Late September 2017

September 30th. A Yellow-browed Warbler was near Mill Hill. On Tennyson's Sands were a Spoonbill (briefly) and a Little Stint. Birds around, including those trapped, were 80 Brent Goose, 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Kingfisher, a Merlin, a Jay, a Ring Ouzel, 4 Coal Tit, a Grey Wagtail, 2 Redstart, a Stonechat, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Grasshopper Warbler and a Willow Warbler. There was a very heavy southward passage of finches, buntings, larks, hirundines and other species, including 2 Great Skua, a Black Tern, 2 Sparrowhawk, 7 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Kestrel and a Woodlark. Heading north-west were 160 Pink-footed Goose.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Jenni Godber, provided 62 new birds: 22 Goldcrest, 5 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Redstart, a Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 7 Goldfinch, 7 Reed Bunting, a Meadow Pipit, 3 Chaffinch, 3 Blackcap, a Stonechat, a Great Tit and 4 Song Thrush; and 8 retraps: 3 Robin, a Wren, a Goldcrest, a Long-tailed Tit, a Dunnock and a Redstart.

Grey Wagtail, 30th September 2017.
Photo - Chris Cullen

Spotted Redshank, 30th September 2017.
Photo - Chris Cullen

Spoonbill and Avocet, 30th September 2017.
Photo - Chris Cullen

Grey Wagtail, 30th September 2017.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Grasshopper Warbler, ringed 30th September 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Spotted Flycatcher, ringed 30th September 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Stonechat, ringed 30th September 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

September 29th. Some rain until early morning.
 In East Dunes was a Yellow-browed Warbler. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Spoonbill and 9 Spotted Redshank. Around were 2 Greenshank, a Ruff, a Redstart, a Pied Flycatcher, 200 Goldcrest and 2 Grey Wagtail. Flying south were 2 Kestrel and 25 Redpoll.

Pied Flycatcher, 29th September 2017
Photo - Ben Ward

September 28th. Rain until mid morning, then soggy.

 There were 2 Yellow-browed Warbler (1 by Gibraltar Road side, and 1 in Plantation). On Tennyson's Sands were a Scaup, a Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Water Rail, a Cetti's Warbler and a Reed Warbler. Other birds around, including those trapped. were a Common Buzzard, a Greenshank, 3 Ruff, 15 Snipe, 2 Kingfisher, 2 Redstart, a Wheatear, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, a Treecreeper, 2 Grey Wagtail, 9 Siskin, 40 Lesser Redpoll and 4 Brambling. Going south were a Marsh Harrier, a Grey Wagtail, 3 Swallow and a Tree Sparrow; and south-east 105 Pink-footed Goose.
 A rain-delayed long ringing session in East Dunes, with Christine Flint and Carole Lunn, produced 32 new birds: a Wren, 3 Blackcap, a Goldfinch, a Linnet, a Robin, a Redstart, 19 Lesser Redpoll, a Chaffinch, a Dunnock and 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker; and 5 retraps: a Wren, a Goldcrest, a Linnet and 2 Robin.
 A rain-delayed morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Keith Collett, produced 23 new birds: 4 Goldcrest, 2 Wren, a Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, a Redstart, 3 Robin, 2 Blue Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Great Tit and 2 Dunnock; and 10 retraps: 2 Wren, 2 Dunnock, a Blackcap, 2 Long-tailed Tit, a Great Tit, a Chiffchaff and a Robin.

Lesser Whitethroat, ringed 28th September 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

September 27th. A Little Bunting was discovered near Wash Viewpoint. There were 3 Yellow-browed Warbler present (2 in East Dunes of which 1 was trapped and ringed, 1 in Plantation). Around, including birds trapped, were a Hobby, a Greenshank, a Redstart, a Whinchat, a Reed Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat and 5 Brambling. Heading south were 2 Common Buzzard,  2 Tree Pipit and a Lapland Bunting.
 A long ringing session in East Dunes, with Christine Flint, Carole Lunn and Jenni Godber, yielded 49 new birds: 6 Goldcrest, a Wren, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Redstart, 14 Robin, a Brambling, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Linnet, a Whinchat, 3 Blackcap, a Reed Warbler, 2 Great Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Dunnock and 4 Song Thrush; and 6 retraps: a Robin, 2 Dunnock, a Great Tit, a Goldfinch and a Wren.

