Late August 2019

August 21st. A female type Black Redstart was around the Visitor Centre in the morning. On Tennyson's Sands were 78 Spoonbill, 147 Avocet, 65 Lapwing, 142 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Turnstone, 8 Dunlin, 2 Green Sandpiper, 6 Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, 316 Redshank and 2 Snipe. Around, including birds trapped, were a Sparrowhawk, a Green Woodpecker, a Peregrine, 48 Willow Warbler, a Cetti's Warbler, a Redstart, 6 Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, 4 Yellow Wagtail and a Tree Pipit. Going south were a Whimbrel, 40 Swift, 16 Sand Martin, 65 Swallow, 32 House Martin and 5 Tree Pipit.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 29 new birds: 17 Willow Warbler, a Robin, 2 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Linnet, 2 Whitethroat, a Redstart, a Sedge Warbler and a Tree Pipit; and 4 retraps: a Robin, a Linnet and 2 Whitethroat.

Redstart, ringed 21st August 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

Tree Pipit, ringed 21st August 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

Mid August 2019

August 20th. On Tennyson's Sands were a Grey Heron, 8 Spoonbill, 142 Avocet, 84 Lapwing, 229 Black-tailed Godwit, a Knot, 11 Dunlin, 7 Spotted Redshank, 4 Greenshank, 304 Redshank and 3 Snipe; and on Jackson's Marsh a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper and 2 Greenshank. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Sandpiper, a Turtle Dove, a Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Hobby, a Peregrine, 2 Goldcrest, 106 Willow Warbler, a Garden Warbler, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 8 Whinchat, a Stonechat, a Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipit and 2 Yellowhammer. Birds moving south included a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, a Whimbrel, 426 Swift, 148 Sand Martin, 122 Swallow, 396 House Martin, a Yellow Wagtail, 4 Tree Pipit and a Tree Sparrow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with James Siddle, provided 88 new birds: 55 Willow Warbler, a Wren, 2 Blackcap, 3 Reed Warbler, 8 Robin, 9 Whitethroat, a Linnet, a Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Dunnock, a Song Thrush and a Blackbird; and 9 retraps: 7 Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock.

Whinchat, 20th August 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Spotted Flycatcher, 20th August 2019.
Photo - Nige Lound

Yellow Wagtail, 20th August 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Mixed Hirundines, 20th August 2019.
Photo - Nige Lound

August 19th. On Tennyson's Sands were 12 Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier and 7 Spotted Redshank; and on Fenland Lagoon 12 Greenshank. Around the reserve were a Grey Heron, a Green Woodpecker, 81 Willow Warbler, a Garden Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, a Redstart, 11 Whinchat, 9 Wheatear, a Tree Pipit and a Yellowhammer. Heading south were a Buzzard, 12 Swift, 14 Sand Martin, 45 Swallow, 9 Mistle Thrush and a Grey Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 19 new birds: a Wren, 7 Willow Warbler, a Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, a Linnet, 3 Whitethroat, a Robin and a Dunnock; and 6 retraps: 3 Blackcap, a Wren, a Whitethroat and a Great Tit.

Juvenile Green Woodpecker, 19th August 2019
Photo - Vaughn Seabridge

Juvenile Green Woodpecker, 19th August 2019
Photo - Vaughn Seabridge

August 18th. An Osprey flew south through the reserve in the early afternoon. Birds around included 4 Gadwall, 18 Little Egret, 7 Spoonbill, a Whimbrel, 35000 Knot, 5030 Sanderling, 3620 Dunlin,  a Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper, 7 Spotted Redshank, 7 Greenshank, 3 Arctic Skua, 80 Sandwich Tern, a juvenile Cuckoo, a Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, 40 Willow Warbler, a Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Whinchat, a Stonechat, 4 Wheatear, 2 Tree Pipit and 2 Yellow Wagtail. Flying south were 2 Kestrel, a Hobby, a Swift and 8 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 31 new birds: 17 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 2 Robin, 3 Linnet, 4 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Dunnock; and 2 retraps: a Whitethroat and a Linnet.

