Late April 2019

Just Reported Old Ringing Control:
Bar-tailed Godwit ringed GPBO 31 August 1988, controlled Leverton Outgate, Lincolnshire 11 August 2006.

April 30th. The Eastern Subalpine Warbler was rediscovered north of Mill Hill mid-morning, unfortunately only on show for a brief period of time prior to being flushed by walkers and not relocated. A Great White Egret went south over East Dunes, as did a Tree Pipit. Around, including birds trapped, were 68 Brent Goose, 3 Garganey, a Marsh Harrier, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Water Rail, 16 Whimbrel, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, a Spotted Redshank, 5 Greenshank, 4 Common Tern, 3 Cuckoo, a Short-eared Owl, a Fieldfare, a Garden Warbler, 18 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 13 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler 18 Sedge Warbler, 3 Grasshopper Warbler, 5 Wheatear, 8 Yellow Wagtail, a Tree Pipit and a Brambling.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 4 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Linnet and a Dunnock; and 5 retraps: 2 Linnetr, 2 Goldfinch and a Whitethroat.

Wheatear, 30th April 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

April 29th. A male Eastern Subalpine Warbler was trapped and ringed in East Dunes, the bird being then observed in the field until mid afternoon. A male Serin flew east over the north end of the reserve.
 Birds around, including those trapped, were 3 Garganey, a Hen Harrier, 6 Whimbrel, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, a Greenshank, a Common Tern, a Mediterranean Gull, 2 Tawny Owl, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Cuckoo, a Garden Warbler, 16 Blackcap, 5 Whitethroat, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Firecrest, a Wheatear and 2 Yellow Wagtail. Flying north were 3 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 15 new birds: a Wren, 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blue Tit and a Subalpine Warbler; and 4 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, a Blue Tit and a SedgeWarbler.

Eastern Subalpine Warbler, ringed 29th April 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

Eastern Subalpine Warbler, ringed 29th April 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

Eastern Subalpine Warbler, 29th April 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Female Garganey, 29th April 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Male Garganey, 29th April 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Ringtail Hen Harrier, 29th April 2019.
Photo - Paul Neale

Male Wheatear, 29th April 2019.
Photo - Paul Neale

April 28th. Increasing north-westerly wind, with some light rain.
 Around, including birds trapped, were a Pink-footed Goose, 105 Brent Goose, 3 Garganey, 14 Eider, 2 Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, 4 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 6 Whimbrel, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, 2 Common Tern, 2 Mediterranean Gull, a Cuckoo, a Short-eared Owl, 12 House Martin, 2 Ring Ouzel, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 14 Sedge Warbler, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 22 Whitethroat, 21 Blackcap, 11 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, a Reed Warbler, a Firecrest, 4 Wheatear, a Yellow Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipit and a Bullfinch. Going south were a Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk and 2 Buzzard.
 A weather-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 9 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Linnet, 3 Blackcap, a Whitethroat, 2 Chaffinch and a Sparrowhawk; and 7 retraps: 3 Wren, 3 Whitethroat and a Lesser Whitethroat.

Tree Pipit, 28th April 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Wheatear, 28th April 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Sparrowhawk, ringed 28th April 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

Whimbrel, 28th April 2019.

Photo - Owen Beaumont

Whimbrel, 28th April 2019.

Photo - Owen Beaumont

April 27th. Strong south-westerly wind, with rainy spells.
 On Tennyson's Sands were a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Spotted Redshank, a Ruff, a Mediterranean Gull and a White Wagtail. Birds around included 90 Brent Goose, 3 Garganey, 2 Grey Heron, a Spoonbill, a Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, a Greenshank, 2 Common Tern, a Green Woodpecker, 17 Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat, 11 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler, a Grasshopper Warbler, 18 Starling, a Redstart, 3 Wheatear, a Yellow Wagtail and a Bullfinch.  Flying south were 3 Sandwich Tern and 3 Little Tern; and north a Hobby.

Garganey, 27th April 2019.

