Late July 2018.

July 21st. On Tennyson's Sands were 14 Spoonbill, a Water Rail, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 292 Black-tailed Godwit and a Spotted Redshank. Birds around included 17 Little Egret, 2 Marsh Harrier, 3 Whimbrel, 3 Greenshank, 7 Snipe, 160 Sandwich Tern, a  juvenile Cuckoo, a Short-eared Owl and 80 Swallow. Flying south were 13 Sand Martin and 3 Yellow Wagtail. 

Water Rail, 21st July 2018. 

Photo - Ben Ward 

Copulating Ruddy Darter, 21st July 2018. 

Photo - Ben Ward 

Roesel's Bush-cricket, 21st July 2018. 

Photo - Ben Ward 

Mid July 2018

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

kwilson@lincstrust.co.uk

July 20th. On Tennyson's Sands were 14 Spoonbill, a Water Rail, 349 Black-tailed Godwit, a Knot and a Spotted Redshank; and on Jacksons Marsh 2 Common Sandpiper and a Green Sandpiper. Birds around included 10 Little Ringed Plover, a Whimbrel, a Little Stint, a Wood Sandpiper, 8 Greenshank, 16 Snipe and 2 Yellow-legged Gull. Heading south were a Golden Plover, a Whimbrel, 356 Swallow and a Yellow Wagtail.  

Ovipositing Emperor Dragonfly, 19th July 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

July 18th. On Tennyson's Sands were 8 Spoonbill, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 230 Black-tailed Godwit and a Kingfisher. Around were a Marsh Harrier, a Whimbrel, a Greenshank, 9 Snipe, a juvenile Black Tern and a Green Woodpecker. Going south was a Crossbill.

July 18th. On Tennyson's Sands were 10 Spoonbill, a Water Rail, 5 Little Ringed Plover and a Green Sandpiper. Around were 39 Golden Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 329 Black-tailed Godwit, a Little Stint, 2 Spotted Redshank, 9 Greenshank, 9 Snipe, a juvenile Cuckoo and 35 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided just a new Sedge Warbler.

 Spotted Redshank, 18th July 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

Black-tailed Godwit, including a colour ringed individual, 18th July 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

Oystercatcher with chicks, 18th July 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

Tufted Duck brood, 18th July 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

Painted Lady, 18th July 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

July 17th. On Tennyson's Sands were 10 Spoonbill, 292 Black-tailed Godwit and a Water Rail; and on Croftmarsh 3 Little Ringed Plover. Birds around included 120 Common Scoter, 3 Marsh Harrier, a Golden Plover, 299 Curlew, 3 Whimbrel, 3 Common Sandpiper, 3 Greenshank, 11 Snipe, 2 Arctic Skua, 3 Mediterranean Gull, a Yellow-legged Gull, a Short-eared Owl and a Grasshopper Warbler. Flying south was an Arctic Tern, 62 Swift, 30 Sand Martin and 132 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 9 new birds: 2 Wren, a Sedge Warbler, a Robin, 2 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat and a Dunnock; and 4 retraps: a Sedge Warbler, a Dunnock, a Blue Tit and a Whitethroat.

 Food begging Cuckoo, 17th July 2018.

Video - Ben Ward

July 16th. On Tennyson's Sands were a Garganey, 13 Spoonbill and a juvenile Water Rail; and on Jacksons Marsh a Ruff, a Spotted Redshank and 5 Greenshank. Around were a Marsh Harrier, 14 Little Ringed Plover (4 chicks), 293 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Sandpiper, 6 Snipe, 604 Sandwich Tern, 6 Mediterranean Gull, a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, 2 juvenile Cuckoo, a Short-eared Owl and a Redstart. Going south were an Eider, 2 Whimbrel, 6 Swift, 39 Sand Martin and 126 Swallow.
 The eighth session of CES was done this morning. The 20 new birds were 5 Wren, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 3 Great Tit, a Blue Tit, a Reed Warbler and 4 Song Thrush. The 11 retraps were 3 Sedge Warbler, a Robin, a Blackbird, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff and a Blackcap.

