Early May 2015

May 10th. Flying from the Wash to Tennyson's Sands were 2 Spoonbill. Around, including birds trapped, were a Firecrest, a Wheatear, a singing Grasshopper Warbler, a Turtle Dove and 17+ Jay. Flying south were a Common Buzzard and 300 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with James Siddle, produced 6 new birds: a Firecrest, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, a Great Tit and a Jay; and 2 retrap Whitethroat.
 Meanwhile at Aylmer Avenue, Mick Briggs carried out the first C.E.S. session of the year with good results. Along with some other nets in the area the total of 20 new birds for the day was a respectable result. They were 7 Whitethroat, 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Linnet and singles of Wren, Dunnock, Blue Tit and Greenfinch. There was also 39 retraps which were 8 Whitethroat, 4 Wren, 4 Robin, 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Dunnock, 3 Great Tit, 3 Chaffinch, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Goldfinch and singles of Lesser Whitethroat and Greenfinch.
 Interestingly after the old Whitethroat last week (02/05/2015), which was trapped again today, today there was a Lesser Whitethroat which was originally ringed on 8th August 2009 as a juvenile bird. This means that this bird has been all the way back to just south of the Saharan region of Africa six times. That is an impressive feat: crossing the Sahara 12 times. I would imagine that this is the oldest Lesser Whitethroat ever handled on the reserve but could not guarantee it. Even more impressive is that the bird is a female and so by now must have laid somewhere in the region of 24 eggs (or more). She has certainly done more than her fair share of ensuring the species' continued presence amongst our summer breeding songsters. She has been retrapped by the Observatory team in May of 2011, 2012 (x2), 2013 (x2), 2014 and then again today and always on the same site, and never in a different month. So whether she is a locally breeding bird would seem unlikely; more likely is that she is just passing through on her way north to who knows where?

Firecrest, ringed 10 May 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

May 9th. Increasing south-westerly wind.
 The Spoonbill remained on Tennyson's Sands, along with a Mediterranean Gull and a Little Ringed Plover. Birds around included 180 Brent Goose, a Hobby, 4 Turtle Dove, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Corn Bunting and a Cuckoo. South over land went 530 Swallow, 70 House Martin, 300 Swift, a ringtail harrier sp, a Hobby and 5 Yellow Wagtail, and north a Red Kite. South over sea went a Little Gull, 39 Common Tern, 118 Commic Tern, 73 Sandwich Tern, a probable Red-necked Grebe and a Fulmar, and north a Great Northern Diver. A newly arrived party of 12 Mute Swan eventually moved off south-west.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes, with James Siddle, resulted in 3 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Goldfinch and a Whitethroat; an a retrap Whitethroat.

May 8th. On Tennyson's Sands was a Spoonbill. Around were a Short-eared Owl, 17+ Jay, 3 Wheatear, a Tree Sparrow, 2 Turtle Dove, 2 Cuckoo, a Pink-footed Goose, 2 Greenshank and a Whimbrel.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 19 new birds: 6 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 7 Lesser Whitethroat, a Robin, 2 Whitethroat and a Linnet; and 6 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock.

Lesser Whitethroat with large pollen 'horn', ringed 8 May 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

May 7th. Flying south were a Serin, a Turtle Dove and 2 Swift. Birds around, including those trapped, were 27+ Jay, a Tree Pipit and 2 Whimbrel.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Mike Polling, produced 11 new birds: a Wren, a Willow Warbler, a Blackcap, a Whitethroat, a Tree Pipit, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Dunnock and 3 Jay; and 5 retraps: 2 Lesser Whitethroat and 3 Whitethroat. So far this year 15 Jay have been ringed here.
 The demolition of the Field Station continues.

Jay, ringed 7 May 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

Gibraltar Point Field Station being demolished, 7 May 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

May 6th. Strong south-westerly wind.
 Around were a Wheatear and 2 Whimbrel. South at sea went a Velvet Scoter.

May 5th. Increasing south-westerly wind.
 On Tennyson's Sands in the late afternoon were 2 Spoonbill. Birds around, including those trapped, were 20+ Jay, a Wheatear, a Tree Pipit, a Yellow Wagtail and 6 Whimbrel. Flying south were 5 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded three new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Tree Pipit and a Blackbird; and 3 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat, a Linnet and a Wren.

