Early July 2015

July 10th. Birds around included a Hobby, 6 Turtle Dove, 2 Cuckoo, a Corn Bunting, a Marsh Harrier, 1+ Arctic Skua, a Green Sandpiper, a Greenshank and a Whimbrel. On Jackson's Marsh was a Spoonbill, and on Tennyson's Sands were a Spotted Redshank and 23 Black-tailed Godwit. Flying south were 8 Crossbill, a Grey Wagtail, 3 Swift and 4 Curlew.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 8 new birds: 2 Wren, 2 Chiffchaff, a Great Tit, a SedgeWarbler, a Reed Bunting and a Cuckoo; and 5 retraps: 3 Whitethroat, a Chiffchaff and a Dunnock.

Cuckoo, ringed 10 July 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

Cuckoo, ringed 10 July 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

July 9th. Soggy start after overnight rain.
 On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Spoonbill, 5 Little Ringed Plover, 21 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Spotted Redshank and 3 Ruff. A lone Snipe was on Jackson's Marsh. Around were a Jay, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Cuckoo and a Whimbrel. Going south were 120 Siskin and 3 YellowWagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 2 new birds: a Blackcap and a Whitethroat; and 4 retraps: singles of Lesser Whitethroat, Wren, Whitethroat and Blue Tit.
 The seventh session of CES was done this morning by Mike Polling. The 32 new birds were 3 Wren, 2 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 4 Great Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, a SedgeWarbler, 8 Whitethroat, 4 Blue Tit, a Linnet, a Robin, a Reed Warbler and 2 Dunnock; and 12 retraps: 3 Wren, 5 Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler, a Great Tit and a Dunnock.

July 8th. Birds around included a Green Woodpecker, a Jay, a House Sparrow (scarce here), a Whimbrel and a Greenshank. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Ruff, 2 Spotted Redshank, a Spoonbill, a Greenshank, 20 Black-tailed Godwit and a presumed first-summer ('portlandica') Common Tern. Going south were 146 Siskin, 24 Curlew and 30 Swift. Many Siskins are moving now, months earlier than usual.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 8 new birds: 4 Wren, a Chiffchaff, a Whitethroat, a Siskin and a Linnet; and 5 retraps: a Linnet, a Wren and 3 Great Tit.

Presumed first-summer ('portlandica') Common Tern, 8 July 2015.
Photo - Paul Neale

Presumed first-summer ('portlandica') Common Tern, 8 July 2015.
Photo - Paul Neale 

Spotted Redshank, 8 July 2015.
Photo - Paul Neale

Siskin, ringed 8 July 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

July 7th. Moderately strong south-west wind, with rainy spells.
 Around were a Greenshank, 17 Black-tailed Godwit and 2+ Whimbrel. Heading south were 1200+ Swift and a Curlew.
 A rain-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 4 new birds: singles of Wren, Meadow Pipit, Dunnock and Woodpigeon; and 6 retraps: 4 Great Tit, a Whitethroat and a Linnet.

Woodpigeon, ringed 7 July 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

Cinnabar Moth caterpillars on Ragwort, 7 July 2015. Almost all Ragwort is being pulled and burned here, since it is an invasive plant poisonous to livestock.
Photo - George Gregory

July 6th. Flying south were 2 Spoonbill, 41 Curlew and 67 Swift. On Tennyson's Sands was a Mediterranean Gull, a Greenshank and 2 Spotted Redshank.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 9 new birds: a Blackcap, 3 Goldfinch, 3 Whitethroat, a Linnet and a Dunnock; and 3 retraps: singles of Dunnock, Whitethroat and Wren.

July 5th. Birds around included 2+ Siskin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 11 new birds: a Linnet, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Meadow Pipit, 3 Whitethroat, a Goldfinch, a Great Tit and 2 Dunnock; and 3 retraps: singles of Lesser Whitethroat, Dunnock and Wren.
 A very disappointing morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David and Liv Vincent produced just a new Dunnock and a retrap Blue Tit.

July 4th. Thunderstorm very early morning, then calmer, warmer and drier.
A Great White Egret flew over East Dunes towards the west. Around were a Montagu's Harrier, a Whimbrel and a Common Sandpiper. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Spotted Redshank, a Ruff and a Kingfisher.
 A storm-delayed morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 3 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Great Tit and a Linnet; and 7 retraps: 5 Great Tit, a Dunnock and a Wren.