Small Red-eyed Damselfly, 16th July 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

July 15th. At 0710hrs a Great White Egret headed south over East Dunes then south-east out over the Wash. Presumably the same bird was seen heading north at 1930hrs. The first significant hirundine passage occurred with 250 Sand Martin and 300 Swallow heading south. On Tennyson's Sands were 12 Spoonbill, a Water Rail, Little Ringed Plover and a Bearded Tit; and on Jackson's Marsh a Spotted Redshank and 7 Greenshank. Birds around included a Grey Heron, a Marsh Harrier, a Little Stint, 5 Mediterranean Gull, a juvenile Cuckoo, a Peregrine, a Grey Wagtail, 3 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Starling .
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 13 new birds: 4 Wren, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, a Swallow, a Meadow Pipit, 2 Dunnock and a Song Thrush; and 2 retraps: a Dunnock and a Great Tit.

Cuckoo, fed by parent Dunnock, 15th July 2018.
Video - Ben Ward

Juvenile Whitethroat, ringed 15th July 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Swallow, ringed 15th July 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Small Copper, 15th July 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward 

July 14th. On Tennyson's Sands were 16 Spoonbill. Around were a Pintail, 2 Marsh Harrier, 11 Little Ringed Plover (5 adult, 2 juvenile and 4 chicks), 6 Whimbrel, 324 Black-tailed Godwit, 600 Dunlin, 10 Greenshank, 235 Redshank, a Mediterranean Gull, 300 Sandwich Tern, 4 Arctic Tern, a Peregrine, a Grasshopper Warbler, 8 Starling and a Yellow Wagtail. Flying south were a Spoonbill, 2 Gannet, 45 Swift, 9 Swallow and a Grey Wagtail; and north 40 Common Scoter and an Arctic Skua.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 2 new Wren; and 2 retraps: a Blackbird and a Lesser Whitethroat.

White-letter Hairstreak nectaring on Ragwort, 14 July 2018. 

Photo - Ben Ward

July 13th. On Tennyson's Sands were 10 Spoonbill; and on Jackson's Marsh 231 Black-tailed Godwit. Birds around included a Pintail, a Grey Heron (in off sea), 2 Marsh Harrier, 158 Avocet (including young), 709 Oystercatcher, 23 Lapwing, 9 Little Ringed Plover (3 adult, 2 juvenile and 4 chicks), 50 Ringed Plover, 7 Whimbrel, 262 Curlew, 150 Bar-tailed Godwit, 140 Knot, 2 Turnstone, 12 Sanderling, 417 Dunlin, 7 Greenshank, 200 Redshank, 3 Snipe, 2 Mediterranean Gull, a juvenile Cuckoo and a Short-eared Owl. Heading north were a Fulmar, 3 Arctic Skua, 2 Swift and a Sand Martin; and south 4 Grey Heron.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 3 new birds: 2 Blackcap and a Blackbird; and 2 retraps: a Sedge Warbler and a Wren.

Ringed Plover chicks, 13 July 2018. 

Photo - Nige Lound

Turnstone, 13 July 2018. 

Photo - Nige Lound

July 12th. On Tennyson's Sands were 10 Spoonbill; and on Jackson's Marsh 2 Spoonbill, 101 Black-tailed Godwit. Around were a Pintail, 12 Little Egret, a Whimbrel, a Greenshank, a Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Arctic Tern, a Short-eared Owl, a Yellow Wagtail and 2 Swallow. Going south were 4 Swift; and north 2 Arctic Skua.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 6 new birds: a Wren, 3 Linnet, a Chaffinch and a Dunnock; and 5 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, 2 Great Tit and a Sedge Warbler.

July 11th. Offshore early morning was a Roseate Tern. Birds around included a Pintail, 2 Eider, 100 Common Scoter, a Shag, 10 Spoonbill, 12 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harrier, 781 Curlew, 216 Black-tailed Godwit, a Green Sandpiper, a Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 5 Snipe, 73 Sandwich Tern, 44 Common Tern, a juvenile Cuckoo, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Coal Tit and 15 Starling. Flying north were 10 Arctic Skua, 15 Arctic Tern, 3 Kittiwake, 2 Arctic Skua and 7 Swallow; and south an Arctic Skua.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 6 new birds: a Blackcap, 2 Great Tit, a Dunnock and 2 Blackbird; and 5 retraps: a Linnet, 3 Whitethroat and a Great Tit.