Tree Pipit, ringed 5 May 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

Tree Pipit, ringed 5 May 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

May 4th. Around, including birds trapped, were 14 Jay and 5 Whimbrel. A Spoonbill was on Tennyson's in the morning. At Mill Pond a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling at first light whilst at Aylmer Avenue a total of 5 more Jay flew south during the morning. A Barn Owl was hunting the freshwater marsh for much of the day whilst two Cuckoo called from the same area and a Tawny Owl was heard calling mid afternoon.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 8 new birds: a Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Linnet and 4 Jay; and 3 retraps: 2 Whitethroat and a Lesser Whitethroat.
 At Aylmer Avenue, Mick Briggs was ringing on this Bank Holiday Monday and finished off with just 10 new birds: 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Greenfinch and 2 Goldfinch. There were also 8 retraps: 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldfinch and singles of Blackbird, Great Tit, Chaffinch and Greenfinch.
 The most remarkable bird of the day, though, was the retrap Blackbird at Aylmer Avenue. The bird was clearly an adult male with a bright yellow eye ring, bright yellow bill, uniform jet black plumage all over and even a pronounced cloacal protrubence (male genitals). Upon checking the database, you can imagine the shock when it appeared the bird was ringed in 2008 by George Gregory as a juvenile female. It was then retrapped 3 times during 2010 as a breeding female by Mick, retrapped again in 2012 by George as a breeding female and again by Mick in 2013 as a breeding female. And yet here it was: clearly a breeding male.
  Now, according to the worldwide web, female birds have two ovaries but only the left ovary produces eggs. If this ovary is damaged for some reason, the right ovary can occasionally then develop into a testis, and the bird will start producing male hormones and will eventually become a male bird capable of fertilising a female's egg. I didn't know this and can't really believe that I have seen such a bird in the hand. I just wish that the bird had been photographed before release. The sex change wasn't realised until after the bird's release but the ring number was checked thoroughly due to the obvious age of the ring number. This is not an April Fool's joke and the Observatory Ringer in Charge, Mick Briggs, is in complete amazement about this bird.

Lesser Whitethroat, ringed 4th May 2015.
Photo - Mick Briggs

Sedge Warbler, ringed 4th May 2015.
Photo - Mick Briggs 

May 3rd. Strong but decreasing south-easterly wind, with rainy spells.
 On Jackson's Marsh were a Spoonbill, 4 Black-tailed Godwit and a Ruff. Around were a Turtle Dove, 5 Reed Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler, 2 Grey Partridge and a singing Corn Bunting. The first Swift of the year flew south.

May 2nd. Birds around included 3 Turtle Dove, a Cuckoo, 5 Jay and 6 Whimbrel. North at sea went a Red-throated Diver, an Arctic Tern, 48 Little Tern, 15 Sandwich Tern, 9 Gannet and 11 Auk Sp, and south 2 Great Crested Grebe. At Aylmer Avenue there were 2 Cuckoo and 2 Turtle Dove singing, whilst 2 Jay flew south early morning. Mid morning just before the rain arrived, 20+ Swallow were feeding around North Car Park.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 3 new birds: a Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat and a Jay; and 5 retraps: 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat, a Wren and a Linnet.
 Meanwhile, over at Aylmer Avenue, Mick Briggs was ringing, closing the nets just before the un-forecast rain arrived. This resulted in 28 new birds, which were 8 Chaffinch, 6 Linnet, 5 Goldfinch, 3 Greenfinch, 2 Woodpigeon, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Whitethroat. There were also 17 retraps: 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Dunnock, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Linnet and singles of Blue Tit, Chaffinch and Greenfinch.
 It is interesting to note that the Observatory has now ringed nearly twice as many Linnet as any other species this year showing that they have had an incredible 2014 breeding season and a very kind winter. Linnet numbers ringed at Gibraltar Point are usually quite low but have really started to increase in the last year or two.
 On the other hand though, Greenfinch numbers have dropped through the floor, with the lowest totals ringed for more than ten years. Has the east coast population finally succumbed to the deadly disease that has decimated numbers further inland?
 One of the most travelled birds I have ever handled was in a net today, a Whitethroat that was originally ringed all way the back on 21st Aug 2011 as a juvenile. This means that it has been all the way to sub-Saharan Africa (this species is common in Botswana during the winter months) in the winter of 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, and back again, a distance of at least 72,000km! It has never been caught in between being originally ringed and today. The chances are that it doesn't breed at Gibraltar Point and is in fact just passing through on its way north. What an amazing bird! Please see photos below.


Woodpigeon, ringed 2nd May 2015.
Photo - Mick Briggs

Linnet, retrapped 2nd May 2015.
This male Linnet was originally ringed on 31st May 2014 as an adult so is now starting its third breeding season. It has not been retrapped in between so who knows where this bird has been spending its time during the winters.
Photo - Mick Briggs

Whitethroat, retrapped 2nd May 2015.
This bird was originally ringed all the way back on 21st Aug 2011 as a juvenile. This means that it has been all the way to sub-Saharan Africa (this species is common in Botswana during the winter months) in the winter of 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, and back again, a distance of at least 72,000km! It has never been caught in between being originally ringed and today. The chances are that it doesn't breed at Gibraltar Point and is in fact just passing through on its way north. What an amazing bird!
Photo - Mick Briggs

Jay, ringed 2 May 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

May 1st. Around were 11+ Jay, a Merlin, 6 Whimbrel, a Greenshank and a Cuckoo. Flying south were a Wood Sandpiper and a Tree Sparrow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Mike Polling, resulted in 2 new birds: a Willow Warbler and a Linnet; and a retrap Wren.

Late April 2015

April 30th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind, gradually decreasing.
 Birds around included a Jay.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 2 new birds: a Goldfinch and a Reed Warbler; and a retrap Whitethroat.

