Spurn 12th May

Spurn was lovely and sunny yesterday for the Club Trip – ten of us went and enjoyed a full day out – pity some of the rarities had moved on with clear skies on Saturday night and we dipped on the Wryneck, but we still had lots of good sightings. Highlights were Wood Sandpiper, a Blue-headed Wagtail, female Hen Harrier, around 60  Little Terns and ten Sandwich Terns at Beacon Ponds , singing Lesser Whitethroat (which also gave good views), a couple of Redstarts (including one striking male at the Cemetery – both birds found by us!!), and a silent Cuckoo gave a couple of fly pasts up and down Canal Bank.  Waders included lots of summer plumage Grey Plover and a handful of Knot coming into summer plumage and we also saw at least five Whimbrel, six Black-tailed Godwits and four Bar-tailed Godwits. Loads of Swallows, fewer House Martins but no Swifts. A very late Fieldfare at Sammy’s Point was unexpected.  Other migrants included lots of Whitethroats and a few Wheatears as well as Willow Warbler and Blackcap.  

Six of us stopped off at North Cave on the way back, adding LRP, Yellow Wagtail, nesting Mediterranean Gull and…Swift!  Loads of hirundines there too.    Many thanks to Peter for leading it – a most enjoyable day out.