Spurn sightings for yesterday

August 2007
Monday 20th
A day that resembled November instead of August after a bright start leaden skies and a brisk cold northerly wind blew with drizzle later on, a few birds at sea including a few 1st for the year and just the odd new migrant in.

At sea a Red-throated Diver N, a Slavonian Grebe on the sea with 2 Great-crested Grebes, 5 Fulmar, 5 Sooty Shearwater N, 27 Manx Shearwater N, 2 Wigeon S, 69 Teal S plus 46 N, 57 Common Scoter, 69 Oystercatcher S, 24 Snipe S, an adult Pomarine Skua S, 24 Arctic Skua (22 S), 1 Long-tailed Skua S, 1 Bonxie S, 4 Little Gull N, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Black Tern (2 N, 1 S) and a few Auks.

Elsewhere birds of note were 239 Shelduck plus over 5000 N past Sammies on the Humber, a Little-ringed Plover (Tank Blocks), 400 Golden Plover, 250 Bar-tailed Godwit, a Tree Pipit (Warren), 2 Wheatear, 2 Garden Warbler (Warren), 23 Willow Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatcher and 3 Pied Flycatcher.

Cheers Simon

Not sure if Tom still has same mobile number as he had problems with it a few months ago.

My step daughter mmight be tagging along yet. She is hoping to take up photography at college when she leaves school next year. I suggested she came on one of my birding trips to take photographs of scenery, people and anything else she liked but not into birding. In saying that she has been warned it will be an early start and long day and both her mum and I think she will wimp out at last moment.

I reckon 5am should be ok...

Simon,

What time are we meeting at Birch services - will I need matchsticks for my eyelids ? ?

No problem Mr Sweeney, maybe able to squeeze in one of the cars.

Hammy, ive sent a message to Tom to see what he wants to do.

Just wondering whether you have room for one more on the Spurn trip, hadn't been checking the general birding section of the website, but up for joining you all if you there is still room. If the cars are already full I can follow the convoy in my own car and am willing to take anyone from around my way if needed. Sean.

Which side of city centre

I personally think 3am is abit early Hammy (unless theres a big fall of migrants and an easterly wind) Ian Mckerchar will probably just be getting home from the pub then. I was thinking more like 5-6am ish bearing in mind the drivers will have to pick up people prior to meeting at Birch.

Me and my Dad are bringing Simon Johnson, Annette and Steve Astley.

Ian Woosey bringing Geoff and Jimmy, picking up Ian Mckerchar on route who can then get in another car.

Judith is coming also and is willing to drive so it would help if you could bring Adrian and Declan, maybe Declan can drive and leave his car at Adrians or somat.

Hammy can you liase with Tom maybe pick him up somewhere in Manchester if Tom is willing to stay over at a friends.

We can always even the cars up at Birch





-- Edited by warfy at 15:36, 2007-08-15

I'm still up for going too. happy to drive if required, or equally happy to accept lift if available. i'm near to city centre. sorry for delay in replying - been having probs with t'internet.

Aye, I am up for it.

its coming light about 05.30 ish at moment so I reckon we need to be meeting about 3 ish at Birch Services

Not sure about Mrs Mc now, but I'm still in. I don't have to come from Glossop if it's awkward. I can stay at a friend's house in the big smoke if necessary.

Tom

Hi Ian,
Not able to make the trip Hopefully the next one
I've sent simon a pm.

Have a great time all those who are going

Cheers Dean.

Can anybody who hasn't already let Simon or myself know, please contact either of us or post your intentions for the Spurn trip on this thread before the end of the coming weekend (19th), to enable us to finalise who is coming. At this stage we need definates really and also if you intend to drive so we can sort out the transport arrangements, we haven't set a time yet but it will be a very early start (think darkness ), probably meeting at Birch Services on the M62 before we set off. If you haven't any transport let us know as there are birders from all points of the county coming so far and someone'll be able to pick you up somewhere

Hi Warfy

No Problem with driving car on the day.

I live close to M60 and less than ten minutes from Birch Services.

Like Ian said we need to be getting to Spurn for just before first light to make the most of the day.


-- Edited by hammy at 08:02, 2007-08-10

Me and Ian had a chat last night about this and thought about meeting at Birch Services on the M62 (time to be arranged but quite early!)

