Mid July 2015

July 20th. On Tennyson's Sands were 10 Spoonbill early morning, some of which flew to and from Jackson's Marsh and the estuary later. Birds around included the first-summer Hen Harrier, 3 Greenshank, 2 Whimbrel, 3 Arctic Skua, 58 Black-tailed Godwit and a Cuckoo.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 10 new birds: 2 Wren, 2 Linnet, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Bunting and 2 Swallow; and 8 retraps: a Whitethroat, a Dunnock, 3 Wren, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and a Linnet.

Little Egrets on hedge next to Jackson's Marsh, 20 July 2015.
Photo - Paul Neale

Black-tailed Skimmer, 20 July 2015.
Photo - Sam Wilson

July 19th. Rain until mid morning.
 Flying onto or on Jackson's Marsh were now 12 Spoonbill, 3 Curlew Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, 6 Greenshank and a Spotted Redshank. On Tennyson's Sands were 22 Greenshank, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Common Sandpiper, a Ruff and 85 Black-tailed Godwit. Around were a juvenile Peregrine, a Kingfisher, 2 Whimbrel and a Common Sandpiper. Heading south were a Whimbrel, 241 Swift and 50 Swallow.

Pine Hawkmoth, 19 July 2015.
Photo - Sam Wilson

Rosy Footman (very scarce here), 19 July 2015.
Photo - Sam Wilson

Small Emerald, 19 July 2015.
Photo - Sam Wilson

Blackneck (very scarce here), 19 July 2015.
Photo - Sam Wilson

Blue-bordered Carpet, 19 July 2015.
Photo - Sam Wilson

Burnished Brass, 19 July 2015.
Photo - Sam Wilson

Burnished Brass, 19 July 2015.
Photo - Sam Wilson

July 18th. Flying from Tennyson's Sands to Jackson's Marsh were 10 Spoonbill and a Curlew Sandpiper. Remaining on Tennyson's Sands were 2 Curlew Sandpiper, a Greenshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, a Common Sandpiper, a Ruff and an adult Mediterranean Gull (red ring with white PLY5). Birds around included a Hen Harrier, a Montagu's Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Turtle Dove and a Whimbrel. Flying south were 350 Swift, 30 Whimbrel and 3 Yellow Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 11 new birds: 3 Linnet, 3 Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Swallow, 2 Dunnock and a Greenfinch; and 5 retraps: 2 Wren, a Dunnock, a Whitethroat and a Lesser Whitethroat.
 A White-letter Hairstreak was in West Dunes north of the Sycamore Plot.

Little Tern, 18 July 2015.
Photo - Paul Neale

Montagu's Harrier, 18 July 2015.
Photo - Paul Neale

Montagu's Harrier, 18 July 2015.
Photo - Paul Neale

Spoonbills, 18 July 2015.
Photo - Paul Neale

July 17th. On Tennyson's Sands were 10 Spoonbill, 12 Greenshank and 2 Spotted Redshank, and on Jackson's Marsh 22 Black-tailed Godwit, a Green Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper. Around were 2 Montagu's Harrier, a Hen Harrier, 2 Marsh Harrier, 3 Arctic Tern, 200 Little Tern, 5500 Sandwich Tern, 100 Common Tern, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 11 Siskin, a Bullfinch and 2 Green Woodpecker. Going south over land were 2237 Swift, 200 Swallow, 153 Sand Martin, 6 Yellow Wagtail and a Hobby. Moving offshore were 43 Oystercatcher, 206 Whimbrel, 33 Black-tailed Godwit, 1136 Knot, 5 Turnstone, 4 Golden Plover, a Ruff, a Manx Shearwater and 2 adult Little Gull.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue yielded 43 new birds: 4 Wren, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Whitethroat, a Reed Bunting, 2 Blackcap, 6 Chaffinch, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Goldfinch, a Reed Warbler, 5 Dunnock and 14 Greenfinch; and 15 retraps: 2 Sedge Warbler, a Whitethroat, a Chiffchaff, 4 Dunnock, 2 Great Tit, a Reed Warbler, a Wren, a Blue Tit and 2 Chaffinch.
 Shorebird Warden, Richard Doan, recorded 101 species of bird on the reserve today.