April 29th. Quite strong south-westerly wind, bringing bands of rain.
 On Tennyson Sands were a Spoonbill and 3 Common Tern.

April 28th. Increasing south-westerly wind.
 Around were a Greenshank, a Turtle Dove, 2 Jay, 15 Whimbrel and a Common Buzzard. A Red Kite and 2 Greenshank flew south. On The Wash this evening were 400 Ringed Plover and 3000 Dunlin. Offshore were 25 Little Tern, 3 Common Tern and 2 Sandwich Tern. On Jackson's Marsh was a Common Sandpiper.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced just a new Chiffchaff and a retrap Dunnock.

April 27th. Birds around included a Cuckoo.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 3 new birds: a Wren and 2 Whitethroat; and a retrap Wren.

Bluebells, 27 April 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

April 26th. Around were 9 Jay and 30 Sandwich Tern. The 2 Spoonbill were still on Tennyson's Sands. Two Cuckoo were calling away at the back of the Freshwater Marsh behind the Mere mid afternoon.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 4 new birds: a Willow Warbler, 2 Linnet and a Dunnock; and 2 retraps: a Chaffinch and a Chiffchaff.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 12 new birds and 15 retraps. The new birds were 3 Greenfinch, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting, a Goldfinch, a Blackcap and a Lesser Whitethroat. The retraps were 6 Goldfinch, 3 Great Tit and singles of Chiffchaff, Greenfinch, Dunnock, Blue Tit, Chaffinch and Sedge Warbler.
 In the afternoon Mick Briggs was at Aylmer Avenue carrying out net ride maintenance, cutting the grass before it gets out of control and pruning back the last year's growth of Sea Buckthorn etc. into the net rides.

Cowslips, 26 April 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

April 25th. A White-tailed Eagle flew over Tennyson's Sands at 3.15pm. Despite the bird having been tracked coming around the Norfolk coast through the day and then leaving Holme over the Wash towards Lincolnshire some thirty minutes earlier, few people got to see the bird going over the reserve.
 Other birds around, including those trapped, were 29 Jay and a Whimbrel. The 2 Spoonbill remained on Tennyson's Sands. Other birds reported included a Rough-legged Buzzard, 2 Red Kite, 4 Common Buzzard, 3 Marsh Harrier and a Firecrest. 3 House Martin and 2 Swallow fed around Aylmer Avenue, whilst 9 Blackcap and 7 Whitethroat were also singing there early morning.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with James Siddle, produced 5 new birds: a Linnet, a Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Jay; and no retraps.
 Meanwhile Mick Briggs was ringing at Aylmer Avenue, resulting in 22 new birds: 6 Goldfinch, 5 Linnet, 2 Greenfinch, 2 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat and singles of Wren, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Reed Bunting and Chaffinch. There were also 13 retraps: 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Greenfinch, 2 Dunnock and singles of Wren, Sedge Warbler, Goldfinch and Linnet.

Spoonbills, 25 April 2015.
Photo - Steve Humphreys

White-tailed Eagle, 25 April 2015.
Photo - Steve Humphreys

White-tailed Eagle, 25 April 2015.
Photo - Steve Humphreys

April 24th. On Tennyson Sands were 2 Spoonbill. Around were 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 26 Whitethroat, 6 Sedge Warbler, a first-winter Mediterranean Gull, 2 Short-eared Owl, 2 Wheatear, a Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, 500 Redshank, 176 Ringed Plover, 500 Dunlin, 380 Oystercatcher and 5 Whimbrel. Offshore were 12 Little Tern, 5 Sandwich Tern and a Common Tern. Flying south were 12 Yellow Wagtail, 100+ Swallow, 3 House Martin and 16 Sand Martin. A Common Sandpiper was on the river at dusk.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 12 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler (including an acredula type), a Wren, 3 Blackcap, a Linnet and 4 Jay; and no retraps.

Jay, ringed 24 April 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

Acredula type Willow Warbler, ringed 24 April 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

April 23rd. Birds around, including those trapped, were a male and a female Cuckoo together, a Whimbrel and a Merlin. The Spoonbill was still on Tennyson's Sands.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 7 new birds: a Wren, 2 Chiffchaff, a Robin, a Blackcap, a Cuckoo and a Merlin; and 3 retraps: singles of Wren, Blue Tit and Dunnock.

Cuckoo, ringed 23 April 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

Female Merlin, ringed 23 April 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

April 22nd. A Richard's Pipit was discovered in the Old Saltmarsh/East Dunes area. The Spoonbill remained on Tennyson's Sands.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 39 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Brambling, 6 Chaffinch, 8 Linnet, 12 Goldfinch, 3 Sedge Warbler, a Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Great Tit, 2 Greenfinch and a Song Thrush; and 25 retraps: 6 Great Tit, 4 Dunnock, 2 Wren, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, a Whitethroat, 2 Blue Tit and 5 Chaffinch.

