This is always a favourite time of year when the common migrants arrive at Spurn, in increasing numbers. It really brought it home to me, seeing that Northern Wheatear resting on the shore at Gibraltar having crossed a relatively short stretch of water. What an incredible journey they make from Africa and they look superb, feeding up on the grassy areas as they move to our Northern counties and beyond for the all important breeding season. Male Northern Wheatear at Sammy's Point. Female Northern Wheatear at Sammy's Point. This morning was quite cold compared to recent days and the Westerly wind was annoyingly blustery most of the time. I saw and heard two Lesser Whitethroats and a Sedge Warbler but none were prepared to sing out in the open, even in the sunshine. A Common Whitethroat sang from deep in a hawthorn bush. A male Blackcap was the only other warbler seen and a female Ring Ouzel was in Clubley's Field. At Kilnsea Wetlands, a good number of Redshank, one Dunlin and one Greenshank were the resting waders. Curlews were passing overhead and flying East, out to sea. Hirundines began appearing and I was pleased to see a Common Swift, it was seen again at the Warren. Small numbers of Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins were around from early on. It wasn't too long before a splendid Red-rumped Swallow arrived over the Wetlands area. It remained all morning and gave great views at times, but was wide ranging and often disappeared for long periods. A very familiar bird to me in the Algarve, but also a really welcome visitor to Spurn. They occur practically every year and this was my third. Often they shoot straight through however, today this bird remained for a good number of watchers to enjoy. By midday, Yellow Wagtail numbers were building. I counted eight on one area of the Wetlands, with five Northern Wheatears on the same ground. I didn't manage any of the 'Blue-headed' variety which were present yesterday. I'm sure many more birds would have been seen, were it not for the brisk wind but great to see these birds coming in for the summer months now.
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