Mid June 2016

June 20th. Moderately strong southerly wind, with rain developing.
 Birds around included 2 Cuckoo and 2 Turtle Dove. Heading south were 500+ Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 6 new birds: a Whitethroat, 4 Great Tit and a Dunnock; and a retrap Linnet.

June 19th. A Caspian Tern flew south offshore in the afternoon. Also moving were 3 Gannet north and 10 Swift south. Around were a Hobby, 2 Cuckoo and a Turtle Dove.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 8 new birds: a Goldfinch, 2 Linnet, a Meadow Pipit, a Chaffinch, a Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock; and 8 retraps: 7 Great Tit and a Linnet.

Hobby, 19th June 2016.

June 18th. Soggy start with some brief drizzle.
 The 2 Caspian Tern on Tennyson's Sands came and went several times. One bird bore a metal ring. There are 3 old British recoveries of Caspian Terns ringed abroad: (1) ringed in 1927 in the United States and recovered at Whitby in 1939, (2) ringed in 1970 in Finland and recovered at Haddon (in a Fox's den) in 1972, and (3) ringed in 1975 in Sweden and recovered on Yell in 1976.
 One bird shows suspended/arrested moult limits in the wing feathers, but there is little data on moult in post-juvenile large terns as a key to ageing.
  Also on Tennyson's Sands were a Little Gull, 2 Mediterranean Gull and 2 Green Sandpiper. Other birds around were a Grey Heron and 2 Cuckoo. Going north were 23 Gannet
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 4 new birds: 2 Blue Tit, a Linnet and a Meadow Pipit; and 7 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat, a Blue Tit, a Chaffinch, 3 Great Tit and a Dunnock.

June 17th. The 2 Caspian Tern were on Tennyson's Sands, and a Green Sandpiper and 4 Black-tailed Godwit on Jackson's Marsh. Also around were a Spoonbill, a Grey Heron, 2 Cuckoo and 2 Turtle Dove. Flying north were 3 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 5 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Wren, 2 Great Tit and a Goldfinch; and 6 retrap Great Tit.

Caspian Tern showing ring on right leg, 17th June 2016.

Caspian Tern flying past hide, 17th June 2016.

Southern Marsh Orchid, 17th June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Yellow Rattle keeps the dune grasses down by parasitizing their roots, 17th June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

June 16th. Another foggy, soggy start, gradually clearing.
 The 2 Caspian Tern were back on Tennyson's Sands. Other birds around included a Green Sandpiper, 2 adult Mediterranean Gull, 3 Cuckoo and 3 Turtle Dove.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes by Mike Polling produced 2 new Linnet; and 3 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat, a Dunnock and a Blue Tit.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, including the 5th CES session, produced 41 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, a Wren, 6 Coal Tit, a Great Tit, 7 Chaffinch, 7 Goldfinch, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Blue Tit, a Pied Wagtail, a Yellowhammer, 2 Dunnock, 3 Greenfinch, a Jackdaw and a Woodpigeon; and 26 retraps: 4 Dunnock, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldfinch, a Great Tit, 3 Chaffinch, 3 Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, a Wren and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Caspian Tern, 16th June 2016.
Photo - Andrew Chick

Caspian Tern, 16th June 2016.
Photo - Andrew Chick

Caspian Tern, 16th June 2016.
Photo - Andrew Chick

Pied Wagtail, ringed 16th June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Yellowhammer, ringed 16th  June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Great Spotted Woodpecker, retrapped 16th June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

June 15th. Foggy, soggy start, gradually clearing.
 The 2 Caspian Tern returned to Tennyson's Sands for some time. Around were 2 Cuckoo, 2 Grey Partridge and a Turtle Dove. A Swift flew south.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 8 new birds: a Wren, 2 Linnet, a Goldfinch, a Whitethroat and 3 Dunnock; and 6 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat, 2 Linnet, a Dunnock and a Blue Tit.

