September 30th. Soggy start. Most of the saltmarsh was flooded in the morning due to a high tide and yesterday's rain.
A juvenile Red-footed Falcon appeared to arrive off the sea and then flew south down the East Dunes. Also heading south were 177 Pink-footed Goose, 4 Gadwall, 116 Wigeon, 6 Pintail, 3 Red-throated Diver, a Great White Egret (then west), a Marsh Harrier, 6 Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 18 Sandwich Tern, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Kestrel, 5 Magpie, 202 Skylark, a Sand Martin, 68 Swallow, 51 House Martin, 28 Starling, 15 House Sparrow, 27 Tree Sparrow, 4 Grey Wagtail, a Yellow Wagtail, 36 Alba Wagtail, a Tree Pipit, 2085 Meadow Pipit, 34 Rock Pipit, a Brambling, 105 Chaffinch, a Greenfinch, 562 Linnet, a Redpoll, 272 Goldfinch, 2 Siskin and 80 Reed Bunting. In off the sea came 6 Redwing. Birds around, including those trapped, were 400 Pink-footed Goose, 6 Brent Goose, 132 Shelduck, 145 Wigeon, 75 Gadwall, 22 Pintail, 48 Shoveler, 24 Tufted Duck, 181 Cormorant, 10 Little Egret, a Grey Heron, 11 Spoonbill, 2 Marsh Harrier, 4 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, 10843 Oystercatcher, 4230 Grey Plover, 6800 Bar-tailed Godwit, 246 Curlew, 84000 Knot, 1420 Sanderling, 5820 Dunlin, 5 Greenshank, 11 Snipe, a Kingfisher, 4 Kestrel, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 8 Rook, 27 Goldcrest, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat, 8 Blackcap, 20 Chiffchaff, a Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Treecreeper, 103 Starling, 3 Song Thrush, a Redwing, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Whinchat, 3 Stonechat and 2 Wheatear. On Tennyson's Sands were 11 Spoonbill, 3 Water Rail, 9 Avocet, 38 Black-tailed Godwit, a Ruff and 3 Spotted Redshank.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Rebecca Hardwick, provided 38 new birds: 8 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, a Long-tailed Tit, a Wren, a Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Blackcap, 3 Robin, a Whitethroat, 9 Reed Bunting, a Chaffinch and 5 Dunnock; and 4 retraps: 2 Dunnock, a Goldcrest and a Robin.
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The Sun rising over the Old Saltmarsh, 30th September 2019.
Photo - Rebecca Hardwick
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Whinchat, 30th September 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw
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Wheatear, 30th September 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw
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Around, including birds trapped, were 460 Pink-footed Goose, 3 Gadwall, 121 Teal, 15 Shoveler, 9 Tufted Duck, 8 Eider, 91 Cormorant, 7 Little Egret, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, a Water Rail, 5 Avocet, 24 Lapwing, 136 Curlew, 49 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Spotted Redshank, 11 Greenshank, 2 Stock Dove, a Kingfisher, 68 Goldcrest, a Lesser Whitethroat, 19 Blackcap, 28 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, a Treecreeper, a Redwing, 3 Song Thrush, a Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Stonechat, 4 Grey Wagtail and a Brambling. Flying north-west were 30 Pink-footed Goose; south 9 Arctic Skua and a Long-tailed Skua, 60 Teal, a Marsh Harrier, 14 Lapwing, a Kestrel, 15 Swallow, 6 Starling, 4 Yellow Wagtail, a Grey Wagtail, 1131 Meadow Pipit and a Crossbill.
A weather-restricted morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 27 new birds: 6 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, 2 Willow Warbler, 9 Blackcap, a Great Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Robin and a Blue Tit; and 9 retraps: a Great Tit, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Long-tailed Tit, a Wren, a Chiffchaff and a Blackcap.
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Common Seals, 29th September 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw
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Scenes from the mornings high tide, 29th September 2019.
Photo - Jim Shaw
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| Wheatear, 29th September 2019 Photo - Daimien Hughes |
September 28th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind, with rain in afternoon.