Early July 2018

July 10th. Birds around included a Roseate Tern, first seen heading slowly south in the morning and again in the late afternoon heading out into The Wash, a Marsh Harrier, 4 Whimbrel, a Greenshank, 5 Snipe, a Mediterranean Gull, 30 Swallow and a Yellow Wagtail. On Jackson's Marsh were 130 Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Sandwich Tern; and on Tennyson's Sands 13 Spoonbill. Heading north were 24 Swift.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 6 new birds: 2 Whitethroat, a Linnet, a Yellow Wagtail and 2 Dunnock; and 3 retraps: a Sedge Warbler and 2 Dunnock.

Yellow Wagtail, ringed 10th July 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Recent Ringing Controls:
Willow Warbler ringed Wenden Lofts, Essex 5 August 2016; controlled GPBO 22 April 2018.
Reed Bunting ringed Wrentham, Suffolk 21 December 2017; controlled GPBO 14 May 2018.
Great Tit ringed Kenilworth, Warwickshire 11 November 2017; controlled GPBO 30 March 2018.
Great Tit ringed Kilnsea, Yorkshire 28 March 2018; controlled GPBO 30 March 2018.

July 9th. Birds around included 21 Little Egret, 5 Grey Heron, 7 Little Ringed Plover, a Mediterranean Gull, 2 Snipe, a Green Woodpecker, 49 Swallow, 41 House Martin, and 6 Starling. On Tennyson's Sands were 14 Spoonbill and a Cetti's Warbler; and on the shore a male Pintail, 4 Whimbrel, 250 Curlew, 174 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Sanderling, 164 Dunlin, a Little Stint, 111 Redshank, 2 Yellow-legged Gull and 176 Sandwich Tern. Going south were 6 Common Scoter, 5 Little Egret, a Buzzard, the first Arctic Skua of the year and 19 Swift; and north 100 Common Scoter.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 13 new birds: a Wren, 6 Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Blackcap and 2 Dunnock; and 6 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, a Wren, 2 Great Tit and a Sedge Warbler.

Little Ringed Plover chicks brooded by parent, 9th July 2018.

Video  - Ben Ward

Recently fledged Spoonbill food begging, 9th July 2018.

Video  - Ben Ward

July 8th. On Tennyson's Sands were 11 Spoonbill and a Greenshank; on Jackson's Marsh 49 Black-tailed Godwit; and on Fenland Lagoon 6 Little Ringed Plover and a Green Sandpiper. Around were a Marsh Harrier, a Water Rail, 40 Curlew, 3 Snipe, a Grasshopper Warbler, a juvenile Redstart, 32 Swallow, 6 Starling, a Yellow Wagtail and a Grey Wagtail. Heading south were 5 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 8 new birds: a Wren, 2 Great Tit, 2 Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, a Goldfinch and a Blackcap; and 5 retraps: 2 Dunnock and 3 Great Tit.

Hummingbird Hawk-moth, 8th July 2018.
Video  - Ben Ward

Gatekeeper, 8th July 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward 

Six-spot Burnet Moth, nectaring on Vipers Bugloss, 8th July 2018.
Photo - Rob Watson

Little Ringed Plover, 8th July 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

July 7th. On the water bodies were 10 Spoonbill, a Little Ringed Plover and 130 Black-tailed Godwit. Birds around included 3 more Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, a Green Woodpecker, a juvenile Redstart, a Starling, 3 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 13 new birds: 3 Whitethroat, 3 Great Tit, a Sedge Warbler, a Linnet, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, a Goldfinch and a Blackcap; and 6 retraps: 3 Whitethroat, a Blue Tit, a Reed Bunting and a Wren.

Ringing Control:
Barn Owl, ringed GPBO 7 June 2014. Controlled Eastville, Lincolnshire 9 June 2018.

July 6th. On Jackson's Marsh were 100 Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Spoonbill (later on Tennyson's Sands). Around were 10 Stock Dove, 30 Swift, a Hobby, a Grasshopper Warbler and 2 Grey Wagtail. Flying south was a Whimbrel.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, including the seventh session of CES, with Mike Polling and Sam Prettyman, was productive. The 61 new birds were 6 Wren, a Chiffchaff, 3 Robin, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Great Tit, 12 Sedge Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 19 Whitethroat, a Reed Warbler, a Blue Tit, a Linnet and 3 Dunnock. The 26 retraps were 5 Sedge Warbler, 3 Blackbird, 2 Great Tit, 6 Dunnock, 6 Whitethroat, a Long-tailed Tit, a Chaffinch, a Willow Warbler and a Blackcap.

