13th April
A tough day again in the cold easterly airflow,with few migrants until things picked up a little in the afternoon,but at least we had some sun today to brighten things a little.
The main highlights went to 2 first's for the year,the first was a single Whimbrel on the mitigation site loosely associating with a small flock of Curlew.It was really nice to see this species again for the first time since the last autumn migration being a personal fave species.The second addition was single House Martin watched in the afternoon hawking insects with 6 Swallow at Winter's and was really nice to see,as the Whimbrel had been.As a child,House Martins used to nest under our eaves at home and it was great to watch and hear these lovely little birds arrive and raise their brood each year,great memories.
Other species observed on today's visit included a Short-eared Owl on the mitigation site,3 Sand Martin and 2 Avocet at the Skitter and a male White Wagtail and immature Pergrine at Winter's Pond.
18th April
A much better day today adding 6 first's for the year to the patch year list and some decent,warm weather at last.
Winter's started the ball rolling with a Lesser Whitethroat singing away at first light as i got out of the car and was quickly followed by 2 Reed Warbler which showed nicely as i made my way to the floodbank.It was pretty foggy on the Humber,so the hoped for search for Terns was scrapped and i went in search of landbased migrants instead.
Next goodie was a male Yellow Wagtail which rapidly made it's way west and was followed by 5 more,with that lovely,flutey,flava call with a Short-eared Owl hunting the mitigation site as on my previous visit.
Another Short-eared Owl was seen along the salt marsh between the Skitter and Dawson City and was definitely a different individual to the earlier bird.
The next addition were 2 Willow Warblers in the bushes alongside the borrow pits as you near Dawson City,an area popular with this species and it was just great to hear their sweet song,a sure sign of spring.
A rest at Goxhill Haven paid dividends as a Greenshank flew west here and was the 5th new species for the year and a pretty scarce migrant here in spring it has to be said,today felt like spring had finally arrived!.
Last,but certainly not least,was a proper good find these days for my local patch.While sat eating my lunch,unbelievably i heard a male Willow Tit singing briefly,at first i thought i was hearing things,but then the little cracker appeared before flying off towards the old duck farm.It is such a shame that these lovely little birds have declined so much,i really do hope they can be saved.
Other highlights observed during the day included 6 Whimbrel,which included 3 on the pasture at the rear of Dawson City,9 Black-tailed Godwit which flew east at Winter's,a female Stonechat on the mitigation site in the afternoon and several Swallow,Blackcaps & Chiffies.
A decent couple of visits,particularly on the 18th and i'm very much looking forward to my next visit to this brilliant area.
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| Winter's Pond,13th April. |
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| Winter's Pond & Humber Floodbank,13th April. |
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| 2nd Calendar Year Mute Swan,On The Shore Near Winter's Pond,13th April. |
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| Ruined Farm Near Goxhill Haven,13th April. |
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| Oil Rig Support Vessel,13th April. |
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| Avocets,East Halton Skitter,13th April. |
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| 2nd Calendar Year Peregrine,Winter's Pond,13th April. |
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| House Martin,Winter's Pond,13th April. |
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| White Wagtail,Winter's Pond,13th April. |
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| Sun Breaking Through The Mist,18th April. |
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| Winter's Pond,18th April. |
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| Short-eared Owl,East Halton Skitter,18th April. |
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| Brown Tail Moth Larvae,East Halton Skitter,18th April. |
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| Adult Lesser black-backed Gull,Goxhill Haven,18th April. |
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| 2nd Calendar Year Great black-backed Gull,Goxhill Haven,18th April. |
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| Female Stonechat,On The Mitigation Site,18th April. |
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