roving around, 11 Tree Sparrow, 2 Redpoll. A single sandwich tern east again, siskin, single yellowhammer and at least 4 stonechats around the reserve

Pink-footed geese

Friday 8^th October – Gannet west, Single Pintail & Shoveller, Mistle Thrush at the Fort, Cetti’s Warbler singing and stonechat at Paull Holme farm, Small numbers of Passerines moving south / south-east, incl. 1 Grey Wag, 7 Siskin, 18 Redpoll, 25 Tree Sparrow & 7 Yellowhammer

Thursday 7^th October – STORM PETREL east, 3 jay (1st record for 6 years), 2 brambling, song thrush, auk (sp), 5 gannet, yellowhammer, grey wag, peregrine, 4 shoveller, 13 jackdaw, marsh harrier, 3 avocet, 2 chiffchaff, long-tailed tit. A sandwich tern went east, 2 brent geese went west, 4 siskins over, small flocks of tree sparrows around the reserve and Cetti’s warbler calling near the small pond near Paull Farm

Wednesday 6th October – Lots of duck pushing west up river, Gannet 2w, 1e, Whooper 2, Gadwall 2, Pintail 95 (patch record), Shoveller 4, Wigeon 1,181, Teal 551, Tufted Duck 9, Eider 1, Com. Scoter 2, Goosander 6, Red-breasted Merganser 2. Juv. Hobby, Razorbill, Swallow 7 south, House Martin 1 south, Blackcap 2, Chiffchaff 3, Stonechat 3 near red lighthouse, Redwing 92w, Tree Sparrow 2w, Brambling 1 & 1 Bullfinch at the fort, Siskin 1w.

Tuesday 5th October – 1 Brent Goose w, 1 Shoveller, 30 Knot, 2 Greenshank, 13 Snipe’ Swallow 2 South & 8 at Paull Holme farm with 15 House Martin, Siskin over, 1 Tree Sparrow

Monday 4th October – 2 Gannet w, 3 Com. Scoter w, c.2,000 Pink-feet, 5 M Harrier, 7 Buzzards, 1 Ruff & a late Whimbrel, 1 Arctic Skua w, 5 Swallow s & 12 House Martin, 1 Stonechat. Lots of Mipits, Pied Wags, Slylarks, Reed Bunts & Finches moving s s/e on a broad front incl. 8 Siskin, 1 Redpoll, 6 Yellowhammer

Sunday 3rd October – Arctic Skua west, Grey Wagtail, 2 Swallow east, Cetti’s Warbler on Hedon Haven. At least a 1000 pink feet geese landed on the saltmarsh, 2 marsh harriers, 2 common buzzards, 2 swallows over, 4 grey plover on the strays and a small southward movement of skylarks.

Saturday 2nd October –  Gannet 9 west, 3 east, Shoveller 2 west, Knot 2, Greenshank 2, Sandwich Tern  6 east, 2 marsh harrier, buzzard, 2 swallow, grey wagtail.

On Hedon Haven both a grey wagtail and a common sandpiper were seen, around the strays a couple of swallows over, 2 marsh harrier, a flock of 10 little egret, a peregrine briefly, a grey wagtail over and stonechat near the small pond.

Devil’s coach horse beetle

Friday 1st October – 9 gannet west and 3 east, 2 shoveller west, 2 knot, 2 greenshank, 6 sandwich tern east.

Green-veined white