Early May 2022

10th May. Around were a Grey Partridge, 4 Swift, 7 Cuckoo, 4 Whimbrel, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, 2 Spoonbill, 3 Marsh Harrier, a Peregrine, a Ring Ouzel and a Tree Pipit. 

Highlights during the butterfly transect were 2 Brown Argus, 5 Small Heath, 2 Small Copper as well as several Common Blue and Green Hairstreak.

Small Copper 10th May. Photo - Tom Baker

Small Heath, 10th May. Photo - Ben Ward

Common Terns, Spoonbills, Shelducks, 10th May. Photos: Tom Baker

9th May. Todays highlights included Turtle Dove, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, 3 Spoonbill, White Wagtail and Tree Pipit.

 The second session of CES, with Liam Andrews, was done this morning. The 3 new birds were a Chiffchaff, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Sedge Warbler; the 17 retraps were a Song Thrush, 2 Dunnock, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Robin, 2 Wren, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Great Tit and 2 Whitethroat.

Sedge Warbler 9th May. Photo: Jim Shaw

Spoonbill 9th May. Photo: Jim Shaw

Moths 9th May. Photos: Nige Lound

Birch Mocha (a first for the Reserve), Campion and Small Elephant Hawk Moth

Adder's-tongue Fern 9th May. Photo: Kev Wilson

8th May.  A good day for Whimbrel with 58 recorded including 15 heading north. Also moving north offshore were 62 Sandwich Tern and 68 Little Tern whilst 45 Common Scoter headed south. Around were 4 Wheatear, 2 Ring Ouzel, 4 Cuckoo, a Great White Egret and a Common Redstart. At Seacroft were another Ring Ouzel and a Wood Warbler.

A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Liam Andrews, provided 5 new birds: a Blackcap, a Whitethroat, 2 Goldfinch and a Blackbird; and 4 retrap Whitethroat.

7th May.  Passage waders on the lagoons included 22 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Ringed Plover, Spotted Redshank and Greenshank. Also there, 3 Spoonbill and 2 Egyptian Geese. A full census of common birds was carried out on the Reserve with warbler totals as follows: 184 Whitethroat, 7 Lesser Whitethroat, 27 Blackcap, 25 Chiffchaff, 57 Sedge Warbler, 9 Reed Warbler, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Grasshopper warbler and only 2 Willow Warbler. Also around were 4 Cuckoo, 3 Wheatear, a Swift and  a Hobby. Offshore 221 Sandwich Tern and 58 Little Tern flew north. A Firecrest was seen at Seacroft.

Colour-ringed Avocet. This bird was ringed as a chick at Rutland in July 2019 and arrived in the Skegness area on 7th April 2022, currently on Tennyson's sands. Photo: Nige Lound.

Egyptian Geese 7th May. Photo: Steve Taylor

Sparrowhawk 7th May. Photo: Paul Johnson

Fox with prey 7th May. Photo: Paul Johnson

A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Liam Andrews, produced 11 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat and a Lesser Whitethroat; and 3 retraps: a Wren, a Blue Tit and a Lesser Whitethroat.

6th May.  A very warm, pleasant day with lots of birds singing on territory in the dunes and around the Plantation. Whitethroats, Sedge Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps are in good numbers now with a few Lesser Whitethroats, Grasshopper Warblers and one or two Willow Warblers. whilst 4 Cetti's Warbler territories are established, Reed Warblers are still arriving and finding voice on the Mere and Tennyson's Sands where reed growth is becoming more vigorous. At lest 2 Garden Warblers were singing today - migrants that do not stay to breed. Other new migrants were a Firecrest along the Cycletrack, a Tree Pipit and a Wood Sandpiper. Moving south were a steady trickle of Swallows, 6 Buzzards, a Red Kite, 2 Marsh Harrier and a Hobby. A Common Crane was reported for yesterday - we'd be grateful for any information about this sighting - info to kwilson@lincstrust.co.uk 

A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Kyle Campbell, resulted in 9 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Sedge Warbler, a Reed Bunting, 3 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Linnet and a Jay; and 2 retrap Whitethroat.

Up to 6 Smooth Newts can be seen in the raised ponds in the woodland.

