Late July 2014

July 31st. Around were a Montagu's Harrier, 2 Marsh Harrier and a Hobby. On Tennyson Sands were a Spoonbill, a Green Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper. Going south were 250 Sand Martin, 120 Swallow, 15 House Martin and a Rose-ringed Parakeet (of perhaps uncertain provenance).
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 9 new birds: 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Linnet, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 6 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, a Blackcap and 3 Wren.
 A longer ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling was more successful. The 32 new birds were 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Wren, a Goldfinch, 5 Blackcap, 3 Great Tit, 8 Whitethroat, a Robin, a Linnet, a Chaffinch, 3 Dunnock, 4 Greenfinch and a Magpie. The 26 retraps were 9 Great Tit, 4 Blue Tit, 2 Robin, 3 Dunnock, a Blackbird, 5 Chaffinch, a Whitethroat and a Wren.
 A Painted Lady was in East Dunes, and another was at Aylmer Avenue.

Moulting Montagu's Harrier, 31 July 2014.
Photo - Chris Tyler
July 30th. The White-rumped Sandpiper remained on Tennyson Sands. Also there were an adult Mediterranean Gull and 3 Little Ringed Plover. Birds around included a Marsh Harrier. Heading south were 300 Sand Martin, 200 Swallow and 15 House Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes was disappointing. The new birds were a Whitethroat and a Dunnock; and the retraps were a Wren and a Dunnock.

July 29th. A Broad-billed Sandpiper was discovered on Tennyson Sands, where the White-rumped Sandpiper was re-found early morning, but flew off. Other birds there were 2 Spoonbill, a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 3 Common Sandpiper and a Greenshank. Around were 3 Marsh Harrier, a Hobby, a juvenile Bullfinch, a Garden Warbler, 2 Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, 4 Little Ringed Plover and 18 Greenshank.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 7 new birds: 2 Wren, 2 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Robin and a Dunnock; and 5 retraps: a Great Tit, a Dunnock, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Whitethroat.

White-rumped Sandpiper on Tennyson's Sands
Photo - Russell Hayes
White-rumped Sandpiper on Tennyson's Sands
Photo - Paul Neale   
Broad-billed Sandpiper on Tennyson's Sands
Photo - Paul Neale
July 28th. A White-rumped Sandpiper  was discovered on Tennyson Sands, where the Spoonbill remained. Around were 2 Hobby, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Cuckoo, 3 Arctic Skua, a Green Sandpiper, 10 Common Sandpiper, 21 Greenshank and 3 Whimbrel. Heading north were 300 Sand Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 9 new birds: 3 Wren, 2 Willow Warbler, a Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and a Linnet; and 5 retraps: a Wren, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Whitethroat and a Dunnock.

Noisy juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker, retrapped 28 July 2014.
Photo - George Gregory
July 27th. Rain early morning, then increasingly sunny.
 On the water bodies or around were a Spoonbill, 16 Greenshank, a Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Ruff, a Mediterranean Gull and 4 Common Sandpiper. North went 2 Manx Shearwater.
 A delayed morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 5 new birds: singles of Wren, Whitethroat, Linnet, Starling and Green Woodpecker; and 4 retraps: singles of Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Blue Tit and Wren.
 A delayed morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, by David and Liv Vincent, resulted in 39 new birds and 30 retraps. The new birds were 12 Chaffinch, 9 Greenfinch, 4 Goldfinch, 4 Robin, 2 Great Tit, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Reed Warbler, a Linnet, a Dunnock and a Chiffchaff. The retraps were 13 Great Tit, 8 Chaffinch, 4 Blue Tit, 3 Robin, a Dunnock and a Whitethroat.

Noisy juvenile Green Woodpecker, ringed 27 July 2014.
Photo - George Gregory
July 26th. Around were a Spoonbill, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, 3 Mediterranean Gull, a Greenshank, a Curlew Sandpiper and 1000 Sandwich Tern. Flying south were 65 Swallow, and north, later, 800 Sand Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 10 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 2 Wren, a Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Bunting, a Robin and a Blackbird; and 3 retraps: singles of Dunnock, Reed Bunting and Linnet.

July 25th. Birds around included 2 Spoonbill, 6 Mistle Thrush, 350 Starling, 60 Sandwich Tern and 3 Yellow Wagtail. Heading south were 11 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 5 new birds: a Willow Warbler, 2 Linnet, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Whitethroat; and 4 retraps: 3 Whitethroat and a Sedge Warbler.

