Mid September 2016

September 20th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, 4 Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, 10 Pintail, 4 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, 27 Ruff, 94 Black-tailed Godwit, a Snipe, 5 Brent Goose, 30 Pink-footed Goose, a Green Woodpecker, a Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, 2 Tree Pipit, a Sedge Warbler and 3 Reed Warbler. Going south were 35 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 11 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, a Sedge Warbler, a Reed Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, a Goldfinch, a Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 6 retraps: 5 Dunnock and a Goldcrest.

September 19th. There were 3 Yellow-browed Warbler present: 1 trapped and ringed in East Dunes, and 2 around Beach Car Park. Around, including birds trapped, were 4 Spoonbill, 4 Pink-footed Goose, 5 Brent Goose, 11 Pintail, a Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Whimbrel, 3 Spotted Redshank, 4 Greenshank, 27 Ruff, 2 Kingfisher, 4 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, a Redstart, a Spotted Flycatcher, 35 Goldcrest, a Reed Warbler and a Garden Warbler. Heading south were 1500 Swallow, 2 Grey Wagtail, a Tree Pipit and 2 Tree Sparrow; and east 61Pink-footed Goose.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 32 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Wren, 2 Willow Warbler, a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Robin, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, a Redstart, 8 Dunnock, 5 Song Thrush, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Kingfisher; and 8 retraps: a Robin, 4 Dunnock, a Garden Warbler, a Wren and a Reed Warbler.

Yellow-browed Warbler, ringed 19th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Kingfisher, ringed 19th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

High tide near Bird Observatory, 19th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

September 18th. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 Spoonbill, a Lapland Bunting, a Little Stint, 7 Spotted Redshank, 4 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, 10 Ruff, 196 Black-tailed Godwit, 5930 Bar-tailed Godwit, 67000 Knot, 2 Snipe, a Scaup, 2 Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, a Redstart, a Wheatear, a Whinchat, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Pied Flycatcher, a Tree Pipit, 2 Garden Warbler, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Sedge Warbler and a Reed Warbler. Offshore were a Sabine's Gull, a Red-throated Diver and 100 Common Scoter. Flying south were a possible juvenile White-winged Black Tern, 3 Red-throated Diver, 50 Common Scoter, 14 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, 7 Arctic Skua, 6 Common Buzzard, 940 Meadow Pipit, 3 Grey Wagtail, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Siskin, 65 Swallow, 2 Sand Martin and 11 House Martin; north a black Tern; and south-east 10 Pink-footed Goose. In from the north-east came 3 Brent Goose.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 21 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, a Goldcrest, 4 Robin, a Tree Pipit, a Garden Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Blackcap, a Great Tit, a Swallow, 3 Dunnock and a Sparrowhawk; and 5 retraps: singles of Wren, Reed Warbler, Great Tit, Robin, Dunnock and Blackbird.
 Chris Bottomer found 2 male Willow Emerald Damselflies (see photographs below). As well as being a new species for the reserve, this is almost certainly the most northerly UK record for this species.

Shorebirds, 18th September 2016.
Photo - James Siddle

Tree Pipit, ringed 18th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Sparrowhawk, ringed 18th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Willow Emerald Damselfly, 18th September 2016.
Photo - Chris Bottomer

Willow Emerald Damselfly, 18th September 2016.
Photo - Chris Bottomer

Comma, 18th September 2016.

Photo - Rob Watson

September 17th. Soggy start. Moderately strong north-easterly wind, gradually decreasing.
Around, including birds trapped, were a Great White Egret, 5 Spoonbill, 55000 Knot, a Hobby, 2 Wheatear, a Rock Pipit (first of autumn), 5 Song Thrush, a Garden Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff and 8 Goldcrest. Sea-watching produced 62 Sooty Shearwater, 16 Manx Shearwater, a Great Skua, 10 Arctic Skua and 14 Fulmar north; 6 Red-throated Diver south; a Slavonian Grebe offshore; and a Pomarine Skua over the beach. South over land went 31 Pink-footed Goose, 26 Swallow, 8 House Martin, 3 Yellow Wagtail and 17 Meadow Pipit.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 11 new birds: a Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Robin, a Meadow Pipit, a Dunnock and 3 Song Thrush; and 2 retraps: a Garden Warbler and a Whitethroat.

