May 19th: A Golden Oriole was heard singing. Also around were a Little Stint, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Little Gull, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Short-eared Owls and a Cuckoo. Heading north were 3 Gannets. A Red-backed Shrike appeared late in East Dunes.
Ringing this morning on East Dunes produced the first very juvenile Goldfinch of the year, as well as an old female Reed Bunting resembling a male. The wing length and weight of this bird, as well as lack of a complete white collar and presence of a well-developed brood patch, confirmed that it was a female.
May 18th: A Marsh Harrier appeared briefly early morning. Around were a Little Stint, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Little Gull and 2 Mediterranean Gulls.
Two British-ringed birds, a male Chaffinch and a Whitethroat, were controlled in East Dunes this morning.
May 17th: A quiet day. After all the wind and rain a few more warblers and other land birds were apparent. The best birds were 26 Crossbills flying around.
May 16th: Westward went a Honey Buzzard. A Cuckoo, a Common Buzzard, 3 Marsh Harriers, a Corn Bunting, 2 Wheatears, 13 Swifts and 2 Turtle Doves were present.
The second CES session was done this morning, resulting in 7 new birds ringed and 6 retraps.
May 15th: The Golden Oriole was relocated in East Dunes. Around were a male Montagu's Harrier, 2 Turtle Doves, a Cuckoo, a Treecreeper and a Short-eared Owl. Heading east were 2 Common Cranes.
A Reed Warbler was trapped in East Dunes this morning.
May 14th: A female/immature Golden Oriole was seen mostly in East Dunes. A Red Kite, and many hirundines and Swifts flew south. A Short-eared Owl, a Hobby, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, 4 Turtle Doves and a Cuckoo were prominent.
May 13th: Around were 2 Turtle Doves, a Cuckoo and a Short-eared Owl.
Birds ringed in East Dunes this morning included a Spotted Flycatcher, a Wheatear and a Garden Warbler.
female Wheatear (George Gregory)
May 12th: An unseasonal Pink-footed Goose and 3 Crossbills were of note. A Cuckoo was around and there was a small movement of hirundines and Swifts south.
A British-ringed Whitethroat was controlled in East Dunes this morning.
May 11th: A windy day. A Red-rumped Swallow, 403 Swifts, 187 Swallows, 61 House Martins, 3 Turtle Doves, 32 Yellow Wagtails, 139 Linnets, 104 Goldfinches, 3 Marsh Harriers and a Common Buzzard flew south. A Red Kite, 2 Cuckoos, a Whimbrel, 68 Little Terns, 4 Common Terns, an Arctic Tern and 3 more Turtle Doves were present.
