Late September 2016

September 30th. Birds around, including those trapped, were a ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Marsh Harrier, 55 Brent Goose, 7 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 150 Black-tailed Godwit, a Ruff, 3 Water Rail, a Kingfisher, 9 Goldcrest, 15 Chiffchaff, a Reed Warbler, a Whitethroat, 3 Stonechat and 2 Whinchat. Going south were 700 Meadow Pipit, 890 Linnet, 510 Goldfinch, 385 Reed Bunting, 95 House Martin, 60 Swallow, 40 Chaffinch, 42 Siskin, 7 House Sparrow and 35 Tree Sparrow; and south-east 300 Pink-footed Goose.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 36 new birds: 4 Wren, 6 Goldcrest, 9 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, a Linnet, a Reed Warbler, a Whitethroat, a Chaffinch, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Robin and 6 Dunnock; and 6 retraps: a Robin, 3 Dunnock, a Wren and a Blackcap.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling yielded 15 new birds: a Goldcrest, 2 Wren, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Robin, a Blue Tit, a Blackcap, 5 Dunnock and a Kestrel; and 7 retraps: a Long-tailed Tit, 5 Dunnock and a Great Tit.

Adult Whitethroat, ringed 30th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
September 29th.  Moderately strong south-east wind, slowly decreasing; some brief, light early morning rain.
 Around were 45 Brent Goose, 2 Spotted Redshank, 3 Ruff and 4 Greenshank. Heading south were 54 Red-throated Diver, 45 Sandwich Tern, 104 Gannet, 7 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Scaup, a Razorbill, a Guillemot, a Mediterranean Gull, 5900 Swallow, 18 Sand Martin, 2780 House Martin, 1390 Meadow Pipit, 4 Rock Pipit, 11 Grey Wagtail, 38 Alba Wagtail, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 850 Linnet, 200 Goldfinch and a Siskin.

September 28th. Birds around included 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Marsh Harrier, 17 Pintail, 5 Spotted Redshank, 7 Greenshank, 173 Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Snipe, 22 Ruff, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Water Rail, 38 Little Grebe, 2 Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker and a Wheatear. Flying south were a Great Northern Diver, 3 Swallow, 17 Sand Martin, 2 Grey Wagtail, a Siskin and 4 Tree Sparrow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 4 new birds: 2 Wren, a Blackcap and a Reed Bunting; and 3 retraps: a Wren and 2 Robin.

September 27th. Fresh south-westerly wind.
 Around, including birds trapped, were 12 Pintail, 5 Spotted Redshank, 6 Greenshank, 4 Ruff, 6 Snipe, 149 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Water Rail, a Green Woodpecker, a Kingfisher, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Chiffchaff and 12 Goldcrest. Highlights going south were a Manx Shearwater, 10 Arctic Skua, a Great Skua, a Black-throated Diver and 23 Red-throated Diver. Otherwise there was routine passage overhead and offshore.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 9 new birds: 6 Goldcrest, a Robin and 2 Blackcap; and 5 retraps: singles of Robin, Wren, Blackcap, Goldcrest and Blackbird.

September 26th. Birds around included 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 45 Brent Goose, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Peregrine, a Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Greenshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, 13 Ruff, 11 Snipe, 2 Jack Snipe, 155 Black-tailed Godwit, a Water Rail, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Whinchat and 7 Stonechat. Heading south were a Richard's Pipit, a Pomarine Skua, 16 Arctic Skua, a Grey Heron, 2 Goosander, a Red-breasted Merganser, 80 Reed Bunting, 800 Meadow Pipit, 350 House Martin, 120 Swallow, 2 Grey Wagtail, 200 Linnet and 20 Siskin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 54 new birds: 7 Wren, 19 Goldcrest, 12 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 4 Robin, 2 Reed Bunting, a Linnet, a Chaffinch, a Meadow Pipit, a Dunnock and a Song Thrush; and 6 retraps: 3 Dunnock and 3 Long-tailed Tit.