Returning arctic breeding waders at roost, 18th August 2019.

Knot, juvenile, 18th August 2019.

Photo - Kev Wilson

Ringed Plover, chick, 18th August 2019.

Photo - Kev Wilson

August 17th. Soggy start, with gradually increasing south-westerly wind.
 On Tennyson's Sands were 13 Shoveler, 149 Avocet, 92 Lapwing, a Little Ringed Plover, 270 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Common Sandpiper, 7 Spotted Redshank, a Wood Sandpiper, 309 Redshank, a Snipe and a Mediterranean Gull; and on Jackson's Marsh 9 Greenshank. Around were 4 Gadwall, 79 Teal, 42 Tufted Duck, 8 Little Egret, 15 Spoonbill, a Grey Heron, a Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, 311 Sandwich Tern, a Stock Dove, 2 Short-eared Owl, 6 Kestrel, 40 Willow Warbler, a Treecreeper, 4 Whinchat, a Stonechat and 7 Yellow Wagtail.
 The eleventh session of CES was done this morning. The 30 new birds were 5 Wren, 8 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 2 Robin, 7 Blackcap, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Great Tit, 2 Whitethroat and a Lesser Whitethroat. The 9 retraps were a Song Thrush, 2 Wren, 2 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat and a Blackbird.

Wood Sandpiper, 17th August 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Whinchat, 17th August 2109.

Photo- Ben Ward

Stonechat, 17th August 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Brown Hare, 17th August 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

August 16th. Increasing southerly wind, with prolonged afternoon rain.
 Birds around included a Short-eared Owl. Going south were 2 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 16 new birds: 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Robin, 6 Linnet and 3 Whitethroat; and 8 retraps: 2 Wren, a Great Tit, a Willow Warbler, a Blackcap and 3 Whitethroat.

August 15th. Increasing south-westerly wind.
 On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Shoveler, 15 Spoonbill, a Great Crested Grebe, 135 Avocet, 91 Lapwing, 257 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Dunlin, 2 Green Sandpiper, 7 Spotted Redshank, 3 Wood Sandpiper, 60 Redshank and 3 Sandwich Tern. Around, including birds trapped, were 17 Gadwall, 71 Teal, 23 Tufted Duck (plus 5 chicks), 22 Little Egret, a Great White Egret, 2 Grey Heron, a Marsh Harrier, 35 Golden Plover, 72 Ringed Plover, 11 Common Sandpiper, 11 Greenshank, 576 Sandwich Tern, an Arctic Tern, 26 Common Tern, a Stock Dove,  a Short-eared Owl, 7 Kestrel, a Hobby, 11 Willow Warbler, a Garden Warbler, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Whinchat, a Stonechat, 5 Wheatear and 6 Yellow Wagtail. Heading south were 4 Common Scoter, a Ruff, 68 Commic Tern, a Great Skua, 4 Arctic Skua, a Hobby, 40 Swift, 31 Sand Martin and a Yellow Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 3 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Garden Warbler and a Linnet; and 4 retraps: a Wren, 2 Whitethroat and a Dunnock.
 A staggering count of 45 Willow Emerald Damselfly was made on the reserve.

Emperor Dragonfly, male, 15th August 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Migrant Hawker, male above female below, 15th August 2019.