July 5th. Birds around included a Snipe, a Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, a Short-eared Owl, a Peregrine, a Hobby, 45 Swallow, a Yellow Wagtail, a Grasshopper Warbler and 40 Starling.On Tennyson's Sands was a Pochard; and on Jackson's Marsh were 6 Spoonbill, 2 Wigeon, 2 Teal, 94 Black-tailed Godwit, a Snipe and a Common Sandpiper. Heading south were a Little Ringed Plover, a Golden Plover, 4 Whimbrel, 40 Curlew, 80 Swift, 58 Sand Martin and 3 Yellow Wagtail; and north 3 Swift and a Sand Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, yielded 18 new birds: a Wren, 11 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap and 4 Dunnock; and 9 retraps: 5 Whitethroat, 3 Dunnock and a Chiffchaff.

July 4th. Flying south over Mill Hill at 1700hrs were 4 Bee-eater; and north a Swift. On Jackson's Marsh were 3 Spoonbill and 22 Black-tailed Godwit; on the Mere a Bearded Tit; on Tennyson's Sands a male Pochard; and on Croftmarsh 4 Little Ringed Plover. In the northern part of West Dunes was a Nuthatch. Around were a male Pintail, 2 Grey Heron, a Whimbrel, a Greenshank, a Green Woodpecker, a Peregrine, 12 Swallow and 17 Starling.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 19 new birds: 2 Wren, a Chiffchaff, 9 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, a Coal Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Swallow and a Dunnock; and 3 retraps: a Whitethroat, a Reed Bunting and a Chaffinch.

Late News of a Ringing Control:
Goldcrest, ringed GPBO 18 October 2015. Controlled Eversdorf, Germany 7 November 2015.

July 3rd. On Tennyson's Sands were 6 Spoonbill. Birds around were a Cuckoo, a Hobby, 5 Swallow and 25 Starling. Going south was a Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 10 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 6 Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Great Tit and a Great Spotted Woodpecker; and 5 retrap Whitethroat.

Great Spotted Woodpecker, ringed 3rd July 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

July 2nd. Around, including birds trapped, were a Spoonbill, 5 Grey Heron, 2 Grey Partridge, a Cuckoo, an adult male Redstart, 4 Swallow and 8 Starling.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 8 new birds: a Great Tit, 5 Whitethroat, a Redstart and a Coal Tit; and a retrap Whitethroat.

Redstart, ringed 2nd July 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Coal Tit, ringed 2nd July 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

July 1st. A Serin was discovered near Mill Hill. On Jackson's Marsh were 27 Black-tailed Godwit; and on Croftmarsh 3 Little Ringed Plover, a Common Sandpiper and a Snipe. Birds around included a 6 Spoonbill, a Grey Heron, a Marsh Harrier, a Hobby, 3 Jay, 15 Starling and 7 Swallow. Heading south were 2 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 13 new birds: a Wren, a Chiffchaff, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, a Blue Tit, 4 Great Tit, a Blackcap and a Dunnock; and 6 retraps: 3 Whitethroat, a Dunnock and 2 Blue Tit.

Late June 2018

June 30th. On Tennyson's Sands were 8 Spoonbill and a Whimbrel; and on Croftmarsh 2 Grey Heron. Around, including birds trapped, were 36 Curlew, 2 Greenshank, a Short-eared Owl, a Hobby, 35 Starling, a Yellow Wagtail and 11 Swallow.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 5 new birds: a Linnet, a Whitethroat, a Goldfinch, a Blackcap and a Swallow; and 7 retraps: a Great Tit, a Blue Tit, 4 Whitethroat and a Blackbird.
 In the Shorebird Sanctuary 5 pulli Little Tern were ringed.

Some specialist plants of the fore-dunes to look out for:

 Frosted Orache, 30th June 2018.

Photo - Kevin Wilson

Sea Rocket, 30th June 2018.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Prickly Saltwort, 30th June 2018.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

June 29th. On Tennyson's Sands were a Wigeon and 8 Spoonbill. Offshore was a Black Tern. Birds around, including those trapped, were 2 Grey Heron, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Curlew, a Mediterranean Gull, 40 Starling and 18 Swallow. Going north were 3 Arctic Tern.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 9 new birds: a Long-tailed Tit, a Linnet, 5 Whitethroat and 2 Starling; and 7 retraps: 2 Sedge Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, a Chaffinch and a Dunnock.

