July 2021

Sunday 11^th July – Three different Mediterranean gulls seen today in varying plumages, also 3 avocets again, a single dunlin, 100+ golden plover over, 9 mute swans, at least 17 redshank, 3 sandwich tern east, sightings of distant peregrines, several common buzzards and a few yellow wagtails around. At least 2 Essex skippers among the more numerous small skippers.

Saturday 10^th July – A couple of lesser whitethroats calling, small numbers of bar and black tailed godwits present, at least 2 whimbrel, 5 redshank, adult Mediterranean gull with the black head flock, 6 sandwich tern, 2 common tern and an Arctic tern past. Also 30+ golden plover, 3 avocet, 40+ common scoter west, several 100 swift and a stoat briefly.

Friday 9^th July – 71 black tailed godwits early morning on the strays, a single golden plover and a couple of knot, 2 ringed plover, lesser whitethroat, yellow wagtails and 3 sand martin over. 13 species of butterfly seen with Essex skipper seen along with small heath, green veined white, painted lady, common blue and on the pond at least 6 small red eye damselflies, with 2 or 3 emperors.

Linnet, meadow brown and small skipper pictures

Sunday 4^th July – A few small flocks of sandwich terns heading east, a flock of 5 common tern also east, 8 mute swans across the river, common buzzard, whimbrel, 3 black tailed godwits and 2 Mediterranean gulls. A few butterflies around with ringlet, meadow brown, painted lady, large and small skippers, the pond had the years first common darter and small red eyed damselflies. The calling cetti’s warbler still present at Hedon Haven near BP.

Six spot burnet

Saturday 3^rd July – A juvenile Mediterranean gull on the strays, whimbrel, 10 common scoter on the river, later another flock of 100+ flew west.

Thursday 1^st July – A lesser whitethroat was calling near the farm, also tree sparrows seen, a pair of bullfinch and 2 oystercatcher chicks were present.

June 2021

Tuesday 29th June – 7 sandwich terns reported passing through

Sunday 27^th June – A flock of 5 gadwall west, then a flock of 30+ teal east and a distant ruddy shelduck which flew in with shelduck before settling on the edge of the salt marsh for the morning at least. Also 13 comic terns eat, 2 common scoter drifted east on the river, a couple of sand martin seen and at least 3 common buzzards. A red admiral and small tortoiseshell also present.

Pictures from Paul of Five spot burnet, bee orchid, small and large skippers

Saturday 26^th June – A few meadow brown on the wing, 5 spot burnets in very good numbers, a couple of sandwich terns, a couple of small flocks of common terns 13 grey plover, at least 10 common buzzards recorded, little egrets, whimbrel, 2 summer plumage black tailed godwits, yellow wagtail, willow warbler and 2 great spotted woodpeckers. 4 species of orchids flowering with good numbers of bee orchids, butterflies included the first small skipper of the year.

Friday 25^th June – In the morning murk 3 gannets went west then east, also a few sandwich tern, yellow wagtail, little egret and a single common scoter east.

Sunday 20^th June – Good numbers of common swifts over, a good emergence of 5 spot burnets, 2 large skippers and 3 sandwich terns in the morning.

Saturday 19^th June – A flock of 50+ common swifts over the river, 3 sandwich tern west, several large skipper and small heath, calling lesser whitethroat and willow warbler. Good numbers of butterflies with red admiral, meadow brown, common blue and orange-tip. 3 terrapins in the pond.

Ringlet and Pyramidal Orchid

Friday 18^th June – Early morning produced a flock of 9 common scoter and a Mediterranean gull past. Later another common scoter west, 2 grey herons and a marsh harrier. Also a distant flock of 50+ black tailed godwit seen.

A series of early summer pictures from Paul.

Saturday 12th June – A single brent goose on the edge of the river, 9 young shelduck, 2 common buzzards, marsh harrier, singing willow warbler, a couple of painted ladies, at least 6 large skipper, good numbers of small heath, common blues, 4 spot chaser and a few azure damselflies. Good numbers of orchids emerging with at least 16 bee orchid.

Wolf Spider (?) and Four spot chaser

Monday 7^th June – Singing chiffchaff, cuckoo, a sandwich tern heard, common buzzard, yellow wagtail, singing willow warbler. Butterflies recorded included small copper, painted lady, large skipper, small heath and large white.

Saturday 5^th June – A yellow wagtail feeding on the edge of the Fort, a mistle thrush, 3 grey heron, 2 common buzzards, 2 sandwich terns east, cuckoo, willow warbler and a tawny owl been harried by blackbirds at the back of the church. A holly blue was seen, also small heath and common blue, around the pond emperor dragonfly, 4 spot chaser and a few damselfly.