Caspian Tern, 15th June 2016.
Photo - Paul Neale

Caspian Tern, 15th June 2016.
Photo - Paul Neale

June 14th. Soggy start.
 2 Caspian Tern were on Tennyson's Sands this afternoon. Birds around included a Green Woodpecker, a Spotted Redshank, 2 Turtle Dove and 2 Cuckoo.

Double Caspian Tern action on Tennyson's Sands, 14th June 2016
Photo - Nige Lound

June 13th. Around were 2 Cuckoo, 4 Sandwich Tern, 25 Little Tern, 208 Oystercatcher and 2 Turtle Dove. A Swift flew north. Flying south offshore were 128 Common Scoter and a Fulmar.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 10 new birds: 6 Linnet, a Reed Bunting, a Whitethroat, a Chaffinch and a Dunnock; and 6 retraps: singles of Blue Tit, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Whitethroat, Robin and Sedge Warbler.

Ringed Plover and Little Terns, 11th June 2016.
Photo - Richard Doan

June 12th. Birds around included a Short-eared Owl, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Green Sandpiper, a Collared Dove, 72 Shelduck, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Cuckoo and 2 Turtle Dove. Heading south were 73 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 10 new birds: a Reed Warbler, 5 Linnet, a Meadow Pipit, 2 Whitethroat and a Reed Bunting; and 3 retraps: 2 Whitethroat and a Dunnock.

June 11th. Around were a Spoonbill, a Green Woodpecker, a Green Sandpiper, a Greenshank, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Grey Wagtail, a Barn Owl, 2 Turtle Dove and 2 Cuckoo.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 11 new birds: a Reed Warbler, 8 Great Tit, a Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 3 retraps: singles of Blue Tit, Wren and Linnet.

Early June 2016

June 10th. Intermittent light then heavy rain.
 Birds around, including those trapped, were a Long-eared Owl, a Hobby, 3 Turtle Dove, 2 Cuckoo and a Grey Heron. Going south were 26 Swift.
 A rain-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 3 new birds: a Dunnock, a Blackbird and a Long-eared Owl; and 5 retraps: singles of Reed Bunting, Goldfinch, Robin, Sedge Warbler and Blue Tit.

Long-eared Owl, ringed 10th June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Red-necked Footman, 10th June 2016.
Photo - Sam Wilson

June 9th. Around were a Green Woodpecker, a Short-eared Owl, a Barn Owl, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Cuckoo and 2 Turtle Dove. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Wigeon and a Great Crested Grebe. Flying north were 3 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 4 new birds: a Linnet and 3 Dunnock.

June 8th. Increasing then decreasing north-easterly wind.
 Birds around included a Red Kite, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Swift, 2 Turtle Dove and 2 Cuckoo. On Tennyson's Sands was a Spoonbill.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 3 new birds: 2 Robin and a Starling; and 3 retrap Dunnock.

June 7th. Around were 4 Sandwich Tern, 2 Cuckoo, a Green Woodpecker and 2 Turtle Dove.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 13 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Robin, a Blackcap, a Linnet, a Chaffinch, 2 Meadow Pipit, a Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Dunnock, 2 Blackbird and a Woodpigeon; and a retrap Whitethroat.

Woodpigeon, ringed 7th June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Grasshopper Warbler, ringed 7th June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

June 6th. Birds around included 4 Spoonbill, 2 adult Mediterranean Gull, 3 Cuckoo and 2 Turtle Dove. A Buzzard flew south.
 A Painted Lady was in East Dunes. A Marsh Moth was trapped overnight. Now known from only two sites in the UK: Gibraltar Point NNR and Saltfleetby NNR. Here, it was presumed that the 2013 tidal surge would have wiped out the relict population, but this individual proves otherwise.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, including the 4th session of CES, produced 13 new birds: 3 Long-tailed Tit, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Great Tit, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Robin, a Greenfinch, a Dunnock and a Blackbird; 23 retraps: a Sedge Warbler, 3 Chaffinch, 3 Great Tit, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Chiffchaff, 3 Long-tailed Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, a Wren, 3 Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 3 controls: a Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Long-tailed Tit.