Going south were 8 Brent Goose, 8 Spoonbill, 5 Marsh Harrier (including 2 over the sea), a Buzzard, 6 Arctic Skua, a first calendar year Caspian Gull, a Hobby, 4 Grey Wagtail and a Snow Bunting. Birds around, including those trapped, were 15 Brent Goose, 213 Teal, a Pintail, 5 Shoveler, 12 Tufted Duck, 18 Little Egret, a Grey Heron, a Great Crested Grebe, a Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 18 Avocet, 44 Lapwing, 63 Black-tailed Godwit, a Common Sandpiper, a Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 11 Sandwich Tern, a Kingfisher, a Tawny Owl, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 57 Goldcrest, 20 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, 5 Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Redstart, 5 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, a Yellow Wagtail, a Grey Wagtail, a Brambling and a Corn Bunting. On Croftmarsh were 270 Pink-footed Goose, a Ruff and 4 Spotted Redshank; and on Jackson's Marsh was a Little Stint.
A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 20 new birds: 4 Chiffchaff, 10 Goldcrest, 2 Robin, a Meadow Pipit, 2 Blackcap and a Redstart; and a retrap Goldcrest.
Arctic Skua, 28th September 2019.
Video - Ben Ward
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| Redstart, ringed 28th September 2019. Photo - George Gregory |
During an excellent morning passage heading south were 4 Brent Goose, 2 Pintail, 14 Common Scoter, 27 Red-throated Diver, a Diver sp, 62 Gannet, 5 Grey Heron (then out to sea), a Buzzard, 5 Auk sp, 159 Sandwich Tern, 3 Common Tern, 2 Kestrel, a Jay (then back north), 32 Skylark, 201 House Martin, 94 Swallow, a Wheatear, a Yellow Wagtail, 8 Grey Wagtail, 59 Alba Wagtail, 3696 Meadow Pipit, 15 Rock Pipit, 2104 Linnet, 2 Twite, 271 Goldfinch, 2 Brambling, 85 Chaffinch and 3 Lapland Bunting; and north-west 305 Pink-footed Goose. Around, including birds trapped, were 600 Pink-footed Goose, 118 Shelduck, 90 Wigeon, 5 Gadwall, 108 Teal, a Pintail, 7 Shoveler, 18 Tufted Duck, 16 Common Scoter, 11 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 5 Spoonbill, a Great Crested Grebe, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, 3 Buzzard, 90 Lapwing, 63 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Greenshank, 3 Snipe, 3 Stock Dove, 2 Tawny Owl, 2 Kingfisher, 38 Goldcrest, 6 Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat, 12 Chiffchaff, 2 Treecreeper, 2 Stonechat and 2 Wheatear. On Jackson's Marsh were 6 Pintail a Little Stint and a Common Sandpiper; and on Tennyson's Sands 20 Avocet, a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Ruff and 10 Spotted Redshank.
A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 16 new birds: 7 Goldcrest, a Wren, a Chiffchaff, 2 Robin, 4 Blackcap and a Dunnock; and a retrap Wren.
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Evening Rainbow over the West Dunes, 27th September 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward
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A Sabine's Gull was discovered close offshore in the morning. Birds around, including those trapped, were 300 Pink-footed Goose, 44 Teal, 7 Shoveler, 16 Tufted Duck, 14 Little Egret, a Buzzard, 53 Black-tailed Godwit, a Greenshank, 3 Snipe, 60 Sandwich Tern, 2 Stock Dove, a Peregrine, 20 Goldcrest, 5 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Treecreeper, 2 Song Thrush, 7 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, 3 Grey Wagtail, 2 Rock Pipit and 2 Siskin. On Tennyson's Sands were 21 Avocet, 14 Lapwing, a Ruff, 11 Spotted Redshank and a White Wagtail; and on Jacksons Marsh a Pintail, a Grey Heron and 4 Greenshank. Heading south were 70 Pink-footed Goose, a Swift, a Hobby, 39 Swallow and 31 House Martin; and north-west 15 Pink-footed Goose.
A weather-restricted morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Keith Collett, produced 7 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, a Wren, 3 Blackcap and a Robin; and 3 retraps: a Wren, a Blackcap and a Goldcrest.
Migrant insects included 8 Painted Lady.