Photos - Ben Ward

Mediterranean Gull, 27th April 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward 

Spoonbill, 27th April 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

April 26th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 124 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Garganey, a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, 9 Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, a Greenshank, a Woodcock, 2 Mediterranean Gull, a Cuckoo, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Ring Ouzel, 27 Sedge Warbler, 25 Blackcap, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 44 Whitethroat, 15 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Grasshopper Warbler, a Goldcrest, a Firecrest, 15 Wheatear, a Redstart, 3 Yellow Wagtail, a White Wagtail, a Bullfinch, a Brambling and 4 Corn Bunting. Going north were 2 Whimbrel; and south 2 Marsh Harrier, a Merlin, 4 Sand Martin, 12 Swallow, 5 Yellow Wagtail and a Tree Pipit.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Sonia Vallocchia, resulted in 6 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Wren, a Blackcap, a Linnet, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Whitethroat; and 3 retraps: a Goldcrest, a Dunnock and a Whitethroat.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling resulted in 10 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Wren, 2 Goldfinch, 3 Sedge Warbler and 2 Whitethroat; and 7 retraps: 2 Wren, a Goldfinch, 2 Great Tit, a Dunnock and a Sedge Warbler.

Grasshopper Warbler, 26th April 2019.
Photo - Nigel Taylor

Grasshopper Warbler, 26th April 2019.
Photo - Nigel Taylor

Wheatear, 26th April 2019.
Photo - Nigel Taylor

Garganey, 26th April 2019.

Photo - Sonia Vallocchia

Little Egret, 26th April 2019.

Photo - Sonia Vallocchia 

Little Grebe, 26th April 2019.

Photo - Sonia Vallocchia 

Holly Blue, 26th April 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Firecrest sub song, 26th April 2019.

Video - Ben Ward 

April 25th. Several rainy spells from mid morning.
 Around, including birds trapped, were 85 Brent Goose, 4 Whimbrel, 21 Turnstone, 62 Ringed Plover,  a Short-eared Owl, a Cuckoo, 2 Wheatear, a Grasshopper Warbler, 23 Blackcap, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 13 Whitethroat, 5 Sedge Warbler, 14 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 28 Starling and a Brambling. On Jackson's Marsh were 3 Garganey, a White Wagtail and a Yellow Wagtail; and on Tennyson's Sands 2 Great White Egret, 11 Black-tailed Godwit, a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Greenshank and a Common Tern. Heading north were a Wood Sandpiper, an Arctic Tern, 5 House Martin and 28 Swallow.
 A rain-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett and Sonia Vallocchia, provided 7 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, a Robin and 2 Linnet; and 4 retraps: a Blue Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Wren and a Linnet.

Grasshopper Warbler, 22nd April 2019.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Common Whitethroat, 22nd April 2019.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Meadow Pipit, 22nd April 2019.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Greylag and Canada Goose, 25th April 2019.

Photo - Sonia Vallocchia 

Mute Swan, 25th April 2019.

Photo - Sonia Vallocchia

Garganey, 25th April 2019.

Photo - Jim Shaw

April 24th. On Jackson's Marsh were 3 Garganey and 2 Great White Egret. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Pink-footed Goose, 129 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Whimbrel, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Cuckoo, a Merlin, a Hobby (first of the year), 11 Blackcap, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 21 Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 9 Sedge Warbler, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest, 20 Starling, 7 Fieldfare, a Redwing, 2 Wheatear, a Yellow Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, a Tree Pipit, a Brambling, 2 Bullfinch, 4 Yellowhammer and 2 Corn Bunting. Flying north were a Sand Martin and a Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Sonia Vallocchia, produced 6 new birds: a Goldcrest, a Willow Warbler, a Sedge Warbler, a Robin, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Sparrowhawk; and 6 retraps: 2 Wren, a Goldcrest, a Blackcap and 2 Lesser Whitethroat.

Tree Pipit, 24th April 2019.

Video - Ben Ward

Great White Egret, 24th April 2019.

Photo - Jim Shaw

Grey Heron, 24th April 2019.

Photo - Jim Shaw

Green Hairstreak, 24th April 2019.

Photo - Jim Shaw

Sparrowhawk, ringed 24th April 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

April 23rd. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Great White Egret and 3 Garganey; on Fenland Lagoon 4 Little Ringed Plover and a Greenshank; and on Tennyson's Sands 3 Spoonbill and another Little Ringed Plover. Around, including birds trapped, were 164 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, a Sparrowhawk, 4 Whimbrel, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, a Jack Snipe, 9 Little Tern, 4 Cuckoo, a Short-eared Owl, a Ring Ouzel, 23 Blackcap, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Whitethroat, 2 Firecrest and 3 Brambling.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Sonia Vallocchia, yielded 10 new birds: 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Robin, 3 Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat and a Blackbird; and 2 retraps: a Chaffinch and a Reed Bunting.