Great Spotted Woodpecker, retrapped 6th June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Marsh Moth, trapped overnight 5th/6th June 2016.
Photo - Bryony Baxter

June 5th. Fairly strong northerly wind.
 Around were a Spoonbill, 3 Sandwich Tern, 2 Cuckoo and 2 Turtle Dove.
 A Painted Lady was on Storm Ridge.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 2 new birds: a Chiffchaff and a Dunnock; and 2 retrap Dunnock.

Painted Lady, 5th June 2016.
Photo - Rob Watson

Red-banded Sand Wasp, 5th June 2016.
Photo - Bryony Baxter

June 4th. Foggy, damp start, clearing later.
 Birds around included 2 Hobby, a Marsh Harrier, 4 Whimbrel, 9 Lapwing, 4 Eider, 18 Teal, 2 Turtle Dove and 3 Cuckoo. Going north was a Swift.
 About 20 Painted Lady arrived.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 4 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Swallow, a Dunnock and a Sparrowhawk; and 7 retraps: a Spotted Flycatcher, a Blue Tit, a Woodpigeon, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Linnet and a Whitethroat;

Sparrowhawk, ringed 4th June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

June 3rd. Gradually moderating northerly wind.
 Around, including birds trapped, were 2 Spoonbill, a Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Cuckoo, a Swift and a purring Turtle Dove. Offshore were 3 Eider and a Kittiwake.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 9 new birds: 2 Linnet, a Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Chaffinch, a Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 2 retraps: a Goldfinch and a Great Tit.
 A nest box check, with Bryony Baxter, produced 14 pulli Great Tit, 9 pulli Jackdaw, and an adult and 2 pulli Stock Dove ringed. Some nests held Blue Tit and Great Tit pulli too small to ring, but from other nests the fledglings had presumably flown already. Only one box held a clutch of dead chicks, presumably victims of the recent heavy rain.

Spotted Flycatcher, ringed 3rd June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

June 2nd. Strong northerly wind.
 Birds around included a Turtle Dove and a Cuckoo. Heading north were 20 Auk Sp.

June 1st. Strong northerly wind. Soggy start.
 Around were a Cuckoo and 4 Mistle Thrush. Flying north were 23 Razorbill, 15 Fulmar and 6 Gannet.

Late May 2016

May 31st. Strong northerly wind. Rain most of day.
 Birds around included a Turtle Dove and a Cuckoo.

May 30th. Strong northerly wind with light drizzle in morning.
 Around were a Turtle Dove and 2 Cuckoo.

May 29th. Birds around included a Sand Martin, 2 Cuckoo and a Turtle Dove.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 2 new birds: a Chaffinch and a Dunnock; and 7 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, 3 Dunnock, a Blue Tit and a Great Tit.

May 28th. Around were a Wheatear, a Jay, a Turtle Dove and 2 Cuckoo.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 4 new birds: a Blackcap, a Yellowhammer, a Chaffinch and a Jackdaw; and 4 retraps: singles of Sedge Warbler, Wren, Whitethroat and Great Tit.

Yellowhammer, ringed 28th May 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Jackdaw, ringed 28th May 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

May 27th. Birds around included a Short-eared Owl, a Marsh Harrier, 75 Little Tern, 64 Brent Goose, 2 Swift, 2 Turtle Dove and 2 Cuckoo.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Chris Hansell, yielded 10 new birds: 4 Linnet, a Chaffinch, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Robin, 2 Sedge Warbler and a Goldfinch; and 5 retraps: a Dunnock, 2 Linnet, a Whitethroat and a Great Tit.