Black Tern, 29th June 2018.
Photo - Nige Lound

June 28th. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Spoonbill and a Common Sandpiper; and on Fenland Lagoon 2 Greenshank. Around were 35 Teal, a Marsh Harrier, a Spoonbill, a Ruff, 34 Black-tailed Godwit, a Mediterranean Gull, 3 Sandwich Tern, a Peregrine, 7 Swallow and 40 Starling. Heading south were 35 Curlew; and north a Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 6 new birds: a Blue Tit, 2 Whitethroat and 3 Dunnock; and 10 retraps: 3 Blue Tit, 4 Whitethroat, a Great Tit, a Robin and a Chaffinch.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling provided 14 new birds: a Wren, a Chaffinch, 5 Whitethroat, a Blue Tit, 2 Goldfinch, a Robin, 2 Dunnock and a Great Spotted Woodpecker; and 4 retraps: a Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat and a Blackcap.

 Pyramidal Orchids, 28h June 2018. 

Photo - Kevin Wilson

June 27th. A Glaucous Gull was discovered on the beach in the morning. On Tennyson's Sands were 5 Spoonbill. Birds around included 2 Eider, 30 Common Scoter, a Little Ringed Plover, 30 Curlew, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, a Spotted Redshank, 23 Sandwich Tern, 5 Stock Dove and 11 Swallow. Flying north were 2 Gannet.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 9 new birds: a Chaffinch, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat and a Sedge Warbler; and 4 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, a Wren and a Dunnock.

Glaucous Gull, 27th June 2018. 

Photo - Kevin Wilson

Grasshopper Warbler, 27th June 2018. 

Photo - Kevin Wilson

June 26th. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Spoonbill and a Spotted Redshank. Around were 2 Common Scoter, 2 Little Ringed Plover, a Black-tailed Godwit, 14 Starling and 3 Swallow. Going south were 37 Curlew; and north a Brent Goose, 16 Common Scoter and 55 Sandwich Tern.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 12 new birds: a Blackcap, 5 Great Tit, a Blue Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Linnet, a Robin, a Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 11 retraps: a Great Tit, 6 Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock, a Blue tit and a Blackcap.

Slender Centaury, now in flower along the edge of the Old Saltmarsh, 26th June 2018. 

Photo - Kevin Wilson

June 25th. On Tennyson's Sands were a Wigeon, 3 Spoonbill, 3 Little Ringed Plover, a Spotted Redshank and a Bearded Tit; and on Jackson's Marsh 10 Grey Heron. Birds around included 3 Turnstone, a Red Kite, a Cuckoo, a Merlin and 50 Starling. Flying south were 15 Curlew and 3 Swift.
 The sixth session of CES was done this morning. The 15 new birds were 5 Chiffchaff, a Wren, a Great Tit, 3 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Blue Tit and a Song Thrush. The 2 retraps were a Lesser Whitethroat and a Willow Warbler.

June 24th. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Spoonbill, 6 Knot and a Dunlin. Around were 39 Black-tailed Godwit and 45 Starling. Going south were 7 Curlew and a Swift; and north a Hobby.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 9 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Linnet, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat, a Blue Tit, 3 Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 7 retraps: a Great Tit, 3 Whitethroat, a Reed Bunting and 2 Blue Tit.

June 23rd. An immature Glaucous Gull flew in from the Wash onto Tennyson's Sands, where were also 3 Spoonbill, 40 Black-tailed Godwit, a Little Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin and a Spotted Redshank. On Fenland Lagoon was a Greenshank. Birds around included a Yellow-legged Gull, a Merlin, a Peregrine, a Spotted Redshank and 26 Starling. Heading south were 3 Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harrier, 4 Curlew, 107 Swift and a Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 5 new birds: 4 Whitethroat and a Starling; and 7 retraps: a Chaffinch, 2 Whitethroat, a Blackbird, a Sedge Warbler and 2 Dunnock.

Glaucous Gull, 23rd June 2018. 

Photo - Dave Hitchen

June 22nd. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Spoonbill, a Spotted Redshank and a Bearded Tit; and on Jackson's Marsh a Whimbrel and a Common Sandpiper. Around were 39 Black-tailed Godwit, a Yellow-legged Gull, 11 Sandwich Tern, a Hobby and 85 Starling. Flying north were 2 Fulmar and a Little Ringed Plover; and south a Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 4 new birds: 2 Wren and 2 Blue Tit; and 6 retraps: a Linnet, 3 Whitethroat, a Dunnock and a Great Tit.
 A Red-veined Darter was along Mill Pond Road.