July 16th. In the estuary were 2 Spoonbill. Other birds around included a Green Woodpecker and 30 Swallow. Heading south were 2 Siskin and 2 Sand Martin..
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 16 new birds: 3 Wren, 3 Whitethroat, a Linnet, a Blackcap, a Reed Bunting, a Great Tit, 2 Swallow, 3 Dunnock and a Cuckoo; and 3 retraps: a Dunnock and 2 Wren.
 In the Sanctuary 3 pulli Skylark were ringed.
 Butterflies included 2 White-letter Hairstreak in West Dunes north of the Sycamore Plot.

Juvenile Cuckoo, ringed 16 July 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

White-letter Hairstreak, 16 July 2015.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

July 15th. Soggy start.
 Now 2 Quail were singing north of the reserve in the morning. A Honey Buzzard flew north over the West Dunes at 12:00hrs. Around were 2200 Sandwich Tern, 60 Common Tern, 228 Little Tern and a Whimbrel.  One of the Sandwich Tern was a juvenile ringed recently in the Netherlands. On Tennyson Sands were 61 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Greenshank,a Spotted Redshank and 2 Ruff, and on Jackson's Marsh a Ruff. Flying south were 17 Curlew and 30 Siskin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 14 new birds: 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Blue Tit, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Linnet, a Meadow Pipit and 4 Dunnock; and 8 retraps: a Blue Tit, a Great Tit, 3 Whitethroat, a Dunnock, a Wren and a Robin.
 A Sea-watching Event is scheduled this afternoon from 1730-1930hrs for those interested in participating.

July 14th. Birds around included a Montagu's Harrier. A Quail sang north of the reserve early morning. Going south were 2 Swift.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue resulted in 57 new birds: 8 Chiffchaff, 2 Wren, 4 Great Tit, 4 Sedge Warbler, a Linnet, 5 Whitethroat, 6 Chaffinch, a Reed Warbler, a Blue Tit, 13 Dunnock, 11 Greenfinch and a Woodpigeon; and 21 retraps: 2 Great Tit, a Wren, 7 Whitethroat, 6 Dunnock, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, a WillowWarbler and a Woodpigeon.

July 13th. A Quail was heard singing on the saltmarsh before dawn. Also around were an adult Mediterranean Gull and 350 Sandwich Tern. On Tennyson's Sands were a Spoonbill, a Spotted Redshank, 3 Ruff and 20 Black-tailed Godwit, and on Jackson's Marsh 9 Black-tailed Godwit. Heading south were 55+ Siskin, 47 Curlew and 2 Swift. In off the sea came a Short-eared/Long-eared Owl.
 A female Ghost Moth was found on part of the Heligoland trap.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 8 new birds: 2 Wren, a Chiffchaff, a Treecreeper, 3 Linnet and a Dunnock; and 3 retraps: singles of Whitethroat, Linnet and Dunnock.

Treecreeper, ringed 13 July 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

Female Ghost Moth, 13 July 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

July 12th. Birds around included a Cuckoo and 350 Sandwich Tern. On Tennyson Sands were 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Ruff and 11 Black-tailed Godwit, and on Jackson's Marsh 20 Black-tailed Godwit and a Greenshank. Flying south were 120 Swift.

July 11th. Around were 150 Sandwich Tern, 1+ Arctic Skua, 2 Common Scoter, 45 Swallow and 2 Crossbill. On Tennyson's Sands were an adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Ruff and 12 Black-tailed Godwit, and on Jackson's Marsh a Black-tailed Godwit. Heading south were 2 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 3 new birds: a Whitethroat, a Dunnock and a Woodpigeon; and 5 retraps: 2 Great Tit, a Wren, a Dunnock and a Lesser Whitethroat.

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.