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Wheatear, 26th September 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward
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Around, including birds trapped, were 624 Pink-footed Goose, 5 Gadwall, 82 Teal, 8 Shoveler, 16 Tufted Duck, a Red-breasted Merganser, 13 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 6 Spoonbill, 2 Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, 7 Greenshank, 2 Snipe, 160 Sandwich Tern, a Stock Dove, a Kingfisher, 2 Tawny Owl, a Green Woodpecker, 29 Goldcrest, 4 Blackcap 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Treecreeper, 4 Song Thrush, a Redstart, 6 Stonechat, a Wheatear, a Tree Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit and 4 Greenfinch. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Water Rail, 21 Avocet, 37 Lapwing, a Ruff and 4 Grey Wagtail; and on Jackson's Marsh 4 Pintail, a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper, 10 Spotted Redshank and 7 Greenshank. Flying south were 27 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Pintail, 2 Marsh Harrier, 31 Swallow, 117 House Martin, 2 Yellow Wagtail and 3 Grey Wagtail.
A rain-delayed ringing session in East Dunes yielded 10 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, a Tree Pipit, a Blue Tit, a Swallow, a Goldfinch and a Dunnock; and 6 retraps: a Dunnock, 2 Robin, a Goldcrest, a Blackcap and a Wren.
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| Tree Pipit, ringed 25th September 2019. Photo - George Gregory |
On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Little Stint. Birds around, including those trapped, were 5 Spoonbill, 3 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 16 Goldcrest, a Whitethroat, 10 Chiffchaff and a Redstart.
A brief morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 11 new birds: a Wren, 5 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, a Goldfinch, a Blue Tit, a Robin and a Blackbird; and 14 retraps: a Robin, a Whitethroat, 2 Great Tit, 7 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Wren and a Blue Tit.
September 23rd. The Isabelline Wheatear was relocated at Greenshanks Creek. Around, including birds trapped, were 2 Great White Egret, a Spoonbill, 3 Buzzard, a Sparrowhawk, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Kingfisher, a Tawny Owl, a Merlin, 9 Goldcrest, 3 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, a Treecreeper, 11 Stonechat and a Wheatear. Going south were 2 Grey Heron and 3 Buzzard.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Rebecca Hardwick, produced 3 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest and a Blackcap; and 6 retraps: a Robin, 3 Dunnock, a Great Tit and a Goldcrest.
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Isabelline Wheatear, 23rd September 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward
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Isabelline Wheatear, 23rd September 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward
September 22nd. The county's first Isabelline Wheatear was discovered on the beach out from Mill Hill by the guided 'day list' group. It was briefly seen prior to flushing northward, the bird's true identity was only conclusively established through prolonged detailed study after it being relocated nearby the following day.
The first Yellow-browed Warbler of the autumn was at the north of the reserve. Birds around, including those trapped, were 100 Pink-footed Goose, 14 Brent Goose, 130 Shelduck, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, a Sparrowhawk, 800 Golden Plover, 105 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Greenshank, 10 Snipe, 65 Sandwich Tern, a Mediterranean Gull, 2 Stock Dove, a Tawny Owl, 7 Kestrel, 20 Goldcrest, 5 Blackcap, 7 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 7 Chiffchaff, a Reed Warbler, 4 Whinchat, 8 Stonechat, a Wheatear, 2 Treecreeper, 3 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Redstart and 6 Yellow Wagtail. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Wigeon, 5 Spoonbill, 4 Water Rail, 13 Avocet, 60 Lapwing and 8 Spotted Redshank; and on Jackson's Marsh 3 Pintail, a Common Sandpiper and a Little Stint. Heading south were 139 Common Scoter, 4 Red-throated Diver, a Grey Heron, 2 Buzzard, a Kestrel, 3 Jay, 5 Grey Wagtail and a Rock Pipit.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Rebecca Hardwick, resulted in 8 new birds: a Wren, 4 Goldcrest, a Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Reed Bunting; and 4 retraps: a Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and a Great Tit.
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Isabelline Wheatear, 22nd September 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward
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A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Jenni Godber, provided a new Blackcap; and 5 retraps: a Dunnock, a Blackbird, 2 Blackcap and a Great Tit.
Insects of note included a Willow Emerald Damselfly and a Red-veined Darter.
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Willow Emerald Damselfly, male, 21st September 2019.
Photo - Ben Ward
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