Vestal, 26th September 2016.
Photo - Kevin Wilson
September 25th. Gradually decreasing south-westerly wind; some brief, light early morning rain.
 Around were 6 Spoonbill, 9 Spotted Redshank, 14 Ruff, 3 Greenshank, 350 Golden Plover, 6 Snipe, 20 Pintail, 150 Wigeon, a Kingfisher, a singing Cetti's Warbler and a Yellow Wagtail. South at sea went a Grey Phalarope, 2 Black Tern and 20 Arctic Skua.
 A delayed morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 16 new birds: a Wren, 2 Goldcrest, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, a Linnet, a Dunnock and a Woodpigeon; and 2 retraps: a Linnet and a Dunnock.

Common Sandpiper, 25th September 2016.
Photo - Philip Millns
Spotted Redshanks, 25th September 2016.
Photo - Philip Millns
Migrant Hawker, 25th September 2016.
Photo - Rob Watson
September 24th.  Moderately strong south-south-westerly wind.
 Birds around, including those trapped, were a Yellow-browed Warbler, 4 Spoonbill, 5+ Spotted Redshank, 4 Greenshank, 2 Snipe, 9 Ruff and a Kingfisher. Flying south were a juvenile Pomarine Skua, a Sooty Shearwater, 43 Arctic Skua, 105 Gannet, 198 Sandwich Tern, a Yellow-legged Gull, a Marsh Harrier, 5 Grey Wagtail, 65 Swallow and 40 Meadow Pipit.
 A brief, wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 7 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, a Blue Tit and 2 Dunnock; and 3 retraps: singles of Blue Tit, Kingfisher and Dunnock.

Synchronised preening, 24th September 2016.
Photo - Philip Millns
Kingfisher, retrapped 24th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
September 23rd. Around were 6 Yellow-browed Warbler, 6 Spoonbill, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 5 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, a Kingfisher, a Common Buzzard, a Pied Flycatcher, 20 Chiffchaff and 3 Whinchat. Going south were 2 Common Buzzard, 2 Tree Pipit, 260 Meadow Pipit, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 11 Siskin, 2 House Martin and 45 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 16 new birds: 2 Wren, a Goldcrest, a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Great Tit, 4 Blackcap, 2 Robin and 4 Dunnock; and 4 retraps: singles of Dunnock, Robin, Whitethroat and Wren.


Whinchat, 23rd September 2016.
Photo - Philip Millns
Stonechat, 23rd September 2016.
Photo - Philip Millns
September 22nd. Birds around included 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 4 Spoonbill, a Hobby, a Merlin, 40000 Knot, 2000 Grey Plover, 5500 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, 21 Ruff, a Snipe, 5 Whinchat and 4 Stonechat. Heading south were a Great Northern Diver, a Long-tailed Duck, a Great Skua, 4 Arctic Skua, a Whimbrel, 24 Brent Goose, 65 Sandwich Tern, 700 Meadow Pipit, 4 Rock Pipit, 560 House Martin, 200 Swallow, a Sand Martin, 32 Linnet, 13 Siskin, 16 Alba Wagtail, 9 Grey Wagtail, 410 Wigeon and 9 Pintail; and north 17 Brent Goose
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, provided 8 new birds: a Wren, 3 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, a Robin, a Blackcap and a Dunnock; and 4 retraps: 2 Dunnock, a Blackbird and a Wren.

Curlew Sandpiper, 22nd September 2016.
Curlew Sandpiper, 22nd September 2016.
Snipe, 22nd September 2016.
September 21st. Around were a Yellow-browed Warbler, 4 Spoonbill, a Peregrine, 2 Greenshank, 15 Ruff, 5 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat and a Lapland Bunting. Flying south were a Hawfinch, a Lapland Bunting and 7 Swallow; and north-west 29 Pink-footed Goose.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 18 new birds: 2 Wren, a Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, 3 Robin, a Chaffinch, 3 Blackcap, 6 Dunnock and a Woodpigeon; and 8 retraps: 2 Wren, a Blackbird, a Dunnock, a Robin, a Blue Tit and 2 Great Tit.

