October 2021

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

September 2021

Monday 27^th September – Before the torrential rain arrived a single sanderling went east, a few bar tailed godwits and dunlin passed by, 3 common scoters also east , 3 common tern and a single guillemot. One house martin and a handful of swallows were also seen, a single gannet east, 200+ black tailed godwits on the strays and at 11.44 a GREAT EGRET slowly drifted west over the strays and fort before heading inland. Later 7 lapwings went south, a single common whitethroat was near the fort and a few butterflies including speckled woods.

Sunday 26^th September – The morning started well with the first of at least 3 guillemots past, 6 swallows, 40+ greylag geese, 3 lapwing and the first of a minimum of 85 gannets were seen. Flocks of pink feet geese were again heading up-river, a flock of 7 gadwall drifted on the river, a razorbill and a great skua headed east at the same time and a calling corn bunting went south. A flock of 30 Canada geese went west over the strays, 2 shovellers were present, 10 tree sparrows went over along with a single rook. Waders included 70+ bar tailed godwit, 4 knot on the strays and a couple of common snipe over. At least 6 little egrets were on site and near the edge of the pond a water rail flew briefly before dropping into the drain. A good number of migrant hawkers and common darters were on or around the pond and a hobby showed well again.

Saturday 25^th September – A few flocks of pink feet geese were still arriving, 2 brent geese went east, a chiffchaff was seen, at least 250 black tailed godwits on the stays in company with 2 avocets and 2 grey plovers. A greenshank was present, 2 siskins flew high overhead, 3 common snipe and 4 marsh harrier were together hunting over the salt marsh, also a single guillemot and a porpoise seen. At 9.40 an OSPREY drifted along the river east before heading south, 2 tufted ducks went west, 5 sand martin went south, 11 avocets headed up-river, 2 pintails were on the strays and a hobby showed well hunting over the strays.

Friday 24th Sept – Simon – 17 Gannet, 280 Pink-feet, 3 Shoveler, 78 Bar-wit, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 4 Avocet, 1 Sand Martin and 5 Swallow.

Thursday 23^rd September – Fairly quiet with decent numbers of godwits present, teal and wigeon present, 2 common snipe over, 2 common buzzards, at least 10 swallows, a marsh harrier and a lesser whitethroat near the fort entrance

Monday 20^th September – A single greenshank heard, at least 18 bar tailed and a few black tailed godwits present, 2 common buzzard, marsh harrier, common snipe, 20+ common scoter east, a swallow, lapwing and 8 avocet west. A comma was among the odd butterfly present

Sunday 19^th September – The first of a steady movement of brent geese past involving 20-30 birds, also small flocks of common scoter, common whitethroat, 2 or 3 blackcaps, a grey wagtail over, 3 avocets, a little stint, numbers of teal and wigeon still increasing, a guillemot possibly 2 or 3 seen during the day, 5 common snipe over and a pintail. Later 2 sandwich tern and 4 common terns went east, at least one great skua seen, later in the day one was seen despatching a large juvenile gull, at least 3 Arctic skuas around, a summer plumage black throated diver flew close by the lighthouse heading west, later seen on the river before flying off high, possibly inland. A flock of 5 swallows passed by and 3 little gulls were seen in the distance.  

Saturday 18^th September – A wheatear was seen early morning, more wigeon arriving along with good numbers of teal, calling greenshank, a great skua, 2 guillemots and a tufted duck flew west. Also, a chiffchaff, a great crested grebe went west, a flock of 35 grey plover, 6 little egrets, coal tit, 2 swallows and a small flock of siskin over the fort. A common blue butterfly was also seen.

Friday 17^th September – Simon – 354 Teal & 24 Wigeon west, 7 Sanderling & 1 Little Stint, 1 Greenshank, Juv. Yellow-legged Gull, Guillemot, 3 juv. Tree Sparrow, 1 Siskin east, 2 Yellowhammer

Two separate wheatears from Simon

Thursday 16^th September – A few swallows still around, small numbers of wigeon, a single siskin over, a large flock of 200+ teal on the strays, 4 lapwing a single pintail with a mallard flock, good views of a kingfisher, 5 little egrets, a yellow wagtail, chiffchaff and a lesser whitethroat, few butterflies showed including a green veined white.