Photos - Ben Ward

August 14th. Birds around included 67 Greylag Goose, 266 Canada Goose, 6 Gadwall, 81 Teal, 13 Shoveler, 22 Tufted Duck, 9 Little Egret, a Great White Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harrier, 770 Golden Plover, 106 Lapwing, 286 Curlew, 341 Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Turnstone, 2000 Knot, 1000 Sanderling, 1500 Dunlin, 3 Common Sandpiper, a Greenshank, an Arctic Skua, 353 Sandwich Tern, 12 Common Tern, 3420 Black-headed Gull, a Peregrine, 4 Wheatear, 2 Tree Pipit, 11 Yellow Wagtail and 106 Goldfinch. On Tennyson's Sands were 14 Spoonbill, a Great Crested Grebe, 134 Avocet, a Grey Plover, a Turnstone, 3 Knot, 47 Dunlin, 2 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 78 Redshank, a Snipe and 3 Mediterranean Gull; and on Jackson's Marsh a Ringed Plover, a Whimbrel and 14 Dunlin. Flying south were 2 Green Sandpiper, a Snipe, 467 Sandwich Tern, 13 Common Tern and a Grey Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 19 new birds: a Willow Warbler, 4 Robin, 3 Sedge Warbler, 3 Linnet, a Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Meadow Pipit and 2 Dunnock; and 10 retraps: a Robin, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Linnet, 2 Dunnock, a Great Tit, a Whitethroat, a Wren, a Blackcap and a Blue Tit.

Spoonbills, enduring heavy rain, 15th August 2019.

Photo - Nige Lound

Mediterranean Gulls, 14th August 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

August 13th. Occasional light showers through the day.
 A mobile Wood Warbler was in the East Dunes early morning. On Tennyson's Sands were 5 Shoveler, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 91 Avocet, 277 Black-tailed Godwit, a Knot, 8 Dunlin, 3 Spotted Redshank, 5 Greenshank and 89 Redshank. Around, including birds trapped, were a Brent Goose, 69 Teal, 3 Eider, 18 Little Egret, a Great White Egret, 13 Spoonbill, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, 80 Lapwing, a Little Ringed Plover, 324 Curlew, 12000 Knot, 3 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 5 Snipe, 380 Sandwich Tern, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 12 Common Tern, a juvenile Cuckoo, a Short-eared Owl, a Peregrine, 140 Swallow, 114 Willow Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler, a Cetti's Warbler, 4 Wheatear, a Whinchat, 38 Yellow Wagtail, 53 Meadow Pipit, 135 Linnet and 142 Goldfinch. Going south were 3 Grey Heron, 25 Turnstone, an Arctic Skua, a Great Skua, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 42 Swift, 550 Swallow, a Yellow Wagtail and 2 Tree Pipit.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 36 new birds: 20 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Wren, a Robin, a Reed Warbler, 5 Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, a Linnet, 2 Garden Warbler, a Meadow Pipit and a Blackcap; and 10 retraps: a Robin, 5 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, a Great Tit and a Wren.
 A Clouded Yellow was at the south end of the reserve.

Reed Warbler, 13th August 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Juvenile Cuckoo, 13th August 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Wheatear, 13th August 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

August 12th. Soggy start, gradually drying out.
 A juvenile Goshawk was briefly in the East Dunes early morning before flying west. Birds around included 55 Teal, a Great White Egret, 4 Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, a Little Ringed Plover, 3 Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, 820 Sandwich Tern, 2 juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, a Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, 11 Kestrel, a Merlin, 77 Willow Warbler, a Redwing, a juvenile Stonechat, 10 Yellow Wagtail and a Tree Pipit. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Grey Heron, 13 Spoonbill, a Great Crested Grebe, 82 Avocet, 75 Lapwing, 311 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank and 57 Redshank. Heading south were 3 Arctic Skua, 2 Collared Dove, a Turtle Dove, a Cuckoo and 3 Tree Pipit.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 28 new birds: 13 Willow Warbler, a Wren, a Sedge Warbler, 9 Linnet, a Blackcap, a Robin, a Great Tit and a Whitethroat; and 10 retraps: 2 Wren, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock, a Linnet, a Great Tit and a Blackcap.
 A Clouded Yellow drifted south down the East Dunes.

Goshawk, 12th August 2019.

