Birds around included 3 Grey Heron, 7 Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, 74 Avocet, a Golden Plover, 275 Black-tailed Godwit, a Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, 4 Spotted Redshank, 7 Greenshank, 3 Arctic Skua, 49 Sandwich Tern, 3 Goldcrest, 170 Starling and 19 Siskin. Heading south were 2 Red-throated Diver, 19 Gannet, a Pomarine Skua, 10 Arctic Skua, 66 Sandwich Tern and 7 Common Tern; north 3 Red-throated Diver and a Great Crested Grebe; and high west a Short-eared Owl.
September 19th. Increasing then decreasing south-westerly wind.
Birds around included 33 Pink-footed Goose, 12 Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Diver, a Great Crested Grebe, 356 Black-tailed Godwit, a Common Sandpiper, 9 Spotted Redshank, 5 Greenshank, 2 Arctic Skua, 75 Sandwich Tern, a Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Whinchat, a Stonechat and a Wheatear. Flying south were 2 Pintail, 6 Common Scoter, 13 Red-throated Diver, 96 Gannet, a Great Crested Grebe, a Red-necked Grebe, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Turnstone, 27 Arctic Skua, 13 Great Skua, a Black Tern, 225 Sandwich Tern, 6 Common Tern, 3 Swift, 24 Sand Martin, 974 Swallow, 504 House Martin, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 356 Meadow Pipit and 65 Siskin; and north 3 Common Scoter and 53 Pink-footed Goose.
A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 3 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Siskin and a Dunnock; and 5 retraps: a Robin, 2 Dunnock, a Song Thrush and a Whitethroat.
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| Siskin, ringed 19th September 2018. Photo - George Gregory |
Birds around included 29 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Spoonbill, 555 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Spotted Redshank, 5 Greenshank, a Black Tern, a Yellow-legged Gull, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 2 Spotted Flycatcher and a Whinchat. Heading south were 250 Pink-footed Goose, 5 Shelduck, 12 Wigeon, 154 Teal, 11 Pintail, 3 Shoveler, 11 Common Scoter, 19 Red-throated Diver, 3 Manx Shearwater, 218 Gannet, 3 Ruff, a Greenshank, 11 Snipe, a juvenile Long-tailed Skua, 36 Arctic Skua, 19 Great Skua, 2 Guillemot, 3 Auk spp, a Black Tern, 664 Sandwich Tern, 34 Common Tern, 7 Arctic Tern, 48 Commic Tern, a Mediterranean Gull, a Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Collared Dove, 5 Swift, a Kestrel, a Hobby, 95 Sand Martin, 792 Swallow, 2758 House Martin, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Grey Wagtail, 5 Alba Wagtail, 170 Meadow Pipit and 38 Siskin; north 65 Common Scoter and an Arctic Skua; and west 197 Pink-footed Goose. In off the sea came 9 Snipe.
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| Spotted Redshanks, 18th September 2018. Photo - Owen Beaumont |
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| Spotted Redshank, 18th September 2018. Photo - Owen Beaumont |
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Sunrise from Mill Hill, 18th September 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward
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Birds around included 29 Pink-footed Goose, a Brent Goose, 4 Spoonbill, 100 Golden Plover, 150 Lapwing, a Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, 114 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Tern, a Caspian Gull, a Merlin, 10 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Treecreeper, 5 Spotted Flycatcher, 10 Whinchat, 4 Wheatear, a Stonechat and 2 Grey Wagtail. Flying south were 2 Snipe, a Swift, 2 Kestrel, 5 Sand Martin, 107 Swallow, 410 Meadow Pipit and 20 Siskin. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Spotted Redshank, 6 Greenshank and 250 Black-tailed Godwit.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes by Adam Homer and Ed Tyler provided 9 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Robin, a Linnet, 2 Blackcap, a Reed Warbler, a Swallow and a Meadow Pipit; and 3 retraps: a Dunnock, a Blackcap and a Whitethroat.
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| Spotted Flycatcher with Darter prey, 17th September 2018. Photo - Owen Beaumont |
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Treecreeper, 17th September 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont
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Grey Wagtail, 17th September 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont
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Whinchat, 17th September 2018.
Photo - Jim Shaw
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Ruff, 17th September 2018.
Photo - Jim Shaw.
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Spotted Redshank, 17th September 2018.