Monday 13^th September – very quiet with 2 little stints on the strays, 5 little egrets, blackcap and a few common whitethroats.

Sunday 12^th September – Quiet with the 3 little stint still present with a single greenshank, 2 wheatear and single siskin and redpoll over.

Saturday 11th September – A couple of blackcap and a common whitethroat still on the edge of the fort, also wheatear, 5 common buzzards together over the fields, 4 little egret on the strays, a single ruff, sanderling, the 3 little stints again, greenshank and around 100 golden plover. Across the river large numbers of black tailed godwits, approximately 2000 seen. A Mediterranean gull also a single tree pipit over heading west. Odd tern past and a few lapwing, the luestic redshank was again on the edge of the river, butterflies included a common blue and a couple of speckled wood.

Friday 10^th September – As the tide dropped there were 3 little stint, greenshank and a pair of sanderling, also 6 wigeon, good numbers of teal and 2 shoveller. A luestic redshank was on the strays before heading onto the Humber, also a few godwits and 2 avocet.

How romantic. A godwit kiss!

Thursday 9th September – An early start produced a few swallows and house martins, a sandwich tern past, lesser whitethroat, blackcaps, yellow wagtail and a grey wagtail. Heavy rain interrupted before the falling tide had at least 250 black tailed godwits on the strays along with greenshank, 15 bar tailed godwit and a single avocet. At around 10.20 a calling juvenile pectoral sandpiper flew in and gave reasonable views  on the strays for around 20 minutes before flying off west towards Paull village. Little else seen apart from a wheatear and a buzzard.

5th September – Another swift seen, good numbers of common terns seen again with the odd sandwich tern, a whinchat on the edge of the fort, lesser whitethroat, blackcap, chiffchaff, willow warbler, good numbers of teal, a wheatear, 6 common scoter drifted along the river, a guillemot, greenshank, 3 shovellers, 3 sanderling and a tree sparrow.  A few dragonflies around the pond with probably 20+ common darter and more around the strays, emperor dragonfly, migrant hawkers and small red eyed damselfly.

Saturday 4^th September – A calling coal tit, chiffchaff, 2 swift over the fort, lesser whitethroat, willow warbler, a minimum of 52 common terns, probably more, 3 Arctic skuas, greenshank and a guillemot along the river, unfortunately dragged out of the river and killed by a great black backed gull. 3 porpoise seen, a grey and several yellow wagtails, whimbrel, common snipe, little stint and another guillemot drifted east. A distant peregrine also seen, 2 tree sparrows, a single Arctic tern, 9 wigeon, 4 oystercatcher and a common sandpiper heard along with more sightings of Arctic skuas.

Wednesday 1^st September – Chiffchaffs seen around the fort, a greenshank 3 little egrets, 6 wigeon went west, 200+ golden plover, 3 terns also went west and 2 common buzzards.

August 20121

Monday 30^th August – A goldcrest seen, at least 4 lesser whitethroat, a reed warbler briefly, common whitethroats, blackcaps, chiffchaff and willow warbler. Among common waders a little stint, greenshank and a few bar and black tailed godwits. Large flocks of teal past, 16 wigeon, 18 + 11 common scoter, a few terns recorded including sandwich, a single black tern was seen heading up river, 3 Arctic skuas west and 2 sand martin seen.

A few butterflies and emperor dragon fly taken late August by Paul – including:

Small skipper, brown argus, common blue, essex skipper, emperor dragonfly, mimic hornet fly, small heath and meadow brown.

Sunday 29^th August – A common redstart very briefly on the edge of the Fort, again good numbers of warblers with 10+ blackcap, at least 3 lesser whitethroat along with common whitethroats and chiffchaff. A few teal, 2 marsh harrier and bar tailed godwit also seen.

Saturday 28^th August – A garden warbler seen along with lesser whitethroat, common whitethroat, a reed warbler, chiffchaff and willow warblers. At least 35 wigeon coming in, 2 greenshank, knot, grey plover, hundreds of golden plover, whimbrel, bar and black tailed godwit. Also adult and juvenile Mediterranean gulls, sand martin, a single Arctic tern, 6 common buzzards seen and 2 Arctic skuas went east. Butterflies included  a small heath, at least 3 common blue, painted lady and 4 small copper.