Photo - Kev Wilson

Elephant Hawk-moth Caterpillar, 12th August 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

August 11th. Fairly strong south-westerly wind, with some afternoon rain.
 On Tennyson's Sands were a Great Crested Grebe, 49 Avocet, 255 Black-tailed Godwit, a Ruff, 6 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 127 Redshank, 3 Knot, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Snipe and 2 Common Tern; and on Jackson's Marsh a Green Sandpiper and a Wood Sandpiper. Birds around included 13 Shelduck, 104 Teal, 10 Shoveler, 17 Little Egret, 9 Spoonbill, 4 Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 6 Common Sandpiper, 2 juvenile Mediterranean Gull, a Treecreeper, a Wheatear and 16 Yellow Wagtail. Heading south were 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 32 Turnstone, 743 Knot, 65 Sanderling, 128 Dunlin, a Black Tern, a Hobby, many Swift and some Swallow.
 A superb 34 Willow Emerald Damselfly (15 male and 19 female) were counted on the reserve.

Willow Emerald Damselfly, female, 11th August 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Small Red-eyed Damselfly, male, 11th August 2019.

Photos - Ben Ward

Early August 2019

August 10th. Strong south-westerly wind.
 A Roseate Tern flew south offshore late evening. Also flying south were 3 Shelduck, 29 Teal, a Scaup, 42 Gannet, 11 Golden Plover, 2 Grey Plover, 11 Whimbrel, 10 Bar-tailed Godwit, 11 Turnstone, 481 Knot, 5 Ruff, a Curlew Sandpiper, 46 Sanderling, 18 Dunlin, 4 Arctic Skua, 2 Little Tern, 2 Black Tern, 321 Sandwich Tern, 43 Common Tern, 11 Arctic Tern, 14 Commic Tern, 5 juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 2 juvenile Yellow-legged Gull and 344 Swift. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Shoveler, an eclipse drake Mandarin Duck, 23 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 9 Spoonbill, a Great Crested Grebe, 45 Avocet, a Little Ringed Plover, 333 Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Knot, 23 Dunlin, 9 Spotted Redshank, 10 Greenshank, 34 Redshank, 2 Snipe, a Little Tern, 22 Sandwich Tern, 45 Common Tern and 2 Arctic Tern. Birds around included a Wigeon, 15 Gadwall (plus 4 chicks), 119 Teal, 17 Tufted Duck (plus 2 chick), 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Sandpiper, a Treecreeper, a Pied Flycatcher, a Wheatear, 6 Yellow Wagtail and 2 White Wagtail.

Mandarin Duck, 10th August 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Marsh Harrier, 10th August 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Little Tern, 10th August 2019.

Photo - Nige Lound

Greenshank, 10th August 2019.

Photo - Nige Lound

Spotted Redshank, 10th August 2019.

Photo - Nige Lound

Little Egret and Spoonbill, 10th August 2019.

Photo - Nige Lound

August 9th. Fairly strong variable winds, with rain early morning.
 On Tennyson's Sands were a Grey Heron, 9 Spoonbill, a Great Crested Grebe, 36 Avocet, 220 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Snipe and 2 Common Tern; and on Jackson's Marsh a juvenile Spotted Redshank. Around were 59 Teal, 16 Little Egret, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 90 Lapwing, 3 Common Sandpiper, 9 Greenshank, 650 Sandwich Tern, 220 Swallow and 21 Yellow Wagtail.

Wasp Spider, 9th August 2019.

Photo - Jim Shaw

Sea Holly, 9th August 2019.

Photo - Jim Shaw

Little Grebes, 9th August 2019.

Photos - Jim Shaw

Reed Warbler, 9th August 2019.