July 24th. Cloudy start, then hot and sunny.
 Going south were 4 Whimbrel.
 The ninth session of CES was done this morning, with Mike Polling. The 10 new birds were 2 Chiffchaff, a Wren, a Robin, 3 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat and a Linnet; and the retraps were 2 Whitethroat.

July 23rd. Fairly strong northerly wind.
 On Jackson's Marsh were 4 Greenshank, 30 Little Egret and 6 Grey Heron, and on Tennyson Sands 2 Little Ringed Plover, a Whimbrel, 2 Ruff, 2 Snipe and a Mediterranean Gull. Flying south were 3 Whimbrel and 8 Swallow.
 A brief, wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded just a new Wren and a retrap Wren.

July 22nd. Around were a first-summer Montagu's Harrier, a Tree Pipit, 3 Yellow Wagtail, a Short-eared Owl and a Grey Heron. Heading south were 6 Whimbrel, 35 Swallow and 7 Sand Martin. In off the sea came a Wood Sandpiper.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided just 4 new birds: a Wren, a Linnet and 2 Dunnock.

July 21st. Birds around included 5 Whimbrel, a Greenshank and 2 Grasshopper Warbler. South flew 11 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 11 new birds: 2 Wren, a Chiffchaff, 3 Linnet, 3 Whitethroat, a Blackcap and a Dunnock; and 3 retraps: 2 Whitethroat and a Dunnock.

Mid July 2014

July 20th. Cloudy and humid.
 Around were 4000 Starling. Flying south were 2 Swallow, 100 Whimbrel and a Kittiwake.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 14 new birds: 3 Wren, 5 Whitethroat, 2 Linnet, a Blackcap, a Reed Bunting and 2 Dunnock; and 7 retraps: 3 Whitethroat, a Dunnock, a Linnet and 2 Wren.
 A longer ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 37 new birds and 59 retraps. The new birds were 5 Chiffchaff, 5 Great Tit, 5 Dunnock, 4 Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch, 3 Greenfinch, 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Robin and singles of Wren, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Linnet and Great Spotted Woodpecker. The retraps were 24 Great Tit, 18 Blue Tit, 7 Chaffinch, 3 Dunnock, 2 Whitethroat and singles of Chiffchaff, Robin, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

July 19th. Occasional light showers in morning.
 Birds around included 2 Whimbrel, 2 Greenshank, 2 Arctic Skua and 100 Sandwich Tern. Heading south were 3 Swallow and 52 Oystercatcher, and north 13 Manx Shearwater.
 A late morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 11 new birds: 4 Wren, a Blackcap, 3 Linnet, a Reed Bunting, a Whitethroat and a Dunnock; and 5 retraps: a Wren, a Goldfinch, 2 Dunnock and a Whitethroat.

Early stage of moult in right wing of adult Wren (left wing was symmetrical), 19 July 2014.
Photo - George Gregory
July 18th. Quite strong easterly wind.
 Around were a Short-eared Owl and a Whimbrel. Offshore were 50 Gannet, 60 Sandwich Tern, 60 Common Scoter and 15 Eider. Flying north were 2 Sooty shearwater, 9 Manx Shearwater and 2 Fulmar.
 A brief, wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 2 new birds: a Wren and a Linnet; and 3 retraps: 2 Great Tit and a Whitethroat.

July 17th. Misty start, then sunny.
Birds around included a Greenshank and a Marsh Harrier.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 17 new birds: 5 Wren, a Treecreeper, 5 Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, a Great Tit, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, a Dunnock and a Woodpigeon; and 6 retraps: 3 Dunnock, 2 Whitethroat and a Wren.
 A longer ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling, using just the feeding station nets, was very productive. The 75 new birds were 2 Chiffchaff, 8 Blue Tit, 23 Great Tit, 18 Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinch, a Whitethroat, 17 Greenfinch, 2 Dunnock, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Magpie. The 50 retraps were 30 Great Tit, 2 Dunnock, 11 Blue Tit, 3 Chaffinch, a Greenfinch, 2 Goldfinch and a Whitethroat.