We currently have 15 people, as follows:

Simon Warford
Alan Warford
Ian Mckerchar
Ian Woosey
Mr & Mrs Mckinney (Congrats btw)
Dean Mac
Simon Johnson
Steven Astley
Paul Hammond
Geoff Hargreaves
Jimmy Meadows
Declan Savage
Adrian Dancy
Annette Cutts

4 cars should do it, I can take a car, Ian Woosey has kindly offered to have with him Geoff Hargreaves and Jimmy Meadows, Paul Hammond hopefully can drive one and either my dad or Steven Astley the other. I think you have to pay to leave cars at services for the day so ideally we need to pick up or meet people prior to the 4 cars meeting there, if that makes sense.

The people in or around Bolton I will contact to arrange meeting, ie Dean Mac, Simon Johnson, Steven Astley, Annette and possible Adrian as he is on route(ish) i think?

Maybe Ian Woosey can pick up Ian Mckerchar on route and then Ian M can change cars, cause I think Mr Woosey only wants 3 in his car.

So that leaves Declan Savage, the Mckinneys and Paul Hammond, Paul as Tom has moved to Glossop i believe, maybe he can drive to your house and then you 3 meet us at Birch? That would just leave Declan, maybe Declan could get to Adrians or something if you can drive? Not sure about this one please send me a message.

How does this sound? Obviously any ideas will be gratefully received.....I presume everyone is alright for an early start

I'm afraid I wont be able to make the Spurn trip heres hoping you get to see some good birds (but not too good - dont want to be gripped off ) Seriously, to all those who are going have a great day out and if you didnt know, the Crown and Anchor serves THE best pint of Tetleys Cask you could ask for.

Spurn has certainly been turning up the goods recently with European Roller and Pacific Golden Plover in the last week or so. Hope it keeps some back for the GM birder invasion.

LOL Warfy IM sure I could smuggle you along and he wouldnt notice ;) quite likely it wont happen so I shall have to brave th e heat of spurn point instead!!
As for photographing mega rarities. All I can say is I wish! Anyway if Adrian goes then he will be able to make a better job of it than I.

-- Edited by Psilo at 08:24, 2007-07-18

Annette, does your dad fancy taking us all to Portugal?

Im sure we could squeeze you in, we could to with someone to photograpgh that mega when we find it!

-- Edited by warfy at 18:56, 2007-07-17

I would love to come too as i havent been to spurn for years but my dad was on about taking us to portugal around bank holiday weekend and says he wont be booking it until last minute so have no idea if I will be free or not. Would like to go though if there is room.

Annette

I'm still in. I am happy to be a driver (smallish car, Bravo) or a paying passenger. Are we going to go around in groups and keep in contact and meeting up, are as one group

Also with all this flooding hope Spurn hasn't turned into an island.

I'm in, but not sure about transport until a bit nearer the time. Might need a lift.

Cheers Dean.

Thanks Hammy.


No kitchen sink...just the whole kitchen! I usually carry a 500mm lens in it's own back pack and another bag for the tripod coffee , water proofs , war and peace and the the comic Sparky ...I never grew up . Seriously if it's too much I will bring short lens and hope the birds drop out of the sky at my feet!

Many thanks

Adrian

As it stands, I'll be working, so count me out for now.

Hi Adrian

As I stated I'm more than wiling to transport anybody that requires a lift up there. I have a company vehicle, Citroen C5 which has ample boot space for us all. That is providig its not the kitchen sink you're bringing

I would be interested...however I have no transport and a lot of gear! Any helpers please?

Craig no problem we can sort out transport/meeting etc for people nearer the time.

I'm sure there's afew in similar circumstances as yourself Craig but last minute won't be a problem as long as we've sufficient spaces or vehicles, the more the blinkin' merrier, imagine the hoards of Greater Manchester arriving at Spurn like the opening to 'Saving Pivate Ryan', except instead of bullets, it's migrant birds flying at us! A day spent thrashing every blade of grass and bush, no doubt staring at the sea for atleast a little while, then into the pub for lashings of lager, staggering back out again and claiming everything's a rarity just before going back home...marvellous

Warfy, personal circumstances mean I cant really plan very far ahead at all. Best bet is to take it as I'm not going if you're trying to organise transport etc. If I can make it I dont mind driving, as long as everybody else doesnt mind me tagging on last minute. I'm really hoping I can make it though - it would be nice to put faces to names and hopefully see a few birds and have the crack at the same time.

