Late April 2018

April 30th. Strong northerly wind, slowly decreasing in afternoon.
 Around were 15 Brent Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Glaucous Gull, a Peregrine, a Wood Warbler, a Redstart, 7 Pied Flycatcher, a Ring Ouzel, a Fieldfare, 11 Wheatear and 2 Corn Bunting. On the Mere were 2 Garganey. Going south were a Great Skua and 3 Gannet.

Wood Warbler, 30th April 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward
April 29th. Fairly strong north-easterly wind.
 A Red-rumped Swallow fed around the Observatory area early morning, and twice perched on the artificial Swallow nest there. Birds around, including those trapped, were 30 Brent Goose, 8 Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, a Glaucous Gull, a Peregrine, a Wood Warbler, 4 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Ring Ouzel, 16 Wheatear, a Fieldfare and a Redwing. Heading north were 3 Gannet, 3 Kittiwake, 10 Little Tern, 3 Common Tern and an Arctic Tern; and south 55 Swallow.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes, with James Siddle, provided 29 new birds: 3 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, 7 Blackcap, a Robin, a Linnet, 3 Wheatear, a Chaffinch, a Redwing and 3 Song Thrush; and 2 retraps: a Willow Warbler and a Great Tit.

Pied Flycatcher, 29th April 2018.
Photo - Alan Brewster
Ring Ouzel, 29th April 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward
Wood Warbler, 29th April 2018.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth
Redwing, ringed 29th April 2018.
Photo - George Gregory
Glaucous Gull, 29th April 2018.
Photo - James Siddle
Common Sandpiper, 29th April 2018.
Photo - James Siddle
April 28th. Light rain for most of day.
 A Red-rumped Swallow remained feeding over Jackson's Marsh then over Tennyson's Sands. Around were 50 Brent Goose, 15 Black-tailed Godwit, a Cuckoo and a Wheatear. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Common Sandpiper. Flying north were a Red-throated Diver, 3 Gannet, a Kittiwake, a Sandwich Tern and 9 Swallow; and south 6 Brent Goose and a Fulmar.

April 27th. Rain developing from late morning.
 A Red-rumped Swallow was feeding over Jackson's Marsh. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Grey Partridge, 50 Brent Goose, a Grey Heron, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, 14 Whimbrel, 4 Greenshank, a Turtle Dove, 4 Jay, 2 Ring Ouzel, a Whinchat, 25 Wheatear, a Whinchat, 60 Swallow, 20 House Martin, a Chiffchaff , 59 Willow Warbler, a Garden Warbler and a Bullfinch. Going south were a Red-throated Diver, 2 Whimbrel, a Mediterranean Gull, a Swift, 2 Sand Martin, a House Martin and 3 Swallow; and north 7 Black-tailed Godwit.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 33 new birds: 20 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 2 Linnet, a Blue Tit, a Wheatear, a Great Tit and a Jay; and 5 retraps: a Great Tit, a Wren, 2 Dunnock and a Blue Tit.

Noisy Jay, ringed 27th April 2018.
Photo - George Gregory
Wheatear, ringed 27th April 2018.
Photo - George Gregory
April 26th. Increasing westerly wind.
 Around were the 2 Red-rumped Swallow (feeding over Jackson's Marsh for the fourth day), 35 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 42 Avocet, 9 Whimbrel, a Greenshank, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Collared Dove, 2 Cuckoo, 7 Ring Ouzel, 17 Wheatear, a Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff and 4 Yellowhammer. On the Mere were 2 Garganey. Heading south-east was a Spoonbill; north a Marsh Harrier; and south 2 Swift, a Tree Pipit, 4 Sand Martin, 39 House Martin, 62 Swallow and 2 Brambling. In off the sea came a Buzzard.
 A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, yielded just a retrap Wren.

April 25th. Increasing south-westerly wind.
 The 2 Red-rumped Swallow remained feeding over Jackson's Marsh. Other birds around were 83 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 12 Avocet, a Whimbrel, a Little Ringed Plover, a Cuckoo, a Turtle Dove, 3 Ring Ouzel, 8 Wheatear, a Redstart, a Tree Pipit and 2 House Sparrow. On Croftmarsh were a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Pink-footed Goose, a Buzzard and a Greenshank. Flying south were 4 Collared Dove, 8 Rook, a House Martin and 2 Swallow.
 A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 5 new birds: 2 Chaffinch, a Blackcap, a Whitethroat and a Lesser Whitethroat; and a retrap Ring Ouzel.
 The retrap Ring Ouzel, a second-year female, weighed 96.7g, an increase of 7.2g from the 89.5g it weighed when ringed on April 22nd.