Sedge Warbler, ringed 6 May 2022.
Photo - George Gregory

Red Kite 6th May. Photo: Steve Taylor

Smooth Newts 6th May. Video and Photo: Stuart Ainsworth

Meadow Saxifrage and Cowslips 6th May. Photo: Jim Shaw

Cuckoo Flower 6th May. Photo: Kev Wilson

Orange Tip 6th May. Photo: Kev Wilson

5th May. Around were 55 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 43 Eider, 3 Cuckoo, 450 Oystercatcher, 26 Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, a Wood Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 4 Little Tern, a Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, a Short-eared Owl and 3 Yellow Wagtail.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, provided 4 new Lesser Whitethroat; and a retrap Wren.

Good numbers of Green hairstreaks can be seen around Hawthorn and Elder scrub in the dunes.

Green Hairstreak 5th May. Photo: Kev Wilson

Crane fly, Hoverfly, Spider 5th May. Photos: Tom Baker

Any identifications appreciated !

St Mark's Flies 5th May. Photo: Tom Baker.

In response to recent enquiries, these very common insects are non-biting and non-stinging.

Avocets with Black-headed Gulls, Common Sandpiper, Lapwing displaying, Moorhen with chick, Swallow 5th May. Photos: Tom Baker

4th May. Overcast with thunderstorms and rain from the late afternoon. The third Wood Sandpiper of the spring and a new Spotted Redshank were the highlight from around the lagoons in the evening. A Hawfinch was noted in the Plantation late in the day. Birds around included 2 Pink-footed Goose, 3 Cuckoo, 24 Whimbrel, a Snipe, a further Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 3 Mediterranean Gull, a Spoonbill, 2 Marsh Harrier, an immature male Hen Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, a Hobby, 4 Jay, 2 Garden Warbler, a Redstart, 5 Yellow Wagtail, a Tree Pipit and 2 Siskin.

Spotted Redshank, 4th May 2022 Video - Ben Ward

3rd May. A Nightingale was heard in the Plantation in the early hours of the morning and was located later around Sykes farm where it progressively found its voice, last heard mid morning. Now a great rarity on the Reserve, not recorded at all since 2016. 2 Hawfinch dropped in nearby as did a Tree Pipit.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Liam Andrews, produced 7 new birds: a Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Linnet, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Sedge Warbler; and 4 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, a Great Tit and a Blue Tit.

Nightingale, 3rd May 2022 Video - Ben Ward

2nd May. Misty start. 4 Barnacle Goose flew south in the early morning perhaps from the lagoons, 310 Swallow headed in that direction over the course of the day. The first Garden Warbler of the year was occasionally in song in the Plantation, where there also was a Tree Pipit; an acredula Willow Warbler frequented the Orchard, Birds grounded and around included a Snipe, 2 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 5 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Spoonbill, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Short-eared Owl (Old Saltmarsh), 5 singing Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Wheatear, 2 Greenland Wheatear and 4 Siskin.  

A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Liam Andrews and Owen Beaumont, yielded 10 new birds: a Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, a Song Thrush and a Jay; and 8 retraps: 3 Wren, 2 Whitethroat, a Linnet and 2 Lesser Whitethroat.

Greenland Wheatear 2nd May 2022. Photo - Ben Ward

Jay, ringed 2nd May 2022. Photo - George Gregory

Sedge Warbler, Mute Swans, Oystercatchers, Whimbrels 2nd May.
Photos : Tom Baker

1st May. Another big day on the reserve with a whopping 124 species, 119 of which by midday. Best around were 38 Eider, 5 Cuckoo, 42 Whimbrel, a Jack Snipe, 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Spoonbill, a Long-eared Owl, a Short-eared Owl, a Barn Owl, a residual Wryneck (East Dunes), a Merlin, a Firecrest (East Dunes), 3 Ring Ouzel, 2 Tree Pipit, a Water Pipit, a Little Gull and a Crossbill. Hirundine passage saw over 100 Swallows moving south and a spate of raptor passage , mostly early afternoon involved 7 Red Kites, 6 Marsh Harriers, 15 Common Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk flying south. 

A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Kyle Campbell and Owen Beaumont, provided 8 new birds: a Wren, a Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Blue Tit, a Chaffinch, a Swallow and a Whitethroat; and 5 retraps: 2 Dunnock, a Wren, a Great Tit and a Willow Warbler.

Cuckoo, 1st May 2022.

