Mid August 2013

August 20th:  Mostly cloudy again.
 South went a Whimbrel, 95 Swallows, 15 House Martins and 10 Sand Martins. Around were a Hobby and a Grasshopper Warbler. The water bodies held a Spoonbill, 143 Black-tailed Godwits, 19 Greenshanks, 3 Green Sandpipers, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Spotted Redshanks and 3 Garganeys.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes was notable for variety rather than quantity. The news were 13 Willow Warblers, a Blackcap, 5 Lesser Whitethroats, 9 Whitethroats, 2 Dunnocks, a Garden Warbler, 26 Swallows, a Redstart (first of autumn), 3 Sand Martins, a Whinchat (first of autumn), a Reed Warbler and another Kestrel. The retraps were 2 Dunnocks and 2 Whitethroats.

Adult Spoonbill, Tennyson Sands.
Photo - Nigel Lound

Whinchat, ringed 20th August 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

August 19th: Mostly cloudy.
  A fresh arrival of migrants included 4 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, a Whinchat, a Wheatear, a Stonechat, a Treecreeper, a Green Woodpecker and a Grasshopper Warbler. There were also a Cuckoo, 5 Whimbrels, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Common Buzzards and 2 Peregrines around. South flew 1500 Swallows, 400 House Martins and 2 Swifts. The best birds on the water bodies were a Spoonbill, 3 Garganeys, 57 Little Egrets, 3 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper, 24 Greenshanks, a Ruff and 4 Little Ringed Plovers. Over Croftmarsh were 190 Golden Plovers. On the beach were 4 Mediterranean Gulls.
  A morning ringing session on East Dunes was productive. The 105 new birds were 10 Willow Warblers, 62 Swallows, 12 Yellow Wagtails, 14 House Martins, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Linnet, 3 Whitethroats, a House Sparrow and a Kestrel, and the retraps 6 Dunnock, a Great Tit and 2 Whitethroats. A male Peregrine was almost added to the total, but it escaped from a net as a ringer approached.
  The Yellow Wagtail total now stand at 43 birds ringed so far this year, quite simply incredible if you consider that the previous year record of just 21 ringed was set in 2010, and indeed since 1949 only 92 have been ringed to the start of this year. Before 2010, only 60 had been ringed, an average of just one a year!, and now 43 have been ringed in this autumn alone. Either they must have had a phenomenally successful breeding season, or perhaps we are simply experiencing a very large increase in the numbers migrating through East Dunes during this autumn?

August 18th: A calm start with cloud in the east made for a cracking start to the day. The wind soon picked up, with intermittent puffy cumulus cloud throughout the day being blown through on the 15mph southerly.
  Flying south were 42 Swifts, 400 Swallows, 235 House Martins and 18 Yellow Wagtails. Around were 2 Whinchats, a Stonechat, 4 Marsh Harriers, a Hobby, a Crossbill and a Tree Pipit. On the water bodies were  a Spoonbill, at least 3 Garganey, 4 Spotted Redshanks, 9 Dunlins, 95 Black-tailed Godwits, 7 Green Sandpipers, 3 Common Sandpipers, a Little Ringed Plover, 18 Greenshanks, 20 Snipes and 38 Little Egrets. At Aylmer Avenue, 3 Turtle Doves and several Willow Warblers were in song early morning, making it feel more like June than August!
  A morning ringing session on East Dunes was reasonable. There were 38 new birds, which were 15 Willow Warblers, a Wren, a Linnet, 4 Whitethroats, 6 Yellow Wagtails, a Reed Bunting, 9 Swallows and a House Martin, and the retraps 8 Willow Warblers, a Whitethroat and a Wren.
  Things were marginally better over at Aylmer Avenue with 74 new birds ringed. They included a Swallow, 2 Robins, a Reed Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 14 Whitethroats, a Garden Warbler, 2 Blackcaps, a Chiffchaff, 29 Willow Warblers, 4 Blue Tits, 9 Greenfinches and 7 Goldfinches. There were also 46 retraps including a British control Willow Warbler.

August 17th: A calm clear start quickly turned into a windy day with a force 3 south-westerly blowing patchy light rain in from mid morning. Heavier rain followed late afternoon.
  There had clearly been a significant arrival of migrants overnight and with these was a juvenile Woodchat Shrike found near the Weather Enclosure, just south of the Field Station early morning and was just the third record ever for reserve. South went a Red-necked Phalarope, 140 Swifts, 90 Swallows and a Tree Pipit. Around were a Marsh Harrier, a Peregrine, 9 Turtle Doves (including 2 singing at Aylmer Avenue), 3 Crossbills and 18 Yellow Wagtails. In addition to those trapped, there were at least 45 other Willow Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 7 Blackcaps, 6 Lesser Whitethroats and 34 Whitethroats on the reserve. On Tennyson Sands were a Spoonbill, 5 Greenshanks, 4 Snipes, 91 Black-tailed Godwits, a Bar-tailed Godwit and 88 Lapwings, and on Jackson's Marsh 22 Greenshanks, 2 Dunlins, a Common Sandpiper, 3 Ruffs, 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Spotted Redshanks and a Little Ringed Plover.
  A morning ringing session in East Dunes was productive. The 96 new birds were a Wren, a Chiffchaff, 63 Willow Warblers, a Dunnock, a Sedge Warbler, 8 Whitethroats, a Linnet, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, a Robin, 9 Swallows, 4 Yellow Wagtails, a Blackcap, a Goldfinch and a Song Thrush. The 6 retraps were a Blackcap, a Whitethroat, 3 Dunnock and a Willow Warbler.
  Whilst at Aylmer Avenue the 11th C.E.S. session was completed with some success. Other nets there helped push the total for the day at Aylmer Avenue up to 81 new birds ringed and 38 retraps. The highlights included a Garden Warbler and the first Treecreeper of the year from the C.E.S. nets, whilst the feeding station produced two new Great Spotted Woodpeckers. Other birds ringed included 3 Dunnock, 2 Robin, 1 Blackbird, 2 Reed Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 9 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blue Tit, 11 Greenfinch and 12 Goldfinch. There was also 29 New Willow Warbler which when added to the Observatory's total, makes 92 new Willow Warblers for the day! - probably a new day record for recent decades.
  Two Painted Ladies were the best butterflies.

