Mid August 2017

The Visitor Centre, with cafe, is now open to visitors from 10 am to 3.45 pm.

For further information regarding the Reserve and its wildlife, please contact Kevin Wilson at:

kwilson@lincstrust.co.uk

August 20th. On Jackson's Marsh were 15 Spoonbill, 149 Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Greenshank. Around, including birds trapped, were a Wheatear, a Whinchat, 14 House Sparrow, a Yellowhammer and a Tree Pipit. Heading south were 5 Whimbrel, a Sand Martin, 3 House Martin and 5 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 53 new birds: 42 Willow Warbler, 2 Robin, 2 Blackcap, a Sedge Warbler, a Whitethroat, a Tree Pipit, a Whinchat, 2 Meadow Pipit and a Yellowhammer; and 3 retraps: a Willow Warbler, a Wren and a Dunnock.

Tree Pipit, ringed 20th August 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Whinchat, ringed 20th April 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

August 19th. On Jackson's Marsh were 6 Spoonbill, a Wood Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper and 2 Greenshank. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Mediterranean Gull, 6 Whimbrel, a Hobby, a Tree Pipit and a Garden Warbler. Flying south were a Yellow-legged Gull, a Swift, 8 House Martin, 4 Sand Martin and 7 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 32 new birds: 19 Willow Warbler, a Wren, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Linnet, a Sedge Warbler, a Robin, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Garden Warbler, a Reed Bunting and a Dunnock; and 4 retraps: singles of Linnet, Whitethroat, Blackcap and Willow Warbler.

August 18th. Increasing south-westerly wind.
 Around were 2 Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, a Mediterranean Gull, 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, a Kingfisher, 2 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear and 2 Yellow Wagtail. Going south were 42 Arctic Skua, 20 Gannet, 4 Arctic Tern, 80 Common Tern, 3 Great Crested Grebe, a Hobby and 8 Swift.
 A brief, wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 6 new birds: 5 Willow Warbler and a Blackcap; and 3 retraps: a Blackcap and 2 Great Tit.

August 17th. Rain overnight until late morning.
 Birds around included 8 Spoonbill, a Grey Heron, a Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harrier, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 13 Greenshank, 4 Green Sandpiper, a Wood Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, 4 Spotted Redshank, 5 Kestrel, a Kingfisher and 12 Yellow Wagtail. Heading south were a Whimbrel, 72 Swift and a Tree Pipit.

August 16th. Around were 14 Spoonbill, an eclipse male Garganey, 6 Golden Plover, 2 adult Curlew Sandpiper, 13 Snipe, a Wood Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 15 Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank, a Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Hobby, a Peregrine, a Kingfisher and 5 Yellow Wagtail. Flying south were 21 Golden Plover, 55 Swallow and 5 Sand Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 15 new birds: 6 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, a Whitethroat, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, a Robin and a Reed Warbler; and 4 retraps: 2 Dunnock, a Whitethroat and a Great Tit.

August 15th. Birds around included 10 Spoonbill,  an adult Mediterranean Gull, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, a Red Kite, a Wood Sandpiper,7 Green Sandpiper, a Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank, 6 Snipe, a Green Woodpecker, a Kingfisher, 6 Swift, 100 House Martin, a Wheatear, 2 Tree Sparrow and 12 Yellow Wagtail. A Great Skua flew inland over Jackson's Marsh.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 8 new birds: 2 Wren, a Willow Warbler, a Reed Bunting, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat and a Linnet; and 5 retraps: a Linnet, 2 Dunnock and 2 Whitethroat.

First-summer (portlandica) Common Tern, 15th August 2017.
 Photo - Paul Neale

Adult Common Tern, 15th August 2017.
Photo Paul Neale

Wheatear, 15th August 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

August 14th. Around were 14 Spoonbill, 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, a Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, 6 Snipe, a Kingfisher and 7 Yellow Wagtail. Going south were a Swift, a Turtle Dove and 15 Swallow.
 The eleventh session of CES was done this morning. The 36 new birds were 7 Wren, 13 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, a Goldfinch, a Sedge Warbler, a House Martin, 3 Swallow, 2 Blackbird and a Woodpigeon. The 5 retraps were a Whitethroat, a Blue Tit, a Chiffchaff and 2 Dunnock.
 A Silver-washed Fritillary was found in the Plantation.