Red-rumped Swallow over Jackson's Marsh, 25th April 2018.
Photo - IanB
Red-rumped Swallow over Jackson's Marsh, 25th April 2018.
Photo - IanB
Red-rumped Swallow over Jackson's Marsh, 25th April 2018.
Photo - IanB
Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 25th April 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward
Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 25th April 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward
April 24th. An Alpine Swift flew south into the Wash in the morning. The 2 Red-rumped Swallow remained around the Sykes Farm area. A Bittern was around the water bodies. Also present, including birds trapped, were 91 Brent Goose, 10 Whimbrel, a Cuckoo, 5 Ring Ouzel, 4 Wheatear, a Chiffchaff, 2 Whitethroat, 12 Sedge Warbler, a Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler and 5 Lesser Whitethroat. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Garganey. Going south were 3 Marsh Harrier and 3 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 2 new birds: a Chiffchaff and a Blue Tit; and 2 retraps: a Linnet and a Dunnock.

Grasshopper Warbler
Video - Stuart Ainsworth

April 23rd. Increasing south-westerly wind.
 Two Red-rumped Swallow were discovered hawking overhead the reserve for some time.
 Around, including birds trapped, were 56 Brent Goose, a Garganey, 6 Buzzard, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Red Kite, a Whimbrel, 3 Cuckoo, a Swift, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Ring Ouzel, a Wheatear, a Brambling, 2 Siskin and 2 Corn Bunting. On Jackson's Marsh was a Mediterranean Gull; and on Tennyson's Sands a Common Sandpiper. Heading south were a Marsh Harrier, a Red Kite, a Swift, 18 Rook, 69 Swallow, 13 Sand Martin, 78 House Martin and a Grey Wagtail; and west a Hobby.
 A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 7 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Chaffinch and a Great Tit; and a retrap Dunnock.

First-winter Mediterranean Gull, 23rd April 2018.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth
Red-rumped Swallow, 23rd April 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward
Red-rumped Swallow, 23rd April 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward
Red-rumped Swallow, 23rd April 2018.
Photo - Phil Hyde
Red-rumped Swallow, 23rd April 2018.
Photo - Phil Hyde
Garganey, 23rd April 2018.
Photo - Phil Hyde
Blackcap with pollen around base of bill, ringed 23rd April 2018.
Photo - George Gregory
Brown-tailed Moth caterpillars in their silk tent, 23rd April 2018.
The hairs of these caterpillars can cause severe allergic reactions in humans, and they should be avoided.
Photo - George Gregory
April 22nd. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Marsh Harrier, 2 Little Ringed Plover, a Greenshank, 4 Whimbrel, a Mediterranean Gull, 4 Cuckoo, a Short-eared Owl, a Peregrine, a Jay, 3 Ring Ouzel, a Wheatear, a Cetti's Warbler, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Siskin. On the Mere were 2 Garganey. Flying north were an Osprey, 9 Whimbrel and a Yellow Wagtail; west a Hooded Crow; and south a Red Kite, a Jay, a Woodlark, 5 Whimbrel, 27 Swallow, 3 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Siskin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 15 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Chaffinch, 3 Blackcap, a Great Tit, a Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Reed Bunting, a Cetti's Warbler, a Blue Tit, a Linnet and 2 Ring Ouzel; 2 retrps: a Wren and a Chiffchaff; and a control Willow Warbler.

Cetti's Warbler, ringed 22nd April 2018.
Photo - George Gregory
Ring Ouzel, with a tick behind the bill, ringed 22nd April 2018.
Photo - George Gregory
Ring Ouzel, ringed 22nd April 2018.
Photo - George Gregory
Ring Ouzel, ringed 22nd April 2018.
Photo - George Gregory
April 21st. Around, including birds trapped, were a male Garganey (briefly on Old Saltmarsh), 3 Whimbrel, a Mediterranean Gull, 3 Buzzard, a Cuckoo, 2 Raven, a Firecrest, a Reed Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, a Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, a Blackcap and 2 Ring Ouzel. Going south were a Hobby, 2 Swallow, 6 House Martin and a Yellow Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, provided 10 new birds: a Wren, a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 2 Linnet, a Reed Warbler, 2 Dunnock and a Song Thrush; and 6 retraps: 2 Great Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, a Dunnock and a Wren.

Blackcap, 21st April 2018.
Photo - Paul Johnson
Brown Hare, 21st April 2018.
Photo - Paul Johnson
Whitethroat, 21st April 2018.
Photo - Paul Johnson
Yellowhammer, 21st April 2018.
Photo - Paul Johnson




Mid April 2018

20th April. A Hoopoe was discovered briefly in the north of the reserve. Birds around, including those trapped, were 5 Cuckoo, 3 Buzzard, a Common Sandpiper, 6 Whimbrel, a Jack Snipe, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 4 Ring Ouzel, 2 Raven, 12 Wheatear, a Redstart, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Grasshopper Warbler a Brambling and 3 Corn Bunting. Heading south were 4 Buzzard, 2 Swallow and a Brambling.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 10 new birds: 2 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, a Wheatear, 2 Blackcap and a Lesser Whitethroat; and 2 retrap Dunnock.

