Autumn migration at Kilnsea and Spurn

The day dawned dark, and it drizzled most of the drive to Kilnsea Wetlands. Once there, the rain gradually stopped, the clouds lifted and the warmth of the southerly wind and the sun made it feel like summer. On arrival a Short-eared Owl was quartering the grass around the wetlands. It spooked the gulls and terns as it flew around the water's edge. Once we were in the hide it flew again around the reserve and stopped for a couple of minutes on a fence post, giving great, if a bit distant views, my first of this species sitting down! A flock of Pinkfoot geese moved south overhead.
 Despite the high tide, there were few waders at Kilnsea, just four Dunlin, but there were plenty of ducks and gulls. The Sandwich terns were also still about, juveniles pestering parents for food. It was a great day for Mediterranean gulls, at least 3 adults and 2 juveniles about.

Ringed Plover juvenile.

Short-eared owl.

Short-eared owl.

Loafing gulls, ducks and Sandwich terns.

Common Tern and juvenile.

Juvenile Med gull with Black headed gulls and Common Gull.

Three Mediterranean Gulls and Black-headed gull (with bill in the water).

Sparrowhawk.

Dunlin

 We moved onto the Spurn Triangle. A couple of Gannets flew offshore. Two Little Grebes were in the borrow pond, as usual. There is a lot of sand at the end of the road and the strip of reeds looks very fresh by the beach.

Looking north towards Kilnsea.

Many more waders on the estuary edge: Redshank, Grey Plover, Curlew and a distant Greenshank. Twenty-six Turnstone flew south in two flocks.

Canal Scrape.

Two Snipe gave great views at Canal Scrape.

Common Darter near Canal Scrape. Migrant Hawkers were also about.

Eristalinus aeneus covered in Sea Aster pollen.

Sea aster in bloom. A single Colletes halophilus fed briefly on them, too quick for photos

We headed back to Kilnsea Wetlands. After some searching, I spotted a sleeping Pintail. After a while it woke up and had a little walk about.

Pintail.

Pintail.

Mute swan drying foot.