Leucistic adult Black-headed Gull, 14th August 2017.
Photo - Nige Lound

August 13th. Birds around included 14 Spoonbill, 2 Mediterranean Gull,  a Greenshank, 4 Spotted Redshank, a Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, a Wood Sandpiper, 220 Black-tailed Godwit, 50000 Knot, a Kingfisher, a Peregrine, 4 Wheatear, 2 Treecreeper and 30 Yellow Wagtail. Heading south were 8 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 13 new birds: a Wren, 4 Willow Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Linnet, a Whitethroat and 5 Starling; and 2 retraps: a Robin and a Dunnock.

Mediterranean Gull, 13th August 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Treecreeper, 13th August 2015.
Photo - Paul Neale

Wheatear, 13th August 2017.
Photo - Rob Watson

August 12th. Around were 17 Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, 3 Mediterranean Gull, 4000 Black-headed Gull, 247 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Spotted Redshank, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank and a Kingfisher. Flying south were 3 Swift, 59 Sand Martin and 25 Swallow; and west a Collared Dove.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 17 new birds: 9 Willow Warbler, a Wren, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, a Reed Bunting and a Dunnock; and 10 retraps: 2 Blackcap, 3 Dunnock, a Whitethroat, a Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff and a Linnet.

August 11th. Birds around included 11 Spoonbill, 3 Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, a Wood Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper and a Kingfisher. Going south were 2 Turtle Dove, a Hobby, 6 House Martin and 3 Sand Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 34 new birds: 5 Wren, 14 Willow Warbler, a Long-tailed Tit, 3 Linnet, 3 Robin, 2 Reed Warbler, 4 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Dunnock; and 12 retraps: a Robin, a Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Linnet, a Wren, 5 Long-tailed Tit and 2 Great Tit.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 10 new birds: 4 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, a Linnet, a Whitethroat, a Dunnock and a House Sparrow; and 1 retrap: a Robin.

Early August 2017

August 10th. Around, including birds trapped, were 16 Spoonbill, 3 Pochard, a Mediterranean Gull, 4 Green Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, 150 Black-tailed Godwit, a Green Woodpecker, a Hobby, a Garden Warbler and 2 Wheatear. Offshore were 10 Gannet, 50 Common Tern, 300 Sandwich Tern and 3 Arctic Skua. Heading north were a Black Tern, 4 Sand Martin and 3 Yellow Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 20 new birds: 6 Willow Warbler, 7 Linnet, a Robin, a Garden Warbler, a Whitethroat, a Reed Warbler, a Chaffinch, a Dunnock and a Starling; and 8 retraps: a Song Thrush, 2 Willow Warbler, a Dunnock, 2 Whitethroat, a Wren and a Chiffchaff.

August 9th. Rain in morning.
 Flying north offshore was an adult Sabine's Gull, a Fulmar, 3 Arctic Skua, 5 Kittiwake and 6 Little Gull; and south 2 Black Tern and 6 Arctic Skua. Birds around included 12 Spoonbill, 2 Scaup, a Mediterranean Gull, 2 juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, a Common Sandpiper, a Wood Sandpiper, 3 Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpiper, a Spotted Redshank, 150 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Crossbill.

  August 8th. Intermittent rain all day.
 Around were 18 Spoonbill, a Mediterranean Gull, a Kittiwake, an Arctic Tern, an Arctic Skua, 50000 Knot, 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 4 Snipe, 90 Black-tailed Godwit, a Kingfisher and a Pied Flycatcher. Going south were 6 Swallow.

August 7th. Birds around included 13 Spoonbill, a Merlin, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Wood Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper, 151 Black-tailed Godwit, a Cuckoo and a Green Woodpecker. Heading south were 35 Swallow.
 The tenth session of CES was done this morning. The 18 new birds were 3 Wren, 4 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Reed Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Blackcap, a Blue Tit, a Dunnock and a Blackbird. The 9 retraps were 2 Blackbird, 2 Wren, 3 Dunnock, a Linnet and a Chiffchaff.

Sea Rocket, 7th August 2017.
Photo - Rob Watson

Scarlet Pimpernel, 7th August 2017.
Photo - Rob Watson

August 6th. Around were 15 Spoonbill, 2 Wood Sandpiper, a Spotted Redshank, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 136 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Snipe, a Little Stint, a Goldcrest and 2 Yellow Wagtail. Flying south were 34 Sand Martin, 25 Swallow and a Grey Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 19 new birds: 8 Willow Warbler, 3 Wren, a Blackcap, 2 Robin, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Linnet and a Reed Warbler; and 4 retraps: a Robin, 2 Dunnock and a Sedge Warbler.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 21 new birds: 8 Willow Warbler, 7 Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, a Linnet, a Reed Warbler and a Great Tit; and 1 retrap: a Wren.