Thursday 3^rd June – A grey seal seen, a common tern east, cuckoo, 2 or 3 little egrets, 2 sandwich tern west, 50+ ringed plover, 2 common buzzard, marsh harrier, butterflies included a brimstone. Also a flock of 50+ Canada geese recorded.

May 2021

Sunday 30^th May – Still very quiet with 2 avocets on the strays, a calling cuckoo, common buzzard and a few swifts. Later on there were at least 4 four-spot chasers around the pond with a few azure damselflies and at least on blue tailed.

Saturday 29^th May – in the morning 2 spoonbills were seen tracked from Cherry Cob, heading inland over Paull, also 2 common scoter on the river. The BP end of Hedon Haven produced the peregrine on its perch, and the cetti’s warbler singing. Back at Paull 2 greenshank were seen, several cuckoos are around, a mistle thrush, and the singing willow warbler near the pond. More insects have emerged with 4 spot chasers, orange tips, common blue, green veined white and speckled wood all recorded.

Friday 28^th May – A few swifts, swallows and house martins overhead, also a single redpoll, bullfinch, wheatear, peregrine, a tern sp east, cuckoo, 2 yellow wagtails, Canada goose and nice views of a hepatic or rufous coloured cuckoo which upset the local blackbirds.

Monday 24^th May – The Cetti’s warbler sang well near BP, also peregrine, buzzard and sparrowhawk. At Paull a pair of swifts were mating in the air, sand martin, marsh harrier, 2 more sparrowhawk, marsh harrier, willow warbler, cuckoo, another peregrine over, 41 brent geese on the salt marsh, 4 tree sparrows, and a coal tit. Insects included 4 spot chaser, and a brimstone butterfly.

Sunday 23^rd May – The flock of brent geese present again with at least 20 birds, a drake goosander flew west before drifting east back down the river, a marsh harrier crossed the river, a flock of 20+ bar tailed godwits were seen, yellow wagtail and 2 more marsh harriers. The peregrine was on its nest box at BP.

Saturday 22^nd May – Reasonable numbers of swifts and hirundine over including the odd sand martin, a flock of 20+ brent geese on the salt marsh, a few dunlin and grey plover present and a fulmar heading west was a welcome surprise.

Friday 21^st May – A little stint was seen near the lighthouse, also 4 sanderling, 2 bar tailed godwit, 46 brent geese and near BP the cetti’s still present along with the nesting peregrine.

A few recent pics from Paul, including a nice comparison shot of grey plover, dunlin and sanderling, and a pesky terrapin at the car park pond!

Monday 17^th May – Quiet with a single siskin over the fort, several hundred grey plover off the salt marsh, 2 little egret, grey heron, 2 common swifts, 18 house martin, lesser whitethroat and a singing willow warbler near the pond.

Sunday 16^th May – 20 mute swans across the river, grey seal, 2 or 3 porpoise, a common scoter, wheatear, yellow wagtail, 2 common buzzards, a single Arctic tern east, single tree sparrow, marsh harrier and a sudden burst of 30-40 common swifts and up to 20 house martins. The first dragonflies of the season emerged with 3 four-spot chasers seen, butterflies included an early small heath, 3 terrapins were at the pond.

Saturday 15^th May – A drake goosander was on the river first thing, also a steady trickle of swifts, swallows, house martins and sand martin, at least 100 grey plover, a single Arctic tern and a kittiwake went west before returning later on. Also single wheatear, 2 common buzzard and another Arctic tern.

Friday 14^th May – A singing Cetti’s warbler was nearby at Hedon Haven, also a fox seen near the stables.

Monday 10^th May – A good mixture of waders again on the falling tide including grey plover, single turnstones and knot, 3 sanderling and 2 curlew sandpiper, an adult winter plumage bird and one heading towards summer plumage. Also the flock of brent geese again with at least 25 birds on the saltmarsh, 2 comic tern east, 3 wheatears, 2 marsh harrier and a few swift and house martin.

Sunday 9^th May – The morning started well with a whinchat on the edge of the fort, 9 brent geese early including a pale bellied, 3 turnstone, 3 sanderling, odd yellow wagtail over, 4 Arctic tern east, 3 Canada geese on the strays, 4 sand martin, 2 tufted duck and 3 gadwall. Also both bar tailed and black tailed godwits, 4 sand martin, swallows, swifts and house martins, good views of a calling cuckoo, a distant merlin, at least 3 lesser whitethroat and 7 or 8 wheatears, the tail end of a massive movement of wheatears with hundreds recorded along the east coast. Butterflies included green veined white, peacock and orange-tip. A total of 77 birds were recorded in about 6 hours.

Friday 7^th May – Good numbers of common warblers present, 2 tree sparrows, lesser whitethroat 2 swifts, 2 sand martin, marsh harrier, 2 lesser whitethroat and 2 or 3 porpoise seen.

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)