 Red-veined Darter, 22nd June 2018. 

Photo - Ben Ward

Red-veined Darter, 22nd June 2018. 

Photo - Ben Ward

 Ruddy Darter, 22nd June 2018. 

Photo - Ben Ward

Common Darter, 22nd June 2018. 

Photo - Ben Ward

Small Skipper, 22nd June 2018. 

Photo - Ben Ward

June 21st. The Summer Solstice (The Longest Day). Increasing north-westerly wind.
 Around were 2 Grey Partridge, a Yellow-legged Gull, 200 Sandwich Tern, a Merlin, 16 Starling and a Crossbill. On Tennyson's Sands were a Little Ringed Plover and 24 Black-tailed Godwit. Going west were 2 Swift; north a Turtle Dove; and south a Crossbill.
 A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 2 new birds: a Whitethroat and a Blue Tit; and 7 retraps: 4 Whitethroat, a Blue Tit and 2 Great Tit.

Ringlet, 21st June 2018. 

Photo - Ben Ward

Mid June 2018

June 20th. Increasing south-westerly wind.

 Birds around included a Brent Goose, 2 Eider, 32 Black-tailed Godwit, a Kingfisher, a Hobby, 80 Starling and a Crossbill. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Spoonbill; on Jackson's Marsh a Green Sandpiper; and on Fenland Lagoon a Greenshank. Heading south were 5 Lapwing, 346 Swift, 2 Turtle Dove and a Swallow.
 A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 4 new birds: 2 Linnet, a Robin and a Dunnock; and 3 retraps: a Blue Tit and 2 Chaffinch.

June 19th. Around were 3 Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, 29 Black-tailed Godwit, a Greenshank, a Sandwich Tern, a Hobby and 65 Starling. Flying south were 15 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 19 new birds: a Wren, a Robin, 2 Blackcap, a Chaffinch, 4 Whitethroat, 4 Blue Tit, 2 Meadow Pipit, a Coal Tit, a Dunnock, a Blackbird and a Magpie; and 10 retraps: a Dunnock, 3 Great Tit, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Sedge Warbler, a Blackbird and a Whitethroat.

Sandwich Tern, 19th June 2018.

Video - Ben Ward

Coal Tit, ringed, 19th June 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Privet Hawk-moth, 19th June 2018.

Photo - Nige Lound 

Eyed Hawk-moth, 19th June 2018.

Photo - Nige Lound 

Sand Dart, 19th June 2018.

Photo - Nige Lound 

Lyme-grass, 19th June 2018.

Photo - Nige Lound 

Cream-bordered Green Pea 19th June 2018.

Photo - Nige Lound 

June 18th. Birds around included 5 Spoonbill, a Hen Harrier, a Whimbrel, 25 Black-tailed Godwit, a Mediterranean Gull, 2 Cuckoo, a Kingfisher, 2 Hobby and 2 Crossbill. Going south were 220 Swift.
 The fifth session of CES was done this morning. The 17 new birds were 2 Chiffchaff, a Wren, 2 Great Tit, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, a Robin, a Chaffinch, a Blackcap, a Swallow, a Blue Tit and a Dunnock. The 12 retraps were 4 Whitethroat, a Blue Tit, 2 Long-tailed Tit, a Sedge Warbler, 3 Dunnock and a Chiffchaff.

Spoonbills, 18th June 2018.
Video - Ben Ward

Ruddy Darter, 18th June 2018.

Photo - Kevin Wilson

Azure Damselflies, 18th June 2018.

Photo - Nige Lound

Many of the local Foxgloves are colour variants from the usual reddish purple.

White, spotless Foxglove, 18th June 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

White, spotted Foxglove, 18th June 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Pale mauve, spotted Foxglove, 18th June 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

June 17th. Birds around included a Red Kite, a Mediterranean Gull, 3 Sandwich Tern, a Hobby, a Peregrine, a Nuthatch (in Plantation), 3 Jay, 3 Crossbill and a Siskin. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Spoonbill and 25 Black-tailed Godwit. Heading south were 604 Swift, 2 Swallow and 40 Starling; and north 10 Starling.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 9 new birds: 2 Wren, a Reed Warbler, 2 Linnet, 3 Great Tit and a Dunnock; and 8 retraps: 6 Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler and a Great Tit.

