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