Photo - Jim Shaw
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Caspian Gull, back row third from left, 17th September 2018.
Photo - Kev Wilson
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Birds around included 9 Spoonbill, a Barn Owl, a Merlin, a Coal Tit, 3 Whinchat, a Wheatear and 2 Spotted Flycatcher. On Tennyson's Sands were 400 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Spotted Redshank and 6 Greenshank. Going south were 201 Pink-footed Goose, 96 Teal, 2 Pintail, 8 Tufted Duck, 2 Sooty Shearwater, 3 Manx Shearwater, 3 Pomarine Skua, 12 Arctic Skua, 12 Red-throated Diver, a Black-throated Diver, a Petrel spp, a Marsh Harrier, a Whimbrel, 4 Snipe, a Razorbill, 6 Common Tern, 2 Kittiwake, 2 Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Kestrel, 2 Yellow Wagtail, a Grey Wagtail, 160 Meadow Pipit, 2 Sand Martin, 109 House Martin and 75 Swallow; and north a Fulmar. In off the sea came 5 Snipe and a Kestrel.
An afternoon ringing session in East Dunes by Adam Homer and Ed Tyler produced a new Whitethroat; and 2 retraps: a Blackbird and a Goldcrest.
Butterflies included a Painted Lady.
September 15th. Soggy start.
The Icterine Warbler was retrapped again in East Dunes, late afternoon; it had further increased in weight to 16.5g. Around, including birds trapped, were 78 Pink-footed Goose, a Brent Goose, 4 Red-throated Diver, 8 Spoonbill, 2 Marsh Harrier, 3 Water Rail, 144 Lapwing, a Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, a Short-eared Owl, a Kingfisher, 2 Merlin, 2 Peregrine, 5 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat and 8 Wheatear. On the Mere was a Garganey; and on Tennyson's Sands were 2 Little Ringed Plover, 488 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Spotted Redshank and 8 Greenshank. Following a trawler late evening were a new first calendar year Caspian Gull and 2 Yellow-legged Gull. Heading south were 195 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Red-throated Diver, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Snipe, 2 Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, 5 Collared Dove, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 7 Kestrel, 3 Rook, 2 Sand Martin, 105 Swallow, 151 House Martin, 5 Starling, 12 Tree Sparrow, 7 Yellow Wagtail, a Grey Wagtail, 3 Alba Wagtail, 1540 Meadow Pipit, 43 Linnet, 30 Goldfinch, a Crossbill, 23 Siskin and 5 Reed Bunting.
A flighty Clouded Yellow was in East Dunes. Other butterflies included a Painted Lady.
A long ringing session in East Dunes by Adam Homer and Ed Tyler yielded 14 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, 5 Robin, 2 Blackcap, a Greenland Wheatear, a Sedge Warbler, a Linnet and a Kestrel; and 8 retraps; a Wren, 3 Dunnock, 2 Blackbird, a Robin and an Icterine Warbler.
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| Kestrel, ringed 15th September 2018. Photo - Adam Homer |
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Greenland Wheatear, ringed 15th September 2018.
Photo - George Gregory
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Spotted Flycatcher, 15th September 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont
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Wheatear, 15th September 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont
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Painted Lady, fresh in off the sea, 15th September 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward
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September 14th. Increasing then decreasing south-westerly wind.
There was no further sign of the Red-footed Falcon after it was seen briefly flying south over East Dunes in the morning. Birds around included 26 Pink-footed Goose, a Brent Goose, 12 Spoonbill, a Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, a Greenshank, 2 Short-eared Owl, a Hobby, a Merlin, a Garden Warbler, a Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Whinchat, a Stonechat and 2 Wheatear. On Tennyson's Sands were 500 Black-tailed Godwit and 7 Spotted Redshank. Flying south were 72 Pink-footed Goose, 4 Red-throated Diver, a Ruff, 2 Collared Dove, 4 Kestrel and a Tree Pipit; and north a Sooty Shearwater, a Manx Shearwater and 2 Great Skua. In off the sea came a Marsh Harrier and 11 Snipe.
A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 3 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Linnet and a Dunnock.