Nuthatch, 17th June 2018.

Photo - James Siddle

Meadow Brown, 17th June 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

June 16th. Around were 3 Brent Goose, 5 Eider, 2 Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, a Whimbrel, 29 Black-tailed Godwit, a Cuckoo, a Merlin and 4 Swallow. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Little Gull. Flying south were 14 Sandwich Tern, 584 Swift, 37 Starling and a Serin; and north 12 Common Scoter.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 9 new birds: 6 Linnet, a Reed Warbler, a Blackcap and a Whitethroat; and 2 retraps: a Chaffinch and a Whitethroat.

Little Gulls, 16th June 2018.

Photo - James Siddle

June 15th. A first summer Caspian Gull was discovered amongst the evening high tide roost. Birds around included 5 Common Scoter, a Mediterranean Gull, 3 Yellow-legged Gull, a Cuckoo, a Kingfisher and 4 Swallow. Going south were 1600 Swift, 45 Starling, a Sand Martin and 2 House Martin. In off the sea came 3 Grey Heron.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 15 new birds: a Long-tailed Tit, a Willow Warbler, a Wren, 2 Chaffinch, 4 Whitethroat, 3 Linnet, a Reed Warbler, a Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 15 retraps: a Chaffinch, a Whitethroat, 10 Long-tailed Tit, a Great Tit and 2 Dunnock.

Caspian Gull, 15th June 2018.

Video - Ben Ward

Late evening, 15th June 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

June 14th. Strong south-westerly wind.
 On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Spoonbill and a Spotted Redshank. Around were a 34 Black-tailed Godwit, a Turnstone, 2 Sandwich Tern, a Kittiwake, 3 Cuckoo and 2 Hobby. Heading south were 5 Red Kite, 2114 Swift, a Hobby, 14 Swallow, 173 House Martin and 21 Starling.

Spotted Redshank, 14th June 2018.

Video - Ben Ward 

June 13th. A ringtail Montagu's Harrier was discovered late afternoon, initially south through the reserve and out into The Wash. Later in the evening it was seen to come back in off the sea and head north, also in the evening a first summer Glaucous Gull was out from Mill Hill. Birds around included 44 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, 2 Sandwich Tern, 44 Common Gull, a Cuckoo, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Hobby and 2 Siskin. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Spoonbill. Flying south were a Red Kite, 10 Lapwing, 271 Swift and 48 Starling.
 A presumed escape Pied Crow (probably the one seen at Spurn earlier) was photographed on the fuel tank near the moored yachts.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 7 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Linnet, 2 Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, a Dunnock and a Mistle Thrush; and 5 retraps: a Sedge Warbler, 2 Great Tit and 2 Dunnock.

Thanks to Mick Widdowson and Derek Moseley for providing the following images of the Pied Crow:

Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 13th June 2018.
Video - Ben Ward 

Mistle Thrush, ringed 13th June 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Large Skipper, female, 13th June 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

Large Skipper, male, 13th June 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

Thanks to Dave Hitchen for this photo of a Privet Hawk-moth found locally.

June 12th. Birds around included a Marsh Harrier, 2 Cuckoo, 13 Swift and a Green Woodpecker. On Tennyson's Sands were 5 Spoonbill and 44 Black-tailed Godwit. Going south were 3 Spoonbill, 4 Gannet, 9 Swift and 6 Starling; and north 2 Swift and 6 House Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 6 new birds: a Wren, 2 Blue Tit, a Chaffinch, a Whitethroat and a Goldfinch; and 4 retraps: 2 Dunnock and 2 Great Tit.

Copulating Avocets, 12th June 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward 

Black-tailed Skimmer, 12th June 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

Spoonbills, 12th June 2018.

Photo - Paul Johnson

 Great Spotted Woodpecker nestling, 12th June 2018.

Photo - Paul Johnson

Whitethroat, 12th June 2018.

Photo - Paul Johnson

Blackbird, 12th June 2018.

Photo - Paul Johnson

June 11th. Around were 2 Grey Partridge, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Grey Plover, 61 Sanderling, 93 Dunlin, a Kittiwake, 2 Cuckoo, a Hobby, a Black Redstart (by the Visitor Centre) and 2 Crossbill. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Spoonbill and 42 Black-tailed Godwit.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 3 new birds: a Chiffchaff and 2 Blackbird; and 4 retraps: 2 Great Tit, a Dunnock and a Whitethroat.