Late June 2018

June 30th. On Tennyson's Sands were 8 Spoonbill and a Whimbrel; and on Croftmarsh 2 Grey Heron. Around, including birds trapped, were 36 Curlew, 2 Greenshank, a Short-eared Owl, a Hobby, 35 Starling, a Yellow Wagtail and 11 Swallow.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 5 new birds: a Linnet, a Whitethroat, a Goldfinch, a Blackcap and a Swallow; and 7 retraps: a Great Tit, a Blue Tit, 4 Whitethroat and a Blackbird.
 In the Shorebird Sanctuary 5 pulli Little Tern were ringed.

Some specialist plants of the fore-dunes to look out for:

 Frosted Orache, 30th June 2018.

Photo - Kevin Wilson

Sea Rocket, 30th June 2018.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Prickly Saltwort, 30th June 2018.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

June 29th. On Tennyson's Sands were a Wigeon and 8 Spoonbill. Offshore was a Black Tern. Birds around, including those trapped, were 2 Grey Heron, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Curlew, a Mediterranean Gull, 40 Starling and 18 Swallow. Going north were 3 Arctic Tern.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 9 new birds: a Long-tailed Tit, a Linnet, 5 Whitethroat and 2 Starling; and 7 retraps: 2 Sedge Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, a Chaffinch and a Dunnock.

Black Tern, 29th June 2018.
Photo - Nige Lound

June 28th. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Spoonbill and a Common Sandpiper; and on Fenland Lagoon 2 Greenshank. Around were 35 Teal, a Marsh Harrier, a Spoonbill, a Ruff, 34 Black-tailed Godwit, a Mediterranean Gull, 3 Sandwich Tern, a Peregrine, 7 Swallow and 40 Starling. Heading south were 35 Curlew; and north a Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 6 new birds: a Blue Tit, 2 Whitethroat and 3 Dunnock; and 10 retraps: 3 Blue Tit, 4 Whitethroat, a Great Tit, a Robin and a Chaffinch.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling provided 14 new birds: a Wren, a Chaffinch, 5 Whitethroat, a Blue Tit, 2 Goldfinch, a Robin, 2 Dunnock and a Great Spotted Woodpecker; and 4 retraps: a Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat and a Blackcap.

 Pyramidal Orchids, 28h June 2018. 

Photo - Kevin Wilson

June 27th. A Glaucous Gull was discovered on the beach in the morning. On Tennyson's Sands were 5 Spoonbill. Birds around included 2 Eider, 30 Common Scoter, a Little Ringed Plover, 30 Curlew, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, a Spotted Redshank, 23 Sandwich Tern, 5 Stock Dove and 11 Swallow. Flying north were 2 Gannet.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 9 new birds: a Chaffinch, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat and a Sedge Warbler; and 4 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, a Wren and a Dunnock.

Glaucous Gull, 27th June 2018. 

Photo - Kevin Wilson

Grasshopper Warbler, 27th June 2018. 

Photo - Kevin Wilson

June 26th. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Spoonbill and a Spotted Redshank. Around were 2 Common Scoter, 2 Little Ringed Plover, a Black-tailed Godwit, 14 Starling and 3 Swallow. Going south were 37 Curlew; and north a Brent Goose, 16 Common Scoter and 55 Sandwich Tern.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 12 new birds: a Blackcap, 5 Great Tit, a Blue Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Linnet, a Robin, a Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 11 retraps: a Great Tit, 6 Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock, a Blue tit and a Blackcap.

Slender Centaury, now in flower along the edge of the Old Saltmarsh, 26th June 2018. 

Photo - Kevin Wilson

June 25th. On Tennyson's Sands were a Wigeon, 3 Spoonbill, 3 Little Ringed Plover, a Spotted Redshank and a Bearded Tit; and on Jackson's Marsh 10 Grey Heron. Birds around included 3 Turnstone, a Red Kite, a Cuckoo, a Merlin and 50 Starling. Flying south were 15 Curlew and 3 Swift.
 The sixth session of CES was done this morning. The 15 new birds were 5 Chiffchaff, a Wren, a Great Tit, 3 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Blue Tit and a Song Thrush. The 2 retraps were a Lesser Whitethroat and a Willow Warbler.

June 24th. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Spoonbill, 6 Knot and a Dunlin. Around were 39 Black-tailed Godwit and 45 Starling. Going south were 7 Curlew and a Swift; and north a Hobby.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 9 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Linnet, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat, a Blue Tit, 3 Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 7 retraps: a Great Tit, 3 Whitethroat, a Reed Bunting and 2 Blue Tit.