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Wheatear, 14th September 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward
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September 13th. The Red-footed Falcon was still around until mid afternoon, elusive and ranging widely - another five falcon species day on the reserve! The Icterine Warbler that was ringed on September 7th was retrapped in East Dunes; it had increased in weight from 15.1g to 15.7g. Around were 50 Common Scoter, 12 Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Water Rail, a Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpiper, 9 Spotted Redshank, 5 Greenshank, 4 Arctic Skua, a Mediterranean Gull, a Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Hobby, a Peregrine, a Jay, 11 Goldcrest, a Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Whinchat, a Wheatear and 2 Stonechat. Flying north was a Manx Shearwater; and south were 3 Marsh Harrier, 3 Buzzard, a Common Sandpiper, 7 Kestrel, 4 Swift, 32 Sand Martin, 531 Swallow, 2048 House Martin, a Tree Sparrow, 23 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Grey Wagtail, 20 Alba Wagtail, 1155 Meadow Pipit, 4 Tree Pipit, 19 Siskin and 25 Reed Bunting.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 13 new birds: 2 Willow Warbler, a Linnet, 2 Blackcap, a Sedge Warbler, a Reed Bunting, 4 Dunnock, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Woodpigeon; and 6 retraps: 2 Blackcap, 2 Dunnock, an Icterine Warbler and a Wren.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling produced 15 new birds: 2 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 2 Robin, 2 Blackcap, 3 Great Tit, a Blue Tit, a Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 6 retraps: 2 Wren, a Goldcrest, 2 Great Tit and a Blue Tit.
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Migrant Common Buzzard, 13th September 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward
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Spotted Redshank, 13th September 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont
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Green Woodpecker, 13h September 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont
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| Noisy Great Spotted Woodpecker, ringed 13th September 2018. Photo - George Gregory |
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| Icterine Warbler, retrapped 13th September 2018. Photo - George Gregory |
September 12th. Rain until early morning.
The Red-footed Falcon remained faithful to the West Dunes. On Jackson's Marsh was a Garganey. Birds around included 11 Spoonbill, 2 Marsh Harrier, 3 Water Rail, 8490 Oystercatcher, 400 Black-tailed Godwit, 80000 Knot, 3 Common Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshank, 4 Greenshank, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Mediterranean Gull, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Hobby, a Peregrine, 100 Swallow, 3 Whinchat and a White Wagtail. Going south were 6 Pintail, 16 Pink-footed Goose, 3 Red-throated Diver, a Great Crested Grebe, 2 Swift, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Collared Dove, 4 Kestrel, 8 Sand Martin, 125 Swallow, 15 House Martin, 3 House Sparrow, 12 Tree Sparrow, 33 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Grey Wagtail, 14 Alba Wagtail, 1040 Meadow Pipit, 40 Linnet, 20 Goldfinch, 154 Siskin and 15 Reed Bunting; and west a Grey Heron.
A rain-delayed morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 12 new birds: 3 Blackcap, 4 Reed Bunting, a Robin, a Goldfinch and 3 Dunnock; and 9 retraps: 5 Long-tailed Tit, a Robin, a Dunnock and 2 Reed Bunting.
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Red-footed Falcon, 12th September 2018.
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| Short-eared Owl, 12th September 2018. |
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Red-footed Falcon, 12th September 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont
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Melanistic Rabbits, 12th September 2018.
Photo's - Ben Ward
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| High tide approaching Bird Observatory, 12th September 2018. Photo - George Gregory |
September 11th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind, then light rain later in morning.
The Red-footed Falcon reappeared in the early afternoon once the weather came more clement, again favouring West Dunes. A Nightjar was discovered hawking at dark. Birds around included 7 Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, 105 Lapwing, a Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper, 2 Barn Owl, a Short-eared Owl, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 9 Goldcrest, 180 Swallow, a Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 2 Wheatear and 10 Yellow Wagtail. On Tennyson's Sands were 611 Black-tailed Godwit, 14 Greenshank and 8 Spotted Redshank. Heading south were an Osprey, 3 Marsh Harrier, a Whimbrel, 3 Snipe, an Arctic Skua, 2 Great Skua, 7 Swift, a Sand Martin, 210 Swallow, 65 House Martin, 6 Yellow Wagtail, a Grey Wagtail and 281 Meadow Pipit.
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Red-footed Falcon, 11th September 2018.
Photo - Owen Beaumont
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Red-footed Falcon, 11th September 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward
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Swallow, 11th September 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward
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