Lesser Redpoll, a scarce late spring record of a species that used to breed fairly commonly here, 27th May 2016.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

First Tawny Owl fledgling, 27th May 2016.
Photo - Kevin Wilson 

Second Tawny Owl fledgling, 27th May 2016.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Emerging Four-spotted Chaser, 27th May, 2016.
Photo - Sam Wilson

Emerging Broad-bodied Chaser, 27th May 2016.
Photo - Sam Wilson

Emerging Broad-bodied Chaser, 27th May 2016.
Photo - Sam Wilson

May 26th. Around were 30 Little Tern, 2 Marsh Harrier, 3 Turtle Dove and 2 Cuckoo. Heading south were 11 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 8 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Linnet and a Goldfinch; and 7 retraps: 3 Whitethroat, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Sedge Warbler, a Linnet and a Dunnock.

May 25th. Fresh northerly wind with prolonged light rain.
 Birds around included 3 Cuckoo. Going south were 8 Swallow.

Broad-bodied Chaser, 25th May 2016.
Photo - Sam Wilson

May 24th. 2 Spoonbill were on Tennyson's Sands and a drake Garganey was on Jackson's Marsh. Around were 2 Cuckoo and 2 Turtle Dove. Offshore were 14 Fulmar and a Gannet. Flying south were 6 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 6 retraps: a Blue Tit, 3 Whitethroat, a Great Tit and a Goldfinch.

Spoonbills, 24th May 2016.
Photo - Ben Ward

Green Hairstreak, 24th May 2016.
Photo - Ben Ward

Wall Brown, 24th May 2016.
Photo - Ben Ward

Mother Shipton, 24th May 2016.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

May 23rd. Birds around included a Short-eared Owl, a Buzzard, 3 Cuckoo and 2 Swift. On Tennyson's Sands were 18 Black-tailed Godwit.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, including the 3rd session of CES, resulted in 7 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 2 Robin, a Swallow, a Whitethroat, a Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 10 retrapos: a Whitethroat, 5 Dunnock, a Willow Warbler, a Goldfinch, a Blue Tit and a Greenfinch.

May 22nd. Around were a Spoonbill, a Redstart, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, 3 Turtle Dove, 3 Cuckoo, 6 Fulmar, 3500 Knot, 150 Bar-tailed Godwit and 500 Grey Plover.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 3 new birds: a Blackcap, a Whitethroat and a Woodpigeon; and 7 retraps: a Great Tit, 3 Dunnock, 2 Blue Tit and a Whitethroat.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent provided 15 new birds: 7 Greenfinch, 2 Blackcap and singles of Chiffchaff, Goldfinch, Robin, Reed Bunting, Whitethroat and Chaffinch; and 12 retraps: 2 Goldfinch, 2 Blackbird and singles of Chiffchaff, Robin, Whitethroat, Coal Tit, Dunnock, Willow Warbler, Great Tit and Long-tailed Tit.

Reed Warbler, 22nd May 2016.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Spoonbill, 22nd May 2016.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Sedge Warbler, 22nd May 2016.
Photo - David Sullivan

Water Carpet, 22nd May 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

May 21st. Rain until early morning, then in afternoon. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.
 Birds around included a Spoonbill, a Wheatear, 3 Turtle Dove and 3 Cuckoo. South went a Hobby, 80 Swallow, 20 House Martin and 10 Swift.

Swallows, 21st May 2016.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Mistle Thrush, 21st May 2016.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Spoonbill, 21st May 2016.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Mallard and Avocet, 21st May 2016.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Moorhens, 21st May 2016.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Mid May 2016

May 20th. Around were a Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Turtle Dove and 2 Grey Partridge. Heading south were 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 17 House Martin and 10 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced a new Swallow; and 4 retraps: singles of Whitethroat, Great Tit, Reed Bunting and Blue Tit.