Garganey, 23rd April 2019.

Photo - Nige Lound

Great White Egret, 23rd April 2019.

Photo - Nige Lound

Spoonbill, 23rd April 2019.

Photo - Nige Lound

April 22nd. Birds around, including those trapped, were 22 Brent Goose, 3 Garganey (Jackson's Marsh), 14 Red-breasted Merganser, 19 Eider, 2 Grey Heron, a Spoonbill, a male and a ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Whimbrel, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, a Greenshank, a Jack Snipe, 2 Common Tern, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Ring Ouzel, 2 Redwing, 4 Fieldfare, 6 Wheatear, 20 Sedge Warbler, 32 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 26 Whitethroat, 12 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler, a Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Goldcrest, a Yellow Wagtail, a Brambling, 5 Yellowhammer and a Corn Bunting. Going north were 11 Whimbrel and 3 Swallow: and east a Sparrowhawk and a Merlin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Sonia Vallocchia, provided 15 new birds: a Wren, a Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, a Chaffinch, a Robin, 3 Linnet, a Sedge Warbler, a Blackcap, 2 Reed Bunting and 2 Dunnock; and 3 retraps: a Linnet, a Dunnock and a Sedge Warbler.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Jenni Godber provided 4 new Goldfinch; and 6 retraps: 2 Chaffinch, a Greenfinch, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Great Tit and a Goldfinch.

Male Pied Flycatcher, 22nd April 2019.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Rising Sun, 22nd April 2019.

Photo - Sonia Vallocchia

Pied Flycatcher, 22 April 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Acredula Willow Warbler, ringed 22nd April 2019.
Photo - George Gregory

Fox, 22nd April 2019.
Photo - Paul Johnson

April 21st. On Tennyson's Sands were 18 Black-tailed Godwit, 49 Redshank, 2 Common Tern (first of the year), 2 Mediterranean Gull and a Hooded Crow; and on Jackson's Marsh were 5 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Garganey, 5 Little Egret, a Grey Heron and a Greenshank. Around, including birds trapped, were 131 Brent Goose, 2 Eider, a Red Kite, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 1220 Grey Plover, 49 Ringed Plover, 5 Whimbrel, 76 Curlew, 62 Bar-tailed Godwit, 6400 Knot, 155 Sanderling, 91 Redshank, a Cuckoo, a Short-eared Owl, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 2 Redstart, a Whinchat (first of the year), 8 Wheatear, 2 Ring Ouzel, a Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, 32 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 15 Whitethroat, 21 Chiffchaff, 7 Willow Warbler, 3 Grasshopper Warbler, 12 Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 3 Brambling, a Bullfinch, 4 Yellowhammer and a Corn Bunting. Heading south was a Grey Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Sonia Vallocchia, produced 6 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Linnet and a Robin; and 3 retraps: 2 Robin and a Linnet.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Jenni Godber produced 12 new birds: 10 Goldfinch, a Brambling and a Chaffinch; and 4 retraps: 2 Great Tit, a Chiffchaff and a Goldfinch.

Whinchat, 21st April 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Cuckoo, 21st April 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Magpie, 21st April 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Mid April 2019

April 20th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 108 Brent Goose, an Eider, a Goosander, a Great White Egret, a Grey Heron, a Red Kite, 2 Sparrowhawk, 6 Buzzard, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, a Greenshank, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 5 Stock Dove, a Cuckoo, a Woodlark, 3 Ring Ouzel, 14 Fieldfare, 25 Song Thrush, 3 Redwing, 7 Wheatear, 12 Sedge Warbler, 11 Whitethroat, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 21 Blackcap, 9 Willow Warbler, 16 Chiffchaff, 3 Grasshopper Warbler, 5 Goldcrest, a Tree Pipit, 6 Yellowhammer and 2 Corn Bunting. Heading north were a Marsh Harrier, 2 Whimbrel, 13 Sand Martin, 12 Swallow and a House Martin.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Sonia Vallocchia, resulted in 15 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, 3 Robin, a Great Tit, a Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Song Thrush; and 4 retraps: a Dunnock, a Sedge Warbler, a Goldcrest and a Great Tit.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue resulted in 5 new birds: 3 Goldfinch, a Chaffinch and a Greenfinch; and 6 retraps: a Goldfinch, a Blue Tit, 3 Chaffinch and a Coal Tit.