Redstart, ringed 27th September 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Brambling, ringed 27th September.
Photo - George Gregory

Whinchat, ringed 27th September 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Lesser Whitethroat, ringed 27th September 2017.
Photo - Carole Lunn

September 26th. There were 2 Yellow-browed Warbler present (1 by Hump/Plantation, 1 by Gibraltar Road side). On Tennyson's Sands was a Little Stint. Other birds around, including those trapped, were a Spoonbill, 2 Grey Heron, a Common Buzzard, a juvenile Marsh Harrier, 500 Golden Plover, 2 Spotted Redshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Ruff, a Kingfisher, 2 Ring Ouzel, a Redwing, 10 Song Thrush, 2 Redstart, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Jay, a Tree Pipit, a Grey Wagtail and 2 Treecreeper. Flying south were 25 Wigeon, a Grey Wagtail, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Siskin and a Brambling.
 A long ringing session in East Dunes, with Christine Flint and Carole Lunn, produced 42 new birds: 9 Goldcrest, 2 Wren, a Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, 3 Robin, 3 Great Tit, 5 Reed Bunting, 3 Goldfinch, 4 Blackcap, a Chaffinch, 4 Dunnock, 3 Song Thrush, a Redwing and 2 Jay; and 13 retraps: a Robin, 2 Wren, 7 Dunnock, 2 Goldcrest and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Ring Ouzel, 26th September 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Jay, ringed 26th September 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Redwing, ringed 26th September 2017.
Photo - Carole Lunn

September 25th. A Yellow-browed Warbler was trapped and ringed in East Dunes. Near Shovelers Pool was a Common Rosefinch. On Jackson's Marsh were 4 Spoonbill and a Ruff; on the Mere a Water Rail; and on Tennyson's Sands a Pink-footed Goose and a Curlew Sandpiper. Around were 5 Brent Goose, a Common Buzzard, 9 Greenshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, a Green Sandpiper, 10 Snipe, a Merlin, a Kingfisher, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Reed Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Treecreeper, a Fieldfare and 2 Ring Ouzel. Offshore was a Manx Shearwater. Heading south were 2 Grey Wagtail and a Redpoll.
 A long ringing session in East Dunes, with Christine Flint and Carole Lunn, resulted in 21 new birds: 6 Goldcrest, a Wren, a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Robin, 2 Blackcap, a Great Tit, 4 Dunnock, 4 Song Thrush and a Blackbird; and 6 retraps: a Dunnock, 2 Wren, a Robin and 2 Great Tit.

Ring Ouzel, 25th September 2017.
Photo - Nige Lound

Yellow-browed Warbler, ringed 25th September 2017.
Photo - Carole Lunn

September 24th. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Spoonbill and a Water Rail. In the Plantation was a Yellow-browed Warbler. In the north of the reserve was a Red-backed Shrike. Birds around included 15 Pink-footed Goose, a Common Buzzard, a male Marsh Harrier, 6 Spotted Redshank, 6 Greenshank, a Snipe, a Hobby, a Green Woodpecker, a Reed Warbler, a Pied Flycatcher, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Wheatear, a Whinchat, 5 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Treecreeper. Flying south were 9 more Spoonbill, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 8 Swallow and 2 Redpoll.
 A long ringing session in East Dunes with Christine Flint and Carole Lunn provided 17 new birds: 7 Goldcrest, a Robin, a Long-tailed Tit, a Goldfinch, a Great Tit, a Dunnock, 2 Linnet, a Blackcap, a Coal Tit and a Blue Tit; and 9 retraps: 5 Goldcrest, 2 Long-tailed Tit, a Great Tit and a Wren.