Brambling, ringed 22 April 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

April 21st. The Little Bunting was rediscovered on Tennyson's Sands (near Fenella Hope Hide) early morning. Also there were a putative Caspian Gull x Herring Gull hybrid and a Spoonbill.
  Around were the Glaucous Gull, 5+ Jay, a Cuckoo, 5 Wheatear, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 4 Willow Warbler and 15 Swallow. Flying south was a Rough-legged Buzzard, and north a Red Kite.
 An obviously unwell adult Gannet, which had been on Jackson's Marsh for two days, was found dead there this morning. Also the first Speckled Woods and Green Hairstreaks were also on the wing today.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in only 3 new birds: A Willow Warbler, a Meadow Pipit and a Linnet; and no retraps.

Little Bunting, Tennyson's Sands, 21 April 2015.
Photo - Richard Doan

Adult Gannet, found dead on Jackson's Marsh, 21 April 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

Mid April 2015

 April 20th. A Little Bunting was heard singing in West Dunes, but was only identified retrospectively. Around were 6 Jay. On Tennyson Sands was a Spoonbill. Flying north were 2 Swallow. 
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided just 4 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Robin and 2 Reed Bunting; and no retraps.

Green Hairstreak, 20 April 2015.
Photo - Sam Wilson

April 19th. A Glaucous Gull was found near the estuary. Other birds around included a Merlin. A Swallow flew south.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 7 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Robin and 5 Linnet; and 5 retraps: a Blackbird, 3 Blue Tit and a Reed Bunting.

April 18th. Around were a Greenshank and 2 Grey Heron. At sea 4 Little Tern and 2 Fulmar went north.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 2 new birds: a Meadow Pipit and a Woodpigeon; and 2 retraps: a Dunnock and a Blue Tit.

Woodpigeon, ringed 18 April 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

April 17th. Birds around included a Tree Pipit and 2 Ring Ouzel, while 2 Whimbrel flew east off Tennyson Sands and a Swallow flew south.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 5 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, a Blackcap and 2 Linnet; and 8 retraps: a Blackcap, 4 Dunnock, 2 Linnet and a Wren.

April 16th.  Around, including birds trapped, were 3 Ring Ouzel, a Redwing, 12 Chiffchaff, 11 Blackcap, 3 Sedge Warbler, 24 Corn Bunting, a Merlin, a Siskin, a Bullfinch, a Merlin, a Jay, 4 Whimbrel, 2 Greenshank, 14 Swallow, a Siskin, 2 Wheatear and 2 Tree Pipit. On Croftmarsh were 7 Pink-footed Goose. Going east were 2 Mediterranean Gull, south 4 Swallow, north a Fieldfare and north-west 2 Jay.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 13 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, a Whitethroat, 2 Linnet, a Great Tit and a Robin; and 2 retraps: a Dunnock and a Chiffchaff.

April 15th. Birds around included 2 Jay and a Fieldfare. On Jackson's Marsh was a Spoonbill. Heading south was a Swallow, and north-west were 21 Black-tailed Godwit.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 9 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Linnet and a Blue Tit; 2 retraps: a Goldcrest and a Willow Warbler; and a control (ringed elsewhere) Chiffchaff.
 Further to yesterday's Great Tit with a deformed bill, Paul Gosling has sent a photograph of a similar bird trapped here in 1985.

Great Tit with deformed bill, trapped 1985.
Photo - Paul Gosling

April 14th. Around, including birds trapped, were a singing Grasshopper Warbler, 14 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler, 9 Wheatear and a Grey Partridge. A Cuckoo sang in West Dunes. Flying south were a Spoonbill, a Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 White Wagtail, 16 Swallow and 3 Sand Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 13 new birds: 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 2 Great Tit, a Wheatear and a Reed Bunting; and a retrap Wren.

Great Tit with deformed bill; the unkempt plumage results from inability to preen properly; ringed 14 April 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

Wheatear, ringed 14 April 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

April 13th. Frozen start, then gradually warmed up after sunrise.
 Birds around, including those trapped, were a Jay, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Brambling, 2 Goldcrest and a Whimbrel heard.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 11 new birds: 3 Reed Bunting, 4 Linnet, 3 Chaffinch and a Jay; and 5 retraps: a Wren, 2 Goldcrest, a Robin and a Linnet.

Jay, ringed 13 April 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

Brown-tailed Moth caterpillars in their 'tent'. Their hairs can cause serious allergic reactions in humans. 13 April 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

April 12th. Increasing south-westerly wind. Rain in afternoon.
 Around were a Firecrest, a Wheatear, a Ring Ouzel, 2 Sedge Warbler, 3 Yellow Wagtail, a White Wagtail, a Marsh Harrier and a Ruff. On the Mere was a Goldeneye. Heading south were 3 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Tern, 2 Commic Tern, 4 Fieldfare, 60 Goldfinch and 80 Linnet.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 2 new birds: a Reed Bunting and a Blackcap; and a retrap Reed Bunting.