Photo - Jim Shaw

August 8th. On Jackson's Marsh was a Wood Sandpiper; and on Tennyson's Sands were a Great Crested Grebe, 36 Avocet, 94 Lapwing, 189 Black-tailed Godwit, a Knot, 3 juvenile Ruff, 5 Spotted Redshank, 2 Snipe and 2 Common Tern. Around were 2 Egyptian Goose, 94 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 31 Tufted Duck, a Common Scoter, 24 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 7 Spoonbill, 5 Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 4 juvenile Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper, 5 Green Sandpiper, 13 Greenshank, 620 Sandwich Tern, 6500 Black-headed Gull, a Mediterranean Gull, 3 Stock Dove, a juvenile Cuckoo, a Green Woodpecker, 13 Kestrel, 195 Willow Warbler, a Treecreeper, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Wheatear, a Whinchat, 17 Yellow Wagtail, a Tree Pipit and a Bullfinch. Going north overland were 4 Arctic Skua; and south 2 Grey Heron, 7 Sand Martin and 1360 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, provided 76 new birds: 58 Willow Warbler, a Blackcap, 4 Sedge Warbler, 7 Linnet, a Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat and a Chaffinch; and 5 retraps: 3 Wren, a Linnet and a Whitethroat.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling provided 69 new birds: 18 Willow Warbler, 4 Wren, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 8 Blue Tit, 4 Reed Warbler, 5 Goldfinch, 4 Blackcap, 5 Whitethroat, 6 Chaffinch, 3 Great Tit, a Robin, a Sedge Warbler, 5 Dunnock, a Greenfinch, a Song Thrush and a Great Spotted Woodpecker; and 17 retraps: 4 Great Tit, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Blue Tit, a Chaffinch, a Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Dunnock, a Long-tailed Tit and 2 Wren.
 Insects of note included 8 female Willow Emerald Damselfly, 2 male Banded Demoiselle and 35 Painted Lady.

Banded Demoiselle, male, 8th August 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

August 7th. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Grey Heron, 7 Spoonbill, a Great Crested Grebe, 28 Avocet, 30 Dunlin, 2 Green Sandpiper and 4 Spotted Redshank; on Jackson's Marsh 2 Green Sandpiper and 2 Wood Sandpiper; on Croftmarsh another Wood Sandpiper; and on Fenland Lagoon 5 Greenshank. Birds around included 80 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 126 Lapwing, 140 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Common Sandpiper, 4 Snipe, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Stock Dove, a Green Woodpecker, a Short-eared Owl, 15 Kestrel, a Hobby, a Peregrine, 21 Willow Warbler, a Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, 22 Yellow Wagtail, a Tree Pipit and a Bullfinch. Heading south were a Black Tern and 3 Arctic Tern.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 18 new birds: 3 Wren, 5 Willow Warbler, 3 Linnet, 6 Sedge Warbler and a Whitethroat; and 6 retraps: 4 Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler and a Blackcap.
 Migrant insects included a Willow Emerald Damselfly and 3 Banded Demoiselle.

Whinchat, 7th August 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

August 6th. On Jackson's Marsh were 5 Wood Sandpiper and a Spoonbill; and on Tennyson's Sands 3 Grey Heron, 3 Spoonbill, a Great Crested Grebe, 38 Avocet, a Ringed Plover, a Whimbrel, 220 Black-tailed Godwit, 52 Knot, 4 Sanderling, 13 Dunlin, 3 Spotted Redshank and a Mediterranean Gull. Around were 18 Shelduck, 105 Teal, 8 Shoveler, 12 Little Egret, 5 Marsh Harrier, 5 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, 8 Greenshank, 3 Snipe, 260 Sandwich Tern, 2 Arctic Tern, a Mediterranean Gull, 2 Stock Dove, a juvenile Cuckoo, a Green Woodpecker, 10 Kestrel, 22 Willow Warbler, a Grasshopper Warbler, 8 Mistle Thrush, 2 Wheatear, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 184 Linnet and 85 Goldfinch.  Flying south were 5 Whimbrel, 4 Turnstone, 2 Greenshank, a Wood Sandpiper, 34 Sand Martin and 164 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 12 new birds: 2 Willow Warbler, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 4 Linnet, 2 Whitethroat and a Song Thrush; and 5 retraps: a Blackcap, a Great Tit, 2 Dunnock and a Whitethroat.
 Migrant insects included a male Banded Demoiselle and 70 Painted Lady.