September 23rd. A Yellow-browed Warbler was by Gibraltar Road side, and a Red-backed Shrike was near Beach Car Park. Around were 5 (possibly 6) Spoonbill, a Grey Heron, 3 Pintail, an Egyptian Goose, a Water Rail, a Marsh Harrier, a Peregrine, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 103000 Knot, 5 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 15 Snipe, a Ruff, a Green Woodpecker, a Kingfisher, a Treecreeper, a Wheatear, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Grey Wagtail and a Brambling. Going south were a Pomarine Skua, a Black Tern and 16 Swallow; and north 23 Pink-footed Goose.
 A fairly long ringing session in East Dunes with Christine Flint and Carole Lunn produced 19 new birds: 14 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap and a Dunnock; and 5 retraps: 3 Goldcrest, a Robin and a Wren.
 A Harvest Mouse was found dead on South Marsh Road.

Harvest Mouse found dead on South Marsh Road, 23rd September 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Turnstone, 23rd September 2017.
Photo - Rob Watson

September 22nd. Birds around included 3 Spoonbill, 3 Pintail, a Grey Heron, 6 Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Merlin, a juvenile Hobby, a Green Sandpiper, 3 Spotted Redshank, 4 Greenshank, a Ruff, 5 Snipe, a Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, a Treecreeper, 10 Chiffchaff and a Lesser Whitethroat. Heading south were 2 Common Buzzard, a Marsh Harrier, 3 Swallow, 6 Redpoll and 2 Siskin; and north a Grey Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, yielded 19 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, 3 Wren, 4 Blackcap, 2 Robin, 3 Reed Bunting, 3 Dunnock, a Woodpigeon and a Magpie; and 3 retraps: a Dunnock and 2 Goldcrest.

Goldcrest, 22nd September 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

September 21st. Around were 3 Yellow-browed Warbler (2 near Aylmer Avenue, 1 in Plantation), a Red-backed Shrike (in the north of the reserve), 4 Spoonbill, a Great Skua, a juvenile Pomarine Skua, 15 Pink-footed Goose, 3 Pintail, a Peregrine, a Merlin, a Hobby, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, a Reed Warbler and a Brambling. Flying south were a Swift, 200 Swallow and 15 House Martin. In off the sea came 62 Pink-footed Goose.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, provided 12 new birds: 2 Wren, 5 Goldcrest, a Long-tailed Tit, 2 Robin, a Blackcap and a Reed Bunting; and 6 retraps: a Robin, 3 Goldcrest and 2 Long-tailed Tit.

Mid September 2017

September 20th. A Red-backed Shrike was discovered in the north of the reserve, and a Yellow-browed Warbler was near Aylmer Avenue. Birds around, including those trapped, were 5 Spoonbill, 15 Pink-footed Goose, 13 Pintail, 3 Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Buzzard, a Hobby, 6 Greenshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Ruff, an Arctic Skua, a Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Stonechat, 25 Goldcrest and 5 Chiffchaff. Going south were 100 Starling, 2 Grey Wagtail, 350 Swallow and 100 House Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 28 new birds: 14 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Robin, a Sedge Warbler, 3 Goldfinch, a Blackcap, a Stonechat and 3 Dunnock; and 10 retraps: 2 Robin, a Blue Tit, 3 Goldcrest, a Goldfinch and 3 Dunnnock.

Red-backed Shrike, 20th September 2017.
Photo - James Siddle

Red-backed Shrike, 20th September 2017.
Photo - James Siddle

Red-backed Shrike, 20th September 2017.
Photo - James Siddle

Stonechat, ringed 20th September 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Kestrel, 20th September 2017.
Photo - Justin Shand

September 19th. There were 3 Yellow-browed Warbler present (2 roadside near Aylmer Avenue, 1 West Dunes opposite Sykes Farm). Also around, including birds trapped, were 4 Brent Goose, a ringtail Hen Harrier (briefly),4 Common Buzzard,  a Merlin, 2 Water Rail, a Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, 6 Spotted Redshank, 8 Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, 14 Snipe, a Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, 15 Goldcrest, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Pied Flycatcher, a Treecreeper, 4 Song Thrush, 2 Brambling and 12 Lesser Redpoll. Heading south were 2 Grey Wagtail and 4 House Martin; and south-east 2 Marsh Harrier.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 17 new birds: 5 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, a Chaffinch, a Robin, a Blue Tit, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Reed Bunting and 2 Dunnock; and 3 retraps: a Robin and 2 Dunnock.