July 3rd. Birds around included 3 Siskin, 3 Turtle Dove, a Cuckoo, a Greenshank and a Grey Heron. Heading south were 7 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 5 new birds: a Wren, a Whitethroat, a Goldfinch, a Blue Tit and a Dunnock; and 8 retraps: 5 Great Tit, a Whitethroat, a Wren and a Dunnock.

July 2nd. A Spoonbill flew onto Tennyson's Sands, where were 2 Spotted Redshank and a Ruff later. Around were a  Mediterranean Gull, 2 Hobby and a Treecreeper. A Whimbrel, 11 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 265 Swift flew south.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Mike Polling, produced 23 new birds: 3 Wren, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 2 Blue Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Great Tit, 2 Dunnock and 5 Starling; and 6 retraps: a Wren, a Great Tit, 3 Blue Tit and a Whitethroat.
 At a nest 5 pulli Swallow were ringed.

July 1st. Heading north were 35 Swift. Offshore were 11 Eider and an Arctic Skua. A Mediterranean Gull was on the beach late pm.
The sixth session of CES was done this morning. The 30 new birds were 2 Willow Warbler, 4 Wren, a Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Warbler, a Blackcap, 10 Great Tit, a Linnet, 4 Whitethroat, 3 Dunnock, a Song Thrush and a Blackbird; and 6 retraps: a Dunnock, a Blackcap, a Barn Owl and 3 Whitethroat.

Barn Owl, retrapped 1 July 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

Late June 2015

June 30th. Birds around included a Grey Heron. On Tennyson's Sands was a Ruff. Flying south were 3 Swift and 17 Curlew.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 19 new birds: 2 Wren, 3 Great Tit, a Goldfinch, a Linnet, 6 Whitethroat, a Chaffinch, a Blue Tit, 2 Dunnock, a Song Thrush and a Great Spotted Woodpecker; and 4 retraps: 2 Dunnock and 2 Great Tit.

Juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker, ringed 30 June 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

June 29th. Around was a Hobby. On Tennyson's Sands were a Sandwich Tern, 2 Spotted Redshank and 3 Ruff. Going south were a Grey Heron, 9 Curlew and 24 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 16 new birds: a Wren, a Treecreeper, a Blackcap, 5 Blue Tit, a Whitethroat, a Meadow Pipit, 4 Dunnock and 2 Starling; and 7 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, 3 Great Tit and a Dunnock.

Spotted Redshank with Redshanks, 29 June 2015.
Photo - Philip Millns

Spotted Redshank with Redshanks, 29 June 2015.
Photo - Philip Millns

Viper's Bugloss, 29 June 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

June 28th. Rainy spells in morning.
 On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Spoonbill. Heading south were a Marsh Harrier, 5 Curlew and 120 Swift,
 Several Little Tern have been feeding in a lagoon east of Mill Hill, for those keen to see this species.
 A rain-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 9 new birds: 6 Wren, a Robin, a Great Tit and a Barn Owl; and 7 retraps: a Dunnock, 2 Great Tit and 4 Whitethroat. It is unusual for a Barn Owl to be caught in a mist net.

Little Tern over lagoon east of Mill Hill, 28 June 2015.
Photo - Philip Millns

Barn Owl, ringed 28 June 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

June 27th. A Nuthatch (rare here) was trapped and ringed in East Dunes. On Tennyson Sands were 3 Spoonbill. Birds around included a Hobby. Flying south were 2 Sand Martin, a Lapwing, 3 Curlew and 4 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 18 new birds: a Treecreeper, 2 Whitethroat, a Robin, 3 Great Tit, a Linnet, a Nuthatch, a Dunnock, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Starling and a Cuckoo; and 3 retrap Great Tit.
 An adult Sedge Warbler was also trapped, but its legs were swollen by calcification or infection, and therefore it was released unringed.

Nuthatch, ringed 27 June 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

First-summer male Cuckoo showing retained juvenile feathers in wing, ringed 27 June 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

Sedge Warbler with legs swollen by calcification or infection, released unringed 27 June 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

June 26th. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Spoonbill and 2 Spotted Redshank. Flying south were 95 Swift.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 4 new birds: a Whitethroat, a Robin and 2 Blackcap; and 4 retraps: a Great Tit, a Dunnock and 2 Whitethroat.
 One of the newly-ringed Blackcap was an adult male, with worn wings and tail, which also had a large brood patch. This feature in adult males is sometimes seen in various species, though, of course, it is generally a feature of brooding adult females.

