September 20th. Another very busy day for arrivals and departures - with hundreds of Meadow Pipit and Pink-footed Goose, tens of Linnet, Chaffinch and Reed Bunting moving through with 75 Swallow, 20 House Martin, 14 Alba Wagtail, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Brambling, 2 Tree Sparrow, 3 Redpoll and a Sand Martin. A Blyth's Reed Warbler was eventually identified in the East Dunes, where a Common Rosefinch dropped in briefly. Other birds around, including birds trapped, were 20 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Reed Warbler, 6 Redwing, 25 Song Thrush, 4 Stonechat and 2 Pied Flycatcher. On the Mere were 240 Teal, a Snipe, a Greenshank and 3 Spotted Redshank. Going south offshore were a Marsh Harrier, 3 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, with small groups of Teal, Wigeon and Dunlin; north 19 Pintail and 2 Arctic Skua; and north-west 1130+ Pink-footed Goose. A migrant Vestal moth was found on the New Saltmarsh.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Liam Andrews, provided 59 new birds: a Wren, a Pied Flycatcher, a Robin, 2 Blackcap, 16 Reed Bunting, 31 Meadow Pipit, 3 Linnet, a Goldfinch and 3 Dunnock; and 2 retrap Dunnock.
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| Shoveler 20th September 2022. Photo - Tom Baker |
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Avocet, 20th September 2022. Photo - Tom Baker |
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Avocet 20th September 2022. Photo - Tom Baker |
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Vestal nectaring on Sea Aster, 20th September. Photo - Kev Wilson  Photo - Nige Lound.  Photo - Nige Lound |
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| Devil's Coach Horse Photo - Tom Baker |
September 19th. The morning started with a noisy roost of at least 400 Pink-footed Goose flying out of roost on Croftmarsh and there followed various skeins through the morning. Other than an obvious increase in geese, new arrivals overnight included Song Thrush, Robin, Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting and Chaffinch along with the first Redwing and Brambling of the autumn; 5 and 4 respectively. A Yellow-browed Warbler arrived in Sallows at Mill Hill late morning and was very vocal - still calling there at 1730hrs and a Marsh Warbler was a rare autumn sighting.. Meadow Pipit were moving south in groups of up to 80 during the morning, with single Yellow Wagtail and 2 Grey Wagtail.
Other birds around, including those trapped, were 4 Willow Warbler, 38 Chiffchaff, 15 Blackcap, a Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler, 6 Goldcrest, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Redstart, 15 Stonechat and 2 Raven - the latter heading north, a Spotted Redshank and a Little Ringed Plover. Heading north-west were 970 Pink-footed Goose (mostly onto fields).
Heading north offshore were 2 Pomarine Skua and 3 Arctic Tern; and south a Great Skua, 2 Little Tern and 14 Red-throated Diver.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Liam Andrews, produced 88 new birds: 8 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, 11 Reed Bunting, a Blackcap, 64 Meadow Pipit, a Dunnock, a Redwing and a Magpie; and a retrap Goldcrest.
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| Stonechat, 19 September 2022. Photo - Tom Baker  Photo - Tom Baker  Photo - Tom Baker  Photo - Tom Baker |
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| Redwing, ringed 19 September 2022. Photo - George Gregory |
September 18th. A splendid roost of wildfowl on the Mere involved 60 Pink-footed Goose, 63 Wigeon and 16 Pintail amongst Teal and Mallard until they dispersed around an hour after dawn. Around, including birds trapped, were 10 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 8 Blackcap, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Snow Bunting and 5 Goldcrest. Flying south were 50 Pink-footed Goose and 600 Meadow Pipit with Linnets, Reed Buntings and Chaffinches, a Snow Bunting, a Yellow Wagtail and 3 Grey Wagtail; and north-west 390 Pink-footed Goose.
Offshore 3 Arctic Skua, 3 Unidentified Skuas, 90 Wigeon and 6 Red-throated Diver south were the highlights. Another Arctic Skua on the beach appeared injured but flew off well.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Liam Andrews, yielded 28 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, a Robin, 5 Reed Bunting, 16 Meadow Pipit, 2 Blackcap and 2 Chaffinch.
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Pink-footed Geese with Pintail and Wigeon, 18 September 2022. Photo - Kev Wilson .jpg) Photo - Chris Tyler |
September 17th. Moderately strong north-westerly wind.
Birds around, including those trapped, were 4 Greenshank, 2 Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, a Peregrine, 5 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, a Snow Bunting and a Siskin. A marked arrival of Stonechat involved 9 along the north end ridges and one trapped on Storm Ridge. On Tennyson's Sands were 11 Pink-footed Goose. Going south were 4 Whooper Swan (early morning), 2 Snipe and 65 Meadow Pipit; north a Great Skua; and in various directions 270 Pink-footed Goose. Highlights of an evening sea-watch were single juvenile Pomarine Skua and juvenile Long-tailed Skua north, and 4 Red-throated Diver.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Liam Andrews, provided 36 new birds: a Wren, a Stonechat, a Reed Bunting and 33 Meadow Pipit.
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| Stonechat, ringed 17 September 2022. Photo - George Gregory |
September 16th. Increasing north-westerly wind.
Around, including birds trapped, were 4 Greenshank, a Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 4 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Stonechat and a Tree Sparrow. On the Mere were 3 Spotted Redshank. Heading south were 520 Pink-footed Goose, 13 Swallow, 2 House Martin, a Grey Wagtail and 200 Meadow Pipit. At the back of Tennyson's Sands were 50 Pink-footed Goose.