Muntjac, 20th April 2019.

Photo - Nige Lound

April 19th. Two Common Crane flew south, then south-east toward Norfolk early evening. Around, including birds trapped, were a Garganey (Jackson's Marsh), 5 Common Scoter, 15 Little Egret, a Great White Egret, a Grey Heron, a Hen Harrier, 3 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 2277 Grey Plover, 11 Black-tailed Godwit, 31 Bar-tailed Godwit, 10636 Knot, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, a Glaucous Gull, 2 Green Woodpecker, a Cuckoo, a Short-eared Owl, a Merlin, a Woodlark, 3 Ring Ouzel, 20 Song Thrush, 14 Redwing, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 19 Blackcap, 8 Willow Warbler, 14 Chiffchaff, 3 Grasshopper Warbler, 10 Sedge Warbler, 3 Goldcrest, a Black Redstart (Visitor Centre), a Stonechat. 3 Wheatear, a White Wagtail, a Tree Pipit and a Brambling. Flying north were an Eider, 19 Sand Martin, 21 Swallow and 46 Redwing; and south 2 Brambling.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Sonia Vallocchia, provided 13 new birds: 2 Wren, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, 2 Robin, a Chaffinch, a Blackcap and 2 Redwing; and 7 retraps: a Wren, 2 Dunnock, a Chaffinch, a Robin, a Great Tit and a Goldcrest.

Great White Egret (top), with 2 Little Egrets, 19th April 2019
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

April 18th. Going south were a Little Ringed Plover, a Yellow Wagtail, a Tree Pipit, a Brambling and a Yellowhammer; and north 2 Little Tern and 10 Swallow. Birds around, including those trapped, were 70 Brent Goose, 2 Grey Heron, a Great White Egret, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, a Jack Snipe, a Woodcock, a Short-eared Owl, a Ring Ouzel, 15 Fieldfare, 8 Song Thrush, 30 Redwing, 4 Wheatear, a Stonechat, a Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 14 Blackcap, 3 Willow Warbler, 12 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrest, 2 Brambling, 4 Yellowhammer and 14 Corn Bunting.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett and Sonia Vallocchia, produced 14 new birds: 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 4 Robin, 3 Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Chaffinch.

 Butterflies included Speckled Wood and Small Tortoiseshell.

April 17th. A Woodlark was heard over West Dunes late morning. On Jackson's Marsh were a Great White Egret, 2 Grey Heron, a Spoonbill and a Whimbrel. Around, including birds trapped, were 2 Sparrowhawk, 8 Golden Plover, 6 Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, 4 Snipe, a Mediterranean Gull, a Short-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, 9 Swallow, a Ring Ouzel (East Dunes), a Redwing, 10 Blackcap, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, a Willow Warbler, 12 Chiffchaff, 2 Sedge Warbler, 24 Starling, a Redstart (West Dunes), 2 Wheatear (Wash View Point) and a Brambling.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Sonia Vallocchia, yielded 13 new birds: a Wren, 5 Chaffinch, 6 Goldfinch and a Brambling; and 2 retrap Goldfinch.

Brambling ringed, 17th April 2019.

Photo - George Gregory

Wheatear, 17th April 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Wheatear, 17th April 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Small Copper, 17th April 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Green Hairstreak, 17th April 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Chiffchaff, 17th April 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

April 16th. Moderately strong easterly wind.

  A second-summer Glaucous Gull was briefly present on the estuary on the building tide, prior to heading north. A fine summer-plumaged Great White Egret appeared on Jackson's Marsh in the evening, where there were also a Goosander, 10 Little Egret and 2 Grey Heron. Birds around included a Great Crested Grebe, a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, 3 Whimbrel, 60 Bar-tailed Godwit, 26 Turnstone, a Jack Snipe, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Green Woodpecker, a Ring Ouzel (East Dunes), 2 Redwing, 5 Swallow, a Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Blackcap, 14 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Cetti's Warbler (Tennyson's Sands), 2 Sedge Warbler, 7 Goldcrest, a Firecrest (East Dunes), a Redstart (West Dunes) and 14 Corn Bunting. Heading south were a Swallow, a Yellow Wagtail and a Grey Wagtail. 

 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Sonia Vallocchia, provided 3 new birds: a Wren, a Dunnock and a Song Thrush.

Great White Egret, 16th April 2019.