Great White Egret, 17th September 2016.
Photo - Garry Wright

A link to video of waders, by Stuart Ainsworth:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa6NIthitbo&feature=youtu.be

September 16th. A Honey Buzzard flew south-east over the East Dunes at 1054hrs. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Kingfisher, 2 Whinchat, 3 Chiffchaff, a Garden Warbler and a Reed Warbler. Heading south were 50 House Martin and 17 Swallow. Sea-watching produced an adult Pomarine Skua, 80 Common Scoter, 11 Red-throated Diver, 100 Gannet, 120 Teal, 25 Wigeon and a Pintail south; and a Black Tern and a Great Skua north. A skein of 26 Pink-footed Goose, the first of the autumn, flew east.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 14 new birds: 3 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Wren, 2 Robin, a Reed Warbler, 2 Whinchat, a Reed Bunting, a Dunnock and 2 Mistle Thrush; and 5 retraps: 2 Great Tit, a Garden Warbler, a Blackcap and a Dunnock.

Whinchat, ringed 16th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Mistle Thrush, ringed 16th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

September 15th. Fog until late morning.
 Around, including birds trapped, were 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 7 Spoonbill, 2 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 3 Snipe, a Water Rail, 2 Kingfisher, 2 Pied Flycatcher, a Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Wheatear, a Whinchat, a Garden Warbler and 4 Willow Warbler. Flying south were 24 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 4 new birds: a Wren, a Willow Warbler, a Garden Warbler and a Blackcap; and 2 retrap Dunnock.

Yellow-browed Warbler, 15th September 2016.
Photo - Dave Roberts 

Pied Flycatcher, 15th September 2016
Photo - Dave Roberts

September 14th. Fresh north-easterly wind.
 Birds around included 8 Spoonbill, 7 Spotted Redshank, 4 Greenshank, 9 Ruff, 3 Water Rail, a Marsh Harrier, a Kingfisher, 6 Pied Flycatcher, a Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Whinchat and a Garden Warbler. Going south were 9 Swallow.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 4 new birds: singles of Goldcrest, Whitethroat, Chaffinch and Blackcap; and 2 retraps: a Wren and a Dunnock.

September 13th. In the Plantation were 15 Goldcrest, a Bullfinch, a Spotted Flycatcher and a Garden Warbler. On Jackson's Marsh were a Spoonbill, 4 Ruff, 3 Pintail and a Little Stint; and on Tennyson's Sands 2 Greenshank and a Spotted Redshank. Around were 4 Spoonbill, a Pomarine Skua, 193 Golden Plover, a Marsh Harrier, a Greenshank, a Tree Pipit, a Pied Flycatcher, a Garden Warbler and 2 Wheatear. Heading south were 5 Black Tern, a Fulmar, 300 Sandwich Tern, a Mediterranean Gull, a Great Skua, 20 Arctic Skua, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 40 House Martin, 35 Swallow, 8 Sand Martin, 8 Black Tern and a Hobby; and north a Manx Shearwater.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 13 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, a Whitethroat, a Robin, 2 Blue Tit, 3 Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 8 retraps: a Blackbird, a Robin, a Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock, a Blackcap, a Wren and a Blue Tit.

Sanderling, 13th September 2016.

Arctic Skua, 13th September 2016.

September 12th. Around, including birds trapped, were 8 Spoonbill, a Merlin, 10 Arctic Skua, 2 Greenshank, 5 Spotted Redshank, 7 Ruff, 148 Black-tailed Godwit, a Water Rail, a Yellow Wagtail, 5 Goldcrest, a Garden Warbler and 2 Sedge Warbler. Flying south were 13 Black Tern, 5 Pintail, 800 Meadow Pipit and 6 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 11 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, 3 Robin, 2 Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Sedge Warbler; and 2 retraps: singles of Whitethroat and Blackcap.

September 11th. Soggy start, gradually drying out.
 Birds around, including those trapped, were 12 Spoonbill, 3 Manx Shearwater, a Little Stint, a Curlew Sandpiper, 7 Spotted Redshank, 10 Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, 5 Ruff, 3 Snipe, 223 Black-tailed Godwit, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Water Rail, 32 Little Grebe, 2 Pintail, 44 Shoveler, a juvenile Peregrine, a Merlin, a Hobby, 3 Common Buzzard, a Jay, 2 Kingfisher, 7 Wheatear, 2 Siskin, 5 Yellow Wagtail, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler and 2 Goldcrest. Going south were 100 Swallow, 10 House Martin, 4 Sand Martin and 11 Dunnock.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 24 new birds; 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Whitethroat, a Greenland Wheatear, 2 Robin, 2 Garden Warbler, 3 Blackcap and 7 Dunnock; and 10 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Robin, a Whitethroat, 3 Dunnock, a Blue Tit, a Woodpigeon and a Wren.