Juvenile Woodchat Shrike, at the weather enclosure on the 17th August 2013.
Photo - Nigel Lound

Garden Warbler ringed on the 11th C.E.S. session of 2013 on 17th August 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs

Juvenile Treecreeper ringed on the 11th C.E.S. session of 2013 on 17th August 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs

August 16th: Windy, rain most of morning. Flying south were a Marsh Harrier, a Little Ringed Plover, 120 Swifts, 100 Swallows, 50 Sand Martins, 12 House Martins and 3 Yellow Wagtails. Jackson's Marsh held a Spotted Redshank, 2 Green Sandpipers, 3 Snipes and 2 Dunlins, Tennyson Sands 69 Black-tailed Godwits, 9 Curlews, 73 Lapwings and 7 Dunlins, and the Mere a Garganey.
 No ringing was possible.

August 15th: Windy, cloudy, intermittent light rain. South went 3 Spoonbills, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Swallows and a Greenshank. Around were a Green Woodpecker and a Marsh Harrier. Offshore were 1280 Sandwich Terns, 24 Common Terns, 2 Arctic Terns and 8 Kittiwakes. On Jackson's Marsh were an adult Spoonbill, a Whimbrel, 19 Greenshanks, 7 Green Sandpipers, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Little Ringed Plovers and 3 Snipes, on Tennyson Sands a Spotted Redshank, 7 Snipes, 14 Dunlins, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 7 Greenshanks, 92 Black-tailed Godwits and 10 Redshanks, and on the Mere 4 Black-tailed Godwits and 4 Green Sandpipers.
 A restricted morning ringing session, with sheltered nets, in East Dunes yielded just 6 birds processed: a Willow Warbler, 2 Reed Warblers, a Dunnock and 2 Whitethroats.

August 14th: Light wind, mostly sunny. South went 200 Swallows, 25 Sand Martins and 12 House Martins. A Marsh Harrier came in off the sea. Around were a Common Buzzard, 7 Lesser Whitethroats and 33 Willow Warblers. Offshore, on the beach or going to roost were 2500 Herring Gulls, 10500 Black-headed Gulls, 9 adult Mediterranean Gulls (a record count), 2500 Sandwich Terns, 92 Common Terns and 31 Arctic Skuas. Tennyson Sands held 133 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Dunlins, 28 Redshanks, 4 Greenshanks, a Little Ringed Plover and a Common Sandpiper, and Jackson's Marsh 11 Greenshanks, 12 Redshanks, 5 Green Sandpipers and a Little Ringed Plover. On the Mere were up to 3 Garganeys.
 A morning ringing session on East Dunes produced 23 new birds, namely 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, a Linnet, 2 Whitethroats, a Reed Warbler, a Reed Bunting, 10 Swallows and 4 Sand Martins, and 4 retraps, namely 2 Whitethroats, a Wren and a Dunnock.

Garganey, 14th August 2013.
Photo - Philip Millns

August 13th: Increasing westerly wind, sunny morning, cloudy afternoon. Around were 7 Kestrels. Flying south were a Greenshank, a Whimbrel, a Curlew, 30 Yellow Wagtails, 500 Swallows and 75 House Martins, and north a Marsh Harrier. On Jackson's Marsh were 6 Greenshanks, 2 Little Ringed Plovers and 7 Redshanks, and on Tennyson Sands 11 Greenshanks, 87 Black-tailed Godwits, a Little Ringed Plover, 51 Redshanks, 4 Snipes, 85 Lapwings and 2 Ruffs. Around were 5 Kestrels and 2 Sparrowhawks.
 The weather was not conducive to high productivity on a morning ringing session in East Dunes. The new birds were 17 Willow Warblers, 2 Dunnocks, 4 Whitethroats, a Linnet, a Lesser Whitethroat, 15 Swallows, a House Martin and a Kestrel, and the retraps a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcaps and a Wren.
 Overnight moth trapping produced a Scallop Hook Tip and a Black Arches.

Scalloped Hook Tip.
Photo - Nigel Lound

Black Arches.
Photo - Nigel Lound

August 12th: Increasing westerly wind, mostly cloudy.
 South went 250 Swallows, 50 House Martins, 10 Sand Martins and a Whimbrel. Tennyson Sands held 91 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Snipes, a Greenshank and 150 Lapwings, and Jackson's Marsh 18 Greenshanks, a Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, a Black-tailed Godwit and 80 Redshanks. Offshore were 150 Sandwich Terns.
 The wind reduced the catch on a morning ringing session in East Dunes. The news were 13 Willow Warblers, a Wren, a Yellow Wagtail, a Linnet, 17 Swallows, 3 Whitethroats and a Reed Warbler, and the retraps a Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Dunnocks and a Whitethroat. Migrant Willow Warblers, mostly juveniles, continue to reach here in moderate, but not yet high, numbers. It remains to be seen whether there has been enough breeding success to restore the recently diminished population size.

August 11th: A calm start to the day was soon replaced by a brisk 18mph westerly wind that hampered both visible migration and ringing efforts for most of the day. There were prolonged sunny spells throughout the day, and it remained dry.
  Swallows were the main feature of the day with at least 3500 passing south through the reserve, although this figure may well have been much bigger. They were not passing straight through but were feeding in ever bigger waves stretched out across most of the reserve, which made getting an accurate count through the day nearly impossible. At least 1000 Swallows were feeding on the Old Saltmarsh at 10.20am, whilst at midday there were 2000+ House Martins in a feeding frenzy at high altitude over the West Dunes. A further 500 House Martins and  200 Sand Martins went south through the day, along with 35 Yellow Wagtail and a Grey Heron. Hunting around the reserve was a Peregrine, at least 3 Sparrowhawks, a Barn Owl and at least 4 Kestrels. On Jackson's Marsh were 13 Greenshanks, a Ruff and 2 Snipes, and on Tennyson Sands 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 100 Black-tailed Godwits, a Dunlin, 2 Snipes, a Spotted Redshank, 2 Ruffs and a Common Sandpiper. Over Croftmarsh were 280 Golden Plovers.
  A length ringing session at the Observatory, first by George Gregory and then by Mick Briggs resulted in 76 new birds ringed, which were a Song Thrush, a Sand Martin, 53 Swallows, 7 House Martins, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Whitethroats, 7 Willow Warblers and 2 Wrens. There were just 3 retraps, which were 2 Wrens and a Dunnock.
  A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David and Liv Vincent was fairly quiet for this time of year, probably due to it being a bit too breezy and bright sunny spells. The morning's ringing resulted in 30 new birds and 16 retraps. The new birds were 12 Swallows, 6 Willow Warblers, 4 Greenfinches, 2 Whitethroats and singles of Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Blue Tit, House Martin, Chaffinch and Goldfinch. The retraps were 5 Chaffinches, 4 Greenfinches, 2 Goldfinches, 2 Chiffchaffs and singles of Whitethroat, Robin and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Swallows start to move south on a good day for visible migration of hirundines, 11th August 2013
Photo - Mick Briggs