Video - Ben Ward

Glaucous Gull, 16th April 2019.

Photo - Owen Beaumont

Redstart, 16th April 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw

Green Hairstreak, 16th April 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Great White Egret, 16th April 2019.

Photo - Owen Beaumont

April 15th. Moderately strong easterly wind.
 The first Spoonbill of the year came in off the Wash and stayed briefly. Around were a male Marsh Harrier, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, a Greenshank, 2 Mediterranean Gull (Tennyson's Sands), 2 Short-eared Owl, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Rook, a Redstart (West Dunes), 2 Wheatear, a Ring Ouzel, 2 Redwing, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat, 9 Blackcap, 11 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 5 Goldcrest, and 2 Yellow Wagtail.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Sonia Vallocchia, produced 2 new birds: a Linnet and a Reed Bunting; and 2 retrap Great Tit.

Redstart, 15th April 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Redstart, 15th April 2019.

Photo - Owen Beaumont

Spoonbill, 15th April 2019.

Photo - David Caulfield

April 14th. Moderately strong easterly wind.
 The first Lesser Whitethroat of the year was in song by Mill Pond. Birds around included 85 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 12 Little Egret, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 25 Black-tailed Godwit, a Spotted Redshank, 2 Jack Snipe, 2 Mediterranean Gull, a Merlin, a Ring Ouzel (East Dunes), 8 Redwing, 5 Blackcap, 11 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Redstart (West Dunes), 2 Wheatear (Rock Ridge) and 16 Corn Bunting.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in just 2 new Linnet.

Sparrowhawk, 14th April 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Wheatear, 14th April 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Mediterranean Gull pair, 14th April 2019.

Video - Ben Ward

April 13th. The first Redstart of the spring was in the West Dunes. On Jackson's Marsh were 14 Little Egret, 3 Black-tailed Godwit and a White Wagtail; and on Tennyson's Sands a Mediterranean Gull. Around, including birds trapped, were 80 Brent Goose, 4 Eider, 2 Hen Harrier (a male and a ringtail), a Sparrowhawk, 3 Buzzard, 203 Ringed Plover, 99 Curlew, a Spotted Redshank (first of the year), 186 Redshank, a Woodcock, a Short-eared Owl, 5 Rook, 3 Ring Ouzel (East Dunes), 2 Fieldfare, a Redwing, 5 Blackcap, 19 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, 2 Wheatear (Wash Viewpoint) and 17 Corn Bunting.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 4 new birds: 2 Goldcrest and 2 Linnet; and 4 retraps: 2 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff and a Robin.

Male Common Redstart, 13th April 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Wheatear, 13th April 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Ring Ouzel, 13th April 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Male Common Redstart, 13th April 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

April 12th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 9 Pink-footed Goose, 25 Wigeon, a Hen Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, 3 Buzzard, 7 Golden Plover, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, a Woodcock, 5 Snipe, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Peregrine, a House Martin, 3 Ring Ouzel, 19 Redwing, 9 Blackcap, 14 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Wheatear, a Water Pipit (Jackson's Marsh), 2 Brambling and 20 Corn Bunting.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 2 new birds: a Wren and a Goldcrest; and 2 retraps: a Wren and a Chiffchaff.

Male Wheatear, 12th April 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

Male Wheatear, 12th April 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont

April 11th.  The Black Redstart was around the Visitor Centre again. Also around, including birds trapped, were 11 Pink-footed Goose, 89 Brent Goose, 2 Grey Partridge, a Grey Heron, 2 Sparrowhawk, 5 Buzzard, a Little Ringed Plover, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Collared Dove, 2 Short-eared Owl, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Rook, 9 Blackcap, 14 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, 7 Goldcrest, 3 Ring Ouzel, 14 Song Thrush, 29 Redwing, 3 Wheatear, a Siskin, 2 Yellowhammer and 19 Corn Bunting. Flying south was a Yellow Wagtail. On Croftmarsh were 4 Barnacle Goose and a White Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett yielded just 3 retraps: a Blackcap and 2 Blue Tit.

Roe buck, 11th April 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Roe doe, 11th April 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward

Male Wheatear, 11th April 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont 

Male Ring Ouzel, 11th April 2019.
Photo - Owen Beaumont 

Red Admiral nectaring on Blackthorn, 11th April 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward 

Grass Snake, 11th April 2019.

Photo - Ben Ward