Speckled Wood, 11th September 2016.
Photo - Rob Watson

Wheatear, 11th September 2016.
Photo - Rob Watson

Greenland Wheatear, ringed 11th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Hunting Peregrine, 11th September 2016.

Hunting Peregrine, 11th September 2016.

Hunting Peregrine, 11th September 2016.

Early September 2016

September 10th. Rain for most of day, making recording difficult.

 Birds around included 12 Spoonbill, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshank and a Greenshank.

September 9th. Increasing south-westerly wind.
 Sea-watching produced a juvenile Long-tailed Skua and 700 Sandwich Tern around the shore, and a Pomarine Skua, 12 Arctic Skua, a Great Northern Diver and 200 Gannet south. Around were 6 Spoonbill, a Red-throated Diver, 2 Pintail, a Little Stint, a Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Ruff, 19 Snipe, 10 Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Arctic Skua, a Merlin, 2 Water Rail, a Green Woodpecker, 5 Mistle Thrush and 5 Yellow Wagtail. Heading south were 30 Teal, 7 House Martin and 65 Swallow. A Hobby flew west over Jackson's Marsh.
 A brief, wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 4 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, a Blackcap and a Whitethroat; and 3 retraps: 2 Dunnock and a Robin.

Female Pintail on the Mere, 9th September 2016
Photo - Nige Lound

September 8th. Birds around included 12 Spoonbill, a Merlin, a Common Buzzard, 7 Pintail, a Whimbrel, 16 Ruff, a Little Stint, a Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 7 Greenshank, 5 Spotted Redshank, 180 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 8 Snipe, a Green Woodpecker, 27 Mistle Thrush and a Grey Wagtail. The over-summering Redwing was seen again in East Dunes. Flying south were 2 Grey Wagtail, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 520 House Martin, 65 Sand Martin and 500 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 3 new birds: singles of Blackcap, Blue Tit and Great Tit; and 4 retraps: 2 Robin, a Dunnock and a Wren.

1st calendar year Little Ringed Plover on Tennyson's Sands, 8th September 2016
Photo - Nige Lound

September 7th. A Dowitcher Sp flew south with 10 Bar-tailed Godwit at 0750hrs. Around, including birds trapped, were 2 Spoonbill, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Little Stint, a Little Ringed Plover, 4 Ruff, 6 Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank, a Marsh Harrier, a Common Buzzard, 2 Pied Flycatcher and a Redstart. Going south were 500 Swallow and 7 House Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 16 new birds: 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Robin, a Whitethroat, a Linnet, 2 Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Redstart and 3 Dunnock; and 3 retraps: singles of Linnet, Whitethroat and Dunnock.

September 6th. Birds around included 12 Spoonbill, 2 Ruff, 10 Greenshank, 5 Spotted Redshank and 2 Common Sandpiper. Heading south were 3 Pomarine Skua and 400 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 11 new birds: 5 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 2 Robin, 2 Whitethroat and a Blackcap; and 4 retraps: singles of Robin, Wren, Great Tit and Dunnock.

September 5th. An Icterine Warbler was discovered in the Sallows visible from North Building Ridge. Around were 6 Spoonbill, 3 Marsh Harrier, 550 Sandwich Tern, 2000 Bar-tailed Godwit, 28500 Knot, 2500 Oystercatcher, 1200 Grey Plover, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, a Little Stint, a Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, a Water Rail, a Kingfisher, 15 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Pied Flycatcher, a Spotted Flycatcher and a Wheatear. Flying south were 2 Arctic Skua, 22 Wigeon, a Pintail, a Velvet Scoter, 70 Teal, 200 Sandwich Tern, 200 Meadow Pipit, 20 Yellow Wagtail, 1100 Swallow, 190 House Martin and 175 Sand Martin; and north 2 Pomarine Skua and 3 Manx Shearwater.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 16 new birds: a Wren, 4 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 3 Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Robin, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Blue Tit and 2 Dunnock; and 6 retraps: 4 Dunnock, a Whitethroat and a Blackbird.

