My daughter Katherine and I stayed at the Observatory at Spurn for three nights and visited most of the regular locations from Kilnsea Wetlands to part of the way along the point.
There were brisk northerly winds during the two full days which stopped most new migrants arriving but we were fortunate that a few interesting birds were present.
On arriving we checked out Kilnsea Wetlands and soon found the Red-necked Phalarope and Temminck's Stint that had been present for a few days. Also present was a Great White Egret, five Spoonbill, a Ruff, an Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Little Gull, Mediterranean Gulls and plenty of other common species.
Each day we spent an hour or two seawatching and managed to see quite a few Arctic Skuas, a Bonxie, some Guillemots, Razorbills, several Red-throated Divers and a few Little Gulls. My photography skills don't extend to distant birds on a seawatch but I did manage quite a few of the other birds as in the following photos.
The Canal Scrape Hide surprisingly produced two very nice birds on the same day. A Grey Phalarope arrived first and was quickly followed by a Temminck's Stint, which was presumably the same bird that had been on Kilnsea Wetlands.
Grey Phalarope - This bird stayed long enough for several dozen birders to see it. Photographed from the hide.
A short video clip of the Grey Phalarope
Temminck's Stint - Also photographed from the hide.
A short video clip of the Temminck's Stint at the Canal Scape Hide, Spurn Point.
Great White Egret - This individual dropped in but soon flew off towards the point.
A short video clip of the Great White Egret with Spoonbills feeding nearby
Spoonbills - The five birds mostly asleep.
A short video clip of a Spoonbill feeding very actively.
Redshank - Several hundred arrived at high tide to roost. Several were colour ringed at a site on the Humber.
Purple Sandpiper - A surprise visitor to the rocks and concrete blocks near to the Bluebell Car Park.
A short video clip of the Purple Sandpiper
Pied Flycatcher - Present for at least three days in Skye's Field.
Whinchat - North of Beacon Lane
Wheatear - This individual took a liking to the area in front of the seawatching hide and was there two days.
Brambling - A new arrival in Kew Villa garden on the morning we left.
Blackbird - a few eating the berries in Kew Villa garden.
A short video clip on a Sparrowhawk on top of the Sand Martin
My daughter and I had a weekend at Spurn Point arranged but stopped off at Blacktoft Sands RSPB reserve on the way.
The pools had apparently been very dry due to the drought but recently flooded by a few very high tides. The Marshland pool held quite a few waders including Dunlin, Spotted Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe and a single Avocet.
Spotted Redshank - Not easy to photograph when feeding!
One did show it's head eventually.
At the Ousefleet hide there were several hundred dabbling ducks. These were mainly Teal but with good numbers of Wigeon, Pintail, Shoveler, Gadwall and a single Garganey in eclipse plumage.
Found by Dave Ferguson at about 10:45am. Dave phoned me and I put the news out on Whatsapp. I was at Hughenden Park at the time and it took me 20 minutes or so to get to Little Marlow. By the time I got there a few other birders had turned up.
The bird was flighty but remain until the next day at least allowing a lot of birders to see it. A second county and site record for me.
A short video clip
I didn't obtain any decent still photos as the bird was fairly distant and moving around a great deal.