Swallows hawking around the Storm Ridge - just above the nets!, 11th August 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs

The 19th Yellow Wagtail of the autumn on 11th August 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs

A House Martin showing the incredible feathery legs of the species - allowing them to sleep on the wing at high altitude at night in freezing temperatures at a reported 10,000 feet.
Photo - Mick Briggs

House Martin, one of 8 ringed on 11th August 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs

Early August 2013

August 10th: A calm start to the day with just ten minutes of sunshine before the clouds rolled over from the south. A gentle westerly breeze sprang up early morning gusting to 12mph. It still managed to become quite warm though in the breaks in the cloud, which became less frequent as the day went on, remaining dry throughout.
  Flying south were 450 Swallows, 20 Sand Martins and 4 Swifts. Around were a Marsh Harrier and 6 Yellow Wagtails. On the water bodies and Croftmarsh were a Spotted Redshank, 14 Greenshanks, 2 Green Sandpipers, 3 Common Sandpipers, 26 Dunlins, 3 Ruffs, 83 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 52 Curlews, 60 Lapwings, 280 Golden Plovers, 10 Snipes, 62 Redshanks and 74 Sandwich Terns.
  At Aylmer Avenue, flying south through the day were 90 Swallows, 400 House Martins and 70 Sandwich Terns, whilst around the dunes were 15 Chiffchaffs, 35 Willow Warblers and 30 Whitethroats.
  A morning ringing session on East Dunes by George Gregory was very productive with 128 new birds ringed and just 17 retraps. The new birds were 7 Willow Warblers, 4 Long-tailed Tits, a Chiffchaff, 82 Swallows, 4 Sand Martins, 2 Yellow Wagtails, a Meadow Pipit, 2 Reed Buntings, 14 Whitethroats, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Dunnocks and 2 Sparrowhawks. The retraps were a Blackcap, a Song Thrush, 6 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Whitethroats, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Great Tit and 2 Dunnock.
  Meanwhile over at Aylmer Avenue, a much longer session was carried out by Mick Briggs, including the tenth C.E.S. session of the year. Clearly there had been a good overnight arrival of migrants, mainly made up of warblers including Willow Warblers and Whitethroats and smaller numbers of Chiffchaffs and Lesser Whitethroats. After patrolling the nets for 13 hours, Mick Briggs finally managed to ring 128 new birds, as well as 45 retraps. The new birds were a Woodpigeon, 6 Swallows, 2 Wrens, 8 Dunnocks, 2 Sedge Warblers, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 13 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 15 Willow Warblers, a Long-tailed Tit, 3 Blue Tits, 4 Great Tits, 18 Chaffinches, 21 Greenfinches, 18 Goldfinches and 7 Linnets.

Juvenile Lesser Whitethroat, one of eight ringed on 10th August 2013.
Despite being scarce around the reserve all summer, autumn migrants have now started to boost the local population.
Photo - Mick Briggs

Juvenile Lesser Whitethroat after finishing its post juvenile moult on 10th August 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs

Juvenile male Sparrowhawk, ringed 10th August 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

August 9th: Windy, with intermittent light rain. Around were 400 Sandwich Terns, 2 Willow Warblers and 6 Yellow Wagtails. On Jackson's Marsh were 11 Greenshanks, 9 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Whimbrel, a Green Sandpiper, 3 Ruffs and a Dunlin, on Tennyson Sands 78 Black-tailed Godwits, 22 Dunlins, a Green Sandpiper, 10 Snipes, 54 Redshanks, a Spotted Redshank, a Little Ringed Plover, 52 Curlews, 4 Greenshanks and 54 Sandwich Terns, and over Croftmarsh 280 Golden Plovers. Flying south offshore were 5 Gannets, 18 Common Scoters, 14 Teals, 4 Shovelers, 5 Arctic Terns, 121 Common Terns, 45 Oystercatchers, 18 Turnstones, 7 Arctic Skuas and 10 Whimbrels, and over land 570 Swallows and 150 Swifts. A very unseasonal Red-throated Diver was on the sea in full breeding plumage. High tide early morning produced 20,000 Knots, 3000 Sanderlings, 2500 Dunlins and 147 Ringed Plovers.
 A very restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced just a single new Blackcap.

August 8th: Light wind, sunny then cloudy. Around were a Red Kite and a Marsh Harrier. South went a Greenshank, 4 Whimbrels, 6 Curlews, 450 Swallows, 25 House Martins and 20 Sand Martins. On the water bodies were a hoveler, 64 Sandwich Terns, 130 Black-tailed Godwits, a Spotted Redshank, 11 Dunlins, 2 Ruffs, 3 Snipes, 5 Greenshanks, a Green Sandpiper and 2 Common Sandpipers.
 The early sunny conditions reduced the catch on a morning ringing session in East Dunes. The news were 6 Willow Warblers, a Blackcap, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Meadow Pipits, 53 Swallows, 6 Sand Martins, a House Martin and a Kestrel. The retraps were a Great Tit, a Swallow and a Dunnock.

Juvenile Kestrel, ringed 8th August 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

August 7th: A cooler start, then quickly warmed up with just thin cirrus cloud overhead. A gentle breeze stopped it from getting too warm through the day.
  Flying south were 600 Swallows, 20 House Martins, 10 Sand Martins, 17 Curlews and 4 Whimbrels. Around were 30 Yellow Wagtails and a Willow Warbler. On Croftmarsh and the water bodies were 450 Lapwings, 200 Golden Plovers, 140 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Greenshanks, 3 Common Sandpipers, 6 Dunlins and 2 Snipes.
  At early evening, there were still around 60 Swallows, 5 Sand Martins, 20 House Martins, 30 Yellow Wagtails and 40 Meadow Pipits feeding around the Old Saltmarsh near South Car Park as the sun ebbed away.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes was again successful. The new birds were a Wren, 10 Yellow Wagtails, 101 Swallows, a Blue Tit, a Goldfinch, 2 House Martins, a Sand Martin, a Whitethroat, a Linnet and 4 House Sparrows (the first ones of the year). The retraps were 4 Whitethroats, a Wren, a Swallow and 2 Dunnocks.