Sunrise and mist over Old Saltmarsh, 17 July 2014.
Photo - George Gregory
Grasshopper Warbler, ringed 17 July 2014.
Photo - George Gregory
July 16th. Around were 6 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Whimbrel and a Marsh Harrier. Flying south were 2 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 19 new birds: 2 Wren, 4 Whitethroat, 8 Linnet, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Reed Bunting, a Skylark and a Dunnock; and 7 retraps: 3 Dunnock, 2 Wren, a Blue Tit and a Linnet.

Fledgling Lesser Whitethroat, ringed 16 July 2014.
Photo - George Gregory
Adult Skylark, ringed 16 July 2015.
Photo - George Gregory
July 15th. Birds around included 2 Hobby, a Marsh Harrier, a juvenile Cuckoo, a Grey Wagtail, 2 Whimbrel, a Green Sandpiper, 14 Greenshank and 2 Common Sandpiper. South went 15 Whimbrel, 2000 Swallow, 8 Sand Martin, 6 House Martin and 11 Swift.
 The eighth session of CES was done this morning, but the results were disappointing. The 9 new birds were 3 Chiffchaff, a Treecreeper, a Wren, a Blackcap and 3 Whitethroat. The 4 retraps were 2 Dunnock, a Treecreeper and a Chiffchaff.

July 14th. A Black-winged Pratincole was discovered on Tennyson Sands. After flying off once and returning, it eventually flew off south towards the Wash. Also on Tennyson Sands were a Spoonbill, 4 Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper and a Mediterranean Gull. Around was a juvenile Cuckoo. Going south were 300 Swallow, 25 Sand Martin and 4 House Martin.
 A late morning ringing session in East Dunes was not productive. The news were 2 Wren and a Blue Tit; and the only retrap was a Whitethroat.

Black-winged Pratincole, 14 July 2014.
Videograb - Kevin Wilson

July 13th. Around were a Stone Curlew, a Spoonbill, 18 Common Sandpiper, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, a Whimbrel, 16 Greenshank, 40 Sandwich Tern, an Arctic Skua and a juvenile Cuckoo. Flying south were 4 Spoonbill, 12 Sand Martin and 35 Swallow.
 A brief morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 12 new birds: 2 Wren, a Chiffchaff, a Sedge Warbler, a Blackcap, 6 Linnet and a Dunnock; and 6 retraps: singles of Whitethroat, Blackcap, Linnet, Willow Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and Dunnock.

July 12th. Damp morning mist gradually cleared.
 Around were 3 Whimbrel, a Siskin, 3 Grasshopper Warbler, a juvenile Cuckoo, a Marsh Harrier, 211 Shelduck and 1600 Starling. On the water bodies were a Kingfisher, 2 Little Ringed Plover and 16 Greenshank.
 A delayed morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 6 new birds: a Wren, a Reed Bunting, 2 Linnet, a Meadow Pipit and a Whitethroat; and 6 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat, a Wren, a Dunnock, 2 Whitethroat and a Sedge Warbler.

July 11th. Around was a Whimbrel. On or by Roadside Pond were a Kingfisher, a Greenshank and a Green Sandpiper. South went 4 Swift and north a Fulmar.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 10 new birds: a Wren, 5 Linnet, 2 Whitethroat, a Goldfinch and a Reed Bunting; and 6 retraps: a Wren, 3 Whitethroat, a Dunnock and a Great Tit.
 A nest-box check revealed a late brood of Great Tit in a box where a previous brood was present over two months before, and a Stock Dove nest with an egg, the beginning of an apparent second brood.

Early July 2014

July 10th. Rain most of day.
 There were few records. On the water bodies were 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper and 6 Greenshank.
 No ringing was attempted.

July 9th. Around were 16 Mistle Thrush and a Marsh Harrier.  On the water bodies were a Mediterranean Gull, a Little Gull, 13 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper and 2 Little Ringed Plover. Flying south were a Sand Martin and 3 Yellow Wagtail, and north 9 Manx Shearwater and 4 Arctic Skua.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 9 new birds: a Wren, a Chiffchaff, 4 Whitethroat, a Linnet, a Chaffinch and a Blackcap; and 6 retraps: 2 Wren, a Dunnock, a Whitethroat and 2 Blue Tit.

July 8th. Around were a Redstart and a Green Sandpiper. South went a Yellow Wagtail and 8 Sand Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes was productive, due mainly to a mixed feeding flock passing through. The 36 new birds were a Wren, 20 Long-tailed Tit, a Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 8 Whitethroat, 3 Blue Tit and a Dunnock. The 12 retraps were 2 Whitethroat, 9 Long-tailed Tit and a Dunnock.