Ruff, 19th September 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Goldcrest, 19th September 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

September 18th. Some brief mid morning rain.
 Birds around, including those trapped, were a Spoonbill, 9 Pink-footed Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Common Buzzard, a Merlin, a Ruff, 5 Spotted Redshank, 6 Greenshank, a Wood Sandpiper, a Kingfisher, 3 Yellow-browed Warbler (2 trapped East Dunes, 1 Beach Car Park), 2 Pied Flycatcher (1 trapped East Dunes, 1 Beach Car Park), 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Treecreeper and 6 Tree Sparrow. Offshore were 300 Common Scoter, a Black-throated Diver, a Long-tailed Skua and 100 Gannet. Flying south were a Sand Martin, 8 House Martin, 25 Swallow and 40 Meadow Pipit; north a Long-tailed Skua, 5 Great Skua, 2 Black Tern and 7 Puffin; and south-east 40 Pink-footed Goose. A Sooty Shearwater flew south then north.
 A rain-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 10 new birds: a Wren, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Goldcrest, a Linnet, a Pied Flycatcher, a Meadow Pipit, a Reed Bunting and 2 Dunnock; and 7 retraps: 2 Dunnock, a Robin, 2 Goldcrest, a Wren and a Blue Tit.

Pied Flycatcher, ringed 18th September 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Yellow-browed Warbler, ringed 18th September 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

September 17th. Around, including birds trapped, were a Kingfisher, 6 Goldcrest and  2 Chiffchaff. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Spoonbill; on Croftmarsh 9 Pink-footed Goose; and on Jackson's Marsh a Greenshank. Going south were 104 Pink-footed Goose, 9 House Martin and 9 Tree Sparrow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 12 new birds: 4 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Robin, a Coal Tit and a Dunnock; and 6 retraps: 2 Dunnock, a Goldcrest, a Great Tit, a Robin and a Wren.

Coal Tit, ringed 17th September 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Parasol Mushrooms, 17th September 2017.
Photo - Rob Watson

September 16th. Birds around included an Osprey, a Grey Heron, 8 Great Skua, 10 Arctic Skua, 2 Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank, 5 Snipe, a Hobby, a Merlin, 2 Swift, 2 Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Redwing, a Treecreeper, 8 Sand Martin, 50 House Martin and a House Sparrow. On Jackson's Marsh was a Little Stint; and on Tennyson's Sands a Water Rail. Heading south were a Marsh Harrier, 300 Meadow Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtail and 2 Rook; and north a Goldeneye.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 14 new birds: a Wren, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Robin, 2 Blackcap and 6 Dunnock; and 9 retraps: a Robin, 2 Blackcap, 5 Dunnock and a Wren.

September 15th. Around, including birds trapped, were a Spotted Redshank, 2 Garden Warbler and 2 Goldcrest. Flying north waere a Sabine's Gull, a Long-tailed Skua, a Sooty Shearwater and a Black Tern.; and south 80 House Martin, 30 Swallow and 32 Tree Sparrow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, provided 33 new birds: 3 Wren, a Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, 7 Robin, 3 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Blue Tit, a Whitethroat, 4 Chaffinch, a Great Tit, 4 Dunnock, a Song Thrush and a Blackbird; and 7 retraps: 4 Dunnock, 2 Great Tit and a Blackcap.

September 14th. Rain until early morning.
 On Tennyson's Sands were 150 Black-tailed Godwit. Birds around included a Chiffchaff and 2 Goldcrest. Going south were 6 Red-throated Diver, a Manx Shearwater, 3 Pomarine Skua, a Long-tailed Skua, 26 Great Skua, 10 Arctic Skua, 6 Grey Wagtail, 6 Yellow Wagtail and 2500 Meadow Pipit. In off the sea came 16 Common Buzzard.