August 6th: Little wind, sunny then cloudy. South went 800 Swallows, 400 House Martins, 150 Sand Martins, 200 Swifts, 4 Whimbrels and 6 Yellow Wagtails. Around was a Common Buzzard. The water bodies held 15 Greenshanks, 40 Black-tailed Godwits, 160 Golden Plovers, 110 Redshanks, 260 Lapwings, a Ruff, 2 Common Sandpipers and 4 Dunlins. A Sooty Shearwater flew north offshore in the evening. Roosting on Greenshanks Creek were 2000 Sandwich Terns, 50 Common Terns, 3 Arctic Terns, 4 Little Terns and a Kittiwake.
 An extended ringing session in East Dunes was very productive. The new birds were 7 Willow Warblers, 2 Wrens, 5 Whitethroats, a Great Tit, 2 Linnets, 88 Swallows, 38 House Martins (the first new birds of the year), 9 Sand Martins (also the first new birds of the year), a Pied Wagtail (also the first of the year), a Garden Warbler, a Reed Bunting, a Meadow Pipit, a Yellow Wagtail, 2 Dunnocks and a Blackcap. The retraps were 3 Dunnocks, a Great Tit, 2 Whitethroats and a Chaffinch.

Juvenile Yellow Wagtail moulting to first-winter, ringed 6th August 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

August 5th: Light to moderate rain for most of day. Over Croftmarsh were 300 Golden Plovers and 180 Lapwings. On the water bodies were 134 Black-tailed Godwits, 9 Greenshanks, 3 Common Sandpipers, 15 Dunlins, 14 Snipes, 2 Little Ringed Plovers and 3 Ringed Plovers. The Green Woodpecker was still around. Visible migration continued, with 150 Swifts, 80 Swallows and 20 Sand Martins flying south.
 No ringing was attempted.

August 4th: Still a fair south-westerly wind with sporadic cumulus cloud.
  Heading south were 1200 Swifts, 400 Swallows, 81 Sand Martins, 80 House Martins, 2 Hobbys, 12 Yellow Wagtails, a Turtle Dove, a juvenile Cuckoo, 6 Crossbills, 24 Whimbrels, 35 Curlews, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Turnstones and a Yellow-legged Gull. Around was a Green Woodpecker. On the water bodies were 100 Golden Plovers, 97 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Greenshanks, a Little Ringed Plover and a Ruff. The Red Kite was refound by two observers. It was last seen circling skywards up to an extreme altitude over the West Dunes mid morning.
  Ringing at the Observatory, first by George Gregory and then by Mick Briggs resulted in 20 new birds and 7 retraps. The new birds included 9 Swallows, a Yellow Wagtail and 2 Linnets.
  A simultaneous and slightly longer session at Aylmer Avenue by David and Liv Vincent resulted in 33 new birds and a 21 retraps. The new birds included 8 Swallow, 5 Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warbler, a Blackcap and a Wood Pigeon. The retraps included 5 Chiffchaff, 4 Whitethroat, a Willow Warbler and a Blackcap.


Juvenile Swallow ringed at the Observatory on 4th August 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs

Juvenile Swallow ringed at the Observatory on 4th August 2013.
One of many that will hopefully be ringed during the month of August.
Photo - Mick Briggs

August 3rd: A 15mph south-westerly for much of the day until mid afternoon, with sporadic cumulus cloud, leaving it feeling hot and humid.
  Arriving on site at 5.00am for a long ringing session certainly paid dividends for Mick Briggs, when early on, at around 6.30am, a Wood Warbler sang for five minutes or so in the West Dunes. The highlight of the day, though, was an Alpine Swift flying south over Aylmer Avenue at 8.40am, seen by the Ringer in Charge - Mick Briggs. Whilst extracting birds at the feeding station and counting the swifts heading south, he had the shock of his life when not twenty feet above his head was an Alpine Swift moving rapidly southwards. Despite a quick dash by a nearby birder to South Car Park, the group of swifts of which the Alpine Swift was at the front had nearly all gone through by the time he got there and the bird was not seen again.
  The Alpine Swift was part of a good southward movement also involving 730 Common Swifts (most of which went southwards along the West Dunes by 9.20am), along with 575 Swallows, 85 Sand Martins and 140 House Martins by 4pm. In the same direction went a Hobby, 4 Whimbrels, 7 Black-tailed Godwits and 14 Yellow Wagtails. On the water bodies were 76 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Common Sandpipers, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Dunlins, an Oystercatcher, 5 Snipes, 13 Greenshanks and 42 Sandwich Terns. A Red Kite flew low over Jackson's Marsh at 12:30pm.
 In East Dunes a morning ringing session by George Gregory provided 23 new birds, namely a Willow Warbler, 3 Wrens, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Dunnock, a Blackcap, a Meadow Pipit and 15 Swallows.
  Meanwhile at Aylmer Avenue, Mick Briggs' longer session resulted in 72 new birds and 46 retraps. The highlights included a daft Jackdaw that flew straight into a net five feet behind where Mick was stood, although a male Sparrowhawk that flew into a net at a similar distance away still managed to get out! There were also 22 Swallows, 8 Whitethroats, a single Sedge Warbler and 3 Linnets along with the usual other finches and warblers.

A very juvenile Robin ringed on 3rd August 2013. This bird was not long out of the nest, showing that at least some of the resident Robins have been successful in raising second broods this year.
Photo - Mick Briggs

Swallows resting up whilst on migration on the 3rd August 2013. Today was the first really good day for visible migration of hirundines in good numbers through the reserve.
Photo - Mick Briggs

Adult male Linnet ringed on 3rd August 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs

August 2nd: Quite windy; sunny then cloudy with occasional rain, thunder and lightning. South went 9 Whimbrels, a Greenshank, 80 Swallows, 60 Sand Martins and 150 Swifts. On the water bodies were 66 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Greenshanks, a Ruff and a Common Sandpiper.
 A brief morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 2 Goldfinches, a Blackcap, a Dunnock, a Blue Tit, 2 Great Tits, a Swallow and 2 Whitethroats being processed.
 A longer session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent was more productive, with 64 new birds and 31 retraps. The new birds were 21 Greenfinches, 9 Chaffinches, 6 Goldfinches, 7 Whitethroats, 7 Chiffchaffs, 4 Willow Warblesr, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Blackcap, 2 Wrens, 3 Blue Tits, 2 Great Tits and a Dunnock. The retraps were a mix of warblers, finches and tits.

August 1st: A bit windy, then hot and sunny. Around were 3 Arctic Skuas, a Marsh Harrier and a Stonechat. Heading south were 2 Greenshanks, 20 Whimbrels, 2 Little Terns, 20 Sand Martins, 250 Swallows, 15 House Martins and 80 Swifts. On the water bodies were 67 Black-tailed Godwits, 10 Greenshanks, a Ruff, 3 Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Dunlins and 4 Snipes.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 13 new birds: 2 Wrens, 5 Dunnocks, 4 Whitethroats, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Goldfinch; and 2 retraps: a Blackbird and a Wren.