Large brood patch on adult male Blackcap, 26 June 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

Adult male Blackcap with large brood patch, ringed 26 June 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

June 25th. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Spoonbill and 2 Spotted Redshank. Around were 3 Siskin. Going south were 80 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Mike Polling, produced 13 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Wren, 2 Linnet, a Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 3 Dunnock and 3 Great Tit; and 14 retraps: a Dunnock, 4 Great Tit, a Whitethroat, 2 Linnet, a Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Great Tit, a Goldfinch and a Wren.
 In the Sanctuary 3 pulli Little Tern were ringed.
 A check of the Barn Owl nest revealed a retrap adult male, and 2 well-fed pulli, at 360g and 320g, which were ringed. The food store consisted of an entire vole and an entire mouse, and remains near the nest included an adult Skylark's wing.

June 24th. On Tennyson's Sands were the 4 Spoonbill and a Kingfisher. Birds around included 4 Siskin, a Green Woodpecker and a Jay. Heading southwest were 20 Swift, and south 7 Siskin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 7 new birds: a Wren, 2 Linnet, 2 Whitethroat, a Dunnock and a Great Spotted Woodpecker; and 13 retraps: a Blue Tit, 2 Linnet, 5 Great Tit, 2 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock.
 In the Sanctuary 2 pulli Little Tern were ringed.

Noisy juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker, ringed 24 June 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

June 23rd. The 4 Spoonbill moved to Jackson's Marsh. On Tennyson's Sands was a Spotted Redshank. Around was an unseasonal Fieldfare. Flying northwest were 240 Swift.
 The fifth session of CES was done this morning. The 18 new birds were a Chiffchaff, 2 Wren, 6 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Blackcap, a Linnet, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat, a Dunnock and a Greenfinch; and 7 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Robin, 2 Willow Warbler, a Wren and a Dunnock.

June 22nd. The 4 Spoonbill were now on Tennyson's Sands. Heading south were 95 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 2 new birds: a Great Tit and a Linnet; and 7 retraps: a Blue Tit, a Whitethroat, a Linnet, 2 Great Tit, a Wren and a Lesser Whitethroat.
 In the Sanctuary 4 pulli Little Tern and 4 pulli Ringed Plover were ringed.

June 21st. The Summer Solstice - the longest day.
 On Jackson's Marsh were 4 Spoonbill. An unseasonal adult Redwing was trapped and ringed in East Dunes. It had just commenced primary moult in the right wing. Flying south were 50 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 14 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, a Wren, 3 Robin, a Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Linnet, a Chaffinch, a Whitethroat, a Redwing and a Starling; and 5 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Great Tit, a Linnet and a Whitethroat.

Unseasonal adult Redwing, ringed 21 June 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

Mid June 2015

June 20th. The 4 Spoonbill remained on Tennyson's Sands, where 2 Sandwich Tern were present. Flying north was a juvenile Grey Heron.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 3 new birds: a Meadow Pipit and 2 Whitethroat; and 8 retraps: 4 Whitethroat and 4 Great Tit.

June 19th. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Spoonbill. Going south were 14 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 6 new birds: a Wren, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit and a Starling; and 5 retraps: a Linnet, a Wren, 2 Great Tit and a Blackbird.
 Butterflies included 2 Painted Lady.

June 18th. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Spoonbill. Heading south were 45 Swift. Around were 2  Grey Partridge, 11 Eider, 3 Common Buzzard and 3 Cuckoo.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Mike Polling, resulted in 6 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock and a Great Tit; and 6 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat, a Great Tit, a Whitethroat, a Wren, a Dunnock and a Blackcap.

June 17th. The first-summer Montagu's Harrier was briefly present early morning. In the Plantation was a Firecrest. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Spoonbill and a Little Gull. Flying south were 37 Lapwing and 170 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 12 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 4 Linnet, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and a Dunnock; and 5 retraps: a Whitethroat, a Linnet, a Great Tit and 2 Lesser Whitethroat.

June 16th. Flying from Tennyson's Sands to Jackson's Marsh were 2 Spoonbill. 6 Turtle Dove were around whilst at sea 25 Common Scoter, 15 Gannet and 4 Wigeon flew south. Going south were 1000 Swift and 2 Lapwing.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 3 new birds: 2 Whitethroat and a Dunnock; and 3 retrap Whitethroat.