September 4th. Birds around included 5 Spoonbill, 61000 Knot, a Little Stint, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, 6 Spotted Redshank, 10 Greenshank, 5 Green Sandpiper, 2 Little Ringed Plover, a Snipe, a Common Sandpiper, 3 Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Buzzard, a Swift, a Kingfisher, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Whinchat and a Wheatear. Heading south were 280 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 7 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Blackcap, a Robin, 2 Whitethroat, a Linnet and a Goldfinch; and 3 retraps: 2 Blackcap and a Dunnock.

September 3rd. Around were 15 Spoonbill, a Little Stint, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 14 Greenshank, 5 Snipe, a Green Sandpiper, 3 Spotted Redshank, a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Ruff, 209 Black-tailed Godwit, 8000 Bar-tailed Godwit, a Mediterranean Gull, 2 Common Buzzard, 3+ Marsh Harrier, a Peregrine, a Green Woodpecker, 7 Whinchat and 2 Wheatear. Flying south were 120 Swallow, 4 Sand Martin and 8 House Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 14 new birds: 5 Willow Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, a Robin, a Reed Warbler and a Dunnock; and 6 retraps: 2 Robin, 2 Whitethroat, a Wren and a Lesser Whitethroat.

Dawn over East Dunes, 3rd September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

September 2nd. Rain until early morning, then moderately fresh wind.
 Birds around, including those trapped, were 8+ Spoonbill, 55000 Knot, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, a Little Stint, 3 Greenshank, 5 Spotted Redshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Little Ringed Plover, 184 Black-tailed Godwit, 37 Shoveler, 2 Common Buzzard and 2 Wheatear. Offshore was a juvenile Long-tailed Skua. Going south were a Hobby, 5 Sand Martin and 175 Swallow.
 A rain-delayed and wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 2 new birds: a Reed Warbler and a Wheatear; and no retraps. The Wheatear, with a wing of 105mm, was of the Greenland subspecies.

Birds and sunset, 2nd September 2016.
Photo - Les Binns

Greenland Wheatear, ringed 2nd September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

September 1st. Around, including birds trapped, were a Wryneck, 7 Spoonbill, a Little Stint, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, 5 Snipe, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 206 Black-tailed Godwit, a Marsh Harrier, a Pintail, 10 Tree Sparrow, 8 Yellow Wagtail and a Redstart. Unseasonal birds were a Barnacle Goose and a Pink-footed Goose. The first-summer (portlandica) Common Tern was still present. Heading south were 2 Yellow Wagtail and 150 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, resulted in 16 new birds: 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Linnet, a Meadow Pipit, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Blackcap, 2 Blue Tit, 3 Whitethroat and a Redstart; and 10 retraps: a Blackcap, 2 Robin, a Whitethroat, a Great Tit, 3 Dunnock, a Willow Warbler and a Linnet.

First-summer (portlandica) Common Tern, 1st September 2016.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Redstart, ringed 1st September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Late August 2016

August 31st. An Osprey flew west over Jackson's Marsh. Birds around, including those trapped, were 9 Spoonbill, a Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 198 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Snipe, 387 Sandwich Tern, 36 Common Tern, a Common Buzzard, 2 Pied Flycatcher, a Whinchat and 2 Wheatear. Heading south were 1500 Swallow, 4 Sand Martin and 36 House Martin; and north an Arctic Skua.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 27 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Linnet, 2 Robin, 4 Whitethroat, a Whinchat, a Sedge Warbler, a Meadow Pipit, a Swallow, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Dunnock and 2 Blackbird; and 7 retraps: 3 Wren, a Linnet, a Dunnock, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Whitethroat.

Pied Flycatcher, ringed 31st August 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

August 30th. Around were 9 Spoonbill, 6 Greenshank, 3 Spotted Redshank and a Green Woodpecker. Flying south were a Swift, 6 House Martin and 45 Swallow.
 The 12th and final session of CES was done this morning. The 22 new birds were 6 Wren, 2 Goldcrest, a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, a Goldfinch, a Great Tit, 3 Dunnock and a Yellowhammer. The 11 retraps were a Wren, 2 Blackbird, a Robin, 2 Dunnock, 2 Blackcap, 2 Great Tit and a Blue Tit.