August 5th. Birds around included a Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, a Whimbrel, 2 Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Green Woodpecker and 2 Spotted Flycatcher. Going southwest were 50 Sand Martin and 75 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 35 new birds: 3 Wren, a Goldcrest, 8 Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Robin, 5 Linnet, 2 Sedge Warbler, 6 Whitethroat, a Dunnock and 5 Starling; and 6 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, a Linnet and 3 Dunnock.

Juvenile Goldcrest, ringed 5th August 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

August 4th. Around were 7 Spoonbill, a Red Kite, a Marsh Harrier, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 1800 Sandwich Tern, 50 Gannet, 33 Whimbrel and a Greenshank. Heading north was an Osprey; and south were 1000 Swift, 35 Sand Martin and 14 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 9 new birds: 6 Willow Warbler, a Sedge Warbler, a Linnet and a Whitethroat; and 3 retraps: a Willow Warbler, a Whitethroat and a Dunnock.

Swift, 4th August 2017.

Sandwich Tern, 4th August 2017.

Sandwich Tern, 4th August 2017.

Sandwich Tern, 4th August 2017.

Sandwich Tern, 4th August 2017.

Arctic Skua, 4th August 2017

August 3rd. Increasing south-westerly wind.
 Birds around included 14 Spoonbill, 2 Peregrine and 2 Greenshank. Flying south were 15 Swift, a Sand Martin, 6 House Martin and 30 Swallow.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, resulted in 6 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Linnet and a Whitethroat; and 4 retraps: singles of Wren, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackbird and Dunnock.

August 2nd. Around were 15 Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Whimbrel, 4 Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, a Greenshank, 80 Black-tailed Godwit, 2000 Sandwich Tern, 4 Arctic Skua, a Hobby, a Treecreeper and 12 Yellow Wagtail. On Fenland Lagoon were 3 Little Ringed Plover. Going south were a Grey Heron, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Little Stint, 3 Arctic Tern, a Turtle Dove, 10 Swift, 352 Sand Martin, 120 Swallow and a Yellow Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 6 new birds: a Wren, a Willow Warbler, 3 Whitethroat and a Blackcap; and 3 retraps: a Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 29 new birds: 11 Willow Warbler, 4 Dunnock, 4 Linnet, 3 Wren, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler, a Great Tit and a Reed Bunting; and 3 retraps: 2 Whitethroat and a Willow Warbler.

Sand Martins gathering, 2nd August 2017.
Photo - Nige Lound

August 1st. Birds around included 10 Spoonbill, 250 Common Scoter, a Marsh Harrier, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 1500 Sandwich Tern, 12 Arctic Skua, a Guillemot, 3 Whimbrel, 210 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Greenshank, a Green Woodpecker, a Kingfisher, a juvenile Wheatear, 2 Treecreeper, a Garden Warbler and a Crossbill. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Green Sandpiper and 150 Redshank; and on Jackson's Marsh a Turnstone. Heading south were 2 Great Crested Grebe, 34 Swift, 35 Sand Martin, 47 Swallow, a Grey Wagtail and 3 Yellow Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 12 new birds: 2 Willow Warbler, a Wren, a Robin, a Goldfinch, 2 Linnet, 2 Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Dunnock and a Song Thrush; and 6 retraps: a Song Thrush, a Robin, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Chiffchaff and 2 Dunnock.

Greenshank, 1st August 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Sedge Warbler, 1st August 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Late July 2017

July 31st. Around were 4 Spoonbill, 5 Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, 3 Arctic Skua, a Mediterranean Gull, 1000 Sandwich Tern, a Red Kite and a Hobby. Flying south were a Whimbrel, 9 Turnstone, 566 Common Tern, 746 Sandwich Tern, a Swift, a Short-eared Owl and 6 Swallow.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 5 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Wren, a Sedge Warbler, a Linnet and a Goldfinch; and 5 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock, a Chiffchaff and a Great Tit.

Common Tern, 31st July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

July 30th. Soggy start, gradually drying out.
 On Jackson's Marsh were 6 Spoonbill; and on Tennyson's Sands 45 Black-tailed Godwit and a Kingfisher. Birds around included 2 Greenshank, a Green Woodpecker, a juvenile Peregrine and 3 Yellow Wagtail.
 A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent provided 12 new birds: 4 Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warbler and singles of Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Blackbird; and 7 retraps: singles of Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Sedge Warbler, Wren, Blackbird, Linnet and Long-tailed Tit.

