The temperature was hovering around 5C when I arrived at Spurn this morning. The light wind was off the sea and had a cold feel to it, not ideal for the arrival of Spring migrants. Despite that, a Chiffchaff was singing in the canal bushes and a Wheatear was in Well field. The Canal Scrape was quiet, until a Sedge Warbler sang briefly from the car park bushes - my first this year. The usual Linnets and Goldfinches were about and only the Wrens seemed to have something to shout about. Over at Sammy's Point, it seemed equally quiet. A noticeable Easterly movement of Curlews took place throughout the morning, flying out to sea. On the ground there wasn't a single Wheatear, Ring Ouzel or Yellow Wagtail in what is a good area for them. Fortunately, a nice encounter with a Short-eared Owl (one of two present) passed the time, as it hunted the area repeatedly. Whilst watching the owl, a cream crowned Marsh Harrier flew East towards Kilnsea. I walked the clifftop around Sandybeaches in case a Black Redstart had shown up, but only found this pair of Swallows. One of them is ringed and I wonder if it is a returning Spurn bird. A further pair of Swallows was on Canal Scrape, joined by this Sand Martin for a while. A Whitethroat and two Lesser Whitethroats were seen by others, I found a male Blackcap and two Willow Warblers along the canal. We need some warmer weather!
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