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| Curlew (John Warton) |
Spurn
19th October 2024
Weather: Intermittent rain through to 1400, it then cleared up, mild
Driver: Glenn
Twenty-eight members and friends set off from Stockport on our annual trip to Spurn. A comfort-stop at Ferrybridge services allowed a couple of the team to pick up Grey Partridge and Song Thrush in the adjacent fields. Very little else was noted on the journey apart from Mute Swan and Coot recorded as we passed over the Humber Bridge. We arrived at the first drop off point in Easington village and a number of us alighted the coach and had a wander down the adjacent Vicar’s Lane.
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| Water Rail (A Barrett) |
The area was quiet with the only migrants of note being continental type Blackbirds in the berry bushes and out in the paddocks. Collared Dove, Goldfinch and Chaffinch were recorded, as well as other common species. There were no birds in Easington churchyard, probably due to the persistent rain. It was quiet as we walked on down Humberside Lane with a fly-over Great Spotted Woodpecker being the only bird of real note. We had distant views of Buzzard and a brief glimpse of a Sparrowhawk as it flashed through. Commoner birds were noted, Skylark, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon and a few flyover flocks of Redwing. At Easington Cemetery we found a party of Long Tailed Tit and a couple of Curlew were in the adjacent field.
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| Shoveler (J Wharton) |
Continuing down to Sammy’s Point Grey Heron was added to our list. At the point a large flock of Linnet were mobile. Alighting in a bush, Dave R. was able to pick out at least two Twite amongst the flock. Out on the estuary a couple of Little Egret wandered around the mudflats, a handful of Greylag Geese flew over. There were distant flocks of Shelduck and we added Dunlin, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Redshank, Knot and Bar-tailed Godwit to our list. A handful of Meadow Pipit passed overhead. An adult and juvenile Mute Swan were also stood in the middle of the mudflats.
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| Turnstone (A Barrett) |
Walking along the estuary path we were entertained with close views of a Barn Owl, hunting in a temporary break in the rain. A Kestrel was also close by keeping an eye on proceedings. A couple of Yellowhammer flew through. A Marsh Harrier was seen quartering the adjacent fields. A handful of Great Black-backed gull were loafing on the estuary, with a couple of Common Gull in attendance. A pair of Brent Goose flew low over our party.
Approaching Kilnsea we watched three (disorientated) Swallow flying north. At Kilnsea Wetlands we added a number of duck species to our list, Mallard, Teal, Shoveler and Wigeon. Black-tailed Godwit were also present, as well as a handful of gulls, including a juvenile Mediterranean Gull. A small party of Pied Wagtail and a couple of Meadow Pipit searched the shoreline of the pool. A single Dunlin was observed. A few of the group were fortunate when a small party of Little Gull flew in to inspect the pools.
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| Sparrowhawk (J Wharton) |
Near the concrete Sound Mirror a small flock of Tree Sparrow and a few Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting fed on the small strip of set-aside. At Beacon Pools we located the American Wigeon and we also added Ringed Plover and Little Stint to our list. Little Grebe and Cormorant were also added. Passing the Sandy Beaches caravan park we found Blackcap and Greenfinch in the shrubs.
A walk around the Canal area added Moorhen and Stonechat to the list. There were also plenty of Reed Bunting in this area. A couple of people heard Bearded Tit, but no positive views were had. At the Canal Scrape hide a Water Rail showed occasionally. Little Grebe was also found here.
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| Little Grebe & Mallard (A Barrett) |
Sea-watching from the coast was very quiet with only two Eider flying south of note. Other species in the Spurn area various members of the group managed to connect with included Pink-footed Geese, Merlin, Lapwing, Whimbrel, Turnstone, Woodcock, Snipe, Short-eared Owl, Sand Martin and Chiffchaff. Both Cetti’s and Yellow-browed Warbler were heard but no positive sightings of either.
We returned to the coach and commenced the journey back to Stockport. The only addition to the list was a Red-legged Partridge, in the Welwick area, presumably a release from the local shooting community. 90 species were seen or heard by the group throughout the day.
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| Wren (J Wharton) |
Birds seen;
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