A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 37 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, 2 Robin, 28 Meadow Pipit, 2 Reed Bunting and 2 Blue Tit; and 3 retraps: a Chiffchaff, a Robin and a Goldcrest.
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| Pink-footed Geese, 16 September 2022. Photo - Tom Baker  Photo - Tom Baker |
September 15th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 2 Whimbrel, 3 Greenshank, an Arctic Skua (over the saltmarsh), 2 Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, a Spoonbill, a Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest and 2 Greenfinch. On Tennyson's Sands were 5 Pink-footed Goose. About 180 Pink-footed Goose were moving, mostly south-east; and 2 Snipe and a Swallow went south.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, resulted in 12 new birds: a Wren, 4 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, a Chaffinch, a Robin and 2 Greenfinch; and a retrap Robin.
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Marsh Harrier, 15th September 2022. Photo - Tom Baker |
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Marsh Harrier, 15th September 2022. Photo - Tom Baker |
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Whitethroat, 15th September 2022. Photo - Tom Baker |
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Whimbrels, 15th September 2022. Photo - Tom Baker |
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Sanderling, 15th September 2022. Photo - Tom Baker |
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| Foxes, 15 September 2022. Photo - Tom Baker |
September 14th. The morning tide roost saw another large gathering of waders: approximately 70,000 Knot, 3000 Grey Plover, 10,000 Dunlin, 3000 Sanderling, 6000 Bar-tailed Godwit and 2000 Oystercatcher. Thanks to this morning's visitors who avoided going out to the beach until the roost had dispersed on the falling tide. At least 600 Teal today, with over 350 on the Mere alone - also there, 5 Spotted Redshank. Several skeins of Pink-footed Goose moved south-east across the Wash during the day, totaling 140. Meadow Pipit were moving south in moderate numbers with fewer Swallow and House Martin, 5 Snipe, 2 Redpoll, several Grey and Alba Wagtail, 2 Yellow Wagtail and a Flava Wagtail type that was calling around Mill Hill on two occasions that was probably a Citrine Wagtail. Other birds around, including birds trapped, were 2 Common Sandpiper, 5 Greenshank, 2 Sparrowhawk, 5 Marsh Harrier, a Kingfisher, 6 Goldcrest, a Pied Flycatcher, a Redstart and 5 Willow Warbler.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Liam Andrews, provided 16 new birds: a Goldcrest, a Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 5 Reed Bunting, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock and a Sparrowhawk; and a retrap Dunnock.
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Mixed Wader roost, 14th September 2022. Photo - David Curtis |
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Mixed Wader roost, 14th September 2022. Photo - David Curtis |
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Turnstone with Sanderling, 14 September 2022. Photo - Tom Baker |
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Ringed Plover, 14 September 2022. Photo - Tom Baker |
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Sanderling, 14 September 2022. Photo - Tom Baker |
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| Turnstone, 14 September 2022. Photo - Tom Baker  Photo - Tom Baker |
6 Spotted Redshank remained on the Mere whilst on Tennyson's Sands 3 Pintail and 55 Shoveler remained with a significant increase in Tufted Duck - now 72 - but quite why an influx of diving duck has occurred during a period of record low water levels is a mystery. Other birds around, including those trapped, were 4 Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpiper, 6 Whimbrel, 4 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Little Stint, a Sparrowhawk, a Cetti's Warbler, a Garden Warbler, 18 Chiffchaff, 7 Willow Warbler, 6 Goldcrest and a Stonechat. Flying south were 19 Pink-footed Goose, a Wood Sandpiper and 6 Siskin.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Liam Andrews, produced 13 new birds: 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, a Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat, a Blue Tit and a Dunnock; and 2 retraps: a Whitethroat and a Blackcap.
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| Spotted Redshank, 13 September 2022. Photo - Tom Baker  Photo - Tom Baker  Photo - Tom Baker  Photo - Tom Baker |
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Tree Sparrows, 13 September 2022. Photo - Jim Shaw. |
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| Very high tide over South Marsh Road, 13 September 2022. Photo - George Gregory |
September 12th. A Barred Warbler was trapped and ringed in East Dunes, then flew onto Storm Ridge. Other birds around included 2 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, a Long-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, a Ring-necked Parakeet, a Willow Warbler, a Redstart and a Whinchat. On the Mere were a Ruff and 7 Spotted Redshank; on Jackson's Marsh 6 Spoonbill; and on Tennyson's Sands a Kingfisher. Going south were a Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Swift, 41 Sandwich Tern, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, a Sand Martin, 725 Swallow and 640 House Martin.
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Migrant Hawker, 13 September 2022. Photo - Tom Baker |
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| Spoonbills with Black-tailed Godwits. Photo - Tom Baker |
A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 3 new birds: a Blackcap, a Great Tit and a Barred Warbler; and a retrap Dunnock.
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| Barred Warbler, ringed 12 September 2022. Photo - George Gregory |
About 50 Meadow Pipit were grounded on the southern end of East Dunes early morning, then went south. Other birds around, including those trapped, were 3 Common Sandpiper, 3 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Garden Warbler, a Wheatear, a Whinchat and a Redstart.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 32 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, a Linnet, a Reed Warbler, 3 Robin, 6 Whitethroat, 4 Reed Bunting, 4 Meadow Pipit, a Redstart, a Chaffinch, a Garden Warbler and 2 Dunnock; and 7 retraps: 3 Dunnock, a Robin and 3 Great Tit.
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| Common Sandpipers, 11 September 2022. Photo - Tom Baker  Photo - Tom Baker  Photo - Tom Baker |