Barn Owl, 30th July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

July 29th. Soggy start, gradually drying out.

 On Jackson's Marsh were 8 Spoonbill, a Snipe, a Common Sandpiper, 70 Black-tailed Godwit and a Yellow Wagtail; and on Tennyson's Sands a Spotted Redshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwit. Going south were 35 Swift; and west a Collared Dove.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 10 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, a Blackcap, a Linnet, a Reed Bunting, 3 Whitethroat and a Sedge Warbler; and 4 retraps: 2 Dunnock, a Blackbird and a Whitethroat.

July 28th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.
 On Tennyson's Sands were 300 Redshank and 76 Black-tailed Godwit; and on Jackson's Marsh 2 Common Sandpiper. Around were 16 Spoonbill, a Little Stint and 400 Dunlin. Heading south were 44 Dunlin, 32 Turnstone, 18 Whimbrel, 616 Knot, 82 Black-tailed Godwit, 800 Swift, 12 Sand Martin and 5 Swallow. Sea-watching revealed 10 Gannet, 800 Common Scoter, 2 Arctic Tern, 30 Common Tern, 6 Little Tern, 200 Sandwich Tern and a Great Crested Grebe.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 4 new birds: a Wren, a Chiffchaff, a Whitethroat and a Linnet; and 5 retraps: 2 Wren, 2 Whitethroat and a Dunnock.

July 27th. On Tennyson's Sands were 125 Black-tailed Godwit, a Ruff and 8 Little Tern; and on Jackson's Marsh a Common Sandpiper. An Asio Spp was in East Dunes around dawn. Birds around included 14 Spoonbill, a Peregrine, a Grey Heron, a Little Stint, 3 Whimbrel, 50 Black-tailed Godwit, 7000 Knot, 800 Dunlin, 300 Sanderling, 2 Arctic Skua, a juvenile Cuckoo and 21 Yellow Wagtail. Flying south were an Alba Wagtail, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 65 Sand Martin, 7 House Martin and 8 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, provided 9 new birds: a Wren, a Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Linnet, a Yellow Wagtail, 2 Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock; and 12 retraps: a Great Tit, a Robin, a Linnet, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, a Lesser Whitethroat and 3 Dunnock.
 Invertebrates included 9 Wasp Spiders discovered on the saltmarsh.

Juvenile Yellow Wagtail, ringed 27th July 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Wasp Spider, 27th July 2017.
Photo - Jim Shaw

Wasp Spider, 27th July 2017.
Photo - Jim Shaw

 July 26th. Increasing, then decreasing, southerly wind; early afternoon rain.
 Around were 3 Spoonbill, an adult Hobby, a Whimbrel, 2 Greenshank, 5 Arctic Skua, 2 Yellow Wagtail and 400 Starling. By Millennium Ridge were a Little Stint, 21 Turnstone and a Curlew Sandpiper. On Tennyson's Sands were 78 Black-tailed Godwit and 4 Ruff. Going south were 27 Arctic Tern, 25 Swift, 200 Sand Martin and 90 Swallow; and north 350 Common Scoter.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 5 new birds: 2 Wren, a Chiffchaff, a Linnet and a Magpie; and 3 retraps: a Great Tit and 2 Dunnock.

Juvenile Magpie, ringed 26th July 2017.
 Photo - George Gregory

July 25th. Soggy start, gradually drying out.
 Birds around included 3 Spoonbill, 3 Marsh Harrier, 4 Greenshank,16 Arctic Skua, 2 Arctic Tern and 4 Yellow Wagtail. By Millennium Ridge were 2 Little Stint. On Tennyson's Sands were a Water Rail, a Knot, 4 Ruff and a Kingfisher. Heading south were 40 Shelduck, a Great Crested Grebe, 19 Whimbrel, 6 Sand Martin and 22 Swallow; and north a Great Skua.
 The ninth session of CES was done this morning. The 17 new birds were 3 Wren, 5 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, a Blue Tit, a Robin and a Great Tit. The 13 retraps were a Song Thrush, a Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler, a Blue Tit, a Dunnock, a Great Tit, a Wren, a Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff and 2 Long-tailed Tit.