August 29th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 7 Spoonbill, 3 Marsh Harrier, 4 Common Buzzard, a Merlin, a Mediterranean Gull, 4 Spotted Redshank, 12 Greenshank, 197 Black-tailed Godwit, a Snipe, a Little Ringed Plover, a Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, a White Wagtail, 2 Whinchat, a Garden Warbler and a Treecreeper. Going south were a Swift and 1500 Swallow, and west a Common Buzzard and a  Marsh Harrier.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 13 new birds: a Garden Warbler, a Linnet, a Blackcap, a Meadow Pipit, 2 Robin, a Blue Tit, 2 Whitethroat, a Reed Warbler, 2 Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 8 retraps: 2 Wren, 2 Blackcap, 2 Dunnock, a Whitethroat and a Robin.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 10 new birds: 5 Dunnock and singles of Wren, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Linnet and Whitethroat; and 9 retraps: 4 Dunnock, 2 Blackcap, a Wren, Great Tit and a Whitethroat.

August 28th. Around were 9 Spoonbill, a Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Black Tern, 1371 Sandwich Tern, an Arctic Tern, 3 Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Spotted Redshank, 6 Greenshank, 4 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, a Ruff, 6 Snipe, 200 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Grey Heron, a Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker and 26 Mistle Thrush. Heading south were 70 Swallow, and north a Fulmar.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 4 new birds: 2 Wren, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Whitethroat; and 5 retraps: 3 Dunnock, a Great Tit and a Linnet.

August 27th. Birds around included 13 Spoonbill, a Caspian Gull, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 10 Spotted Redshank, 4 Green Sandpiper, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 156 Black-tailed Godwit, 63 Avocet, a Common Sandpiper, 4 Snipe, 14 Greenshank, a Ruff, 5 Egyptian Goose, a Pintail, 7 Arctic Skua, a Merlin, Green Woodpecker, a Garden Warbler, a Grey Wagtail and a Wheatear. Flying south were 700 Swallow, 15 House Martin and 8 Sand Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 24 new birds: 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Robin, 4 Linnet, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, a Reed Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Blackcap, 2 Yellowhammer and a Sparrowhawk; and 7 retraps: a Linnet, 2 Great Tit, 2 Whitethroat, a Blackcap and a Dunnock.
 The highlights of overnight moth-trapping were Hedge Rustic, Angle-barred Pug, Centre-barred Swallow, Purple Bar and Bulrush Wainscot.

Caspian Gull, 27th august 2016.
Photo - James Siddle

Caspian Gull, 27th August 2016.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Spotted Redshanks, 27th August 2016.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Vestal, 27th August 2016.
Photo - Karen and Sarah Hand

White-point, 27th August 2016.
Photo - Karen and Sarah Hand

Sparrowhawk, ringed 27th August 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

August 26th. Soggy start, then mostly sunny.
 Around were 7 Spoonbill, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Greenshank, a Green Woodpecker and a Treecreeper. Going south were 55 Swallow and 8 House Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, resulted in 9 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, a Whitethroat, 3 Robin, a Blackcap and a Swallow; and 6 retraps: a Blackbird, 2 Wren, a Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock.

August 25th. Rain until mid morning.
 Birds around, including those trapped, were 6 Spoonbill, 3 Marsh Harrier, 4+ Common Buzzard, a Merlin, a Kingfisher, 2 Water Rail, 12 Wigeon, 185 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ruff, a Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Spotted Redshank, 19 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 5 Snipe, a Little Stint, 25 Arctic Skua, a Guillemot, 4 Whinchat, a Redstart, 2 Spotted Flycatcher and a Wheatear. Heading south were a Great Skua, a Hobby and 250 Swallow; and north 3 Black Tern, 4 Kittiwake, 9 Arctic Tern and 9 Mistle Thrush.
 A rain-delayed morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 24 new birds: 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 11 Whitethroat, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Whinchat and a Dunnock; and 4 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, a Dunnock and a Wren.