Friday 27^th August – 39 wigeon went west along with 83 teal and 2 shoveller, waders included whimbrel, 2 greenshank, 7 ruff, a juvenile curlew sandpiper and a impressive 160 knot. Also a little owl in the fort and a short eared owl over the strays, a goldcrest, 5 willow warblers and 3 juvenile redstarts.

Thursday 26^th August – 14 wigeon west, a flock of 20+ little egret across the river, 15 teal on the strays, a single drake tufted duck went west, marsh harrier, a ruff went west, lesser whitethroat, greenshank, 12 bar tailed godwit, 11 turnstone and a juvenile Mediterranean gull.

Monday 23^rd August – Along the fort perimeter lesser whitethroat, long tailed tits, chiffchaff, willow warblers and common whitethroats. 6 swans across the river, also 8 turnstone, 50+ teal marsh harrier, greenshank, the first 13 wigeon of the Autumn, 4 common scoter, 3 lapwings and a young hobby hunting over the strays several times, 2 sandwich tern west, 4 comic terns east, sand martin, 2 sanderling seen well, 20 common scoter east 2 ruff west and 12 bar tailed godwit. Butterflies included speckled wood, gatekeeper, painted lady, small copper and a single brown argus.

Sunday 22^nd August – 20+ common scoter east, 2 sparrowhawk, 12+ sandwich tern past, a few comic terns, 12 turnstone, 2 greenshank, 7 shoveller over the strays, good numbers of teal, a knot, grey plover, 2 avocets, 2 ruff and a single Arctic skua went west. Also another 2 common scoter, 6 common snipe, marsh harrier, 3 sand martin and 2 little owls calling from the fort. 2 brown argus where seen on the edge of the fort with small copper and at least 8 hornet mimic hoverflies.

Saturday 21^st August – 15 avocets early on, greenshank, Arctic tern, 3 common snipe, more terns, well over 180 teal past, a wheatear, a green sandpiper, 2 juvenile Mediterranean gull, also a single adult Mediterranean gull, a common scoter, 5 little egret, lesser whitethroat and good numbers of yellow wagtails showing.

Friday 20th August – Simon – 2 Com Scoter and 2 Shoveller, A juv Peregrine trying to catch a Kingfisher, 10 Avocet, 219 Black-wit, 1 Greenshank, 1 Knot, 17 Yellow Wagtail, A Small fall of 13 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 7 Lesser Whitethroat, 23 Long-tailed and 1 Coal Tit

Monday 16^th August – Still a good mix of warblers, especially common whitethroats, also a green sandpiper, other waders as the tide rose included 190 ringed plover, 5 turnstone and 19 knot. A pair oystercatcher was the 19^th species of wader seen over the previous 4 days, unfortunately one unidentified. A male merlin showed well briefly flushing all the waders, also marsh harrier and a single common scoter on the river.

Sunday 15^th August – A bit of movement this morning with odd sighting of avocet, at least 3 birds, 4 common scoter, 7 turnstone, whimbrel still in decent numbers, 2 sanderling, 2 marsh harrier, a grey wagtail over, 6 sand martin, at least 7 little egrets, greenshank, the wheatear again, and 8 knot. Insects included 50+ red admiral, dozens of common blue, speckled wood, 2 painted lady, emperor dragonfly, 10+ common darter and at least 2 small red eyed damselfly.

Saturday 14^th August – Searched without success for yesterdays probable lesser yellowlegs, did record our first green sandpiper and ruff of the Autumn, also knot, black and bar tailed godwits, grey plover, snipe and turnstone. Our first wheatear of the Autumn seen, marsh harrier and a porpoise recorded.

Friday 13^th August – A couple of sanderling seen early morning, 4 greenshank, 20+ common scoter on the river, 24 bar tailed godwit, 3 avocet, at least 5 little egret, 3 knot, common sandpiper and a marsh harrier. A wader with all the characteristics of a yellowlegs managed to evade all attempts to be positively identified.

Sunday 8^th August – Chiffchaffs, willow warblers, blackcaps and common whitethroat still around the Fort perimeter, a river watch produced 6 common scoter, 40+ teal,  and 4 tufted duck west along with 7 comic tern east. Also, greenshank, 6 avocet, turnstone, small numbers of bar and black tailed godwits with several hundred black tailed across the river, also marsh harrier and common buzzard.