June 15th. An early morning sea watch saw the following moving north: 38 Gannet, 74 Sandwich Tern, a Fulmar, a Manx Shearwater, a first-summer Little Gull, 2 Razorbill, 2 Guillemot and 9 auk sp. Going south at sea were another Fulmar, 23 Gannet, 6 auk sp, 60 Common Scoter and a Great Crested Grebe. A drake Eider was on the sea, and 2 Arctic Skua were offshore harassing the passing Sandwich Terns. Birds around included a first-summer Montagu's Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, 4 Cuckoo and 4 Turtle Dove. On Tennyson's Sands were 7 Spoonbill and a Spotted Redshank. Heading south were 4 Crossbill.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded a new Dunnock and two retrap Dunnock.

Pyramidal Orchid, 15 June 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

June 14th. A Golden Oriole flew south into the Plantation. On Tennyson's Sands were 7 Spoonbill and a Spotted Redshank. Around were 350 Starling. Heading west were 300 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 12 new birds: 3 Linnet, 3 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit and 2 Dunnock; and 8 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock, a Blackbird, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and a Chaffinch.

June 13th. Rain on and off.
 6 Spoonbill remained on Tennyson's Sands. Birds around included a Red Kite, a Common Buzzard, a Hobby, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Spotted Redshank, a Little Stint, 200 Starling and 2 Cuckoo. Flying north were 25 Swift.

Spoonbills, 13 June 2015.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Hobby, 13 June.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Little Stint, 13 June 2015.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Spoonbills, 13 June 2015.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Hobby, 13 June 2015.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Spotted Redshank, 13 June 2015.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

June 12th. The Tennyson's Sands Spoonbill numbered 7 first thing, and then 6 later. Around were 400 Starling and 3 Cuckoo.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 6 new birds: a Linnet, 2 Great Tit and 3 Starling; and 4 retraps: a Meadow Pipit, 2 Dunnock and a Whitethroat.
 The Southern Marsh Orchids are now flowering.

Southern Marsh Orchid, 12 June 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

June 11th. On Tennyson's Sands were 7 Spoonbill. Birds around included a Jay and 4 Cuckoo.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes,with Mike Polling, resulted in 5 new birds: a Meadow Pipit and 4 Blue Tit; and 2 retraps: a Blue Tit and a Dunnock.
 A check of the Barn Owl box revealed an adult female and 3 pulli too small to ring, but appearing well fed.

Early June 2015

June 10th. The 9 Spoonbill remained on Tennyson Sands. Around were 3 Cuckoo.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 2 new birds: a Meadow Pipit and a Dunnock; and 2 retrap Whitethroat.

June 9th. Up to 9 Spoonbill were on Tennyson Sands. Birds around included a first-summer Montagu's Harrier, 3 Cuckoo, a Turtle Dove, 85 Starling and a Mistle Thrush. North went 4 Common Scoter, 31 Sandwich Tern and 8 Gannet. Offshore were 20 Little Tern.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 6 new birds: a Lesser Whitethroat, a Robin, a Linnet and 3 Great Tit; and 3 retraps: 2 Whitethroat and a Dunnock.

June 8th. The 7 Spoonbill remained on Tennyson's Sands. Birds around were a first-summer Montagu's Harrier, a Great Skua, 6 Goosander, 500 Knot, 490 Sanderling, 90 Starling 6 Turtle Dove and 3 Cuckoo. Heading north were 3 Fulmar.
 Also present were a Water Vole, 2 Painted Lady, several Silver Y and a Bordered Straw.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 6 new birds: a Linnet, 4 Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 7 retraps: a Linnet, 4 Long-tailed Tit, a Dunnock and a Wren.

Bordered Straw, 8 June 2015.
Photo - Nige Lound

June 7th. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Nightingale, a Red Kite, a Peregrine, a Marsh Harrier, a harrier sp, a Buzzard, a Greenshank, 2 Mediterranean Gull and 5 Jay. On Tennyson's Sands were 7 Spoonbill and a Little Gull. Going south were 450 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 8 new birds: a Linnet, a Whitethroat, a Dunnock, 4 Starling and a Jay; and 2 retraps: a Linnet and a Whitethroat.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David and Liv Vincent, which included the 4th C.E.S session of the year, resulted in a total of 46 new birds and 17 retraps. The new birds were 16 Chaffinch, 9 Greenfinch, 5 Dunnock, 4 Great Tit, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackbird and singles of Blackcap, Goldfinch, Swallow, Linnet, Woodpigeon, Turtle Dove and Nightingale. The retraps were 5 Greenfinch, 4 Willow Warbler, 2 Great Tit, 2 Chaffinch and singles of Goldfinch, Dunnock, Lesser Whitethroat and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Turtle Dove, ringed 7th June 2015.
Photo - Liv Vincent.