Mid September 2016

September 20th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, 4 Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, 10 Pintail, 4 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, 27 Ruff, 94 Black-tailed Godwit, a Snipe, 5 Brent Goose, 30 Pink-footed Goose, a Green Woodpecker, a Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, 2 Tree Pipit, a Sedge Warbler and 3 Reed Warbler. Going south were 35 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 11 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, a Sedge Warbler, a Reed Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, a Goldfinch, a Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 6 retraps: 5 Dunnock and a Goldcrest.

September 19th. There were 3 Yellow-browed Warbler present: 1 trapped and ringed in East Dunes, and 2 around Beach Car Park. Around, including birds trapped, were 4 Spoonbill, 4 Pink-footed Goose, 5 Brent Goose, 11 Pintail, a Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Whimbrel, 3 Spotted Redshank, 4 Greenshank, 27 Ruff, 2 Kingfisher, 4 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, a Redstart, a Spotted Flycatcher, 35 Goldcrest, a Reed Warbler and a Garden Warbler. Heading south were 1500 Swallow, 2 Grey Wagtail, a Tree Pipit and 2 Tree Sparrow; and east 61Pink-footed Goose.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 32 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Wren, 2 Willow Warbler, a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Robin, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, a Redstart, 8 Dunnock, 5 Song Thrush, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Kingfisher; and 8 retraps: a Robin, 4 Dunnock, a Garden Warbler, a Wren and a Reed Warbler.

Yellow-browed Warbler, ringed 19th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
Kingfisher, ringed 19th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
High tide near Bird Observatory, 19th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
September 18th. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 Spoonbill, a Lapland Bunting, a Little Stint, 7 Spotted Redshank, 4 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, 10 Ruff, 196 Black-tailed Godwit, 5930 Bar-tailed Godwit, 67000 Knot, 2 Snipe, a Scaup, 2 Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, a Redstart, a Wheatear, a Whinchat, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Pied Flycatcher, a Tree Pipit, 2 Garden Warbler, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Sedge Warbler and a Reed Warbler. Offshore were a Sabine's Gull, a Red-throated Diver and 100 Common Scoter. Flying south were a possible juvenile White-winged Black Tern, 3 Red-throated Diver, 50 Common Scoter, 14 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, 7 Arctic Skua, 6 Common Buzzard, 940 Meadow Pipit, 3 Grey Wagtail, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Siskin, 65 Swallow, 2 Sand Martin and 11 House Martin; north a black Tern; and south-east 10 Pink-footed Goose. In from the north-east came 3 Brent Goose.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 21 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, a Goldcrest, 4 Robin, a Tree Pipit, a Garden Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Blackcap, a Great Tit, a Swallow, 3 Dunnock and a Sparrowhawk; and 5 retraps: singles of Wren, Reed Warbler, Great Tit, Robin, Dunnock and Blackbird.
 Chris Bottomer found 2 male Willow Emerald Damselflies (see photographs below). As well as being a new species for the reserve, this is almost certainly the most northerly UK record for this species.

Shorebirds, 18th September 2016.
Photo - James Siddle
Tree Pipit, ringed 18th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
Sparrowhawk, ringed 18th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
Willow Emerald Damselfly, 18th September 2016.
Photo - Chris Bottomer
Willow Emerald Damselfly, 18th September 2016.
Photo - Chris Bottomer
Comma, 18th September 2016.
Photo - Rob Watson
September 17th. Soggy start. Moderately strong north-easterly wind, gradually decreasing.
Around, including birds trapped, were a Great White Egret, 5 Spoonbill, 55000 Knot, a Hobby, 2 Wheatear, a Rock Pipit (first of autumn), 5 Song Thrush, a Garden Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff and 8 Goldcrest. Sea-watching produced 62 Sooty Shearwater, 16 Manx Shearwater, a Great Skua, 10 Arctic Skua and 14 Fulmar north; 6 Red-throated Diver south; a Slavonian Grebe offshore; and a Pomarine Skua over the beach. South over land went 31 Pink-footed Goose, 26 Swallow, 8 House Martin, 3 Yellow Wagtail and 17 Meadow Pipit.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 11 new birds: a Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Robin, a Meadow Pipit, a Dunnock and 3 Song Thrush; and 2 retraps: a Garden Warbler and a Whitethroat.