July 7th. Birds around included a Marsh Harrier and 2000 Starling. On Jackson's Marsh were a Green Sandpiper and 3 Greenshank, and on Tennyson Sands a Mediterranean Gull. Moving south were an Arctic Skua, 7 Little Ringed Plover, 300 Sand Martin and 30 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 7 new birds: a Treecreeper, a Wren, a Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, a Whitethroat and a Sedge Warbler; and 3 retraps: 2 Whitethroat and a Dunnock.
 A check of the owl boxes produced surprising results, considering that no breeding was detected during previous checks earlier in the year. On site there are now three pairs. One adult and three well-grown pulli were ringed, and two adult controls (ringed elsewhere) or retraps were caught.

Treecreeper, ringed 7th July 2014.
Photo - George Gregory
Barn Owl, ringed 7th July 2014.
Photo - George Gregory
July 6th. Around were a Marsh Harrier, a Whimbrel, 10 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper and 250 Sandwich Tern. On Tennyson Sands was a Mediterranean Gull, on Jackson's Marsh a Little Ringed Plover, and on the Mere a Scaup. Heading south were a Hobby, a Grey Heron, 50 Common Scoter, 15 Knot, 9 Dunlin, 58 Sand Martin and 23 Swift; and north 6 Manx Shearwater.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 10 new birds: a Sedge Warbler, 4 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Great Tit and 3 Dunnock; and 7 retraps: 5 Dunnock, a Whitethroat and a Chaffinch.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David and Liv Vincent, which included the 7th C.E.S session of the year, resulted in a total of 33 new birds and 32 retraps. Of the C.E.S nets the new birds were 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Dunnock, 2 Wren, 2 Great Tit, 2 Blackcap and singles of Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Lesser Whitethroat, Magpie and Yellowhammer. The retraps were 7 Whitethroat, 3 Great Tit, 3 Dunnock, a Robin and a Willow Warbler. Of the other nets the new birds were 4 Chaffinch, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit and singles of Wren, Robin, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Song Thrush. The retraps were 7 Blue Tit, 5 Great Tit, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and singles of Wren, Robin and Willow Warbler.

July 5th. Rain until late morning.
 On Tennyson Sands were 3 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper and 5 Snipe. Flying south were 6 Golden Plover and 350 Swift.
 No ringing was attempted.

July 4th. Increasing south-westerly wind.
 Around was a Short-eared Owl. On the water bodies were a Spotted Redshank, 5 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Green Sandpiper, a Greenshank, 4 Snipe, a Common Sandpiper and a Grasshopper Warbler. South went 65 Swift and 28 Starling.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 5 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock; and a retrap Dunnock.

July 3rd. Around was a Grey Heron. Tennyson Sands held 8 Little Ringed Plover. South went 500 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 8 new birds: 2 Wren, a Lesser Whitethroat and 5 Whitethroat; and 4 retraps: 2 Whitethroat and 2 Great Tit.
 A longer ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling provided 17 new birds: 3 Wren, 5 Whitethroat, 2 Chaffinch, a Goldfinch, a Blue Tit, a Linnet, a Pied Wagtail, 2 Great Tit and a Dunnock; and 25 retraps: 4 Chaffinch, 10 Blue Tit, a Coal Tit, 2 Dunnock, 2 Linnet, 2 Chiffchaff, a Whitethroat, a Great Tit, a Wren and a Lesser Whitethroat.

July 2nd. On Tennyson Sands were a Kingfisher, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin and 4 Sandwich Tern. Jackson's Marsh held a Green Sandpiper and a Greenshank. South went 1500 Swift, 65 Sand Martin and 4 Starling. Around were a Marsh Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, a male Merlin, an adult Mediterranean Gull and at least 3 Barn Owl.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes was quite productive. The 24 new birds were a Willow Warbler, a Wren, 2 Great Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Blackcap, 11 Whitethroat, a Meadow Pipit and 6 Dunnock. The 6 retraps were a Goldfinch, 2 Whitethroat, a Great Tit, a Dunnock and a Blue Tit.

July 1st. Around was a Cuckoo. On Tennyson Sands were 6 Little Ringed Plover, a Dunlin and a Greenshank.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 6 new birds: a Wren, a Meadow Pipit, a Reed Bunting and 3 Whitethroat; and 4 retraps: singles of Great Tit, Dunnock, Wren and Whitethroat.