Turtle Dove, ringed 7th June 2015.
Photo - David Vincent.

Nightingale, ringed 7th June 2015.
Photo - David Vincent.

Noisy Jay, the 20th ringed here this year, 7 June 2015.
 Photo - George Gregory

June 6th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.
 Around were a Mediterranean Gull, a Buzzard, a Garden Warbler, 8 Turtle Dove and 2 Cuckoo. On Tennyson Sands were 9 Black-tailed Godwit. Heading south were 41 Swift and 3 House Martin, and north a Whimbrel.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 2 new birds: a Blackcap and a Dunnock; and a retrap Great Tit.

Mediterranean Gull,  6 June 2015.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

June 5th. Brief thunderstorms with heavy rain mid morning.
 Tennyson's Sands held 3 Spoonbill in the afternoon. Birds around included 2 Cuckoo and 2 Turtle Dove. Flying south were 120 Swift, and east an Osprey.
 A storm-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 3 new birds: 2 Chaffinch and a Dunnock; and 3 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat, a Chiffchaff and a Whitethroat.
 A Painted Lady was found by Ian Hurst.

Painted Lady, 5 June 2015.
Photo - Ian Hurst

June 4th. On Tennyson's Sands were a Spoonbill, which flew off east early morning, and 5 Little Gull. On Jackson's Marsh later were 3 Spoonbill. Around were 4 Cuckoo, a Crossbill and a Buzzard.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Mike Polling, provided 3 new birds: a Linnet and 2 Dunnock; and 5 retraps: a Wren, 2 Dunnock, a Whitethroat and a Chaffinch.

June 3rd. The Spoonbill was still on Tennyson's Sands. Birds around included a Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Jay, 3 Turtle Dove and 5 Cuckoo. Going south were 38 Swift and 3 House Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 3 new birds: a Chaffinch, a Meadow Pipit and a Blackbird; and 4 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, a Reed Bunting and a Blackbird.

June 2nd. Wet and windy.
 The Spoonbill remained on Tennyson Sands. Around were 2 Cuckoo. Heading south were 100+ Swift.

June 1st. On Tennyson's Sands was a Spoonbill. Birds around included 4 Jay and a Cuckoo. Flying south were 65 Swift and 40 House Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 2 new birds: a Chiffchaff and a Garden Warbler; and a retrap Lesser Whitethroat.

Late May 2015

May 31st. Rainy and windy morning.
 A Spoonbill was on Jackson's Marsh. Around were 2 Cuckoo. South offshore went 13 Manx Shearwater, of which 2 then went back north.

May 30th. A Caspian Tern was found by Richard Doan and Kevin Wilson late evening, out on the mudflats, from The Wash Viewpoint. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Spoonbill, 3 Little Stint and a Greenshank. Other birds around included a first-summer Little Gull, 2 Kittiwake, 3000 Sanderling, 4 Turtle Dove, 3 Common Buzzard, 4 Cuckoo and 7 Jay.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 3 new birds: a Robin, a Blackcap and a Dunnock; and 4 retraps: 2 Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock.

Sanderling, 30 May 2015.
Photo - Philip Millns

May 29th. Rain on and off.
3 Spoonbill, 2 Little Stint, 4 Greenshank, 3 Mediterranean Gull and a Little Ringed Plover were on Tennyson's Sands. Around were a Marsh Harrier, 4 Cuckoo and 2 Turtle Dove. Flying south were 44 Swift and 6 House Martin.

May 28th. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Spoonbill and a Little Ringed Plover. Birds around included a Marsh Harrier, 2 Cuckoo and a Turtle Dove. Heading south were a Buzzard Sp, a Swift, 3 Swallow and 5 House Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in a new Linnet and a retrap Whitethroat.
 A check of the nest boxes and nest holes, with James Siddle, yielded 36 new birds: 1 adult and 2 pulli Stock Dove, 23 pulli Great Tit, 6 pulli Blue Tit and 4 pulli Jackdaw; and 2 retrap adult Great Tit. Of 32 boxes and holes checked 15 were occupied. Only 3 dead pulli were found, which is a low number compared to some years of poor weather and lack of food.