April 11th. Offshore were 2 Black-throated Diver, a Red-throated Diver and a Common Tern. Over Jackson's Marsh mid-morning were 6 House Martin and 4 Sand Martin, and on it were 7 Pink-footed Goose. Around were 2 Siskin, 2 Brambling, 2 Corn Bunting, 2 Redwing, 3 Fieldfare, 5 Chiffchaff, a Buzzard and a Cuckoo.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Samantha Faggetter and James Siddle, produced 2 new birds: a Willow Warbler and a Sparrowhawk; and 2 retraps: a Blue Tit and a Dunnock.

Female Sparrowhawk, ringed 11 April 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

Early April 2015

April 10th. Birds around included a Cuckoo, a Willow Warbler, 2 Swallow, a Tree Pipit, 5 Goldcrest, 4 Buzzard and a Jay. On Jackson's Marsh was a Garganey.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with James Siddle, yielded 6 new birds: 3 Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, a Blackcap and a Robin; and a retrap Blue Tit.

April 9th. Around were a Woodcock, a Peregrine, a Merlin, a White Wagtail, 3 Brambling, a Bullfinch, a House Sparrow (scarce here but plentiful in Skegness) and 7 Goldcrest. A Cuckoo was heard at North End. On Fenland Lagoon were 2 Greenshank, and on Jackson's Marsh a Ruff. South went a Woodlark, 3 Swallow, 2 House Martin and a Yellow Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Mike Polling, provided 3 new birds: 2 Long-tailed Tit and a Chiffchaff; and 4 retraps: a Blue Tit, 2 Goldcrest and a Dunnock.
 A check of one of the Barn Owl breeding sites revealed a pair of already ringed adults, and a food store of 2 freshly killed voles, which were replaced after being photographed.
 In flight were 2 Peacock butterflies.

Brambling, 9 April 2015.
Photo - Nige Lound

White Wagtail, 9 April 2015.
Photo - Nige Lound

Adult male Barn Owl, 9 April 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

Adult female Barn Owl, 9 April 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

Voles from Barn Owl nest site, 9 April 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

April 8th. A Chiffchaff sang in the Trapping Area. Flying north were 3 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes was disappointing. The 2 new birds were a Robin and a Dunnock; and the 2 retraps were a Robin and a Blackbird.

April 7th. Birds around included 2 ringtail Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, 5 Common Buzzard, a Brambling, a Swallow, a Blackcap and 25 Corn Bunting.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Samantha Faggetter and James Siddle, produced 12 new birds: 4 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest, yet another Firecrest, a Robin, a Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 6 retraps: a Blue Tit, 2 Dunnock, a Robin and 2 Goldcrest. 

Chiffchaff with sticky pollen 'horns', ringed 7 April 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

April 6th. A second-summer Mediterranean Gull flew off the Mere early morning. Around, including birds trapped, were 3 Firecrest, 2 Woodcock, 14 Chiffchaff and a Brambling. A Small Tortoiseshell was sighted in the Plantation late afternoon. 
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 10 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, another Firecrest (the 115th ever here), a Wren, a Chaffinch, 2 Reed Bunting and a Blackbird; and a retrap Dunnock.
  Meanwhile at Aylmer Avenue, Mick Briggs was back in action ringing during a very rare day off work, resulting in 10 new birds and 41 retraps. The new birds were 3 Chaffinch, 2 Wren, 2 Greenfinch and singles of Dunnock, Great Tit and Goldfinch. The retraps were 14 Blue Tit, 14 Great Tit, 4 Dunnock, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Wren, 2 Chaffinch and singles of Long-tailed Tit and Coal Tit.

Firecrest, ringed 6 April 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

April 5th. The first Swallow of the year flew south mid-morning. On the reserve were 2 Bullfinch, 2 Collared Dove, a Fieldfare, 140 Redwing, 2 Brambling, 11 Chiffchaff, 9 Goldcrest, a Merlin, 12 Yellowhammer, 2 White Wagtail and a Hen Harrier.  
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 22 new birds: 6 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, a Firecrest (The 24th this decade), a Robin, a Blue Tit, 10 Linnet and a Chaffinch; and 8 retraps: a Goldcrest, 2 Dunnock, a Robin, a Great Tit, a Blue Tit, a Chaffinch and a Linnet.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David and Liv Vincent resulted in 12 new birds and 19 retraps. The new birds were 3 Goldcrest, 2 Great Tit and singles of Wren, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Robin, Blue Tit, Dunnock and Greenfinch. The retraps were 6 Blue Tit, 5 Great Tit, 3 Chaffinch and singles of Chiffchaff, Robin, Dunnock, Greenfinch and Coal Tit.

Firecrest, ringed 5 April 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

April 4th. Around were 2 Firecrest, 13 Goldcrest, 11 Chiffchaff and 42 Corn Bunting. A Cetti's Warbler was discovered near Tennyson Sands north hide early afternoon. On The Wash at high tide were 14000 Knot, 900 Grey Plover, 500 Bar-tailed Godwit and 250 Sanderling.  
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with James Siddle, provided 8 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, 2 Wren, 2 Robin, a Blue Tit and a Reed Bunting; and 4 retraps: 2 Wren and 2 Dunnock.

April 3rd. Birds around included 2 Firecrest, 6 Corn Bunting and a Bullfinch. On Jackson's Marsh were 36 Black-tailed Godwit. Heading north-west were 9 Fieldfare and 2 Redwing.