Arctic Skuas, 25th August 2016.
Photo - James Siddle

Spotted Flycatcher, ringed 25th August 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Whinchat, ringed 25th August 2015.
Photo - George Gregory

Pied Flycatcher, 24th August 2016.
Photo - James Siddle

Spotted Flycatcher, 24th August 2016.
Photo - James Siddle

August 24th. Around, including birds trapped, were 13 Spoonbill, a Common Sandpiper, 4 Greenshank, a Little Ringed Plover, a Kingfisher, 3 Redstart, 3 Pied Flycatcher and a retrapped Redwing. Flying south were 90 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 38 new birds: 6 Wren, 10 Willow Warbler, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Blackcap, 3 Redstart, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, a Linnet, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Robin, 3 Whitethroat, a Chaffinch, a Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 7 retraps: 2 Blackcap, a Redwing, 3 Dunnock and a Chaffinch. The retrapped Redwing (moult score 46) was the bird ringed in East Dunes on June 21st, seen and photographed at Aylmer Avenue on June 29th, and retrapped in East Dunes on August 15th.

Moulting adult Redwing, retrapped 24th August 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Redstart, ringed 24th August 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

August 23rd. Birds around, including those trapped, were 17 Spoonbill, a Red Kite, a Peregrine, a Merlin, 4 Marsh Harrier, 3 Yellow-legged Gull, a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 6 Little Ringed Plover, 8 Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Little Stint, 4 Spotted Redshank, a Wood Sandpiper, 5 Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, 15 Greenshank, 4 Snipe, 203 Black-tailed Godwit, a Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, 9 Swift, 8 Pied Flycatcher, 11 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Garden Warbler, 250 Willow Warbler, 27 Blackcap, 135 Whitethroat, 65 Lesser Whitethroat, 20 Whinchat, 20 Wheatear, 16 Redstart, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, a Pied Flycatcher, 80 Yellow Wagtail, 15 Tree Pipit and a Corn Bunting. The first-summer (portlandica) Common Tern was again on Tennyson's Sands; it first appeared 2 weeks ago. Going south were a Ruff, 1000 Swallow, 350 House Martin and 50 Sand Martin.
 The 11th session of CES was done this morning, with Keith Collett. The 46 new birds were 3 Wren, 20 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, 2 Robin, 8 Blackcap, 5 Whitethroat, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Blue Tit, a Dunnock and a Song Thrush; and 12 retraps: a Robin, a Song Thrush, 3 Wren, 2 Dunnock, a Chiffchaff, 2 Great Tit, a Whitethroat and a Blackcap.

August 22nd. Rain early morning.
 Around were 13 Spoonbill, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Merlin, a Little Tern, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, a Little Stint, a Green Sandpiper, a Ruff, a Little Ringed Plover, a Kingfisher, 1+ Green Woodpecker, 3 Whinchat, 5 Wheatear and a Treecreeper. The high tide wader roost consisted of 38000 Knot, 2500 Grey Plover, 3000 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4000 Oystercatcher, 339 Curlew, 24 Turnstone, 2000 Sanderling, 4000 Dunlin, a Purple Sandpiper, 5 Little Stint and a Curlew Sandpiper. Heading south were 4 Swift, 150 Swallow, 15 Sand Martin and 8 House Martin.
 A rain-delayed morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 20 new birds: 11 Willow Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Reed Warbler, a Meadow Pipit and 2 Sedge Warbler; and 5 retraps: singles of Robin, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Whitethroat and Dunnock.
 A check of nest boxes revealed a retrap moulting adult female Barn Owl, a pullus large enough to ring and a pullus too small to ring.

Pullus Barn Owl, ringed 22nd August 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

August 21st. Birds around, including those trapped, were 15 Spoonbill, a Wryneck, 4 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Wheatear, 5 Whinchat, 6 Yellow Wagtail, a Treecreeper, a Marsh Harrier, 3 Common Buzzard, 2 Ruff, 2 Little Stint, 4 Spotted Redshank, 6 Curlew Sandpiper, a Purple Sandpiper, 15 Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 5 Snipe, 2 Common Sandpiper and a Whimbrel. Flying south were 10 Swift and 7 Swallow. One observer recorded 101 species here on this day.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 17 new birds: 10 Willow Warbler, a Pied Flycatcher, 2 Wheatear, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Meadow Pipit, a Dunnock and a Woodpigeon; and a retrap Dunnock.
 

     

Wryneck, 21st August 2016.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Pied Flycatcher, ringed 21st August 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Wheatear, ringed 21st August 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Mid August 2016

August 20th. South-westerly wind increasingly strong until mid afternoon then decreasing slowly.
 Birds around included 18 Spoonbill, 9 Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Little Stint, 11 Ruff, a Common Sandpiper, 9 Greenshank, a Little Ringed Plover, 3 Snipe, an adult Mediterranean Gull, a Green Woodpecker, a Kingfisher, 2 Common Buzzard and a Marsh Harrier. Going south were 8 Swift.