July 24th. Rainy spells.
 Around were 5 Spoonbill, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 2 Whimbrel, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 60 Starling and 3 Siskin. On Tennyson's Sands were a Water Rail, 58 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Kingfisher. On or off the shore were 30 Common Scoter, 2 Arctic Tern, 300 Sandwich Tern, 5000 Knot, 2500 Sanderling, 800 Dunlin, 2 Little Stint, 24 Black-tailed Godwit, 23 Turnstone and 150 Ringed Plover. Flying south were 12 Common Scoter, 8 Whimbrel, 7 Arctic Skua, 250 Swift and 300 Swallow; north 3 Arctic Skua; and north-west 35 Swift.

July 23rd. Rainy spells.
 Around were 3 Spoonbill, a juvenile Marsh Harrier, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Greenshank, a Snipe, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Snipe, 24 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Yellow Wagtail. On Tennyson's Sands were an adult Mediterranean Gull, a Water Rail, a Common Sandpiper, a Ruff and 30 Black-tailed Godwit; and on Jackson's Marsh 2 Black-tailed Godwit. Sea-watching produced 250 Common Scoter, 5 Gannet, 520 Sandwich Tern, 2 Little Tern, 4 Arctic Skua, 26 Whimbrel, 2000 Oystercatcher, 15000 Knot, 1500 Sanderling, 300 Ringed Plover and 20 Dunlin. Going south were 15 Sand Martin; and north a Fulmar.

July 22nd. Occasional rainy spells.
 On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Spoonbill, a Water Rail, 2 Mediterranean Gull, a Little Ringed Plover, a Spotted Redshank, 2 Ruff, a Knot and 56 Black-tailed Godwit; and on Jackson's Marsh 17 Black-tailed Godwit. Off Millennium Ridge were 2 Little Stint. Around were a Peregrine, a Hobby and 4 Arctic Skua. Heading south were an Eider, 7 Gannet, 2 Swift, an Alba Wagtail, 21 Sand Martin and 80 Swallow; and north 40 Common Scoter.

July 21st. Moderately strong southerly wind.
 On Tennyson's Sands were a Little Ringed Plover, 64 Black-tailed Godwit, a Knot and a Spotted Redshank; and on Jackson's Marsh 2 Common Sandpiper. Around were 5 Spoonbill, 3 Greenshank, 2 Ruff, 4 Whimbrel, 1200 Sanderling, 250 Sandwich Tern, an Arctic Tern, 9 Arctic Skua, a Cuckoo, a Grasshopper Warbler and 2 Treecreeper. Flying south were 5 Turnstone, 800 Swift and 16 Sand Martin.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 5 new birds: a Wren, a Linnet and 3 Whitethroat; and 4 retraps: a Wren, a Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock.

Mid July 2017

July 20th. Intermittent heavy rain showers.
  Birds around included 6 Spoonbill, a Grey Partridge, 700 Sandwich Tern, a Kittiwake, 4 Arctic Skua, 14 Turnstone, a Green Woodpecker, a Short-eared Owl, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Siskin and 4 Yellow Wagtail. On the water bodies were 2 Snipe, 2 Wood Sandpiper, 7 Common Sandpiper, 3 Ruff, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 80 Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 4 Common Tern, 51 Avocet, 96 Black-tailed Godwit and a Kingfisher. Going south were a Black Tern, a Golden Plover, 11 Swift and 200 Starling; and north 40 Teal and 11 Common Tern.

A selection of pictures from Fenland Lagoon, 20th July 2017

Colour-ringed Black-tailed Godwit, 20th July 2017
Photo - Richard Doan

July 19th. Quite strong easterly wind, with early morning rain.
 Around were 2 Whimbrel, 800 Curlew, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Ruff, 4 Greenshank, a Hobby, a Peregrine and 2 Green Woodpecker. On Tennyson's Sands were 5 Spoonbill, 4 Common Sandpiper, 150 Redshank and a Sandwich Tern; and on Fenland Lagoon 180 Redshank and a Kingfisher. Moving offshore were 20 Gannet, a Great Skua, 74 Knot, 40 Whimbrel, 3 Tufted Duck and 15 Common Scoter. In off the sea came 2 Grey Heron.

July 18th. A Broad-billed Sandpiper was discovered in the Shorebird Sanctuary. Later it flew off down the Wash. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Spoonbill, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 4 Greenshank and a Ruff. Birds around included a Greenshank, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Green Woodpecker and 4 Yellow Wagtail. Heading north-west were 17 Cormorant; and south a Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 9 new birds: 2 Wren, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, a Robin, a Great Tit and a Lesser Whitethroat; and 7 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, a Great Tit, 3 Dunnock and a Lesser Whitethroat.