Video - Ben Ward 

Willow Warbler incorporating Chiffchaff song, 1st May 2022.
Video - Ben Ward

Whitethroat, ringed 1st May 2022.
Photo - George Gregory

Spotted Redshank, Cuckoo, Blackcap, Great Crested Grebes 1st May.
Photos: Tom Baker

Late April 2022

30th April. A much warmer day after a morning frost and a return to some visible migration with over 120 Swallow, 16 Yellow Wagtail, a Blue-headed type Wagtail, 2 Marsh Harrier, 3 Red Kite and an Osprey south. A ringtail Hen Harrier flew north-east out to sea. 2 Ring Ouzel were seen in the East Dunes with possibly a new bird later in the Plantation. A new Wryneck was found on Rock Ridge. A Redstart was new along Sykes farm track. A Great White Egret arrived from the north-east and at least 34 Jay were blogging. An immature white winged gull species, probably Glaucous, flew north in the afternoon, also north went 42 Whimbrel. Around were 4 Cuckoo, 20 Whimbrel, 3 Spotted Redshank, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Spoonbill, 2 Short-eared Owl, a Merlin, and a summer plumaged Water Pipit was on the Old Saltmarsh.

A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Liam Andrews, produced 4 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Sedge Warbler, a Cetti's Warbler and a Blackcap; and 5 retraps: a Blackbird, a Wren and 3 Cetti's Warbler.

Osprey 30th April. Photos: Ben Ward

Red Kite 30th April. Photos: Ben Ward

Wheatear, Reed Bunting, Grasshopper warbler, Great White Egret, Cetti's Warbler 30th April. Photos: Paul Johnson

29th April. The Red-rumped Swallow remained with the House Martin flock, generally around the Tennyson's Sands and Jackson's Marsh lagoons until the later afternoon, when warmer conditions prevailed, a few Hirundines started to move off south. 2 Ring Ouzels and a flock of 28 Jays were in the East Dunes. A morning seawatch recorded 30 Sandwich Terns, 20 Little Terns, a 'Commic' Tern, 2 Red-throated Divers and a Fulmar north. A Wryneck was seen briefly in the East Dunes. A Wood Sandpiper was around Croftmarsh. 3 Marsh Harrier, a immature male Hen Harrier, 2 Short-eared Owl and a Merlin were at the south end of the Reserve.

The first session of CES, with Kyle Campbell, was done this morning. The 14 new birds were 2 Wren, a Robin, 2 Chaffinch, 3 Blackcap,2 Great Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Reed Warbler and 2 Song Thrush; the 18 retraps were 3 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackbird, 2 Blackcap, 2 Wren, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock and a Whitethroat.

Red-rumped Swallow 29th April. Photos: Steve Clipperton

Red-rumped Swallow 29th April. Photos: Tom Baker

Spotted Redshank 29th April. Photo: Roy Harvey

Black-tailed Godwits, Gadwall, Whitethroat 29th April. Photos: Tom Baker

28th April. Cold easterly wind continuing, overcast with just a couple of spots of rain. A phenomenal 132 species were recorded across the reserve during 16 hours of constant coverage, needless to say setting a new record, beating the previous best of 125 notched up during the last inter -observatory bird race. The Red-rumped Swallow re-appeared over Jackson's Marsh from 0830. Also there briefly much earlier, a male Blue-headed Wagtail, as well as the first Wood Sandpiper of the year flew over the lagoons calling. 2 Black Tern were best from the first significant movement of terns offshore. A Ring Ouzel was in the east Dunes. The petite first summer female Dutch Caspian Gull made another appearance in the pre roost gathering on Tennyson's Sands.

A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue resulted in 5 retraps: a Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff and 2 Wren.

Cetti's Warbler, re-trapped 28 April 2022.
Photo - George Gregory

27th April. A Red-rumped Swallow showed very well with up to 30 House Martin and 4 Swallow over Tennyson's Sands and Jackson's Marsh all day. Offshore, there was a northerly movement of Terns and Waders involving 110 Sandwich Terns, 23 Arctic Terns, a Little Tern and 73 Whimbrel, with single Red-throated and Great Northern Diver. 3 Spoonbills were on Tennyson's Sands; as were 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Mediterranean Gull (the male German ringed), a Dutch first summer Caspian Gull, and a possible Viking Gull. Other birds around were 4 Pintail, 2 Marsh Harrier, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, a Ring Ouzel (Freshwater Marsh), 7 Yellow Wagtail, and a Water Pipit (off Croftmarsh).