Wheatear, 6th August 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Common Darter, 6th August 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Oak Eggar on Heligoland Trap, 6th August 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

Fox Moth caterpillar, 6th August 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

August 5th. Late morning rain shower.
 A female type Kentish Plover was discovered at Greenshanks Creek on high tide during the morning. Unfortunately only present momentarily it then flew strongly south into the Wash and was not seen again. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Brent Goose, 23 Shelduck, 65 Teal, 7 Shoveler, a Pochard, 24 Tufted Duck, 2 Eider, 14 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 5 Spoonbill, 48 Lapwing, 225 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Whimbrel, a Ruff, 2 Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, 5 Spotted Redshank, 14 Greenshank, 4 Wood Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, 16 Little Tern, 650 Sandwich Tern, a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Stock Dove, a Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, a Peregrine, a Treecreeper and 2 Yellow Wagtail. Going south were a juvenile Marsh Harrier, a Wood Sandpiper and 154 Swift.
 The tenth session of CES was done this morning. The 29 new birds were 5 Wren, 6 Chiffchaff, a Treecreeper, 6 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Robin, a Blue Tit, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Blackbird and a Magpie. The 10 retraps were 2 Blackcap, a Blackbird, a Robin, a Song Thrush, a Great Tit, a Whitethroat and 2 Chiffchaff.
 396 Small Red-eyed Damselfly were counted, almost certainly a county record for a single site. Other insects of note included 13 Willow Emerald Damselfly. Migrant insects included a male Banded Demoiselle and a male Red-veined Darter.

Kentish Plover, 5th August 2019.

Photos - Kev Wilson

Willow Emerald Damselflies, 5th August 2019.

Photos - Adrian Royle

Male Banded Demoiselle damselfly, 5th August 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Magpie, ringed 5th August 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

Treecreeper, ringed 5th August 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

August 4th. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Grey Heron, 9 Spoonbill, 251 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ruff, 2 Green Sandpiper, 3 Spotted Redshank, a Snipe and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull; and on Jackson's Marsh a Common Sandpiper and 2 Wood Sandpiper. Around, including birds trapped, were 37 Teal, 8 Shoveler, 9330 Oystercatcher, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 4500 Bar-tailed Godwit, 871 Curlew, 12 Turnstone, 28300 Knot, 5850 Sanderling, 8285 Dunlin, 12 Greenshank, 214 Redshank, an Arctic Skua, 270 Sandwich Tern, 2 Arctic Tern, 2 Stock Dove, a Green Woodpecker, a Cetti's Warbler, a Pied Flycatcher, a juvenile Stonechat and 4 Yellow Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 6 new birds: a Wren, a Willow Warbler, a Pied Flycatcher, 2 Whitethroat and a Reed Bunting; and 8 retraps: a Linnet, 2 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Blackcap, 2 Dunnock and a Sedge Warbler.
 An outstanding 28 Willow Emerald Damselfly were counted on the reserve, a new county record. Migrant insects included a male Banded Demoiselle.

Yellowhammer, 4th August 2019.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Willow Emerald Damselfly, female, 4th August 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward 

Pied Flycatcher, ringed 4th August 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