Great White Egret, 17th September 2016.
Photo - Garry Wright
A link to video of waders, by Stuart Ainsworth:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa6NIthitbo&feature=youtu.be

September 16th. A Honey Buzzard flew south-east over the East Dunes at 1054hrs. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Kingfisher, 2 Whinchat, 3 Chiffchaff, a Garden Warbler and a Reed Warbler. Heading south were 50 House Martin and 17 Swallow. Sea-watching produced an adult Pomarine Skua, 80 Common Scoter, 11 Red-throated Diver, 100 Gannet, 120 Teal, 25 Wigeon and a Pintail south; and a Black Tern and a Great Skua north. A skein of 26 Pink-footed Goose, the first of the autumn, flew east.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 14 new birds: 3 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Wren, 2 Robin, a Reed Warbler, 2 Whinchat, a Reed Bunting, a Dunnock and 2 Mistle Thrush; and 5 retraps: 2 Great Tit, a Garden Warbler, a Blackcap and a Dunnock.

Whinchat, ringed 16th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
Mistle Thrush, ringed 16th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
September 15th. Fog until late morning.
 Around, including birds trapped, were 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 7 Spoonbill, 2 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 3 Snipe, a Water Rail, 2 Kingfisher, 2 Pied Flycatcher, a Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Wheatear, a Whinchat, a Garden Warbler and 4 Willow Warbler. Flying south were 24 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 4 new birds: a Wren, a Willow Warbler, a Garden Warbler and a Blackcap; and 2 retrap Dunnock.

Yellow-browed Warbler, 15th September 2016.
Photo - Dave Roberts 
Pied Flycatcher, 15th September 2016
Photo - Dave Roberts
September 14th. Fresh north-easterly wind.
 Birds around included 8 Spoonbill, 7 Spotted Redshank, 4 Greenshank, 9 Ruff, 3 Water Rail, a Marsh Harrier, a Kingfisher, 6 Pied Flycatcher, a Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Whinchat and a Garden Warbler. Going south were 9 Swallow.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 4 new birds: singles of Goldcrest, Whitethroat, Chaffinch and Blackcap; and 2 retraps: a Wren and a Dunnock.

September 13th. In the Plantation were 15 Goldcrest, a Bullfinch, a Spotted Flycatcher and a Garden Warbler. On Jackson's Marsh were a Spoonbill, 4 Ruff, 3 Pintail and a Little Stint; and on Tennyson's Sands 2 Greenshank and a Spotted Redshank. Around were 4 Spoonbill, a Pomarine Skua, 193 Golden Plover, a Marsh Harrier, a Greenshank, a Tree Pipit, a Pied Flycatcher, a Garden Warbler and 2 Wheatear. Heading south were 5 Black Tern, a Fulmar, 300 Sandwich Tern, a Mediterranean Gull, a Great Skua, 20 Arctic Skua, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 40 House Martin, 35 Swallow, 8 Sand Martin, 8 Black Tern and a Hobby; and north a Manx Shearwater.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 13 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, a Whitethroat, a Robin, 2 Blue Tit, 3 Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 8 retraps: a Blackbird, a Robin, a Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock, a Blackcap, a Wren and a Blue Tit.

Sanderling, 13th September 2016.

Arctic Skua, 13th September 2016.
September 12th. Around, including birds trapped, were 8 Spoonbill, a Merlin, 10 Arctic Skua, 2 Greenshank, 5 Spotted Redshank, 7 Ruff, 148 Black-tailed Godwit, a Water Rail, a Yellow Wagtail, 5 Goldcrest, a Garden Warbler and 2 Sedge Warbler. Flying south were 13 Black Tern, 5 Pintail, 800 Meadow Pipit and 6 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 11 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, 3 Robin, 2 Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Sedge Warbler; and 2 retraps: singles of Whitethroat and Blackcap.