Red-rumped Swallow 27th April. Photo: Kev Wilson

Red-rumped Swallow 27th April. Photos: Stuart Ainsworth

Red-rumped Swallow 27th April. Video: Ben Ward

Caspian Gull 27th April. Photo/video: Ben Ward

26th April. After an absence of two days, the Hawfinch re-appeared at Sykes Farm around dawn and was seen flying north along the cycle track in the evening. The Spoonbill remained, commuting between the lagoons and the river haven. The Hobby was also seen again. 5 Grasshopper Warblers were reeling (7 birds total) and best appreciated from the visitor center area; and there were at least 5 Cuckoo also. From the Wash viewpoint in the evening were 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, 2 Short-eared Owl (1 miles distant to south), a Peregrine and 3 Yellow Wagtail. New arrivals were a Turtle Dove, a Crossbill and 1 or 2 Ring Ouzel; on the other hand a Short-eared Owl headed out into the Wash early morning. Around were 18 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Pintail, 9 Whimbrel, 2 Snipe, 3 Spotted Redshank, a Mediterranean Gull, a Caspian Gull, a Little Gull, a Merlin, a Wheatear and a Rock Pipit. 

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Liam Andrews, provided 4 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff and 2 Sedge Warbler; and 4 retaps: a Magpie, a Chiffchaff, a Wren and a Cetti's Warbler.

Grasshopper Warbler, 26th April 2022. Video; Ben Ward

Spotted Redshank, 26th April 2022. Video; Ben Ward

Kestrel, Black-headed Gulls and Avocets, Black-headed Gull on nest, Moorhen, Tufted Duck 26th April. Photos: Tom Baker

25th April. Continued north-easterly wind, remaining very dry. A dull start, becoming bright. Offshore, 83 Sandwich and a single Arctic Tern headed north, whilst 16 Jays appeared out of the East Dunes and flew north. The first Hobby of the year lingered later in the day. Best around were a Spoonbill, 46 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Garganey (Jacksons Marsh), 38 Eider, 3 Cuckoo, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Spotted Redshank, a Marsh Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, a Peregrine, 3 Grasshopper Warbler, a new Redstart (East Dunes) and 3 Yellow Wagtail. A first summer Caspian Gull was found in the roost on Tennyson's Sands.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Liam Andrews, produced 6 new birds: a Long-tailed Tit, a Cetti's Warbler, 2 Blackap and 2 Song Thrush; and 7 retraps: 2 Wren, a Long-tailed Tit, 2 Blackbird, a Chiffchaff and a Lesser Whitethroat.

Caspian Gull 25th April. Photo: Stuart Ainsworth

ant-mimic Micaria micans spider, 25th April 2022. Thought to be the second record for the reserve and Lincolnshire (first recorded here 16.04.2022) 

Video - Ben Ward

Sanderling and Dunlin, 25th April 2022
 Photo - Ben Ward

Spotted Redshank, 25th April 2022

Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Marsh Harrier with Lesser Black-backed Gull, 25th April 2022

Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Jay, 25th April 2022 

Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

24th April. Continued north-easterly wind. A morning seawatch produced 155 Sandwich Terns north or north-east with another 11 on the sand bar. A good northerly movement of immature Herring and Common Gulls also occurred. In the dunes, at least 4 Cuckoo were present and an influx of Sparrowhawk involved 6 birds, with 2 heading south. Jays featured again with 15 down the East Dunes before returning to the north-west later. A Brambling was in the West Dunes and waders on the lagoons included Spotted Redshank, Greenshank and Little Ringed Plover.

2 Broad-bodied Chaser Dragonflies were freshly emerged.

Grasshopper Warbler 24th April. Photo: Nige Lound

23rd April. The cold north-easterly wind continued but after a cloudy start it became bright and remained dry. Records received from the sea after an hours watch from 0715 were 40 Sandwich Tern, 4 Fulmar, and single Gannet, Red-throated Diver and Whimbrel north. A Grasshopper warbler and a Redwing were new arrivals in the east Dunes. The long-staying Hawfinch was seen again around Sykes Farm.

22nd April. A cold and increasing north-easterly wind put sea-watching firmly on the agenda; heading north in an hour from 0715 were 82 Sandwich Tern, 4 Gannet, 2 Fulmar, 2 Whimbrel and a Kittiwake, whilst a Red-throated Diver went south. The Hawfinch remained but was elusive. An evening sea-watch recorded Manx Shearwater, Fulmar, 20 Sandwich Tern and 12 Arctic Tern moving north.