June 23rd. An immature Glaucous Gull flew in from the Wash onto Tennyson's Sands, where were also 3 Spoonbill, 40 Black-tailed Godwit, a Little Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin and a Spotted Redshank. On Fenland Lagoon was a Greenshank. Birds around included a Yellow-legged Gull, a Merlin, a Peregrine, a Spotted Redshank and 26 Starling. Heading south were 3 Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harrier, 4 Curlew, 107 Swift and a Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 5 new birds: 4 Whitethroat and a Starling; and 7 retraps: a Chaffinch, 2 Whitethroat, a Blackbird, a Sedge Warbler and 2 Dunnock.

Glaucous Gull, 23rd June 2018. 

Photo - Dave Hitchen

June 22nd. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Spoonbill, a Spotted Redshank and a Bearded Tit; and on Jackson's Marsh a Whimbrel and a Common Sandpiper. Around were 39 Black-tailed Godwit, a Yellow-legged Gull, 11 Sandwich Tern, a Hobby and 85 Starling. Flying north were 2 Fulmar and a Little Ringed Plover; and south a Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 4 new birds: 2 Wren and 2 Blue Tit; and 6 retraps: a Linnet, 3 Whitethroat, a Dunnock and a Great Tit.
 A Red-veined Darter was along Mill Pond Road.

 Red-veined Darter, 22nd June 2018. 

Photo - Ben Ward

Red-veined Darter, 22nd June 2018. 

Photo - Ben Ward

 Ruddy Darter, 22nd June 2018. 

Photo - Ben Ward

Common Darter, 22nd June 2018. 

Photo - Ben Ward

Small Skipper, 22nd June 2018. 

Photo - Ben Ward

June 21st. The Summer Solstice (The Longest Day). Increasing north-westerly wind.
 Around were 2 Grey Partridge, a Yellow-legged Gull, 200 Sandwich Tern, a Merlin, 16 Starling and a Crossbill. On Tennyson's Sands were a Little Ringed Plover and 24 Black-tailed Godwit. Going west were 2 Swift; north a Turtle Dove; and south a Crossbill.
 A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 2 new birds: a Whitethroat and a Blue Tit; and 7 retraps: 4 Whitethroat, a Blue Tit and 2 Great Tit.

Ringlet, 21st June 2018. 

Photo - Ben Ward

Mid June 2018

June 20th. Increasing south-westerly wind.

 Birds around included a Brent Goose, 2 Eider, 32 Black-tailed Godwit, a Kingfisher, a Hobby, 80 Starling and a Crossbill. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Spoonbill; on Jackson's Marsh a Green Sandpiper; and on Fenland Lagoon a Greenshank. Heading south were 5 Lapwing, 346 Swift, 2 Turtle Dove and a Swallow.
 A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 4 new birds: 2 Linnet, a Robin and a Dunnock; and 3 retraps: a Blue Tit and 2 Chaffinch.

June 19th. Around were 3 Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, 29 Black-tailed Godwit, a Greenshank, a Sandwich Tern, a Hobby and 65 Starling. Flying south were 15 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 19 new birds: a Wren, a Robin, 2 Blackcap, a Chaffinch, 4 Whitethroat, 4 Blue Tit, 2 Meadow Pipit, a Coal Tit, a Dunnock, a Blackbird and a Magpie; and 10 retraps: a Dunnock, 3 Great Tit, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Sedge Warbler, a Blackbird and a Whitethroat.

Sandwich Tern, 19th June 2018.

Video - Ben Ward

Coal Tit, ringed, 19th June 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Privet Hawk-moth, 19th June 2018.

Photo - Nige Lound 

Eyed Hawk-moth, 19th June 2018.

Photo - Nige Lound 

Sand Dart, 19th June 2018.

Photo - Nige Lound 

Lyme-grass, 19th June 2018.

Photo - Nige Lound 

Cream-bordered Green Pea 19th June 2018.

Photo - Nige Lound 

June 18th. Birds around included 5 Spoonbill, a Hen Harrier, a Whimbrel, 25 Black-tailed Godwit, a Mediterranean Gull, 2 Cuckoo, a Kingfisher, 2 Hobby and 2 Crossbill. Going south were 220 Swift.
 The fifth session of CES was done this morning. The 17 new birds were 2 Chiffchaff, a Wren, 2 Great Tit, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, a Robin, a Chaffinch, a Blackcap, a Swallow, a Blue Tit and a Dunnock. The 12 retraps were 4 Whitethroat, a Blue Tit, 2 Long-tailed Tit, a Sedge Warbler, 3 Dunnock and a Chiffchaff.

Spoonbills, 18th June 2018.
Video - Ben Ward

Ruddy Darter, 18th June 2018.

Photo - Kevin Wilson

Azure Damselflies, 18th June 2018.

Photo - Nige Lound

Many of the local Foxgloves are colour variants from the usual reddish purple.