Black-tailed Godwit, 18th July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

July 17th. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Spoonbill, a Water Rail, 2 Greenshank and a Ruff; and on the Mere a Water Rail. Around were 2 Peregrine, a Green Woodpecker and 3 Yellow Wagtail. Flying south were a Swift, 3 Sand Martin and 3 Swallow; and north-west 26 Cormorant.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 7 new birds: 2 Whitethroat, 3 Linnet, a Meadow Pipit and a Dunnock; and 3 retrap Whitethroat.

Greenshank, 17th July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Painted Lady, 17th July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

July 16th. On Tennyson's Sands were 5 Spoonbill, an adult Mediterranean Gull, a Water Rail, 50 Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Ruff; and on Fenland Lagoon a Green Sandpiper. Birds around, including those trapped, were 6 Whimbrel, a Greenshank, a Green Woodpecker, a Kingfisher, a Grasshopper Warbler and 3 Yellow Wagtail. Going south were 3 Swift and 3 Sand Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 19 new birds: 3 Wren, a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 2 Whitethroat, a Robin, a Great Tit, 2 Meadow Pipit, 2 Linnet, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Dunnock and a Starling; and 5 retraps: a Blackcap, a Dunnock, a Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Whitethroat.

Juvenile Yellow Wagtail, ringed 16th July 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Essex Skipper on Sea Holly, 16th July 2017.
Photo - Rob Watson

Fly, 16th July 2017.
Photo - Rob Watson

July 15th. On Tennyson's Sands were 5 Spoonbill, 350 Redshank, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Ruff, 50 Black-tailed Godwit and a Kingfisher. Around were a Whimbrel, 2 Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, a Turnstone and a Stonechat. Heading south was a Mediterranean Gull and 20 Swift; and southwest 250 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 18 new birds: 2 Wren, 3 Blackcap, 9 Linnet, a Sedge Warbler, a Whitethroat, a Dunnock and a Song Thrush; and 7 retraps: 2 Linnet, 2 Wren, a Dunnock, a Great Tit and a Lesser Whitethroat.

July 14th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 5 Spoonbill, 2 Ruff, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Greenshank, a juvenile Peregrine, a Green Woodpecker, a Kingfisher and 5 Yellow Wagtail. On Tennyson's Sands were 74 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank and a Water Rail. Flying south were 200 Swift and 7 Sand Martin.
 The eighth session of CES was done this morning. The 28 new birds were 10 Chiffchaff, a Wren, 5 Blackcap, 5 Whitethroat, 6 Dunnock and a Kingfisher. The 9 retraps were 2 Wren, 2 Blackbird, 3 Dunnock and 2 Whitethroat.

Kingfisher, ringed 14th July 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

July 13th. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Spoonbill, 63 Black-tailed Godwit and a Ruff. Around were a Whimbrel, a Greenshank, a Marsh Harrier,  and 3 Yellow Wagtail. Going south were 100 Common Scoter, 296 Swift, 3 Sand Martin and 2 Yellow Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 10 new birds: 2 Wren, 5 Linnet, a Blackcap, a Whitethroat and a Dunnock; and 7 retraps: a Blackcap, a Wren, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock.

July 12th. Quite strong north-easterly wind.
 On Tennyson's Sands were 5 Spoonbill, 5 Ruff and 35 Black-tailed Godwit. Birds around included a juvenile Hobby. Going north were 7 Arctic Skua, 40 Gannet, 120 Common Scoter and 2 Auk Spp.

July 11th. On Tennyson's Sands were 6 Spoonbill, a Green Sandpiper, a Ruff, 41 Black-tailed Godwit and a Spotted Redshank. Around, including birds trapped, were a Little Ringed Plover, a Whimbrel, 2 Greenshank, 1000 Dunlin, 348 Redshank, 200 Sanderling, 400 Curlew, a Green Woodpecker and a juvenile Cuckoo. Heading north was a Kittiwake.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 17 new birds: 4 Wren, 6 Linnet, a Whitethroat, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Blackcap and a Cuckoo; and 9 retraps: 2 Sedge Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Dunnock and 3 Whitethroat.