Redstart in East Dunes, 20th April 2018.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth
Wheatears, 20th April 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

Ring Ouzel, 20th April 2018.
Photo- Ben Ward
Wheatear, 20th April 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward
Green Hairstreak. 20th April 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward
Wheatear, ringed 20th April 2018.
Photo - George Gregory
19th April. Around were 58 Brent Goose, a Red Kite, 9 Whimbrel, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Cuckoo, a Peregrine, a Firecrest, 2 Wheatear, 12 Blackcap, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Chiffchaff, 5 Sedge Warbler, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, a Yellow Wagtail, 3 Brambling, 3 Hawfinch (in private garden at Aylmer Avenue), 3 Yellowhammer and 5 Corn Bunting. On Croftmatsh were 6 Pink-footed Goose. Flying south were 2 Marsh Harrier, 3 Red Kite and 4 Swallow,;and north 39 Pink-footed Goose.
Hawfinch, 19th April 2018.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Red Kite, 19th April 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward
Brambling, 19th April 2017.
Photo - Ben Ward
18th April. Birds around included 11 Greenshank, 4 Mediterranean Gull and 2 male Firecrest.

17th April. The male Ring Ouzel was still present near the Wash Viewpoint; also a White Wagtail flew south here. A Firecrest was discovered along the Sykes Farm track. Other birds around were 3 Whimbrel (New Saltmarsh), 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Cuckoo (East Dunes) and 4 Sedge Warbler. The 3 Pink-footed Goose remained on Croft Marsh.

Ring Ouzel near the Wash Viewpoint, 17th April 2017.
Photo - Ben Ward
16th April. Around were 2 Sparrowhawk, a Peregrine, a Red Kite (East Dunes) and a Ring Ouzel (Wash Viewpoint area). A probable Raven was heard from the Shorebird Hut.

Cuckoo, 16th April 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward
Ring Ouzel, 16th April 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward
Ring Ouzel, 16th April 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward
Short-eared Owl, 16th April 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward
Sunset, 16th April 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward
 15th April. Highlights of the day were; 17 Little Gull arriving on Tennyson's Sands in the afternoon, 3 Firecrest (2 East Dunes and 1 North Car Park), a drake Garganey on the Mere, 3 Sedge Warbler along Mill Pond Road and 3 Ring Ouzel. A group of 3 Common Tern flew east towards Mill Hill.

Little Gulls in flight, 15th April 2018
Photo - Ben Ward
Little Gull, 15th April 2018
Photo - Ben Ward
Little Gull, 15th April 2018
Photo - Ben Ward
Firecrest, 15th April 2018
Photo - Ben Ward
14th April.  A Raven was heard distantly in the morning. A Woodlark was heard singing in the West Dunes before heading south and a Cuckoo seen in the East Dunes mid afternoon. Also on the reserve today were 3 Hawfinch, a Firecrest, 2 Ruff and a Jack Snipe. 3 Brambling were at the feeding station in the Plantation.

Blackcap, 14th April 2018
Photo - Kev Wilson
Cuckoo, 14th April 2018
Photo - Nige Lound
Male and Female Brambling, 14th April 2018
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth
13th April. Highlights from today were the first returning Grasshopper Warbler, a Green Sandpiper calling over Beach car park, a Water Rail on Freshwater Marsh and 4 Water Pipit. In the afternoon a Red Kite and 2 Marsh Harrier flew south. The Glaucous Gull recently found in Skegness was seen north of Greenshanks Creek from Mill Hill in the evening. Other birds around included 5 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Short-eared Owl on the Old Saltmarsh. 6 Pink-footed Goose lingered on Croft Marsh.

Glaucous Gull "record shot", 13th April 2018
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth
12th April. Continuing mist on the reserve made conditions difficult. Highlights of the day were a Firecrest along the cycle path opposite the beach car park and an Osprey which flew west mobbed by Gulls and Crows mid-afternoon. Other birds of note were 2 Sedge Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap and 2 Great Crested Grebe.

Firecrest, 12th April 2018
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth
11th April. A few new migrants on the reserve including 3 Ring Ouzel, 5 Woodcock, 8 Chiffchaff, 5 Swallow, 4 Blackcap, 50 Snipe, 30 Redwing and 2 Brambling.