August 19th. A Corncrake was flushed by the path to Jackson's Hide. Around were 9 Spoonbill, 156 Cormorant, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Common Buzzard, a juvenile Peregrine, an adult Mediterranean Gull, an Arctic Skua, 7 Little Ringed Plover, 15 Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank, 4 Little Stint, 4 Green Sandpiper, a Kingfisher, a juvenile Cuckoo, 28 Mistle Thrush, 3 Wheatear, a Grasshopper Warbler and a Willow Warbler. Heading south were a Great Skua, a Swift, 40 Sand Martin, 20 House Martin and 240 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, resulted in 6 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Linnet, a Reed Warbler and 3 Whitethroat; and 4 retraps: 2 Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock.

August 18th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 2 Spoonbill, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Common Buzzard, 4 Greenshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Whimbrel, 163 Black-tailed Godwit, a Little Stint, a Little Ringed Plover, 1+ Green Woodpecker, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Whinchat and 3 Willow Warbler. Flying south were 65 Swallow, 40 House Martin and 3 Yellow Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, provided 2 new birds: a Whitethroat and a Whinchat; and 2 retrap Dunnock.

Whinchat, ringed 18th August 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

August 17th. Around were 8 Spoonbill, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 6 Snipe, 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Little Stint, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Green Sandpiper, 4 Ruff, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Greenshank, 4 Yellow Wagtail, a Common Buzzard and a Green Woodpecker. Going south were 7 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 4 new birds: 3 Linnet and a Woodpigeon; and 4 retraps: 3 Whitethroat and a Dunnock.

August 16th. A Greenish Warbler was trapped and ringed in East Dunes; later it flew off towards the west end of Sleeper Track, near Bean's Hole. Birds around, including those trapped, were 8 Spoonbill, a Yellow-legged Gull, a Mediterranean Gull, 5 Little Ringed Plover, 19 Greenshank, 165 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Common Sandpiper, 4 Snipe, a Spotted Redshank, 4 Whimbrel, a Green Sandpiper, a Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, 16 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Whinchat, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 2 Arctic Skua. On Jackson's Marsh were a Garganey, a Mediterranean Gull and 2 Little Stint, and on the Mere a Water Rail and 12 Sedge Warbler. Heading north was a Marsh Harrier, and south 3 Common Buzzard65 Swallow and 13 Sand Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with James Siddle, resulted in 15 new birds: a Greenish Warbler, a Willow Warbler, 6 Whitethroat, a Reed Warbler, a Whinchat, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Swallow, a Linnet and a Yellowhammer; and 4 retraps: 2 Great Tit, a Dunnock and a Linnet.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David and Liv Vincent resulted in 14 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Chaffinch and singles of Wren, Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Goldfinch, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Great Tit, Dunnock and Song Thrush; and 10 retraps: 4 Great Tit, 3 Dunnock, 2 Blue Tit and a Chaffinch.
 Moths trapped overnight included Hedge Rustic, Purple Bar, Pebble Hook-tip, Sharp-angled Leacock, Drinker, Tawny-speckled Pug, Saltmarsh Plume and Platypes alpinella. Also, 2 Lime Hawkmoth caterpillars were discovered.

Greenish Warbler, ringed 16th August 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Greenish Warbler, ringed 16th August 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Whinchat, ringed 16th August 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

White-letter Hairstreak, 16th August 2016.
Photo - Karen and Sarah Hand

August 15th. A distant marsh tern offshore was probably a White-winged Black Tern. On Jackson's Marsh were 4 Spoonbill, a Little Stint, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Little Ringed Plover and 42 Dunlin, and on Tennyson's Sands 100+ Black-tailed Godwit. Around, including birds trapped, were a Whimbrel, 2500 Sandwich Tern, 200 Common Tern, 4 Arctic Skua, a Redwing, 2 Whinchat, a Wheatear and a Grasshopper Warbler. Flying south were 130 Swallow and 8 Sand Martin, and north 80 Common Scoter.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 15 new birds: 2 Wren, a Willow Warbler, a Linnet, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, a Goldfinch, a Reed Warbler, 2 Swallow and 2 Dunnock; and 7 retraps: a Song Thrush, a Robin, a Blackcap, a Redwing, a Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock. The retrapped Redwing (moult score 40) was the adult bird ringed in East Dunes on June 21st (moult score 1) and seen and photographed at Aylmer Avenue on June 29th. Presumably it summered in the local area while undergoing moult.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling provided 30 new birds: 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 5 Wren, 3 Blackcap, 5 Whitethroat, a Robin, a Chaffinch, 2 Blue Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Dunnock, a Great Tit and a Song Thrush; and 14 retraps: 6 Blue Tit, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Great Tit, a Dunnock, a Blackcap and a Long-tailed Tit.