April 2nd. Around were 3 Firecrest, 7 Chiffchaff, a Common Buzzard, a Merlin, 3 Redwing, a Water Pipit, 2 Bullfinch, 2 Corn Bunting and 5 Goldcrest. Flying south were 10 Rook.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Mike Polling, produced 14 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, a Wren, 3 Reed Bunting, a Linnet, 3 Great Tit, a Robin and a Dunnock; and 2 retraps: a Dunnock and a Linnet.

April 1st. In East Dunes were 2 Firecrest, 3 Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff. Elsewhere were 2 more Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, a Water Pipit, 4 Redwing, a Merlin and 3000 Knot. Flying west were 7 more Redwing.

Late March 2015

March 31st. Very windy.
 Birds around included 3 Redwing and 3 Chiffchaff.

March 30th. Around were a Brambling, a Common Buzzard and 2 Yellowhammer.

March 29th. Flying south early morning were 473 Chaffinch. On the reserve were 50 Corn Bunting, a Hen Harrier, a Merlin, 5 Chiffchaff, a Fieldfare and 7 Redwing. 

March 28th. Around were a Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, 10 Redwing and a Fieldfare. On Tennyson Sands were 39 Avocet and a drake Pintail. 

March 27th. A visit to The Wash Viewpoint at dusk produced a Marsh Harrier, a male Hen Harrier, 2 Peregrine and a Grey Partridge. A Common Buzzard was mobbed by a Jackdaw.

March 26th. On the Mere was an adult summer Mediterranean Gull. Tennyson Sands held 14 Avocet and 2 drake Pintail. Around were 2 Redwing, a Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff and 50 Corn Bunting.

March 25th. Around were a Brambling, 3 Siskin, 10 Tree Sparrow and 15 Redwing. 

March 24th. The highlight of the day was 3 Bearded Tit flying south over the West Dunes. Around were 3 Jack Snipe and 6 Snipe. 

March 23rd. On the reserve were 2 Common Buzzard, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 70 Corn Bunting, 18 Redwing, 6 Goldcrest, a Bullfinch, 2 Woodcock, a Jack Snipe, a ringtail Hen Harrier and 3 Chiffchaff. Offshore were 10 Red-breasted Merganser, a first-winter Shag, 48 Wigeon and 6 Common Scoter. Flying south were 2442 Starling, a Red Kite, 27 Chaffinch, 6 Siskin, a Yellowhammer and a Grey Wagtail. The morning tide produced 20000 Knot, 800 Bar-tailed Godwit and 2000 Grey Plover.

March 22nd. Around were 2 Jack Snipe, a Bullfinch, 2 Siskin, 42 Avocet and 39 Black-tailed Godwit. Flying south were 3500 Starling and 3 Rook. 

March 21st. On The Wash were 25000 Knot, 3000 Grey Plover and 1500 Bar-tailed Godwit. Around the reserve were 50 Corn Bunting, a Woodcock and a Siskin. 

Mid March 2015

March 20th. The high tide wader roost consisted of 20000 Knot, 2100 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1000 Oystercatcher and 300 Grey Plover. Around were 32 Redwing, 2 ringtail Hen Harrier, a Common Buzzard, a Merlin and a Short-eared Owl. A Sand Martin was hawking insects over the Wash Viewpoint this evening.

March 19th. In the Plantation were 6 Siskin, a Bullfinch and a Lesser Redpoll. Tennyson Sands held 34 Avocet and 2 drake Pintail.

March 18th. On the reserve were 49 Avocet, a White Wagtail, 4 Siskin, a Merlin, 8 Goldcrest, a Bullfinch, 75 Corn Bunting and 20 Redwing.

March 17th. A COMMON CRANE flew south-east over Syke's Farm at 1430hrs. About were 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest, a Bullfinch, 72 Corn Bunting and 3 Redwing.

March 16th. The Firecrest was re-discovered in the Plantation this afternoon. Around were 3 Goldcrest, 5 Redwing, 2 Siskin and a Bullfinch.

March 15th. A Red Kite flew south over the reserve mid-morning. On the reserve were 3 Common Buzzard, a Crossbill, 2 Stonechat, 3 Peregrine, 2 Merlin, 25 Little Egret, 400 Golden Plover, 25 Avocet, 2 Siskin and 45 Corn Bunting.

March 14th. A Firecrest was discovered in the Plantation early afternoon. Offshore were 2 Red-breasted Merganser and a Red-throated Diver.

March 13th. Around were 2 Common Buzzard and 50 Corn Bunting.

March 12th. Around were 3 Peregrine and 31 Avocet.

March 11th. On Tennyson Sands were 24 Avocet and 12 Black-tailed Godwit. Around were a Woodcock and Coal Tit

Early March 2015

March 10th. Flying south were 34 Chaffinch, a Grey Wagtail, 6 Tree Sparrow, a House Sparrow, 6 Rook and a Common Buzzard. A Woodlark flew over the East Dunes mid-morning.

March 9th. The Black Brant, 'hybrid' Black Brant and Pale-bellied Brent Goose remained with the Brent Goose flock. Flying south early morning were 158 Chaffinch, a Bullfinch, a Brambling, 15 Siskin, 23 Rook and 85 Starling. Around were 9 Woodcock and a Peregrine.


Black Brant with Dark-bellied Brent Geese on Jackson's Marsh, 9th March.
Photo - Kev Wilson

March 8th. On Tennyson Sands were 10 Avocet and 2 drake Pintail. The 'hybrid' Black Brant was present with the Brent Goose flock.

March 7th. A scrutiny of the Brent Goose flock revealed the presence of a Black Brant, a 'hybrid' Black Brant and a Pale-bellied Brent Goose. On Tennyson Sands were 2 drake Pintail and 6 Avocet. Around were 3 Stonechat, a Bullfinch, 14 Redwing, 2 Common Buzzard, 25 Corn Bunting, 20 Ringed Plover, 3 Goldcrest and 1500 Golden Plover. A Woodlark was singing around the Wash Viewpoint early morning. Flying south were 35 Chaffinch, 13 Stock Dove and 4 Rook.

March 6th. The Brent Goose flock contained a Pale-bellied Brent Goose and a 'hybrid' Black Brant. A Red Kite flew north early morning. Around were 50 Blackbird, a Fieldfare, 16 Redwing, 2 Siskin, 2 Stonechat, a Woodcock, a Marsh Harrier, 3 Bullfinch and 2 Common Buzzard. Flying south offshore was a Great Northern Diver. 

March 5th. Flying south were 2 Siskin and 3 Rook. A skein of 80 Pink-footed Goose flew high north-west mid-morning. In the Plantation was a Bullfinch. On Tennyson Sands were 2000 Brent Goose, 2 Goldeneye, 4 Avocet and 2 drake Pintail.

March 4th. Around were a Grey Partridge, 3 Snipe, 1500 Brent Goose, 2 Barn Owl and a Woodcock.

March 3rd. On Tennyson Sands were 2 Pintail and 4 Avocet. A Kingfisher was on Fenland Lagoon this evening. Around the reserve were 25 Redwing, 29 Corn Bunting, 3 Barn Owl, a Woodcock and 19 Black-tailed Godwit. Offshore was a Slavonian/Black-necked Grebe.

March 2nd. Around were 1900 Brent Goose, a Jack Snipe, a Water Rail and a Water Pipit.

March 1st. The 4 Waxwing were again reported north of Aylmer Avenue, early evening. Around were 1500 Brent Goose and a Woodcock. On Tennyson Sands were 3 Avocet.


Avocets in flight over Tennyson Sands, 1st March.
Photo - Garry Wright

Late February 2015

February 28th. Around were 3+ Barn Owl, 2 Merlin, 3 Common Buzzard and a Marsh Harrier. Jackson's Marsh held 3 Avocet and 47 Black-tailed Godwit. A Pale-bellied Brent Goose was located with the Brent Goose flock early morning. A Slavonian Grebe was offshore this evening; out from Mill Hill.

February 27th. The adult Black Brant was again present on Croft Marsh with the Brent Goose flock. On Tennyson Sands were 2 Avocet and a Water Rail.

February 26th. On Tennyson Sands were 3 Avocet, 1200 Brent Goose, 7 Snipe and 2 Pintail. Jackson's Marsh held 44 Black-tailed Godwit. A group of 4 Waxwing were discovered late afternoon; north of Aylmer Avenue. 


Waxwing on Gibraltar Road - north of Aylmer Avenue, 26th February.
Photo - Nigel Lound

February 25th. An adult Black Brant was discovered on Croft Marsh this evening with the Brent Goose flock. Flying through were a Siskin and 4 Rook. Around were a Red-legged Partridge, 4 Redwing, a Bullfinch, 2000 Golden Plover, 2 Yellowhammer and a Coal Tit. On the water bodies were 96 Wigeon, 12 Pochard and 57 Shoveler.

February 24th. Around were a Woodcock, 2 Barn Owl, a ring-tail Hen Harrier and a Merlin. On Jackson's Marsh were 42 Black-tailed Godwit and a pair of Goldeneye.


Barn Owl, 24th February.
Photo - Paul Neale 

February 23rd. A Water Pipit was on the Fenland Lagoon. Around were 4 Song Thrush, 42 Corn Bunting, 3 Merlin, 1500 Golden Plover, 15 Redwing, 2 Stonechat, 6 Goldcrest, a Peregrine and a House Sparrow. On the water bodies were 47 Shoveler, 17 Little Grebe, 85 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, 35 Gadwall, 8 Pochard, 5 Goldeneye and 13 Black-tailed Godwit. The high tide wader roost produced 10000 Knot and 3500 Bar-tailed Godwit. Offshore were 18 Red-breasted Merganser and 5 Red-throated Diver.