 August 3rd. Misty start, gradually clearing.
 On Tennyson's Sands were 65 Avocet, a Little Ringed Plover, a Whimbrel, 254 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Dunlin, 3 Green Sandpiper, 4 Spotted Redshank and 3 Wood Sandpiper; and on Jackson's Marsh a Greenshank and 2 Wood Sandpiper. Birds around, including those trapped, were 4 Shoveler, 13 Little Egret, a Spoonbill, 2990 Oystercatcher, 68 Lapwing, 3 Whimbrel, 50000 Knot, 864 Sanderling, 640 Dunlin, 4 Common Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 3 Arctic Skua, 3 Little Tern, 850 Sandwich Tern, 30 Common Tern, a Mediterranean Gull, 2 Stock Dove, a Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, 120 Swallow, 4 Willow Warbler, a Garden Warbler and 5 Yellow Wagtail. Heading south were 2 Yellow Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 17 new birds: 4 Willow Warbler, a Robin, 5 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Linnet, a Yellow Wagtail, a Garden Warbler, a Reed Bunting and a Dunnock;and 6 retraps: a Robin, a Wren, 2 Blackcap, a Dunnock and a Whitethroat.
  90 Painted Lady were noted on the reserve.

The evening high tide sea watch and wader watch event produced stunning views of tens of thousands of waders such as Knot and Grey Plover in summer plumage going to roost; whilst three Arctic Skuas harassed Sandwich Terns often at close range. Thanks to Chris Martin for the following pictures:

Painted Lady, 3rd August 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

August 2nd. A male Common Rosefinch was heard singing at the north end of the West Dunes. Unfortunately it did not linger. On Jackson's Marsh were a Great White Egret (briefly), 3 Wood Sandpiper; and on Tennyson's Sands 49 Avocet, 2 Ringed Plover, 213 Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Dunlin, a Green Sandpiper, 4 Spotted Redshank, 5 Greenshank, 2 Snipe, 2 Common Tern and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull. Around were 3 Grey Heron, 3 Spoonbill, 83 Lapwing, 40000 Knot, 5000 Sanderling, 4500 Dunlin, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper and 2 Tawny Owl. Heading south were a Whimbrel, a Wood Sandpiper and a Hobby; and north a Black Tern.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 14 new birds: 2 Willow Warbler, a Wren, 5 Linnet, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 6 retraps: a Wren, a Sedge Warbler, a Great Tit, a Blackcap, a Whitethroat and a Dunnock.
 There was a fall of 215 Painted Lady on the reserve.

Roosting waders, 2nd August 2019.

Photo - Kev Wilson

Curlew Sandpiper, amongst roosting Dunlin and Knot, 2nd August 2019.

Photo - Kev Wilson

August 1st. On Croftmarsh were a Green Sandpiper and 2 Common Sandpiper; on Tennyson's Sands 4 Grey Heron, 8 Spoonbill, 54 Avocet, 225 Black-tailed Godwit, a Wood Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 11 Greenshank, 4 Spotted Redshank, 2 Little Ringed Plover and 2 Snipe; and on Jackson's Marsh 2 Wood Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper. Birds around included 8 Shoveler, a Marsh Harrier, 76 Lapwing, a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, a Grasshopper Warbler and 2 Bullfinch. Heading south were 7 Brent Goose, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, 3 Wood Sandpiper, 400 Swift and 162 Swallow.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, provided 25 new birds: 2 Willow Warbler, 7 Linnet, a Blackcap, a Sedge Warbler, 9 Whitethroat, a Meadow Pipit, a Blue Tit, a Dunnock and 2 Blackbird; and 16 retraps: 2 Sedge Warbler, a Linnet, 3 Great Tit, a Goldfinch, a Meadow Pipit, 3 Wren, 4 Whitethroat and a Blackcap.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling provided 38 new birds: 2 Wren, 7 Chaffinch, 3 Blue Tit, a Robin, 5 Goldfinch, 2 Reed Warbler, a Great Tit, 3 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, 6 Dunnock, 2 Greenfinch, a Yellowhammer and a Blackbird; and 12 retraps: 5 Great Tit, a Long-tailed Tit, 2 Dunnock, a Blackbird, a Blackcap, a Willow Warbler and a Wren.

Wader roost on the morning high tide; consisting mainly of Knot, Sanderling and Dunlin, 1st August 2019.
Photos - Owen Beaumont

Turnstone, 1st August 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont