A pleasingly busy few days, particularly regarding waders, which have once again been moving through and dropping in in good numbers. Highlights have included a Spotted Redshank over the Dams on 26th (MJP), a Little Stint on the Brigg today and yesterday (mo) and a very early Jack Snipe reported from the Tip (J&TGD); up to 38 Knot, 28 Redshank, 23 Dunlin, four Purple Sandpipers and 70 Oystercatchers are also among the good cast on the Brigg. Respectable numbers of many common species have been on the move past the Brigg and the Gap, but Shearwater action has been confined to a single Sooty on 25th and small numbers of Manx, while skuas have been confined to handfuls of Arctics and the odd Bonxie.
Little Stint (Mark Pearson)
Raptors have included a Merlin (JS) and two Marsh Harriers north on 26th, while Ruff are still at The Dams in numbers, with three also at the Tip today and two at East Lea. The Dams also attracted a Pintail on 25th & 27th alongside the good numbers of Teal and Mallard and several Wigeon, Shoveler and Gadwall. Passerine activity has been very limited, with Tree Pipits in off at the Brigg on 25th and 26th, Yellow Wagtails regularly trickling through (with 24 north at the Gap on 26th) and several Willow Warblers and Wheatears on Carr Naze. Up to seven Grey Herons and two Little Egrets have visited the Dams, where Water Rails have been seen on several occasions.