September 11th. Soggy start, gradually drying out.
 Birds around, including those trapped, were 12 Spoonbill, 3 Manx Shearwater, a Little Stint, a Curlew Sandpiper, 7 Spotted Redshank, 10 Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, 5 Ruff, 3 Snipe, 223 Black-tailed Godwit, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Water Rail, 32 Little Grebe, 2 Pintail, 44 Shoveler, a juvenile Peregrine, a Merlin, a Hobby, 3 Common Buzzard, a Jay, 2 Kingfisher, 7 Wheatear, 2 Siskin, 5 Yellow Wagtail, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler and 2 Goldcrest. Going south were 100 Swallow, 10 House Martin, 4 Sand Martin and 11 Dunnock.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 24 new birds; 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Whitethroat, a Greenland Wheatear, 2 Robin, 2 Garden Warbler, 3 Blackcap and 7 Dunnock; and 10 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Robin, a Whitethroat, 3 Dunnock, a Blue Tit, a Woodpigeon and a Wren.

Speckled Wood, 11th September 2016.
Photo - Rob Watson
Wheatear, 11th September 2016.
Photo - Rob Watson
Greenland Wheatear, ringed 11th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
Hunting Peregrine, 11th September 2016.
Hunting Peregrine, 11th September 2016.
Hunting Peregrine, 11th September 2016.

Early September 2016

September 10th. Rain for most of day, making recording difficult.
 Birds around included 12 Spoonbill, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshank and a Greenshank.

September 9th. Increasing south-westerly wind.
 Sea-watching produced a juvenile Long-tailed Skua and 700 Sandwich Tern around the shore, and a Pomarine Skua, 12 Arctic Skua, a Great Northern Diver and 200 Gannet south. Around were 6 Spoonbill, a Red-throated Diver, 2 Pintail, a Little Stint, a Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Ruff, 19 Snipe, 10 Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Arctic Skua, a Merlin, 2 Water Rail, a Green Woodpecker, 5 Mistle Thrush and 5 Yellow Wagtail. Heading south were 30 Teal, 7 House Martin and 65 Swallow. A Hobby flew west over Jackson's Marsh.
 A brief, wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 4 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, a Blackcap and a Whitethroat; and 3 retraps: 2 Dunnock and a Robin.
Female Pintail on the Mere, 9th September 2016
Photo - Nige Lound
September 8th. Birds around included 12 Spoonbill, a Merlin, a Common Buzzard, 7 Pintail, a Whimbrel, 16 Ruff, a Little Stint, a Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 7 Greenshank, 5 Spotted Redshank, 180 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 8 Snipe, a Green Woodpecker, 27 Mistle Thrush and a Grey Wagtail. The over-summering Redwing was seen again in East Dunes. Flying south were 2 Grey Wagtail, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 520 House Martin, 65 Sand Martin and 500 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 3 new birds: singles of Blackcap, Blue Tit and Great Tit; and 4 retraps: 2 Robin, a Dunnock and a Wren.

1st calendar year Little Ringed Plover on Tennyson's Sands, 8th September 2016
Photo - Nige Lound
September 7th. A Dowitcher Sp flew south with 10 Bar-tailed Godwit at 0750hrs. Around, including birds trapped, were 2 Spoonbill, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Little Stint, a Little Ringed Plover, 4 Ruff, 6 Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank, a Marsh Harrier, a Common Buzzard, 2 Pied Flycatcher and a Redstart. Going south were 500 Swallow and 7 House Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 16 new birds: 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Robin, a Whitethroat, a Linnet, 2 Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Redstart and 3 Dunnock; and 3 retraps: singles of Linnet, Whitethroat and Dunnock.

September 6th. Birds around included 12 Spoonbill, 2 Ruff, 10 Greenshank, 5 Spotted Redshank and 2 Common Sandpiper. Heading south were 3 Pomarine Skua and 400 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 11 new birds: 5 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 2 Robin, 2 Whitethroat and a Blackcap; and 4 retraps: singles of Robin, Wren, Great Tit and Dunnock.