May 19th. Soggy, foggy start.
 Birds around included a Redwing, a singing Corn Bunting, a Water Rail, 2 Grey Partridge, a Marsh Harrier, 4 Whimbrel, 60 Brent Goose, 4 Pink-footed Goose and 2 Cuckoo. On Tennyson's Sands was a Black-tailed Godwit. Flying south were 7 House Martin and 11 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 4 new birds: singles of Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit, Whitethroat and Linnet; and 3 retrap Whitethroat.

May 18th. Intermittent rain.
 Around were a Cuckoo and a Short-eared Owl. Heading south were 2 Swift.

May 17th. Birds around included a Spoonbill, a Hooded Crow, a Marsh Harrier, a Short-eared Owl and 2 Cuckoo. A Whimbrel flew north.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 5 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, a Goldfinch, a Linnet and a Whitethroat; and 7 retraps: 3 Whitethroat, a Blue Tit, a Linnet, a Dunnock and a Lesser Whitethroat.

Short-eared Owl, 17th May 2016.
Photo - Leslie Davidson

Spoonbill, 17th May 2016.
Photo - Leslie Davidson

May 16th. Around were a Spoonbill, a Hooded Crow, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, 6 Whimbrel, 2 Cuckoo and a Short-eared Owl. Going south were 2 Yellow Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, including the 2nd session of CES, produced 14 new birds: a Wren, 2 Blackcap, a Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch, a Sedge Warbler, a Whitethroat, 3 Greenfinch, a Mistle Thrush and a Blackbird; 26 retraps: 6 Dunnock, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackbird, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Long-tailed Tit, 2 Whitethroat, 3 Great Tit, 2 Willow Warbler, a Wren, 3 Greenfinch, a Goldfinch and a Sedge Warbler; and 3 controls: a Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Long-tailed Tit.

May 15th. Birds around included a Hooded Crow, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Mediterranean Gull, a Grasshopper Warbler and a Cuckoo. A Yellow Wagtail flew south.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 5 new birds: singles of Reed Warbler, Linnet, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler and Woodpigeon; and 6 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, 2 Chaffinch, a Wren and a Dunnock.

Singing Grasshopper Warbler, 15th May 2016.
Photo - James Siddle

Hooded Crow, 15th May.
Photo - James Siddle

May 14th. Birds around included a Hooded Crow, a Hobby, a Marsh Harrier, a Garden Warbler, 3 Cuckoo, a Swift, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Whimbrel and 2 Short-eared Owl.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with James Siddle, provided 5 new birds: singles of Chiffchaff, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Linnet and Blackbird; and 5 retraps: 2 Dunnock, a Linnet, a Reed Bunting and a Whitethroat.

May 13th. Moderately strong north-easterly wind.
 Around were a ringtail Montagu's Harrier, a Greenshank and a Cuckoo.

May 12th. Birds around included a Hooded Crow, 2 Cuckoo, a Short-eared Owl, 3 Common Sandpiper, a Yellow Wagtail, a Whinchat, a singing Tree Pipit, 2 Siskin, 3 Marsh Harrier, On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Little Ringed Plover and a Great Crested Grebe. South went a Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced just a new Blackcap and a retrap Whitethroat.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling produced 12 new birds: a Chaffinch, 2 Whitethroat, a Reed Warbler, a Blackcap, a Linnet, 2 Goldfinch and 4 Greenfinch; and 24 retraps: a Blackbird, 3 Greenfinch, 2 Willow Warbler, 7 Goldfinch, 2 Chaffinch, a Wren, 2 Whitethroat, 3 Dunnock, 2 Long-tailed Tit and a Sedge Warbler.

May 11th. Intermittent rain until mid morning, then very soggy.
 Around were a Hooded Crow, 70 Little Tern, 3 Sandwich Tern, 8000 Knot, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Short-eared Owl, 2 Peregrine, a Marsh Harrier, 10 Swift, a Spotted Flycatcher and 4 Cuckoo.
 A rain-delayed morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 6 new birds: 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Linnet, a Reed Bunting and a Blackbird; and 3 retraps: a Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Sedge Warbler.