May 27th. On Tennyson Sands were 4 Spoonbill and a Little Ringed Plover. Around were 5 Jay, a Turtle Dove and 5 Cuckoo. A Honey Buzzard and a Swift flew south.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided a new very juvenile Chaffinch, and a retrap adult male Chaffinch.

3 of the 4 Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, 27th May 2015
Photo - Nige Lound

May 26th. On Tennyson's Sands were a pair of Garganey, 2 Spoonbill and a Little Ringed Plover. Other birds around were 3 Jay, 2 Cuckoo and a Turtle Dove.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 2 new Blackcap; and 3 retraps: 2 Lesser Whitethroat and a Meadow Pipit.

This Muntjac showed well in the Plantation on 26th May 2015.
Photo - Phillip Millns

Drake Garganey on Tennyson's Sands, 26th May 2015.
Photo - Nige Lound

May 25th. Around were 66 Brent Goose, 400 Dunlin, 550 Ringed Plover, a Turtle Dove and a Cuckoo. Flying south were 3 Mute Swan.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded a new Lesser Whitethroat; and 6 retraps: 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Chaffinch, a Dunnock and 2 Whitethroat.
 Meanwhile over at Aylmer Avenue, Mick Briggs completed the third C.E.S. session of the year and did quite nicely for the time of year. Along with some other nets in the area there were 16 new birds and 41 retraps. The new birds were 4 Robin, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap. 2 Chiffchaff and singles of Dunnock, Blackbird, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Long-tailed Tit and Linnet. The retraps were 13 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Sedge Warbler, 4 Whitethroat, 3 Dunnock, 3 Blackbird, 3 Great Tit, 2 Wren, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler and singles of Robin, Blackcap and Linnet.

May 24th. A Spoonbill remained on Tennyson's Sands, and the male Wigeon on Jackson's Marsh. Birds around included 2 Jay, 6 Teal, 3 Siskin, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 40 Sandwich Tern, 14 Lapwing, a Curlew Sandpiper and 4 Cuckoo.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 2 new birds: a Lesser Whitethroat and a Woodpigeon; and 2 retraps: a Blue Tit and a Dunnock.

May 23rd. The 3 Spoonbill were still on Tennyson's Sands, and a male Wigeon was on Jackson's Marsh. Around were 2 Jay, 3 Whimbrel, 10 Blackcap, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Turtle Dove and a Cuckoo.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with James Siddle, produced no new birds; and 3 retraps: 2 Dunnock and a Whitethroat.

May 22nd. The 3 Spoonbill remained on Tennyson Sands. Other birds around were 6 Turtle Dove and a Cuckoo. Going south were 50 Swallow and 10 House Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 2 new birds: singles of Great Tit and Linnet; and no retraps.

The old Coastguard building after the more recent Field Station buildings have been demolished, 22 May 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

The old Coastguard building after the more recent Field Station buildings have been demolished, 22 May 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

May 21st. On Jackson's Marsh was a Temminck's Stint, and on Tennyson Sands were 3 Spoonbill. Around were 17 Jay, a Turtle Dove and 2 Cuckoo. Offshore were 2 Eider, 7 Kittiwake and 2 Red-throated Diver in summer plumage. Also, just north of the NNR boundary, an Icterine Warbler was heard singing from thick scrub and sycamores at Seacroft Marsh SSSI between 1pm and 4pm at least. It showed briefly on a few occasions.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Mike Polling, provided no new birds; and 3 retraps: singles of Sedge Warbler, Dunnock and Whitethroat.

Mid May 2015

May 20th. Birds around included 18 Jay, 4 Siskin, a Wheatear, a Turtle Dove and 2 Cuckoo. Heading south were 6 House Martin and 106 Swallow. In off the sea came 14 House Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced a new Meadow Pipit, and 2 retrap Dunnock.

May 19th. Moderately strong, but decreasing, south-westerly wind.
 An Osprey came in off the sea. Around were 2 Little Ringed Plover, 7000 Sanderling, a Wheatear, 2 Turtle Dove and a Cuckoo. Flying south were 24 Kittiwake and 2 Swallow, and north 5 Manx Shearwater and 20 Auk Sp.
The total of 7000 Sanderling is quite remarkable for a spring count and there are even few autumn counts of this magnitude. According to the annual WeBS report 2009/10, the largest all time spring count of Sanderling in the UK was of 8737 on the Ribble Estuary in May 1992.