September 5th. An Icterine Warbler was discovered in the Sallows visible from North Building Ridge. Around were 6 Spoonbill, 3 Marsh Harrier, 550 Sandwich Tern, 2000 Bar-tailed Godwit, 28500 Knot, 2500 Oystercatcher, 1200 Grey Plover, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, a Little Stint, a Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, a Water Rail, a Kingfisher, 15 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Pied Flycatcher, a Spotted Flycatcher and a Wheatear. Flying south were 2 Arctic Skua, 22 Wigeon, a Pintail, a Velvet Scoter, 70 Teal, 200 Sandwich Tern, 200 Meadow Pipit, 20 Yellow Wagtail, 1100 Swallow, 190 House Martin and 175 Sand Martin; and north 2 Pomarine Skua and 3 Manx Shearwater.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 16 new birds: a Wren, 4 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 3 Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Robin, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Blue Tit and 2 Dunnock; and 6 retraps: 4 Dunnock, a Whitethroat and a Blackbird.

September 4th. Birds around included 5 Spoonbill, 61000 Knot, a Little Stint, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, 6 Spotted Redshank, 10 Greenshank, 5 Green Sandpiper, 2 Little Ringed Plover, a Snipe, a Common Sandpiper, 3 Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Buzzard, a Swift, a Kingfisher, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Whinchat and a Wheatear. Heading south were 280 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 7 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Blackcap, a Robin, 2 Whitethroat, a Linnet and a Goldfinch; and 3 retraps: 2 Blackcap and a Dunnock.

September 3rd. Around were 15 Spoonbill, a Little Stint, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 14 Greenshank, 5 Snipe, a Green Sandpiper, 3 Spotted Redshank, a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Ruff, 209 Black-tailed Godwit, 8000 Bar-tailed Godwit, a Mediterranean Gull, 2 Common Buzzard, 3+ Marsh Harrier, a Peregrine, a Green Woodpecker, 7 Whinchat and 2 Wheatear. Flying south were 120 Swallow, 4 Sand Martin and 8 House Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 14 new birds: 5 Willow Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, a Robin, a Reed Warbler and a Dunnock; and 6 retraps: 2 Robin, 2 Whitethroat, a Wren and a Lesser Whitethroat.


Dawn over East Dunes, 3rd September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
September 2nd. Rain until early morning, then moderately fresh wind.
 Birds around, including those trapped, were 8+ Spoonbill, 55000 Knot, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, a Little Stint, 3 Greenshank, 5 Spotted Redshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Little Ringed Plover, 184 Black-tailed Godwit, 37 Shoveler, 2 Common Buzzard and 2 Wheatear. Offshore was a juvenile Long-tailed Skua. Going south were a Hobby, 5 Sand Martin and 175 Swallow.
 A rain-delayed and wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 2 new birds: a Reed Warbler and a Wheatear; and no retraps. The Wheatear, with a wing of 105mm, was of the Greenland subspecies.

Birds and sunset, 2nd September 2016.
Photo - Les Binns
Greenland Wheatear, ringed 2nd September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
September 1st. Around, including birds trapped, were a Wryneck, 7 Spoonbill, a Little Stint, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, 5 Snipe, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 206 Black-tailed Godwit, a Marsh Harrier, a Pintail, 10 Tree Sparrow, 8 Yellow Wagtail and a Redstart. Unseasonal birds were a Barnacle Goose and a Pink-footed Goose. The first-summer (portlandica) Common Tern was still present. Heading south were 2 Yellow Wagtail and 150 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, resulted in 16 new birds: 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Linnet, a Meadow Pipit, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Blackcap, 2 Blue Tit, 3 Whitethroat and a Redstart; and 10 retraps: a Blackcap, 2 Robin, a Whitethroat, a Great Tit, 3 Dunnock, a Willow Warbler and a Linnet.

First-summer (portlandica) Common Tern, 1st September 2016.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth
Redstart, ringed 1st September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory