Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory

Tuesday, 1 September 2015

Early September 2015

September 10th. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Spoonbill, a Wood Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, 6 Spotted Redshank and a Greenshank. Birds around, including those trapped, were another Spoonbill, a Green Sandpiper, a Fieldfare, 3 Whinchat, a Redstart and 6 Siskin. Offshore were 2 Great Skua and 2 Little Tern. Heading south were a Marsh Harrier, 3 Siskin and 2 Little Tern.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling provided 14 new birds: a Wren, a Redstart, a Coal Tit, a Goldfinch, a Blue Tit, 7 Greenfinch and 2 Dunnock; and 16 retraps: 2 Blue Tit, a Long-tailed Tit, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch, 3 Dunnock, 2 Goldfinch and a Great Tit.
A longer ringing session in East Dunes by Nigel Judson and Christine Flint provided 6 new birds: singles of Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Robin, Linnet and Dunnock; and 2 retraps: singles of Robin and Blackcap.
A Black Darter, a rare visitor here, was photographed by Chris Bottomer.

Common Sandpiper, 10th September 2015.

Garden Spider, 10th September 2015.
Photo - Sam Wilson

Black Darter, 10th September 2015.
Photo - Chris Bottomer

September 9th. A White-winged Black Tern flew up and down over the beach out from Mill Hill in the morning. Around, including birds trapped, were a Pied Flycatcher, a Redstart, 2 Goldcrest, a Green Woodpecker, a Marsh Harrier and a Kingfisher. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Spotted Redshank and a Greenshank. Flying north were 49 Sandwich Tern, 50 Common Scoter, 2 Pintail and 59 Gannet, and south a Great Skua, a Black Tern and 7 Gannet.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue produced 28 new birds: 2 Wren, a Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Goldcrest, a Pied Flycatcher, a Robin, 4 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Redstart, a Reed Warbler, a Great Tit, 2 Chaffinch, a Goldfinch, 7 Greenfinch and 2 Dunnock; and 14 retraps: a Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, a Blackbird, 4 Dunnock, a Coal Tit, 2 Great Tit, a Goldfinch and a Wren.
A longer ringing session in East Dunes by Nigel Judson and Christine Flint produced 17 new birds: a Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, 4 Whitethroat, 3 Robin, 3 Blackcap, 2 Linnet, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Goldfinch and a Dunnock; and 8 retraps: a Blackbird, a Linnet, 2 Blackcap, 2 Blue Tit, a Garden Warbler and a Lesser Whitethroat.

White-winged Black Tern, 9th September 2015.
Photo - Richard Doan

Common Scoter, 9th September 2015.

Wigeon, 9th September 2015.

September 8th. On Tennyson's Sands was a Spotted Redshank. Birds around included 3 Greenshank, a Marsh Harrier and 3 Siskin.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes by Nigel Judson and Christine Flint resulted in 6 new birds: singles of Robin, Linnet, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Swallow and Chaffinch; and 3 retraps: 2 Blackcap and a Robin.
This afternoon the wind shifted to the east, raising hopes of some arrivals of migrants over the next few days.

September 7th. Around were 8 Spoonbill, a Yellow-legged Gull, a Merlin and a Marsh Harrier. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Ruff, 4 Spotted Redshank, 4 Greenshank and a Green Sandpiper. Offshore was a Shag. Flying north were 7 Fulmar, 3 Manx Shearwater, a Sooty Shearwater, a Marsh Harrier, 3 Tree Sparrow, 5 Redpoll and 8 Siskin,
A long ringing session in East Dunes by Nigel Judson and Christine Flint provided 15 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, a Lesser Redpoll, a Robin, 5 Meadow Pipit, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Dunnock; and 5 retraps: singles of Whitethroat, Robin, Dunnock, Blackcap and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Spoonbill, 7th September 2015.

Little Egret, 7th September 2015.

Green Sandpiper, 7th September 2015.

Redshank and Greenshank, 7th September 2015.

September 6th. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Spoonbill, a Barred Warbler, 2 Green Sandpiper, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Redstart, a Pied Flycatcher and 20+ Siskin. Heading south were 5 Tree Sparow.
A long ringing session in East Dunes by Nigel Judson and Christine Flint produced 54 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, a Willow Warbler, 7 Blackcap, a Whitethroat, a Garden Warbler, 4 Robin, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Redstart, a Reed Bunting, a Pied Flycatcher, a Blue Tit, a Linnet, 3 Meadow Pipit, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Siskin, 10 Dunnock, a Barred Warbler, a Song Thrush and a Blackbird; and 11 retraps: 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 3 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, a Whitethroat and Dunnock.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David and Liv Vincent resulted in 45 new birds and 40 retraps. The new birds were 24 Greenfinch, 8 Goldfinch, 2 Dunnock, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap and singles of Goldcrest, Lesser Whitethroat, Siskin, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Robin and Whitethroat. The retraps were 14 Greenfinch, 7 Goldfinch, 5 Dunnock, 5 Great Tit, 4 Blue Tit, 2 Blackcap, a Chaffinch, a Robin and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Barred Warbler, ringed 6th September 2015.
Photo - Richard Doan

Pied Flycatcher, ringed 6th September 2015.
Photo - Richard Doan

Redstart, ringed 6th September 2015.
Photo - Richard Doan

Forest Bug, 6th September 2015.
Photo - Sam Wilson

September 5th. Quite strong westerly wind.
On Tennyson's Sands were 6 Spoonbill and 3 Spotted Redshank. Around were a Pied Flycatcher, a Redstart, 4 Goldcrest, a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaffa Short-eared Owl, 3 Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, a Peregrine, a Merlin, a Kingfisher, 2 Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper and a Green Sandpiper. Flying north offshore were a juvenile Long-tailed Skua, a Pomarine Skua, a Storm Petrel, 12 Sooty Shearwater, 2 Manx Shearwater and 5 Fulmar, and south 40 Siskin, while offshore were a Black-throated Diver, and 2 Red-throated Diver and a Great Skua. In off the sea came a Snipe, and a House Sparrow, 18 Siskin and 200 Swallow headed south.
A restricted ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mick Briggs, which was rained off by 9am, resulted in 17 new birds: 8 Goldfinch, 5 Greenfinch, 2 Goldcrest and singles of Great Tit and Robin.

Arctic Skua, 5th September 2015.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

September 4th. Moderately strong westerly wind.
On Tennyson's Sands were 6 Spoonbill and a Spotted Redshank, and on the Mere a Garganey and 2 Water Rail. Birds around included 4 Marsh Harrier, a Green Woodpecker, 13 Kestrel, a Merlin, a Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, 45 Golden Plover, a Buzzard, a Redpoll, 17 Siskin, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Whinchat and 6 Snipe. Sea-watching produced 2 juvenile Long-tailed Skua, 3 Great Skua, 40 Arctic Skua, 23 Common Scoter, 13 Arctic Skua, 14 Gannet, 85 Sandwich Tern, 48 Teal, 4 Wigeon and 2 Shoveler south, a Manx Shearwater and 3 Pintail north, and 3 Eider, a Black-throated Diver and a Red-throated Diver offshore. South over land went 2 Swift, 600 Swallow and 5 Whimbrel.
A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes with Nigel Judson and Christine Flint yielded 6 new birds: singles of Willow Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Robin, Whitethroat and Kestrel; and 3 retraps: singles of Whitethroat, Dunnock and Blackcap.

Kestrel, ringed 4th September 2015.
Photo - Nigel Judson

September 3rd. Around were 6 Spoonbill, a Mediterranean Gull, a Merlin, 2 Marsh Harrier, 7 Spotted Redshank, 15 Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Whimbrel, a Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Swift, a Green Woodpecker, a Redstart and 9 Tree Sparrow. Going south were a Marsh Harrier, 4 Rook, a Ruff and 84 Siskin, and north 48 Gannet.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling provided 24 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, 2 Wren, a Robin, 3 Goldfinch, a Chaffinch, 2 Blackcap, a Garden Warbler, 2 Dunnock, 9 Greenfinch and a Blackbird; and 27 retraps: 10 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, 3 Blackcap, a Chaffinch, 3 Dunnock, 2 Goldfinch, a Blackbird and 5 Greenfinch.
A ringing session in East Dunes by Nigel Judson and Christine Flint provided 39 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Wren, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Robin, a Whinchat, a Sand Martin, 20 Swallow, 2 Blackcap, 3 Goldfinch, 2 House Martin, a Linnet and a Dunnock; and 5 retraps: singles of Blackcap, Goldfinch, Whitethroat, Great Tit and Lesser Whitethroat.

September 2nd. Birds around were the Barred Warbler (still near Mill Hill), 3 Spoonbill, a Yellow-legged Gull, a Kingfisher, a Little Tern, 62 Sandwich Tern, 2 Pink-footed Goose, 3 Marsh Harrier, 4900 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4900 Oystercatcher, a Ruff, 3 Whimbrel, 5 Spotted Redshank, 19 Greenshank, a Wood Sandpiper, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Goldcrest, 400 Swallow, 4 Swift, 12 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Whinchat, 24 Siskin, a Redpoll and a Pied Flycatcher. Heading south were a Grey Wagtail, 100 Swallow and 5 Tree Sparrow.
A ringing session in East Dunes by Nigel Judson and Christine Flint produced 77 new birds: 4 Willow Warbler, a Goldcrest, 51 Swallow, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Blackcap, 2 Robin, 3 Sand Martin, a Siskin, a Garden Warbler, a Linnet, a Yellow Wagtail, a Chaffinch, a Sedge Warbler, a Whitethroat and a Dunnock; and 3 retraps: 2 Lesser Whitethroat and a Blackcap. One of the ringed Sand Martin had aberrant plumage.
A later ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Nigel Judson and Christine Flint produced 20 new birds: 3 Goldfinch, 2 Dunnock, 8 Greenfinch, a Chiffchaff, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Great Tit, a Blue Tit, a Whitethroat, a Blackcap and a Robin; and 5 retraps: 2 Blackcap, a Great Tit, a Blue Tit and a Robin.

Aberrant Sand Martin, ringed 2nd September 2015.
Photo - Nigel Judson

High tide over New Saltmarsh, 2nd September 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

High tide near Bird Observatory, 2nd September 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

September 1st. The Barred Warbler remained near Mill Hill. Also around, including birds trapped, were 10 Spoonbill, 2 Short-eared Owl, 15 Sandwich Tern, 80000 Knot, 3500 Sanderling, 4100 Oystercatcher, 2 Ruff, 15 Greenshank, 4 Spotted Redshank, 8 Snipe, a Mediterranean Gull, 49 Shoveler, a Green Woodpecker, 2 Turtle Dove, 25 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, a Pied Flycatcher, 5 Spotted Flycatcher, a Tree Sparrow, 4 Garden Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, 10 Siskin, a Redwing and a Redstart. Flying south was a Hobby.
A long ringing session in East Dunes by Nigel Judson and Christine Flint resulted in 34 new birds: 7 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Wren, a Goldcrest, a Robin, 4 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Linnet, 2 Garden Warbler, 5 Swallow, 2 Siskin, a Reed Bunting, a Tree Sparrow, a Pied Flycatcher, 2 Dunnock and a Redwing; and 6 retraps: a Garden Warbler, a Linnet, 3 Dunnock and a Great Tit.

Friday, 21 August 2015

Late August 2015

August 31st. Rain most of day, making recording difficult.
The Barred Warbler was still near Mill Hill. A Corncrake was discovered in East Dunes. Around were 10 Spoonbill, 7 Spotted Redshank, a Mediterranean Gull, 150 Sandwich Tern, 6 Whimbrel, a Turtle Dove, a Kingfisher, 24 Siskin, 7 Whinchat, 2 Redstart, a Goldcrest, 3 Spotted Flycatcher and 4 Pied Flycatcher. On Tennyson's Sands were a Mediterranean Gull, a Kingfisher, 3 Curlew Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, 6 Greenshank and 4 Spotted Redshank. Flying gradually south-west were 45 Swallow, and north 4 Scaup, 4 Common Scoter, 2 Swift. Offshore were 50 Common Scoter, 380 Sandwich Tern, 4 Arctic Tern, 80 Common Tern, 2 Kittiwake and 5 Arctic Skua.
A late afternoon ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mick Briggs, Nigel Judson and Christine Flint provided 19 new birds: a Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, a Whitethoat, 4 Goldfinch, 2 Blue Tit, a Coal Tit, 2 Chaffinch, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Spotted Flycatcher and 3 Greenfinch; and 4 retraps: a Great Tit, a Coal Tit, a Dunnock and a Greenfinch.

August 30th. The Barred Warbler remained near Mill Hill. Other birds around, including those trapped, were 9 Spoonbill, a Temminck's Stint, a Merlin, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, a Hobby, a Redstart, 5 Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, 2 Pied Flycatcher and 3 Spotted Flycatcher. On Tennyson's Sands were 8 Spotted Redshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Curlew Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper. Going south were a Wood Sandpiper, 450 Swallow and 50 Sand Martin.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 44 new birds: 9 Willow Warbler, a Wren, 5 Robin, a Pied Flycatcher, 5 Whitethroat, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 7 Blackcap, a Spotted Flycatcher, 10 Linnet, a Garden Warbler and a Dunnock; and 7 retraps: 3 Dunnock, a Great Tit, a Meadow Pipit, a Wren and a Whitethroat.
Meanwhile at Aylmer Avenue, while Mick Briggs was eagerly awaiting another influx of migrants, what he received was more of a trickle. A restricted number of nets was used due to the threat of rain and this resulted in 37 new birds and 5 retraps.
The new birds were 12 Blackcap, 7 Willow Warbler, 4 Dunnock, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackbird, 2 Garden Warbler and singles of Wren, Whitethroat, Pied Flycatcher, Reed Warbler and Robin. The retraps were singles of Dunnock, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Robin and Blue Tit.
Hopefully with rain this afternoon and heavier rain overnight accompanied by strengthening north easterlies, by the morning there could be some good arrivals of migrants along the east coast. However, it will be raining heavily for most of the day!

Barred Warbler, 30th August 2015.
Photo - Garry Wright

Swallow, 30th August 2015.
Photo - Garry Wright

August 29th. Around, including birds trapped were a Barred Warbler (near Mill Hill), 2 Wryneck, 18 Spoonbill, a Yellow-legged Gull, 7 Spotted Redshank, 25 Greenshank, 4 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Redstart, 5 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Wheatear, 8 Whinchat, a Goldcrest, a Green Woodpecker, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, 2 Short-eared Owl, an Arctic Skua, 2 Tree Pipit, a House Sparrow (scarce here) and 3 Siskin. Heading south were 5 Swift, a Grey Wagtail, 13 Yellow Wagtail and a Tree Pipit.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 33 new birds: 8 Willow Warbler, 7 Robin, a Garden Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 3 Linnet, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Pied Flycatcher, a Reed Warbler, 4 Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock; and 9 retraps: a Blackbird, a Robin, 3 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Great Tit and 2 Dunnock.
Meanwhile at Aylmer Avenue, Ringer in Charge Mick Briggs was finishing the Constant Effort Site season off with session number 12. Along with other nets the total for a nine hour day was 114 new birds and 15 retraps. The new birds were 17 Greenfinch, 17 Chaffinch, 16 Blackcap, 13 Willow Warbler, 10 Robin, 9 Whitethroat, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Goldfinch, 3 Great Tit, 3 Dunnock, 3 Wren, 3 Blackbird, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Pied Flycatcher and singles of Garden Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Wryneck and Song Thrush. The retraps were 3 Blue Tit, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Dunnock, 2 Wren and singles of Blackcap, Robin, Great Tit and Greenfinch.
At least 4 Pied Flycatcher were hunting around Aylmer Avenue by mid afternoon despite none being present in the morning - were they arriving through the day rather than overnight? The weather forecast for Sunday and into Bank Holiday Monday looks very exciting with showers and easterlies: there should be plenty more scarce migrants arriving along the east coast over the next 48 hours at least.

Pied Flycatcher, ringed 29th August 2015.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

Wryneck, ringed 29th August 2015.
Photo - Mick Briggs.

Barred Warbler, 29th August 2015.
Photo - James Siddle

Oystercatchers, 29th August 2015.

Waders, 29th August 2015.

August 28th. Increasing south-westerly wind.
Birds around, including those trapped, were 18 Spoonbill, a Wood Sandpiper, a Wheatear, 16 Whinchat, 5 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, a Tree Pipit, 2 Marsh Harrier and 8 Kestrel. On Tennyson Sands was a Little Stint. Flying south were 3500 Swallow, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Wood Sandpiper and a Greenshank.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Mike Polling and James Siddle, provided 50 new birds: 22 Willow Warbler, a Wren, 4 Robin, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Linnet, a Garden Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Whitethroat, a Whinchat, a Swallow and a Tree Sparrow; and 8 retraps: 2 Wren, a Linnet, 2 Blackcap, a Whitethroat, a Pied Flycatcher and a Dunnock.

Lesser Whitethroat, 28th August 2015.

Whinchat, 28th August.

August 27th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.
Around, including birds trapped, were a Honey Buzzard (over Croftmarsh briefly), a Red-backed Shrike (near Mill Hill), 17 Spoonbill, a Wood Sandpiper, 21 Geenshank, a Cuckoo, a Green Woodpecker, 18 Whinchat, 3 Redstart, a Tree Pipit and 5 Pied Flycatcher. On Tennyson's Sands were 7 Spotted Redshank and 2 Ruff. Going south were 3 Wood Sandpiper.
A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 24 new birds: 14 Willow Warbler, 3 Linnet, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock and a Cuckoo; and 11 retraps: a Robin, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Linnet, 3 Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock.

Cuckoo, ringed 27th August 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

August 26th. Strong southerly wind, with morning rain, making recording difficult.
On Tennyson's Sands was a Temminck's Stint. Birds around included a Wryneck, 17 Spoonbill, a Pied Flycatcher, a Spotted Flycatcher, 13 Whinchat, a Short-eared Owl and 2 Marsh Harrier. Offshore were a Pomarine Skua, 7 Arctic Skua, a Black-throated Diver and a Black Tern. Heading south were a Wood Sandpiper, 10 Ruff, 32 Shelduck and 2 Black Tern.

Temminck's Stint, 26th August 2015.
Photo - James Siddle

Spoonbills, 26th August 2015.
Photo - Fiona McKenna

August 25th. Around, including birds trapped, were a Red-backed Shrike, 7 Wryneck, 15 Spoonbill, a Pomarine Skua, 5 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, a Whimbrel, 3 Redstart, 30 Whinchat, a Wheatear, 21 Pied Flycatcher, 11 Spotted Flycatcher, 212 Willow Warbler, 4 Garden Warbler, a Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Tree Pipit, a Treecreeper, 5 Common Sandpiper, 3 Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, a Merlin and 6 Kestrel. On Jackson's Marsh were a Temminck's Stint, a Spotted Redshank and a Green Sandpiper, and on Tennyson's Sands a Wood Sandpiper. Flying south were 2 Buzzard, 19 Yellow Wagtail and a Wood Sandpiper.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 70 new birds: 50 Willow Warbler, a Pied Flycatcher, 6 Robin, 4 Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Linnet, a Garden Warbler, a Chaffinch, a Redstart, a Wryneck, a Greenfinch and 2 Dunnock; and 2 retraps: singles of Dunnock and Greenfinch.

Red-backed Shrike, 25 August 2015.
Photo - James Siddle

Wryneck, 25 August 2015.
Photo - James Siddle

Red-backed Shrike in East Dunes, 25th August 2015
Photo - Nige Lound

Pied Flycatcher in East Dunes, 25th August 2015
Photo - Nige Lound

Wryneck, ringed 25 August 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

August 24th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 3 Wryneck, 17+ Pied Flycatcher, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Redstart, a Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, 40+ Willow Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler, 10 Tree Pipit, 13 Common Sandpiper, 19 Greenshank, a Cuckoo, 2 Hobby and a Marsh Harrier. On Tennyson's Sands were a Little Stint, 5 Spotted Redshank, a Little Ringed Plover and a Wood Sandpiper. Going south was a Little Ringed Plover.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 40 new birds: 13 Willow Warbler, a Wren, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Robin, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 4 Linnet, a Reed Bunting, a Reed Warbler, a Redstart and a Whinchat; and 7 retraps: 3 Whitethroat, 3 Dunnock and a Linnet.

Redstart, ringed 24 August 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

Pied Flycatcher, ringed 24 August 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

Whinchat, ringed 24 August 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

August 23rd. Strong easterly wind.
Around were 15 Spoonbill, 2 Pintail, 181 Black-tailed Godwit, a Kingfisher, 2 Mediterranean Gull, a Green Sandpiper, a Fieldfare, 7 Tree Sparrow, 2 Marsh Harrier, 19 Greenshank, 7 Common Sandpiper and 4 Spotted Redshank. On Tennyson's Sands briefly in the morning was a Red-necked Phalarope, then later 2 Little Ringed Plover. On the Mere were 3 Garganey. Offshore was a Pomarine Skua. Heading north over land were 52 Common Tern and north-west 110 Commic Tern.

Red-necked Phalarope, 23 August 2015.
Photo - James Siddle

Red-necked Phalarope, 23 August 2015.

August 22nd. On Tennyson's Sands were 16 Spoonbill, a Little Gull, a Spotted Redshank, a Little Ringed Plover and a Green Sandpiper. Other birds around included a Pomarine Skua, a Little Stint, 6 Black Tern, 260 Common Tern, 6 Arctic Tern, 550 Sandwich Tern, 3 Little Tern, a Mediterranean Gull, 2 Merlin, a Peregrine, 2 Whinchat, a Wheatear, 2 Tree Sparrow and 7 Common Sandpiper. Flying south were a Siskin, 21 Swift, 400 Swallow, 32 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Sand Martin and 2 Marsh Harrier.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 40 new birds: 6 Willow Warbler, 7 Linnet, a Chaffinch, a Reed Bunting, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Whitethroat, 5 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, a Blackcap, a Swallow, a Reed Warbler and 6 Dunnock; and 11 retraps: 3 Great Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Wren and a Blackcap.

August 21st. Around the reserve were 12 Spoonbill, 21 Arctic Skua (mostly south), a Turtle Dove, a Greenshank and a Whimbrel. Offshore were 2 Pomarine Skua (which had roosted on a sandbar overnight), a Scaup and 15 Eider. Going south were 23 Black Tern, 180 Gannet, a Hobby, 15 Wigeon, 140 Teal, 13 Ruff, 5 Turnstone, 15 Swift, 12 Sand Martin and 750 Swallow.
Butterflies included a Painted Lady.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 3 new birds: a Blackcap and 2 Linnet; and 2 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat and a Whitethroat.

The first juvenile Black-tailed Godwit of the autumn, 21 August 2015.

Spotted Redshank chasing a Redshank, 21 August 2015.

Spoonbills, 21 August 2015.