Arctic Skua, 14th September 2017.
Photo - Jim Shaw

Kestrel, 14th September 2017.
Photo - Jim Shaw

September 13th. Strong westerly wind, gradually decreasing.
 Offshore were 30 Gannet, a Great Skua, a Manx Shearwater, 4 Arctic Skua, a Pintail, 18 Common Scoter, 500 Sandwich Tern, a Roseate Tern, a Great Northern Diver and 4 Red-throated Diver. On Tennyson's Sands were 180 Black-tailed Godwit and a Spotted Redshank; and on Fenland Lagoon a Black-tailed Godwit. Around were a Hobby, 2 Whimbrel, a Spotted Flycatcher and a Chiffchaff. Heading south were 350 Meadow Pipit, 2100 House Martin, 500 Swallow, 300 Sand Martin, 2 Grey Wagtail, 18 Pink-footed Goose and a Marsh Harrier.

September 12th. Increasing westerly wind.
 On Tennyson's Sands were 5 Spotted Redshank and a Ruff; and on Fenland Lagoon 10 Greenshank. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Marsh Harrier, a Merlin, a Hobby, 2 Greenshank, a Green Woodpecker, a Kingfisher, a Stonechat, a Whinchat, a Wheatear, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, a Garden Warbler and 12 Willow Warbler. Flying south were 39 Pink-footed Goose, a Swift, 400 House Martin, 52 Sand Martin, 200 Swallow, 3000 Meadow Pipit, 3 Tree Pipit, 5 Grey Wagtail, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Siskin, 4 Redpoll Spp and 24 Tree Sparrow. Offshore were 10 Red-throated Diver, a Manx Shearwater, 5 Gannet, a Great Skua, 26 Arctic Skua and 600 Sandwich Tern.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 26 new birds: 3 Chiffchaff, a Wren, 2 Goldcrest, a Willow Warbler, 3 Robin, 6 Blackcap, a Meadow Pipit, 5 Chaffinch, a Whitethroat, a Stonechat, a Garden Warbler and a Dunnock; 2 retraps: a Blackcap and a Robin; and a control Chiffchaff.

Merlin, 12th September 2017.

Merlin, 12th September 2017.

Merlin, 12th September 2017

Hobby, 12th September 2017.

Whitethroat moulting outer wing feathers while suspending some inner ones, ringed 12th September 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Stonechat, ringed 12th September 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

September 11th. Quite strong south-westerly wind.
 On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Spoonbill, 250 Black-tailed Godwit and a Greenshank; and on Fenland Lagoon 3 Greenshank. Around were a Merlin, 2200 Sanderling, a Ruff, a Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Whitethroat. Going south were a Great Northern Diver, 5 Red-throated Diver, a Manx Shearwater, a Long-tailed Skua, 5 Arctic Skua, 2 Sparrowhawk, 7 Kestrel, a Whimbrel, 3 Black Tern, 2 Great Skua, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 45 House Martin and 150 Swallow.

Shaggy Ink-cap at Sykes Farm, 11th September 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Early September 2017

September 10th. Soggy start, then foggy until mid morning.
 Birds around included 9 Spoonbill, 2 Marsh Harrier (including 1 with a rectangular green tag on the right wing), a Merlin, 5 Golden Plover, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, a Whinchat, a Wheatear and 2 Yellow Wagtail. On Jackson's Marsh were a Black Tern, 175 Black-tailed Godwit, a Ruff and a Spotted Redshank; on the Mere a Water Rail; and on Fenland Lagoon a Yellow-legged Gull and 9 Greenshank. Heading south were a Manx Shearwater, 19 Pintail, a Yellow-legged Gull, a Black Tern, 11 Ruff, 3 Swift, 2 Grey Wagtail, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 192 Meadow Pipit, 319 Swallow, 122 House Martin and 7 Sand Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Toby Collett, yielded 8 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, a Robin and a Lesser Whitethroat; and 6 retraps: 3 Wren, a Blue Tit, a Whitethroat and a Dunnock.