Hammy, its Bank Holiday Monday - 27th August.

Need the date that's been decided upon so I can give the missus plenty of notice. I will be off around the end of August/beginning of September so any date is good. If we are taking cars up there I would be willing to drive. Shoiuld be able to take 4 plus myself

The guys who are "possibles" ie, Pete Hines, Craig and Hammy, can you make it now?

Ian McKerchar wrote:

---

Craig H wrote:

---

Last August there were a number of birds that you just wont get in GM

---

Won't get in GM There's one or two unlikely one's (only the seabirds perhaps, but then again you'd never had thought Cheshire would have had an inland record of Little Shearwater!) ) but us optimistic souls never, ever, say never...if you get what I mean

---

True. I was waiting for someone to comment on that. I wanted to go back and edit it to 'unlikely to get' but couldnt get back in. Still, i think you get the gist of my meaning.

Spot on Ian !..............Puffin anyone ? - You`d better damn well believe it ! - Haigh, nr. Wigan, 14 January 1984 ! ! !

Craig H wrote:

---

Last August there were a number of birds that you just wont get in GM

---

Won't get in GM There's one or two unlikely one's (only the seabirds perhaps, but then again you'd never had thought Cheshire would have had an inland record of Little Shearwater!) ) but us optimistic souls never, ever, say never...if you get what I mean

Still trying to confirm whether I can get a pass out on that day but just to whet your appetites I had a look back through some of the annual reports. Last August there were a number of birds that you just wont get in GM and just a few that you might be very lucky to catch up with this side of the pennines. Best last August were:

Manxie, Sooty Shearwater, Leach's Petrel, Long tailed Skua, Bonxie, Wryneck, Barred Warbler, Icterine Warbler, Thrush Nightingale, Marsh Harrier, Osprey, Hobby, Sabines Gull, Roseate Tern, Black Tern, Spotted Crake, Balearic Shearwater and Three Dottrel (on the 27th) were all present in varying numbers on various dates last August.

Prevous Augusts have seen Red backed Shrikes, Pom Skuas, Nightingale, Hoopoe, Black Redstart, Montys harrier, Aquatic Warbler...... I've only skim read as far back as 2002. 2003 saw Great Spotted Cuckoo in July that hung around for a few days.

If I dont get to go I really hope you have an excellent day.

(If you really enjoy it, why not consider joining the Friends of Spurn Bird Observatory - you get an annual report and discounted accomodation at the observatory amongst other things. All for £18 . Hope Ian wont mind me mentioning that.)

Just back from a mind-numbing weeks long course in St Neots, on IT Security with a 2 hour exam at the end, then a 5 hour drive in torrential rain :(

The only consolation was the Green Woodpecker family in the hotel grounds.

Can't make BH Weekend but Spurn always turns up something good, so fingers crossed for you.

Geoff - Spurn is in the People's Republic of Yarkshire

would have loved to join you all but bank holidays are no good

Andrew

That's ok Ian as I don't recall seeing any mountainous routes on my way to Spurn

No, I can`t drive a coach ; not unless you want a scenario like the end of `The Italian Job`. ! ?

That's good for me as well.

The date seems to be ok then, no passport needed Ian but can you drive a coach?

Date is fine for me, count me in. Never been before, looking forward to it. Do I need me passport ?

is there room for one more? would be v keen to join and hope to be free that weekend (highly unusual these days). try to get to spurn a few times each year - love the place!

Dates ok for me but might not have the car. If i'm swanning off on a bank holliday i might have to leave the car with the wife and kids

Dean.

the dates ok for me so you can count me in
not been spurn for about 3 yr jimmy

the dates good for me but i,ll have look up where spurn is,as an avid county birder this will one my few trips out of county and i,ll probably bag loads of lifer,s but i promise not to go on about them.

cheers geoff

Spurns always good for me, love the place to bits - just need to work on being OK for that date. Best I stay a possible.

Bank holiday Monday- at the time we'll be going , there shouldn't be much traffic on the roads (the early bird catches the.... well ,you know...) and on the way back, well we'll all be too happy with all the great birds and the great 'crack' we've had to care, surely!