In the morning 15 Bar-tailed Godwits flew NE along the Trent. In the afternoon a Marsh Harrier flew over, a Swift flew over the Causeway(RW). In total 66 Little Gulls few into the Deep Pit (58 in one flock), 20 Bar-tailed Godwits, a Whimbrel, Little Ringed Plover and Green Sandpiper were also seen. MC.
In the evening a Grasshopper Warbler was heard for the second night running in the sub-station field. RJP.
Early this morning a Bar-tailed Godwit flew north-east through the site. In the early afternoon 18 Little Gulls came in and settled on the Deep Pit, leaving a few hours later. In the early evening 27 Little Gulls came in and settled on the Deep Pit and later there were 29. MC.
At 14.00 a Wheatear was on the pylon bank of the Deep Pit. PR.
This afternoon a Black-tailed Godwit stopped off at the Slurry Lagoon for a snooze. The Peregrine was on the pylon again. JMD.
The wind had been blowing from the east for almost three weeks with migrants down the east coast from Scotland to Kent. I decided, upon consultation with the three other people who had shown an interest in the trip – Pete, Jackie and Deryck, to bring the trip forward a week from 1st November to 25th October.
After checking what was about it was decided to call first at Bempton Cliffs RSPB reserve as there was a Red-flanked Bluetail that had been there for two or three days. There had been an influx on the Yorkshire coast for the past 10 days with three reported from Spurn at the same time earlier in the week.
We arrived at Bempton in quite a strong westerly wind to be told – yes it had been seen that morning. We search for almost 2 hours but eventually gave up. We did manage to see a distant Red-backed Shrike, Rock Pipit and Rock Dove.
We left Bempton to go to Spurn calling at Hornsea on the way were 7 Red-Breasted Merganser was seen.
Approaching Spurn 2 Roe Deer were seen in the fields near Kilnsea.
Arriving at Spurn we decided to drive to the point. On the way Knot, Bar-tailed Godwit and Turnstone were seen on the mud. In the dunes early Redwing were seen.
Before leaving we called at the hide hear the reserve entrance where we were treated to two Jack Snipe and Water Rail.
Overall 64 species were seen with eight added to the trip total that now stands at 165.
This afternoon a Hobby sat on one of the fence posts on the east side of the Deep Pit for some time before flying low around the Deep Pit and then away over the Railway Bridge to upset all the Swallows while on the opposite side a Cuckoo was cuckooing and hopping from post to post. JMD.
Later on a Bar-tailed Godwit flew through while three Garden Warblers sang in the Deep Pit. PS.