High tide out from Sleeper Track at dawn
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

High tide out from Sleeper Track at dawn
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

February 22nd. Around were 6 Redwing, 2 Stonechat, 6 Snow Bunting, a Merlin and 4 Corn Bunting. At Greenshanks Creek were 2000 Grey Plover and 10 Ringed Plover. Tennyson Sands held 2 Avocet and 3 Goldeneye.

Corn Bunting, 22nd February.
Photo - Garry Wright 

Black-tailed Godwit on Croft Marsh, 22nd February.
Photo - Garry Wright

February 21st. The high tide wader roost produced 3000 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2000 Grey Plover, 5000 Knot and 1000 Dunlin. Offshore were a Black-throated Diver, 15 Red-throated Diver and 2 Red-breasted Merganser. During the morning high tide 2 Water Rail were observed swimming across the flooded salt-marsh. A pair of Ringed Plover were displaying on Greenshanks Creek late afternoon.

Mid February 2015

February 20th. A Red Kite flew south early morning.

February 19th. Flying south offshore were 2 Red-throated Diver, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 10 Common Scoter and 27 Red-breasted Merganser. A Woodlark flew south over Sykes Farm early morning. On Tennyson Sands were 4 Goldeneye and a Water Rail.

February 18th. Around were 2 Woodcock, 1500 Brent Goose and 2000 Pink-footed Goose. A Song Thrush was singing in the Plantation early morning. On Jackson's Marsh were 3 Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Goldeneye.

February 17th. 2 Waxwing were recorded from Aylmer Avenue early afternoon. The sea remained quiet with only 2 Red-throated Diver north and 5 Great Crested Grebe on the sea. Around were 2 Coal Tit, a Bullfinch, a Water Pipit, a Woodcock and 2 Stonechat. A Jack Snipe flew high south over Mill Hill and the first Avocet of the year was on Tennyson Sands.

February 16th. No records received today.

February 15th. 4 Great Crested Grebe and 2 female-type Scaup were on the sea. Around were 3 Goldcrest, 4 Woodcock and a pair of Stonechat.

February 14th. Birds around included 2400 Pink-footed Goose, 1200 Brent Goose and 3500 Golden Plover. A Skylark and a Chaffinch were in sub-song.

February 13th. Around were 2 Coal Tit. At sea 2 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Red-breasted Merganser and a Fulmar flew south whilst 2 Gannet and a Kittiwake went north. 17 Black-tailed Godwit and a pair of Pintail were on Tennyson Sands.

February 12th. Birds around included a singing Mistle Thrush, 450 Pink-footed Goose, 800 Brent Goose and 3000 Golden Plover. On Tennyson Sands were a Cetti's Warbler and 387 roosting Lapwing. At sea were 14 Red-throated Diver, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 14 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Eider and a male Goosander.

February 11th. Around were a Redwing, 3 Corn Bunting and 2 Coal Tit. On Tennyson Sands were 2 Pintail, and on Jackson's Marsh 12 Black-tailed Godwit. Moving south through the dunes were 10+ Great Tit and Chaffinch.

Early February 2015

February 10th. Freezing fog at first. Birds around included a Coal Tit.

February 9th. Around were 38 Snow Bunting, a Bullfinch, a Hen Harrier, a Merlin, a Peregrine, a Goldcrest and 2480 Pink-footed Goose. On Tennyson Sands were 2 Goldeneye. Flying south were 8 Fieldfare.

February 8th. Birds around included 850 Pink-footed Goose, 3500 Golden Plover, a Buzzard, a Hen Harrier, a Peregrine, a Merlin, a Woodcock, 60 Corn Bunting, 29 Snow Bunting and a Goldcrest.

February 7th. Around were 300 Pink-footed Goose, a Merlin and 2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose. Offshore were 6 Red-throated Diver, 4 Red-breasted Merganser and 5 Eider.

February 6th. On Freshwater Marsh was a Water Pipit. Other birds around included 4 Goldcrest and a Coal Tit.

February 5th. Snow mostly melted.
 Around were 1500 Pink-footed Goose, a Coal Tit and a Redwing.

February 4th. Snow gradually melting.
 Birds around included a Woodcock and a Goldcrest.

February 3rd. Overnight snow, slowly melting.
 Around were a Marsh Harrier, 2 Woodcock, 3 Song Thrush, a Fieldfare, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 500 Golden Plover, 175 Cormorant, only 2 Red-throated Diver (very low count), 55 Snow Bunting, a Brambling, 2 Goldcrest and 27 Corn Bunting.

Muntjac tracks in snow, 3 February 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

Hebridean Sheep on Jackson's Marsh, 3 February.
Photo - George Gregory

February 2nd. Frozen start.
 Birds around included 42 Corn Bunting, 2 Goldcrest, a Hen Harrier, 10 Redwing, 8 Goldeneye, 9 Red-breasted Merganser and 1200 Pink-footed Goose.

Tennyson Sands mostly frozen on surface, 2 February 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

February 1st. Occasional light rain.
 Around were 35 Snow Bunting, 600 Pink-footed Goose and a Coal Tit. Sea-watching provided 4 Great Skua, 4+ Pomarine Skua, 3 Little Gull north, 3 Kittiwake north and a Fieldfare in off.