Late July 2013

July 31st: Moderate wind, and rain from morning to late afternoon. Flying south were several hundred hirundines, mostly Sand Martins, and 3 Swifts. A Green Woodpecker was heard and seen in East Dunes early morning. Around were 5 Whimbrels. On the water bodies were a Curlew Sandpiper, 65 Black-tailed Godwits, 9 Greenshanks and 65 Sandwich Terns.
 No ringing was done, only more net ride maintenance.



Turtle Dove, 31st July 2013.
Photo - Philip Millns

July 30th: Quite windy still, but decreasing gradually. South went a Swift and 2 Whimbrels. Jackson's Marsh held 22 Black-tailed Godwits, 6 Greenshanks and 2 Green Sandpipers, and Tennyson Sands 34 Black-tailed Godwits, a Ruff, a Greenshank, a Snipe and a Common Sandpiper.
 A brief morning ringing session on Storm Ridge yielded a juvenile Whitethroat only, while further net ride maintenance was done.

Dawn over East Dunes, 30th July 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

Oak Eggar on Heligoland Trap, 30th July 2013.
Photo - George Gregory 

July 29th: Still windy. On the water bodies were 56 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Greenshanks, 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Knots, 7 Dunlins, 2 Snipes, a Ruff and 9 Sandwich Terns.  Around were 2 Whimbrels. Flying south were 60 Swifts.
 A brief morning ringing session on Storm Ridge produced just a new adult Linnet. Net ride maintenance continued.

July 28th: Windy. South went 250 Swifts. The water bodies held 37 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Snipes, a Knot, 2 Greenshanks, 2 Green Sandpipers, a Ruff and 3 Sandwich Terns. A Red Kite was photographed at North End in the afternoon.
 It was too windy for ringing, so some time was spent maintaining net rides.

Red Kite, 28th July 2013.
Photo - Philip Millns

July 27th: Flying south were 30 Swallows, 16 Curlews and 2 Whimbrels. Around were a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 15 Yellow Wagtails and 2 Common Buzzards. On the water bodies were a Curlew Sandpiper, 53 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Common Sandpipers, 12 Greenshanks, 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Ruffs, 3 Snipes and 50 Sandwich Terns. Tidal wader movements involved 5000 Sanderlings and 2000 Dunlins, amongst others.
 A morning ringing session on Storm Ridge was moderately successful for this time of year there. The news were 4 Swallows, a Whitethroat and a Sparrowhawk, and the retraps a Swallow and a Whitethroat.
 The 9th session of CES was done this morning, with moderate results. The new birds were a Wren, 3 Whitethroats, a Reed Warbler, 3 Blackcaps and 3 Great Tits, and the retraps 5 Whitethroats, a Wren, a Great Tit and a Blue Tit.
 Other nets at Aylmer Avenue were more productive. New birds were a Wren, 2 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Chaffinches, 5 Blackcaps, 6 Whitethroats, a Blue Tit, a Goldfinch and 6 Greenfinches, and retraps 5 Chaffinches, 2 Whitethroats, 3 Blue Tits, a Greenfinch, 2 Dunnocks and 3 Great Tits.

Fox Moth in a mist net on the 27th July 2013. One of several flying around the West Dunes in broad daylight!
Photo - Mick Briggs

Adult female Sparrowhawk showing primary moult, ringed 27th July 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

July 26th: Sunny morning. Around were a Wood Sandpiper, a Greenshank, 3 Whimbrels, a Mediterranean Gull, a Marsh Harrier and 40 Yellow Wagtails. On the water bodies were a Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Snipes, 34 Black-tailed Godwits, 7 Greenshanks, a Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, a Ruff and 12 Sandwich Terns. South went 2 Swifts, 57 Sand Martins and 2 Grey Wagtails, and north 6 Gannets. In off the sea came 3 Golden Plovers. Offshore were 4 Arctic Skuas.
 A morning ringing session on Storm Ridge resulted in one new Whitethroat only. A session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent was much more productive, despite the sunny conditions. 34 new birds and 33 retraps were processed. The new birds were 13 Greenfinch, 6 Goldfinch, 4 Chaffinch, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Blue Tit and 1 Magpie. The Magpie was the first ringed for the year! The retraps were a mix of Warblers, Finches and Tits, although there were also 2 retrap Great Spotted Woodpecker.
 Edmund and Monica Mackrill photographed recently the first Chalkhill Blue for Gibraltar Point.

Chalkhill Blue, July 2013.
Photo - Edmund and Monica Mackrill

July 25th: Rain most of morning. Flying south were 14 Swifts. Around were 7 Whimbrels and 4 Yellow Wagtails. On the water bodies were an adult Curlew Sandpiper, 21 Black-tailed Godwits, a Ruff, 3 Snipes, a Common Sandpiper, 14 Greenshanks, 15 Ringed Plovers, 4 Dunlins, 4 Golden Plovers and 65 Sandwich Terns.
 A rain-shortened early morning ringing session on Storm Ridge yielded 6 new birds: 2 Wrens, 3 Linnets and a Yellow Wagtail.

July 24th: Damp, cloudy start, becoming humid. Around were a juvenile Peregrine, 12 Yellow Wagtails, 1000 Starlings, a Marsh Harrier, a Golden Plover and 12 Whimbrels. About 20 Swallows, mostly juveniles, hawked for insects low over Storm Ridge. On Millenium Ridge was a Curlew Sandpiper. Jackson's Marsh held a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Snipes, 2 Greenshanks, a Green Sandpiper, 6 Black-tailed Godwits, a Common Sandpiper and a Ruff, and Tennyson Sands 162 Sandwich Terns, an adult Curlew Sandpiper, 6 Common Sandpipers, 33 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Greenshanks. South went a Sand Martin and 5 Swifts. A flock of 16 Common Sandpipers were flying about offshore this evening, presumably additional to the above.
 A morning ringing session on Storm Ridge produced 15 new birds: 2 Linnets, a Whitethroat, 2 Goldfinches, 9 Swallows and a Meadow Pipit, and 5 retraps: 2 Great Tits, a Dunnock, a Blue Tit and a Goldfinch.

July 23rd: Rain most of morning. Waders involved in tidal movements included 4000 Sanderlings and 2000 Dunlins. Offshore were 20 Sandwich Terns. On the water bodies were 2 Green Sandpipers, 11 Common Sandpipers and 4 Snipes. Around were a juvenile Cuckoo and 1100 Starlings.
 No ringing was done.