May 18th. Rain most of day.
 On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Spoonbill. A Cuckoo was heard.

May 17th. A Golden Oriole was heard north of the reserve in Seacroft. Birds around were 22 Jay, 4 Turtle Dove and 2 Cuckoo. On Tennyson's Sands/Jackson's Marsh were 2 Spoonbill, a Mediterranean Gull, 5 Black-tailed Godwit and a Little Ringed Plover.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 7 new birds: a Wren, a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, a Chaffinch and a Lesser Whitethroat; and no retraps.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David and Liv Vincent, which included the second C.E.S session of the year, resulted in a total of 14 new birds and 19 retraps. The new birds were 10 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Robin, a Wren and a Lesser Whitethroat. The retraps were 5 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Dunnock, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler and singles of Robin, Blackbird, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit and Sedge Warbler.

One of two juvenile Robins, ringed 17th May 2015.
Photo - David Vincent.

May 16th. A Golden Oriole was near Mill Hill, and another was at North End. Also around were 2 Spoonbill, 10 Jay, a Tree Pipit, a Hobby, a Bullfinch and 2 Cuckoo. Flying south were 14 Swift, 100 Swallow and 10 House Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 5 new birds: a Whitethroat, a Robin, a Chaffinch, a Meadow Pipit and a Jay; and 3 retraps: a Linnet and 2 Reed Bunting.

May 15th. 2 Spoonbill were discovered on Tennyson's Sands, and a Little Stint by the Spit. A single Golden Oriole was in the Plantation early morning, then an adult male and a presumed female were near Mill Hill. Other birds around were 4 Jay, a Water Rail, 3 Little Ringed Plover, a Common Sandpiper, a Turtle Dove and 3 Cuckoo.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 6 new birds: 3 Meadow Pipit, a Chaffinch, a Blackbird and a Woodpigeon; and 4 retraps: singles of Blackbird, Meadow Pipit, Wren and Dunnock.

Golden Orioles, 15 May 2015.
Photo - David Johnstone

Golden Oriole, 15 May 2015.
Photo - David Johnstone

Golden Oriole, 15 May 2015.
Photo - David Johnstone

May 14th. The morning started with a Golden Oriole singing near the golf course (where yesterday's first-summer male ended up). Then an adult male was singing from the East Dunes, south of Mill Hill, and this was accompanied by a green bird (presumed female). Both showed very well until at least 9 a.m. A Broad-billed Sandpiper was discovered near the Spit. Also around were 2 Whimbrel and a Turtle Dove.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in no new birds; and 7 retraps: 4 Whitethroat, a Dunnock, a Blackbird and a Linnet.

May 13th. Birds around included a first-summer male Golden Oriole, 29 Jay, 150 Brent Goose, 2 Pink-footed Goose, 5 Wheatear, 4 Turtle Dove and 4 Cuckoo. Going west were 2 Swift and south 67 Swallow. A Spoonbill was on Tennyson Sands.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 3 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Whitethroat and a Lesser Whitethroat; and 2 retraps: a Blackbird and a Wren.

First-summer male Golden Oriole in East Dunes, 13th May 2015.
Photo - Nige Lound

May 12th. Rain mid morning.
 Around were 35 Jay, 3+ Wheatear, 2 Pink-footed Goose, 8 Turtle Dove and 150 Brent Goose. Offshore were 30 Sandwich Tern. Flying south were a Turtle Dove, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, a Mediterranean Gull, 40 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 158 Sandwich Tern, 6 Arctic Tern, a Turtle Dove, 21 Swift, 250 House Martin, 3 Sand Martin and 750 Swallow.
 A rain-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 3 new birds: singles of Chiffchaff, Blackbird and Jay; and 2 retraps: singles of Lesser Whitethroat and Whitethroat.

The 18th Jay ringed here this year, 12 May 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

May 11th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 2 Spotted Flycatcher, a Grey Wagtail and 14 Jay. On Jackson's Marsh was a Little Ringed Plover. Heading south were 250 Swallow and a Wood Sandpiper.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 6 new birds: singles of Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Linnet, Chaffinch, Spotted Flycatcher and Jay; and 2 retrap Lesser Whitethroat.

Spotted Flycatcher, ringed 11 May 2015.
Photo - George Gregory