Two-hour twitch: Kilnsea Wetlands, near Spurn, in East Yorkshire

                                                             

Date: September 27, 2026

Time: 1.30pm - 3.30pm

Weather: Overcast with occasional squalls and sunny spells

Target species: Curlew-sandpiper (not seen)

Star species seen: Whinchat

Other species seen included: 

* Wheatear

* Skylark

* Meadow Pipit

* Reed Bunting

* Linnet

* Avocet

* Dunlin

* Knot

* Ringed Plover

* Little Grebe

* Wigeon

* Pintail

* Teal

* Common Scoter

This confiding Whinchat was good to see

Where has all the water gone ? The lagoon nearest to the car park was dry

Distant view of a lone Wheatear

All on its own - juvenile Ringed Plover

Avocets - always a delight to see

                                                   

A couple of Knot (left) joined these Dunlin 

                                                               

Beyond the wetlands and over the North Sea, these Common Scoter flew south 

Did producers of highly-acclaimed new film get it wrong with depiction of Mistle Thrush?

                                                                  

Mistle Thrush - also known as 'stormcock'

DID singing Mistle Thrushes predict the stormy weather in day before D-Day landings?

That is the premise  for inclusion of a brief songbird sequence in the  highly-praised 2026  film, Pressure, which explores the meteorological circumstances that led to postponement of the Allies invasion from the proposed date, June 5, to dawn the following day.

The Mistle Thrush was selected for the sequence as it is a species noted for singing in stormy weather - hence its occasional other name, ‘stormcock’.                               

The new movie has been widely praised

But ornithological word is that the bird depicted is not a Mistle Thrush - it is a Song Thrush which is not noted as a stormy weather songster.

Movie mistakes involving inappropriate use of birds and/or birdsong are commonplace - perhaps most notably the use of an American Robin rather than a European Robin in Mary Poppins.

Notwithstanding, Pressure is an engrossing film which will doubtless cause science-minded birders, at least as an afterthought, to reflect on the impact of weather on bird behaviour, particularly migration and vagrancy

Pressure is being screened in cinemas now.

Just right for a dedicated birder - detached bungalow on Spurn peninsula comes to market at £110,000

                                                                      

LOCATED at a rarities hotspot, this new-to-market bungalow could be of interest birders.

The property - Clee View- at Kilnsea, near Spurn, is on the books of Withernsea-based Goodwin Fox at £110,000.

Says the brochure: "A unique opportunity to purchase a one- bedroom bungalow set on the banks of the Humber at Kilnsea on the outskirts of Spurn Point. 

"Famous for its wildlife and striking coastal surroundings, Spurn Point attracts thousands of birdwatchers and others. 

"With only a small number of properties in the area, homes here rarely come to the market."

It continues: "Positioned with open land to both the front and rear, the property enjoys far-reaching views across the Humber Estuary, with views towards Cleethorpes visible on a clear night - providing the inspiration for the name of this home. 

"The bungalow offers well-arranged accommodation including a double bedroom, lounge, open plan kitchen and dining area, bathroom and rear entrance porch.

"The mature gardens are a particular highlight, with established planting areas for growing your own produce, a greenhouse, potting shed, summerhouse and a mixture of paved, gravelled and artificial lawn areas. 

"An adjoining side garage provides useful storage, while the gravelled driveway offers off street parking.

"Gated access leads into the mature front garden which is bursting with established planting and colour. 

"The gravelled driveway provides off-street parking while side access leads to the adjoining garage, offering useful storage space.

"A front entrance porch opens into the lounge where French doors provide plenty of natural light and views towards the Humber Estuary. 

"A central solid fuel stove provides heating during the colder months.

"The kitchen is positioned towards the rear of the property and looks out over the garden. 

"It is a good size and open plan to a sitting/dining area, which also benefits from a solid fuel stove and a further window overlooking the garden.

"A built-in airing cupboard houses the immersion tank and provides additional storage."

The description concludes: "This rare property presents an appealing opportunity for anyone seeking a peaceful rural retreat in an exceptionally distinctive coastal setting."

However, there is a note of caution  that the property is of "non-standard construction" which may set a few alarm bells with prospective purchasers, especially when it comes to arranging a mortgage or flood insurance.

More details from Goodwin Fox at: 01964 775822. 

* Pictures: Rightmove  

                                               

                                                                            

                                           

Bids upwards of £3,000 expected when Sir Peter Scott study of Red-breasted Geese goes under hammer

This 1979 Red-breasted Geese oil-on-canvas study by Sir Peter Scott (1909-1989) is expected to attract a hammer price of between £3,000 and £5.000 when it goes under the hammer at a sale of Modern British and Irish Art to be conducted by Bonham's at their salerooms in Knightsbridge on November 25. It measures 49 x 74cm.

What ails Britain's Lesser Spotted Woodpecker? RSPB hopes project will lead way to reversing population slump

      

Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers have disappeared from many parts of  England

THE RSPB has announced what it describes as "a fantastic opportunity" for a scientist to join research into Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers and their habitat.

The society is is recruiting for an individual to investigate whether "hydrological restoration of lowland broadleaved woodland improves invertebrate abundance and decaying wood resources or affects woodland phenology in relation to Lesser Spotted Woodpecker habitat requirements".

Says the job description: "Due to marked long-term declines, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker is of high conservation priority and a key focus for the RSPB.

"This species, along with other declining woodland birds, is associated with wet features within woodland.

"The results of this research are expected to feed into woodland conservation management and policy recommendations."

It continues: "The successful candidate will be responsible for setting up and running the study and is expected to contribute to data collection, managing field staff, analysing data and communicating and publishing results. 

"The diet of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers consists predominantly of invertebrates, and the successful candidate is therefore expected to have experience in invertebrate sampling along with identifying and quantifying samples in the laboratory.

"Study sites will be across the southern half of England, and data collection is expected to run over six months of the years.  

"The postholder must be able to undertake regular visits to field sites plus occasional travel to meet colleagues, attend team and scientific meetings and conferences, entailing some overnight stays." 

The role will be home based with access to RSPB offices.

This is a fixed term 30-month contract of (37.5 hours per week) from October this year until March 2029.

The salary is £40,381- £43,112 per annum, and the deadline for applications is Wednesday October 7.

More information from:  paul.bellamy@rspb.org.uk

Auction in Yorkshire will cast spotlight on extinction fate of once-abundant Passenger Pigeon

Most people are familiar with the sad fate of the Passenger Pigeon, an American species which is said to have gone from 2,000 million birds to extinction in little more than a couple of decade. In 2004, the disaster 'inspired sculptor' Chris Manley (who died two years ago) to create this striking  memento. One of twelve, it stands 39 cm high and is expected to fetch between £300 and £500 at a sale to be held by Tennants auctioneers, of Leyburn in North Yorkshire, on Saturday October 3.  

Starting in Yorkshire Dales, birders Sam West and Ade Edmondson return for new three-part TV series

The first episode of the second series of Sam and Ade Go Birding sees Sam West and Ade Edmondson  in the Yorkshire Dales where they watch hirundines and Swifts and listen to the dawn chorus. There is also a trip to Nidderdale in search of the Curlew, a long-legged, curve-beaked wading species that is declining as a breeding species in Britain. It is light-touch birding but the duo make engaging and  personable company. The programme - the first of three episodes - screens on Channel 5 TV at 7pm on Thursday October 1. 

                                                                   

Few places are as scenic as the Yorkshire Dales

                                                                 

Target species - the Curlew is in long-term breeding decline