July 22nd: High tide, early morning, produced 2000 Sanderlings, 1000 Dunlins, 4000 Knots and 200 Grey Plovers. Offshore were 100 Sandwich Terns and 9 Common Scoters. On Jackson's Marsh were a Ruff and 18 Black-tailed Godwits, and on Tennyson Sands an adult Mediterranean Gull and 13 Black-tailed Godwits.  On the water bodies were 10 Greenshanks, 6 Common Sandpipers and a Little Ringed Plover. New arrivals included 20 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Willow Warblers, a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap and a Sedge Warbler. Around were 20 Mistle Thrushes, a Marsh Harrier, a Hobby and a Peregrine.
 A morning ringing session on Storm Ridge resulted in 10 new birds: a Red-backed Shrike, a Wren, 3 Linnets, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Reed Buntings and a Yellow Wagtail, and 2 retraps: a Wren and a Whitethroat.

Adult male Red-backed Shrike, ringed 22nd July 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

July 21st: Flying south were 5 Black-tailed Godwits and a Greenshank. On Tennyson Sands were a Yellow-legged Gull, 18 Black-tailed Godwits, a Greenshank and a Whimbrel, and on Jackson's Marsh 2 Green Sandpipers, a Greenshank, a Dunlin and a Snipe. About 250 Sandwich Terns roosted on these water bodies late afternoon. Around were 2 Crossbills, a Kingfisher and a Hobby.
 A morning ringing session on Storm Ridge produced just 3 Whitethroats and 3 Dunnocks. A longer session at Aylmer Avenue by David and Liv Vincent was much more productive, with 110 birds processed. 68 new birds and 42 retraps. The new birds were 21 Greenfinch, 11 Goldfinch, 11 Chaffinch, 3 Wren, 1 Robin, 3 Blue Tit, 1 Blackbird, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Dunnock, 1 Swallow, 9 Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff and 1 Willow Warbler. The Retraps were a mix of Warblers, Finches and Tits.

Mid July 2013

July 20th: Cloudy, with occasional drizzle. Offshore were 7 Arctic Skuas and 300 Sandwich Terns. Flying south were 6 Curlews and a Greenshank. On Tennyson Sands were 20 Black-tailed Godwits, a Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper, on Jackson's Marsh 2 Snipes, 6 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Greenshanks, 2 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, a Ruff and a Whimbrel, and on the River Steeping a Common Sandpiper. Around was a Crossbill and a Peregrine.
 A morning ringing session on Storm Ridge resulted in 10 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Dunnock, 7 Whitethroats and a Swallow, and also a retrap Dunnock.

July 19th: South went 8 Whimbrels and a Swift, and offshore were 170 Sandwich Terns and 4 Arctic Skuas. In the Plantation were 4 Crossbills. On Jackson's Marsh were 30 Little Egrets, a Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, a Greenshank and a Ruff, and on Tennyson Sands 21 Black-tailed Godwits, a Greenshank and 2 second-summer Mediterranean Gulls.
 A brief morning ringing session on Storm Ridge provided a Wren and 2 Whitethroats as new birds.
 The recent hot, sunny weather has caused some of the water bodies to start drying up.

Roadside Pond, 19th July 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

July 18th: Tennyson Sands held an adult Little Gull, 15 Black-tailed Godwits and 5 Greenshanks, and Jackson's Marsh 7 Black-tailed Godwits, a Green Sandpiper, a Ruff and a Little Ringed Plover.
 A morning ringing session was done at Aylmer Avenue until the mist lifted and it became too hot. New birds were a Chiffchaff, 3 Great Tits, 4 Goldfinches, 3 Whitethroats, 3 Chaffinches, 2 Dunnocks, a Blue Tit, 8 Greenfinches and 2 Crossbills. The retraps were 3 Great Tits, a Chaffinch, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Blue Tit.

Juvenile Crossbill No. 1, ringed 18th July 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

Juvenile Crossbill No. 2, ringed 18th July 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

Juvenile Crossbill No. 2, ringed 18th July 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

July 17th: On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Green Sandpipers, 4 Greenshanks and 6 Black-tailed Godwits, and on Tennyson Sands an adult Mediterranean Gull, 3 Greenshanks and 5 Black-tailed Godwits. Around were 35 Swallows, including many juveniles, and a Grey Heron.
 A brief morning ringing session on Storm Ridge provided new juveniles each of Wren and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Noisy juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker, ringed 17th June 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

July 16th: Tennyson Sands held 11 Black-tailed Godwits, a Greenshank, a Ruff and a adult Mediterranean Gull, and Jackson's Marsh 9 Black-tailed Godwits and a Greenshank.
 The 8th session of CES was done this morning and was moderately successful, with 26 birds processed. The news were 2 Wrens, a Robin, 13 Whitethroats, a Dunnock and a Swallow, and the retraps 2 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap, a Willow Warbler, a Blue Tit, a Chaffinch, a Wren and a Blackbird.
 The feeding station nets were more productive, birds caught being a Robin, 12 Chaffinches, a Goldfinch, 2 Whitethroats, 6 Great Tits, 2 Dunnocks, 11 Greenfinches, a Coal Tit and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.
 Sam Wilson's photograph of the pullus Tawny Owl ringed earlier this year is below.

Pullus Tawny Owl.
Photo - Sam Wilson

July 15th: On Jackson's Marsh were 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Greenshanks, a Whimbrel, a Green Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper, and on Tennyson Sands a second-summer Mediterranean Gull, 3 Sandwich Terns and a Black-tailed Godwit. South went 16 Sand Martins. About were 2 Peregrines, including a juvenile bird, and the 2 Scaups were still present on the Wash.

Second-summer Mediterranean Gull, July 15th.
Photo - Nigel Lound

July 14th: Around was a Marsh Harrier. Flying south were 15 Curlews, 8 Common Terns, 7 Whimbrel and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, and north an Arctic Skua and 4 Gannets. On Tennyson Sands were 2 Sandwich Terns, 23 Black-tailed Godwits, a Greenshank, a Ruff and 10 Dunlins, and on Jackson's Marsh 11 Black-tailed Godwits, a Wood Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, a Little Ringed Plover, a Greenshank and a Dunlin. On the water bodies were 44 Little Egrets. Offshore were the 2 Scaup, 300 Common Scoters and 5 Sandwich Terns.
  A Six-spotted Burnet moth was noted in the East Dunes.
  A morning ringing session on Storm Ridge produced 6 new birds: 2 Meadow Pipits, a Linnet, a Dunnock and 2 Great Tits, and another Great Tit was retrapped.