A selection of pictures from taken at high tide, 10th September by Les Binns

September 9th. On Jackson's Marsh were 3 Spoonbill, 6 Snipe and a Kingfisher. Around, including birds trapped, were 3 Marsh Harrier, 7 Kestrel, a Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Whinchat and 45 Wheatear. Flying south were a Whimbrel, 7 Swift, 2 Grey Wagtail, 443 Meadow Pipit, 60 Swallow, 55 Sand Martin, 374 House Martin and 42 Tree Sparrow; and west a Peregrine.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 49 new birds: a Wren, 15 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Robin, 6 Blackcap, a Linnet, 2 Goldfinch, 4 Tree Sparrow, a Reed Bunting, a Wheatear, 4 Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, a Chaffinch, a Blue Tit, 3 Dunnock and a Sparrowhawk; and 5 retraps: a Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock, a Goldcrest and a Great Tit.

Sparrowhawk, ringed 9th September 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Stinkhorn Fungus in Heligoland Trap, causing a bad smell, 9th September 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

September 8th. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Spoonbill, 39 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Snipe; on Fenland Lagoon 5 Greenshank; and on Tennyson's Sands a Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank, 268 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Snipe, and a Kingfisher. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Greenshank, 8 Whinchat, 2 Wheatear and a Spotted Flycatcher. Going south were a Merlin, 40 House Martin and 120 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 15 new birds: a Wren, a Willow Warbler, 2 Robin, a Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Blackcap, 2 Linnet, a Whitethroat, a Reed Bunting, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Kestrel; and 7 retraps: a Goldcrest, 4 Whitethroat, a Dunnock and a Lesser Whitethroat.

Spotted Flycatcher, ringed 8th September 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Kestrel, ringed 8th September 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Great Spotted Woodpecker, ringed 8th September 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

September 7th. On Jackson's Marsh were 10 Spoonbill, a Common Sandpiper, 4 Snipe and a Kingfisher; on Tennyson's Sands 2 Pintail, a Snipe, a Spotted Redshank and 251 Black-tailed Godwit; and on Fenland Lagoon a Spotted Redshank. Around, including birds trapped, were a Peregrine, a Merlin, a Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Wheatear, 11 Whinchat and 2 Goldcrest. Heading south were a Great Skua, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Swift, 12 Yellow Wagtail, 100 Swallow, 3 Sand Martin and 2 House Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, resulted in 40 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, 5 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 9 Robin, 6 Whitethroat, 3 Reed Bunting, a Linnet, a Meadow Pipit, 2 Chaffinch, a Wheatear, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Great Tit and 3 Dunnock; and 4 retraps: a Robin, a Dunnock, a Wren and a Whitethroat.

Knot, 7th September 2017

Sanderling, 7th September 2017.

Common Buzzard, 7th September 2017.

Meadow Pipit, 7th September 2017.

Turnstone, 7th September 2017.

Redshank, 7th September 2017.

Tern Flock, 7th September 2017.

Spotted Redshank, 7th September 2017.
Photo - Ben Ward

September 6th. Birds around included 10 Spoonbill, 82 Little Egret, a Merlin, 2 Ruff, 4 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, 275 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Snipe, a Short-eared Owl, a Kingfisher, a Redstart, 2 Wheatear, 8 Whinchat, 65 Yellow Wagtail and a Goldcrest. Flying south were an Osprey, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Buzzard, 7 Arctic Skua, 2 Swift, 2 Grey Wagtail, 140 Meadow Pipit, 50 Swallow, 40 House Martin and 2 Sand Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 23 new birds: 6 Willow Warbler, 9 Robin, a Reed Warbler, a Linnet, 2 Meadow Pipit, 2 Whitethroat and 2 Lesser Whitethroat; and 2 retrap Whitethroats.

Osprey, 6th September 2017.
Photo - Ben Ward

Wheatear, 6th September 2017.

Kingfisher, 6th September 2017.

Pale Common Buzzard, 6th September 2017.

Pale Common Buzzard, 6th September 2017.

Wheatear, 6th September 2017.

Mixed flock of Sandwich and Common Terns, 6th September 2017.