Moulting adult Redwing, retrapped 15th August 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

August 14th. The wind shifted to the east mid afternoon.
 Birds around, including those trapped, were 8 Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, a Common Buzzard, 2 Arctic Skua, 6 Whimbrel, 2 Green Woodpecker, a Kingfisher, a Wheatear, a Redstart, 4 Whinchat, a Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Yellow Wagtail and 40 Willow Warbler. On Jackson's Marsh were a Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Little Stint and 4 Snipe; on Tennyson's Sands 2 Ruff, 4 Little Ringed Plover, a Common Sandpiper and 100+ Black-tailed Godwit; and on the Mere a juvenile Water Rail, a Little Ringed Plover, a Green Sandpiper and 2 Wigeon. Going south were 6 Swift, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 123 Swallow, 15 House Martin and 24 Sand Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 34 new birds: 18 Willow Warbler, a Wren, 3 Robin, a Blackcap, 6 Linnet, 2 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler and a Kingfisher; and 5 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Blackcap and a Wren.

Kingfisher, ringed 14th August 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

August 13th. Increasing then decreasing south-westerly wind.
 On Jackson's Marsh were 4 Spoonbill, a Little Stint, a Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, 4 Snipe, 2 Little Ringed Plover and 96 Black-tailed Godwit; on Tennyson's Sands an adult Mediterranean Gull, a Spotted Redshank, 5 Little Ringed Plover, a Common Sandpiper, 6 Greenshank, 108 Black-tailed Godwit and 5 Snipe; and on Croftmarsh 3 Snipe and 14 Golden Plover. Around, including birds trapped, were a Whimbrel, a Marsh Harrier, a Green Woodpecker, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Tree Pipit, 6 Yellow Wagtail and 15 Willow Warbler. Heading south were a Marsh Harrier, 28 Swift, 550 Swallow, 20 House Martin and 70 Sand Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 13 new birds: 9 Willow Warbler, a Tree Pipit, a Linnet and 2 Whitethroat; and 3 retraps: singles of Wren, Dunnock and Great Tit.

Tree Pipit, ringed 13th August 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

August 12th. Increasing then decreasing south-westerly wind.
 Birds around included a Peregrine, a Common Buzzard, a Whimbrel, 11 Snipe, 2 Grey Heron and 3 Yellow Wagtail. On Jackson's Marsh were a Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Ringed Plover and 15 Black-tailed Godwit; and on Tennyson's Sands a Greenshank and 34 Black-tailed Godwit. Flying south were a Marsh Harrier, 62 Swift, 180 Sand Martin and 1300 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 9 new birds: 6 Willow Warbler, a Wren, a Robin and a Chaffinch; and 3 retraps: singles of Great Tit, Dunnock and Linnet.

August 11th. Drizzle early and late morning.
  On Jackson's Marsh were a Spoonbill, a Ruff, 3 Greenshank, 50 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Ringed Plover, a Common Sandpiper and 4 Snipe; on Tennyson's Sands a Little Ringed Plover, 6 Greenshank and 3 Snipe; on the Mere 12 Shoveler, 36 Gadwall and 2 Wigeon; and on Croftmarsh a Snipe. Birds around, including those trapped, were 6 Whimbrel, an Arctic Skua, a Cuckoo, 4 Marsh Harrier, a Common Buzzard, a Peregrine, a Green Woodpecker and 17 Willow Warbler. Going south were 3 Arctic Skua and 65 Swallow.
 A restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 21 new birds: a Wren, 11 Willow Warbler, 2 Linnet, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Reed Warbler and 2 Whitethroat; and 7 retraps: 2 Dunnock, 2 Linnet. a Lesser Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler and a Blackcap.