Juvenile Cuckoo on 14th July 2013
Photo - Kevin Wilson

July 13th: On Jackson's Marsh were 21 Black-tailed Godwits, 5 Greenshanks and a Knot, and on Tennyson Sands a colour-ringed adult Mediterranean Gull, 3 Greenshanks, a Dunlin and a Black-tailed Godwit. On these water bodies were 18 Little Egrets. Around were a Common Buzzard and 2 Corn Buntings. At Aylmer Avenue were 9 Crossbills, and over Sykes Farm 6 more. Offshore were 3 Eiders and 2 Sandwich Terns.

July 12th: Tennyson Sands held 2 colour-ringed adult Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Greenshanks, a Common Sandpiper and a Ruff, and Jackson's Marsh 16 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Greenshanks, a Little Ringed Plover, a Green Sandpiper, a Knot and a Common Sandpiper. At Aylmer Avenue was a juvenile Crossbill, and at Sykes Farm 11 more Crossbills.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue was moderately successful. The 19 new birds were a Wren, a Chaffinch, 4 Whitethroats, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Great Tits, a Goldfinch, 2 Dunnocks and 7 Greenfinches, and the retraps 2 Dunnocks and the French-ringed Sedge Warbler that has summered, and presumably bred, here.

July 11th: On Jackson's Marsh were 17 Black-tailed Godwits, a Common Sandpiper, a Little Ringed Plover, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Greenshanks and a Knot, and on Tennyson Sands a third-summer Yellow-legged Gull, a colour-ringed adult Mediterranean Gull and a Greenshank. There were 2 Grey Wagtails: one west and one at Roadside Pond. South went 12 Curlews, and in off the sea came a Grey Heron.
 Ragwort-pulling at Aylmer Avenue is continuing.

Early July 2013

July 10th: On Jackson's Marsh were 13 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Greenshanks and a Green Sandpiper, and on Tennyson Sands 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls. Around was a Hobby, and offshore were 40 Common Scoters. South went 3 Swifts.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 50 birds processed, almost all juveniles. The news were 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Wrens, 7 Chaffinches, a Blue Tit, 4 Goldfinches, a Great Tit, 4 Whitethroats, 3 Dunnocks, a Blackcap, 8 Greenfinches and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. The retraps were 3 Blue Tits, 2 Coal Tits, 6 Great Tits, a Chiffchaff, a Chaffinch, a Whitethroat and a Greenfinch.

July 9th: On the Wash were 2 Scaups. Jackson's Marsh held a Green Sandpiper, 2 Greenshanks, a Ruff, a Little Ringed Plover, 72 Redshanks and 12 Black-tailed Godwits, and on Tennyson Sands 5 Black-tailed Godwits, a Common Sandpiper, 3 Greenshanks and a Whimbrel. Around were 289 Curlews, 4 Whimbrels, a Marsh Harrier and a Garden Warbler. Flying south were 250 Swifts. In Beach Car Park were 2 Crossbills.

Crossbills in Beach Car Park, 9th July
Photo - Dean Nicholson

July 8th: On Tennyson Sands was a Scaup, and on Jackson's Marsh were a Green Sandpiper, 4 Black-tailed Godwits and a Greenshank. South went 8 Swifts, and north 4 more. Around were 2 Hobbys and 10 Crossbills.
 A pair of Yellow Wagtails have bred successfully on Jackson's Marsh this year, producing 4 young.
 The 7th session of CES was done this morning, and was reasonably successful. The 27 news were 2 Wrens, 8 Whitethroats, 5 Great Tits, 2 Chaffinches, 6 Dunnocks, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blue Tits and a Goldfinch, and the 4 retraps were singles each of Linnet, Chiffchaff, Great Tit and Whitethroat.
 The feeding station nets were somewhat more productive, the new birds being a Yellowhammer, 2 Coal Tits, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 19 Greenfinches, 7 Great Tits, 12 Chaffinches, a Dunnock, 2 Goldfinches, 2 Blue Tits and a Whitethroat, and the retraps 3 Chaffinches, 3 Blue Tits, 5 Great Tits and 2 Greenfinches.
  In the late afternoon the Barn Owl nest was checked, and the chicks were ringed. A very healthy brood of four have been reared this year, with these chicks bucking the trend in the county, weighing in on the 'very heavy' end of the scale for Barn Owls. Two of the chicks were heavier than the female was five weeks ago, when they were last checked. Across the county, occupancy is at an all-time low when boxes have been checked, probably due to the late spring and cold conditions during the start of the breeding season. In around ten days' time, these chicks will have fledged and will be out and about around the reserve.

Brood of four Barn Owls ringed on 8th July 2013.
Photo - Mick Briggs

Juvenile Coal Tit ringed 8th July 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

July 7th: At Beach Car Park were 7 Crossbills. On Jackson's Marsh were 3 Greenshanks, and on Tennyson Sands 2 Ruffs and a Greenshank. Flying south were 20 Curlews.

July 6th: A quiet day on the reserve. The only birds of note were 8 Crossbills, a Yellowhammer and a Turtle Dove. 

July 5th: In the East Dunes were a Song Thrush and a Coal Tit. Swifts and Sand Martins continued moving south throughout the day.

July 4th: Heading south were 3000 Sand Martins, 500 Swift, 60 Swallow and a Hobby, the latter observed chasing migrating Sand Martins. A Cuckoo was heard calling north of Mill Hill. A few Whimbrels are now present around the reserve. On Jackson's Marsh was a male Ruff, which is new in. A pair of Red-breasted Mergansers were offshore.   

July 3rd: Two Barn Owls hunted over the saltmarsh early evening. An estuary count from the Wash Viewpoint produced 350 Curlews.

July 2nd: A Great White Egret was observed early morning, near the Wash Viewpoint. Flying south were 500 Swifts and several Sand Martins. An evening seawatch produced 50 Manx Shearwaters north. A Bittern was reported on the Mere. 

July 1st: On Jackson's Marsh were 23 Black-tailed Godwits, a Green Sandpiper and 2 Little Ringed Plovers. A pair of Turtle Doves were about, and a Cuckoo was calling in the East Dunes. Flying south were 400 Swifts and 100 Sand Martins. Offshore were several Sandwich Terns and a flock of 10 Common Scoters.

 Butterflies of the day included a Painted Lady, 3 Small Heaths and 20 Speckled Woods.