September 5th. On Jackson's Marsh were 10 Spoonbill, 85 Little Egret, a Grey Heron, a Common Sandpiper and a Little Stint; and on Tennyson's Sands 2 Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank and 2 Kingfisher. Around were 11 Arctic Skua, 3 Wheatear, 2 Whinchat and a Yellow Wagtail. Going south were 4 Swift, 80 House Martin, 3 Sand Martin and 65 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 2 new Blackcap; and a retrap Whitethroat.

 September 4th. On Jackson's Marsh were 8 Spoonbill, 60 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron and 9 Snipe; and on Tennyson's Sands 2 Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank, 5 Snipe and a Water Rail. Birds around included a Greenshank, a Kingfisher, a Wheatear, 2 Whinchat and 2 Yellow Wagtail. Heading south were a Pomarine Skua, 5 Arctic Skua, 2000 Sandwich Tern, 5 Sand Martin, 7 House Martin and 14 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 2 new birds: a Blackcap and a Starling; and 2 retraps: a Dunnock and a Whitethroat.

September 3rd. On Jackson's Marsh were 7 Spoonbill, 61 Little Egret and 3 Snipe; on Tennyson's Sands 8 Greenshank and 4 Spotted Redshank; and on the Mere 2 Wigeon. On or over the sea were 8 Goosander and a Red-throated Diver. The tern roost contained 1500 Sandwich Terns, with a further 350 flying south along with a Great Skua, 8 Arctic Skua, 40 Teal, 45 Gannet and a Fulmar. Around were a Common Buzzard, a Greenshank, a Merlin, a Kingfisher, 2 Whinchat, a Wheatear, 45 House Martin and 25 Yellow Wagtail. Flying north were a Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier and 15 Swallow; and south 2 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 3 new birds: 2 Blackcap and a Blue Tit; and 4 retraps: singles of Great Tit, Dunnock, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat.

Whinchat, 3rd September 2017.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Whinchat, 3rd September 2017.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Wheatear, 3rd September 2017.
Photo - Rob Watson

Bittersweet (Woody Nightshade), 3rd September 2017.
Photo - Rob Watson

September 2nd. Misty start, gradually clearing.
 On Jackson's Marsh were 13 Spoonbill (arrived in afternoon); and on Tennyson's Sands 7 Snipe, 2 Spotted Redshank and 2 Greenshank. Birds around, including those trapped, were 2 Yellow-legged Gull, a Marsh Harrier, a Greenshank, 3 Arctic Skua, a Kingfisher, a Wheatear, a Whinchat, a Bullfinch and a Goldcrest. Going south were 2 Whimbrel and a House Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 13 new birds: a Goldcrest, 3 Blackcap, a Robin, a Reed Warbler, 4 Linnet, a Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Whitethroat; and 6 retraps: a Blackcap, 2 Robin, a Great Tit and a Whitethroat.

Kingfisher, 2nd September 2017.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Chiffchaff, 2nd September 2017.

Willow Warbler, 2nd September 2017.

Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2nd September 2017.

Whitethroat, 2nd September 2017.

Treecreeper, 2nd September 2017.

Yellow-legged Gull, 2nd September 2017.
Photo - Nige Lound

September 1st. Soggy, misty start following yesterday's rain, gradually drying out and clearing.
 Around, including birds trapped, were 13 Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, 7 Arctic Skua, 800 Sandwich Tern, an Arctic Tern, a Wheatear, 4 Goldcrest and 2 Yellow Wagtail. On Tennyson's Sands were a female Scaup, 163 Black-tailed Godwit, 9 Greenshank, a Snipe, 3 Spotted Redshank and a Common Sandpiper; on Jackson's Marsh a Little Stint, 4 Snipe and a Common Sandpiper; and on Fenland Lagoon 5 Greenshank and a Kingfisher. Heading south were 4 Green Sandpiper, a Greenshank, 2 Collared Dove, 12 House Martin, 5 Sand Martin and 25 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 8 new birds: 2 Willow Warbler, 4 Goldcrest, a Whitethroat and a Dunnock; and 4 retraps: 2 Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock.
 A brief ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling yielded just a new Dunnock.

Female Scaup, 1st September 2017.
Photo - Doug Aston