Common Tern feeding chick, 11th July 2017.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Marsh Harrier, 11th July 2017.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Spoonbills on Tennyson Sands, 11th July 2017.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Juvenile Cuckoo, ringed 11th July 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Early July 2017

July 10th. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Spoonbill and 25 Black-tailed Godwit; and on Fenland Lagoon a Little Ringed Plover. Birds around included a Common Buzzard, 6 Greenshank, an adult Spotted Redshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Ruff, 40 Sanderling, 2 Kingfisher, a Wheatear and 3 Yellow Wagtail. The first juvenile Little Egret of the year appeared. Flying north were 2 Gannet.

Gatekeeper, 10th July 2017.
Photo - Rob Watson

Black-tailed Skimmer, 10th July 2017.

Dune Robberfly (Philonicus albiceps) 10th July 2017.This species is  to be expected in numbers on open sand, with eggs laid among Marram Grass roots.

Juvenile Robin, 10th July 2017.

Juvenile Wheatear, 10th July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Spoonbills, 10th July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Spoonbill, 10th July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

July 9th. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Spoonbill and 43 Black-tailed Godwit; and on Fenland Lagoon 3 Greenshank, 2 Ruff and 3 Little Ringed Plover. Around were a first-summer Little Gull, 187 Curlew, a Green Sandpiper, a female Marsh Harrier, a Hobby, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Wheatear and a Yellow Wagtail. Going south were 120 Swift, 2 Sand Martin and a Grey Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 6 new birds: 3 Chiffchaff, a Long-tailed Tit, a Willow Warbler and a Whitethroat; and 7 retraps: 2 Dunnock, 2 Wren, a Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Song Thrush.

July 8th. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Spoonbill and 49 Black-tailed Godwit; and on Jackson's Marsh a Grey Wagtail. Birds around included a Golden Plover, 350 Curlew, a Whimbrel, 2 Ruff, 4 Greenshank, 300 Dunlin, 200 Sandwich Tern, 5 Arctic Tern, a Marsh Harrier, a Cuckoo and a Green Woodpecker. Flying south were a Golden Plover, 4 Whimbrel, a Hobby, a Swift, 20 Sand Martin, 2 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Grey Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 30 new birds: 7 Wren, a Chiffchaff, 7 Whitethroat, a Blackcap, 2 Great Tit, 8 Linnet, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Robin, a Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 5 retraps: 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Dunnock and a Whitethroat.
 A White-letter Hairstreak was seen again in the West Dunes.

White-letter Hairstreak, 8th July 2017
Photo - Richard Doan

July 7th. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Spoonbill, 18 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, 2 Ruff, 2 Common Tern and a Common Sandpiper. Hunting the fields beyond the scrapes were 2 Barn Owl. Around, including birds trapped, were 300 Redshank, 200 Curlew, a Grey Heron, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 26 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Whimbrel, an adult Cuckoo, a Green Woodpecker, a Bullfinch and a House Sparrow. Going south were a Whimbrel, 7 Swift and a Sand Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 17 new birds: 2 Wren, a Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, a Robin, 3 Whitethroat, a Chaffinch, a Meadow Pipit, a Bullfinch, 3 Dunnock, a Starling and a Woodpigeon; and 4 retraps: a Blackcap, 2 Dunnock and a Chaffinch.
 A Silver-washed Fritillary was present on the reserve.

Juvenile Bullfinch, ringed 7th July 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Silver-washed Fritillary, 7th July 2017.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Silver-washed Fritillary, 7th July 2017.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

 July 6th. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Spoonbill, 3 Wigeon, a Great Crested Grebe, a Spotted Redshank and 26 Black-tailed Godwit. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Grey Heron, 2 Little Ringed Plover, a Whimbrel, 37 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Snipe, a Treecreeper, 1700 Starling and 35 Swallow. Heading south were 2 Whimbrel and 19 Swift; and north a Razorbill, a Gannet and 950 Common Scoter.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 11 new birds: a Wren, 4 Whitethroat, 5 Linnet and a Goldfinch; and 12 retraps: a Linnet, 4 Dunnock, 2 Sedge Warbler, a Great Tit, a Wren and 3 Whitethroat.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling provided 10 new birds: 2 Wren, a Treecreeper, 4 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Blackcap and a Dunnock; and 2 retraps: a Wren and a Chiffchaff.
 A Banded Demoiselle flew across Tennyson's Sands.