Late June 2013

June 30th: An immature male Golden Oriole sang briefly and was seen in the Plantation. Around was a Marsh Harrier. Flying south were 2 Whimbrels, 30 Curlews and 5 Swifts.
 New birds trapped in a morning ringing session in East Dunes were single juveniles each of Dunnock, Meadow Pipit, Whitethroat and Blue Tit. The retraps were 2 Whitethroats. This year in East Dunes 80 juveniles of various species have been trapped and ringed so far, showing that there has been a fair degree of successful breeding there.
 All nets have now been taken down in East Dunes, to allow grazing by our Dexter cattle for a few weeks.
 The 6th session of CES was done this morning, and was very productive. The 40 new birds were 2 Chiffchaffs, 6 Long-tailed Tits, a Willow Warbler, 10 Great Tits, a Blackcap, a Robin, 6 Whitethroats, 8 Blue Tits, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Dunnocks, a Swallow and a Goldfinch. Most of these were juveniles, which is encouraging. The 16 retraps were a Robin, a Dunnock, 2 Great Tits, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Wren, 4 Blue Tits, 4 Long-tailed Tits and a Whitethroat. The other nets at Aylmer Avenue provided a Yellowhammer, many Greenfinches and other finches, and a few others.

June 29th: A fairly quiet day. A Black Redstart was around the Field Station, a favourite haunt. Offshore were 60 Sandwich Terns. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Black-tailed Godwits and a Green Sandpiper, and on Tennyson Sands a Ruff, 2 Green Sandpipers, a Pintail, 2 Mediterranean Gulls and 3 Yellow-legged Gulls. South flew 50 Swifts, a Greenshank, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 120 Curlews and a Whimbrel.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes was less productive than yesterday. The news were a juvenile Whitethroat and adult males each of Linnet and Blackcap, while there were 5 usual retraps.

June 28th: On the beach was a first-summer Yellow-legged Gull, and offshore were 60 Sandwich Terns. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Green Sandpipers, and on Tennyson Sands a Ruff and a Glaucous Gull x Herring Gull-type hybrid. Heading south were 750 Swifts, 6 Sand Martins, a House Martin, 5 Whimbrels, 2 Black-tailed Godwits and 2 Grey Herons.
 More new juveniles were ringed in a morning ringing session in East Dunes, namely 3 Dunnocks, a Whitethroat, a Goldfinch and a Reed Bunting. An adult female Blackcap was also new, and there were 3 retrap Whitethroats.

Juvenile Reed Bunting ringed 28th June 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

June 27th: On Jackson's Marsh was a Green Sandpiper, and on Tennyson Sands a Ruff, a Sandwich Tern, a second-summer Mediterranean Gull and a Pintail. Offshore was a Little Gull. A Black-tailed Godwit and 12 Crossbills flew south.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes was quite productive for June. The 15 new birds were an adult female Reed Bunting, and the following juveniles: a Long-tailed Tit, 4 Whitethroats, 3 Dunnocks, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, a Blue Tit and a Robin. The retraps were 4 Long-tailed Tits, a Blue Tit and a Dunnock.

Juvenile Long-tailed Tit ringed 27th June 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

June 26th: Cloudy start, then warm. On Tennyson Sands were a Ruff and a Pintail, and on Jackson's Marsh a Green Sandpiper and a Snipe. Around were 2 Brent Geese and a Turnstone.
 New juveniles trapped in a morning ringing session in East Dunes were a Reed Bunting, 3 Whitethroats, a Chaffinch, a Meadow Pipit and a Linnet, while new adults were a male Blackcap and a Whitethroat. There were 6 usual retraps.
 The recent high tides have covered most of New Saltmarsh and part of South Marsh Road.

High tide over New Saltmarsh, 26th June 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

High tide starting to cover part of South Marsh Road, 26th June 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

June 25th: A Great White Egret was briefly on Roadside Pond, then on Jackson's Marsh, before flying off. Also on Jackson's Marsh was a Green Sandpiper, and on Tennyson Sands were a Sandwich Tern and a Greenshank. Around were a Hobby, a Jay and a Crossbill.
 More emerging juveniles were caught in a morning ringing session in East Dunes, namely a Chiffchaff, 7 Whitethroats and a Dunnock. Also trapped was a new adult Meadow Pipit, and there were 7 usual retraps.
 The Southerm Marsh Orchids are in full flower now.

Southern Marsh Orchids, 25th June 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

June 24th: Less strong southwesterly wind. Hundreds of Swifts moved south. A Green Woodpecker was heard yaffling near Aylmer Avenue. On Jackson's Marsh were a Ruff and a Green Sandpiper, and on Tennyson Sands a Pintail and a Sandwich Tern. Around were a Hobby and a Redpoll.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 5 new birds: single adult females of Blackcap and Whitethroat with brood patches, and single juveniles of Dunnock and Lesser Whitethroat; the 4 retraps were an adult male Blackcap, and single juveniles of Chaffinch, Whitethroat and Dunnock. The Blackcaps appear to be a breeding pair; perhaps some juveniles will emerge soon.
 The Pyramidal Orchids appear to be late this year, but are flowering well now.

Pyramidal Orchid, 24th June 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

June 23rd: Increasingly strong southwesterly wind, occasional rain from mid morning. Again, thousands of Swifts went south. On Tennyson Sands were a Mediterranean Gull and a Yellow-legged Gull.
  A weather-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded a new adult Whitethroat, a moulting adult male Sparrowhawk (primary moult score 8), and a retrap juvenile Lesser Whitethroat, which had just commenced post-juvenile moult.
  A longer ringing session at Aylmer Avenue was more productive, as usual recently, since the feeders attract in mostly juvenile finches and other species. There were 22 new birds including 2 Chiffchaffs, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Swift! (the first since 1981!), and 26 retraps - the usual finches, tits and others.


Adult Swift ringed on 23rd June 2013, the first for 32 years.
Photo - Dave Vincent



Adult male Sparrowhawk, ringed 23rd June 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

Second-summer Yellow-legged Gull, 23rd June 2013.
Photo - Nigel Lound

June 22nd: Quite strong southwesterly wind, rainy start. About 4000 Swifts and a Hobby flew south. On Tennyson Sands was a Pintail.
  The weather prevented any ringing.

June 21st: The Summer Solstice, but not very summery. Damp start, cloudy, occasional spots of rain. A Green Sandpiper was on Jackson's Marsh. Around were 2 Jays. Heading south were 15 Swifts.
  A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided a Jay (the 43rd of the year) and a Dunnock as new birds, and 3 usual retraps.
  A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, from mid morning, was more productive. The new birds were a juvenile Siskin (dispersed from where?), 10 Greenfinches, 3 Goldfinches, 3 Chaffinches, a Blue Tit, a Dunnock and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. The retraps were 3 Chaffinches, a Goldfinch and a Greenfinch. Almost all of these birds were juveniles, showing that finches in particular are producing fair numbers of young.



Jay ringed 21st June 2013.
Photo - George Gregory

Juvenile Siskin ringed 21st June 2013.
Photo - George Gregory