Green-veined white

Saturday 7^th August – Lesser whitethroat and willow warbler both seen, a juvenile Mediterranean gull went east, greenshank and a cuckoo crossed the river heading south. A porpoise fed close offshore, also at least 5 marsh harrier, common buzzards and bar tailed godwits. Insects on the wing included double figure painted lady and red admirals, 2 common blue, emperor dragonfly and common darter.

Friday 6^th August – Early start around the Fort produced good numbers of warblers with 6 chiffchaff, 7 blackcap, 6 lesser whitethroat, common whitethroat families and willow warbler. 6 turnstone passed the lighthouse, a immature kittiwake east, avocet, 9 teal west, a single sanderling, grey plover, black tailed godwits and 3 sandwich tern east. An immature yellow legged gull showed well for 5 minutes before heading west.

Wednesday 4^th August – From the lighthouse 2 turnstone, 4 avocet, building numbers of golden plover, 60+ dunlin, common tern east followed by 2 sandwich tern.

Sunday 1st August – A hobby zipped past over the Fort in the morning, also chiffchaff, willow warbler, common sandpiper, 5 common scoter west, teal, greenshank, common buzzard, marsh harrier and at least 2 porpoise.

July 2021

Saturday 31^st July – At least 3 marsh harrier present, 4 avocet, chiffchaff, avocet, yellow wagtails, turnstone, 14 bar tailed godwit and 30+ sand martin past. Also, common sandpiper, 4 teal west, Arctic tern, ringed plover, 60+ redshank, 2 comma and painted lady.

A later report of a nightjar from 22^nd May this year seen and photographed early morning on the edge of the strays was an addition to site list.

Thursday 29th July – A male merlin was terrifying the local waders this morning, also marsh harrier over the strays, 4 avocet, 3 whimbrel, 16 bar tailed godwit, a common sandpiper, juvenile Mediterranean gull and a single Arctic tern west.

Wednesday 28^th July – Wader numbers still slowly picking up with 7 avocet, a greenshank, 2 common sandpipers, 17 bar tailed godwits, 5 black tailed godwits and 5 whimbrel. The little owl was calling from the Fort again, a short eared owl seen, also Mediterranean gull, another yellow legged gull and 5 shoveller east.

Tuesday 27^th July – A little owl heard calling from the Fort in the morning, also 4 sandwich tern east, several whimbrel and 3 common sandpiper, golden plover numbers on the increase, 4 mute swan past, 3 little egrets, a couple of common tern and another sandwich. A flock of 25+ common scoter landed on the river, at least 3 common buzzards seen and a young common seal, grey seal and porpoise all seen.

Monday 26^th July – 3 turnstone seen near the lighthouse, a flock of 15 shoveller landed on the strays for a while before moving on, also avocet, immature Mediterranean gull, approximately 50 common scoter on the river, 6 little egrets across the river, marsh harrier, a single lapwing and a couple of sand martin. Good numbers of Essex skipper spread around the reserve with at least 5 individuals, common blues also migrant hawker, common darter.

Sunday 25^th July – The morning produced good numbers of 30+ yellow wagtails including lots of juveniles, peregrine, yellow legged gull, 3 lesser whitethroat, common sandpiper, 3 sand martin and 10 teal. Later a willow warbler was seen, 6 avocet, 5 more teal, 2 turnstone common buzzard, 80+ rook, 7 kestrel,  grey heron, and an adult Mediterranean gull. 2 painted lady were also present along with common darter.

Friday 23^rd July – 7 avocet seen, 11 turnstone and a general increase in waders including golden plover and black tailed godwits, also a few common scoter passing, 2 yellow legged gulls, tree sparrow and a decent flock of rook. Grey seal and porpoise also recorded.

Thursday 22^nd July – A marbled white reported along the lower footpath from the ‘fishermans’ carpark.

Sunday 18^th July – A singing chiffchaff heard, 3 avocet, 2 whimbrel, yellow legged gull, 25 common scoter and a Mediterranean gull.

Saturday 17^th July – Good numbers of gatekeepers on the wing, still large skipper among small and Essex skippers, painted lady, speckled wood among 14 species of butterfly recorded. Few birds with a willow warbler by the pond, a few yellow wagtails, also common darter and small red eyed damselflies.

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.