July 5th. A Spoonbill was near Millennium Ridge. On Tennyson's Sands were a male Pochard and a Black-tailed Godwit. Around were 2 Wigeon, 6 Shoveler, a Little Ringed Plover, a Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Whimbrel, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 300 Starling and a Yellow Wagtail. Offshore were 20 Sandwich Tern and 8 Common Tern. Flying south were 10 Black-tailed Godwit, a Hobby, 300 Starling, 17 Sand Martin and 2 Yellow Wagtail; and north an Arctic Skua, 5 Gannet and 8 Eider.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 28 new birds: 4 Wren, a Chiffchaff, 8 Whitethroat, 7 Linnet, 2 Great Tit, 2 Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat and 3 Dunnock; and 5 retraps: a Wren, a Linnet, 2 Dunnock and a Whitethroat.

Swallow, 5th July 2017.

Swallow, 5th July 2017.

Black-tailed Godwits, 5th July 2017.

Lapwing, 5th July 2017.

Lapwing, 5th July 2017.

July 4th. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Spoonbill and 14 Black-tailed Godwit; and on Croftmarsh a Grey Heron. Offshore were 350 Common Scoter. Birds around included 2 Wigeon, a Marsh Harrier, a Peregrine, a Snipe, a Turtle Dove, a Yellow Wagtail, 50 Swallow, 10 Mistle Thrush and a Grasshopper Warbler. Going north was a Whimbrel; and south were 19 Redshank, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 50 Swift, 26 Sand Martin and 32 Swallow.
 The seventh session of CES was done this morning. The 29 new birds were 2 Chiffchaff, 5 Wren, 3 Willow Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 3 Robin, 4 Whitethroat, 5 Dunnock and 2 Blackbird. The 9 retraps were 2 Whitethroat, 2 Wren, a Willow Warbler, a Blue Tit, a Dunnock, a Blackcap and a Chiffchaff.

Grasshopper Warbler, 4th July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Grasshopper Warbler, 4th July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Roe Deer, 4th July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

July 3rd. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Spoonbill. Later, 4 Spoonbill were on Millennium Ridge. A juvenile Wheatear was near the Shorebird Hut. Around, including birds trapped, were 17 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 300 Common Scoter, 3 Little Ringed Plover, a Whimbrel, a Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, 50 Curlew, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, a Kingfisher, a Cuckoo and 40 Swift. Heading south were 31 Gannet, 24 Curlew, 2 Grey Heron, 350 Swift, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 37 Sand Martin and 14 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 18 new birds: 5 Wren, a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 2 Linnet, a Blackcap, a Robin, 3 Whitethroat, a Great Tit, a Dunnock, a Kingfisher and a Woodpigeon; and 4 retraps: 2 Dunnock, a Wren and a Whitethroat.
 Butterflies included 2 White-letter Hairstreaks; and mammals 2 Water Voles.

Essex Skippers, 3rd July 2017
Photo - Rob Watson

Six-Spotted Burnett, 3rd July 2017
Photo - Rob Watson

Comma, 3rd July 2017
Photo - Rob Watson

Black-tailed Godwit, 3rd July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Black-tailed Godwits, 3rd July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Avocet, 3rd July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Avocet, 3rd July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Kingfisher, ringed 3rd July 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

July 2nd. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Spoonbill, a Black-tailed Godwit and a Barnacle Goose; and on Fenland Lagoon 3 Little Ringed Plover. Birds around included 26 Teal, 3 Marsh Harrier, 80 Curlew, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, a Goldcrest, 7 Sand Martin, 45 Swallow and 3 House Sparrow. Offshore were 400 Common Scoter. Going south were 110 Starling and a Bullfinch.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 23 new birds: 2 Wren, 3 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Linnet, 5 Whitethroat, a Meadow Pipit, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Great Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Dunnock and 2 Song Thrush; and 10 retraps: 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 3 Dunnock and 2 Wren.
 In Beach (North) Car Park were 2 Hummingbird Hawkmoths.

Essex Skippers, 2nd July 2017.
Photo - Rob Watson

Comma, 2nd July 2017.
Photo - Rob Watson

Six-spot Burnet, 2nd July 2017.
Photo - Rob Watson

July 1st. Flying south was a Honey Buzzard. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Spoonbill. Offshore were 300 Sandwich Tern, an Arctic Tern, 4 Common Tern, 70 Little Tern, 500 Common Scoter and 10 Gannet. Around were 174 Shelduck, 150 Curlew, a Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, 3 Turnstone, a Little Gull, 2 Sand Martin, a Grasshopper Warbler, 60 Starling and a Crossbill.
 Dragonflies included a Red-veined Darter.