White, spotless Foxglove, 18th June 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

White, spotted Foxglove, 18th June 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Pale mauve, spotted Foxglove, 18th June 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

June 17th. Birds around included a Red Kite, a Mediterranean Gull, 3 Sandwich Tern, a Hobby, a Peregrine, a Nuthatch (in Plantation), 3 Jay, 3 Crossbill and a Siskin. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Spoonbill and 25 Black-tailed Godwit. Heading south were 604 Swift, 2 Swallow and 40 Starling; and north 10 Starling.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 9 new birds: 2 Wren, a Reed Warbler, 2 Linnet, 3 Great Tit and a Dunnock; and 8 retraps: 6 Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler and a Great Tit.

Nuthatch, 17th June 2018.

Photo - James Siddle

Meadow Brown, 17th June 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

June 16th. Around were 3 Brent Goose, 5 Eider, 2 Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, a Whimbrel, 29 Black-tailed Godwit, a Cuckoo, a Merlin and 4 Swallow. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Little Gull. Flying south were 14 Sandwich Tern, 584 Swift, 37 Starling and a Serin; and north 12 Common Scoter.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 9 new birds: 6 Linnet, a Reed Warbler, a Blackcap and a Whitethroat; and 2 retraps: a Chaffinch and a Whitethroat.

Little Gulls, 16th June 2018.

Photo - James Siddle

June 15th. A first summer Caspian Gull was discovered amongst the evening high tide roost. Birds around included 5 Common Scoter, a Mediterranean Gull, 3 Yellow-legged Gull, a Cuckoo, a Kingfisher and 4 Swallow. Going south were 1600 Swift, 45 Starling, a Sand Martin and 2 House Martin. In off the sea came 3 Grey Heron.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 15 new birds: a Long-tailed Tit, a Willow Warbler, a Wren, 2 Chaffinch, 4 Whitethroat, 3 Linnet, a Reed Warbler, a Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 15 retraps: a Chaffinch, a Whitethroat, 10 Long-tailed Tit, a Great Tit and 2 Dunnock.

Caspian Gull, 15th June 2018.

Video - Ben Ward

Late evening, 15th June 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

June 14th. Strong south-westerly wind.
 On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Spoonbill and a Spotted Redshank. Around were a 34 Black-tailed Godwit, a Turnstone, 2 Sandwich Tern, a Kittiwake, 3 Cuckoo and 2 Hobby. Heading south were 5 Red Kite, 2114 Swift, a Hobby, 14 Swallow, 173 House Martin and 21 Starling.

Spotted Redshank, 14th June 2018.

Video - Ben Ward 

June 13th. A ringtail Montagu's Harrier was discovered late afternoon, initially south through the reserve and out into The Wash. Later in the evening it was seen to come back in off the sea and head north, also in the evening a first summer Glaucous Gull was out from Mill Hill. Birds around included 44 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, 2 Sandwich Tern, 44 Common Gull, a Cuckoo, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Hobby and 2 Siskin. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Spoonbill. Flying south were a Red Kite, 10 Lapwing, 271 Swift and 48 Starling.
 A presumed escape Pied Crow (probably the one seen at Spurn earlier) was photographed on the fuel tank near the moored yachts.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 7 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Linnet, 2 Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, a Dunnock and a Mistle Thrush; and 5 retraps: a Sedge Warbler, 2 Great Tit and 2 Dunnock.

Thanks to Mick Widdowson and Derek Moseley for providing the following images of the Pied Crow:

Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 13th June 2018.
Video - Ben Ward 

Mistle Thrush, ringed 13th June 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Large Skipper, female, 13th June 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

Large Skipper, male, 13th June 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

Thanks to Dave Hitchen for this photo of a Privet Hawk-moth found locally.

June 12th. Birds around included a Marsh Harrier, 2 Cuckoo, 13 Swift and a Green Woodpecker. On Tennyson's Sands were 5 Spoonbill and 44 Black-tailed Godwit. Going south were 3 Spoonbill, 4 Gannet, 9 Swift and 6 Starling; and north 2 Swift and 6 House Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 6 new birds: a Wren, 2 Blue Tit, a Chaffinch, a Whitethroat and a Goldfinch; and 4 retraps: 2 Dunnock and 2 Great Tit.

Copulating Avocets, 12th June 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward 

Black-tailed Skimmer, 12th June 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

Spoonbills, 12th June 2018.

Photo - Paul Johnson

 Great Spotted Woodpecker nestling, 12th June 2018.

Photo - Paul Johnson

Whitethroat, 12th June 2018.

Photo - Paul Johnson

Blackbird, 12th June 2018.

Photo - Paul Johnson

June 11th. Around were 2 Grey Partridge, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Grey Plover, 61 Sanderling, 93 Dunlin, a Kittiwake, 2 Cuckoo, a Hobby, a Black Redstart (by the Visitor Centre) and 2 Crossbill. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Spoonbill and 42 Black-tailed Godwit.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 3 new birds: a Chiffchaff and 2 Blackbird; and 4 retraps: 2 Great Tit, a Dunnock and a Whitethroat.