Mid July 2017

July 20th. Intermittent heavy rain showers.
  Birds around included 6 Spoonbill, a Grey Partridge, 700 Sandwich Tern, a Kittiwake, 4 Arctic Skua, 14 Turnstone, a Green Woodpecker, a Short-eared Owl, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Siskin and 4 Yellow Wagtail. On the water bodies were 2 Snipe, 2 Wood Sandpiper, 7 Common Sandpiper, 3 Ruff, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 80 Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 4 Common Tern, 51 Avocet, 96 Black-tailed Godwit and a Kingfisher. Going south were a Black Tern, a Golden Plover, 11 Swift and 200 Starling; and north 40 Teal and 11 Common Tern.

A selection of pictures from Fenland Lagoon, 20th July 2017

Colour-ringed Black-tailed Godwit, 20th July 2017
Photo - Richard Doan

July 19th. Quite strong easterly wind, with early morning rain.
 Around were 2 Whimbrel, 800 Curlew, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Ruff, 4 Greenshank, a Hobby, a Peregrine and 2 Green Woodpecker. On Tennyson's Sands were 5 Spoonbill, 4 Common Sandpiper, 150 Redshank and a Sandwich Tern; and on Fenland Lagoon 180 Redshank and a Kingfisher. Moving offshore were 20 Gannet, a Great Skua, 74 Knot, 40 Whimbrel, 3 Tufted Duck and 15 Common Scoter. In off the sea came 2 Grey Heron.

July 18th. A Broad-billed Sandpiper was discovered in the Shorebird Sanctuary. Later it flew off down the Wash. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Spoonbill, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 4 Greenshank and a Ruff. Birds around included a Greenshank, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Green Woodpecker and 4 Yellow Wagtail. Heading north-west were 17 Cormorant; and south a Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 9 new birds: 2 Wren, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, a Robin, a Great Tit and a Lesser Whitethroat; and 7 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, a Great Tit, 3 Dunnock and a Lesser Whitethroat.

Black-tailed Godwit, 18th July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

July 17th. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Spoonbill, a Water Rail, 2 Greenshank and a Ruff; and on the Mere a Water Rail. Around were 2 Peregrine, a Green Woodpecker and 3 Yellow Wagtail. Flying south were a Swift, 3 Sand Martin and 3 Swallow; and north-west 26 Cormorant.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 7 new birds: 2 Whitethroat, 3 Linnet, a Meadow Pipit and a Dunnock; and 3 retrap Whitethroat.

Greenshank, 17th July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Painted Lady, 17th July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

July 16th. On Tennyson's Sands were 5 Spoonbill, an adult Mediterranean Gull, a Water Rail, 50 Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Ruff; and on Fenland Lagoon a Green Sandpiper. Birds around, including those trapped, were 6 Whimbrel, a Greenshank, a Green Woodpecker, a Kingfisher, a Grasshopper Warbler and 3 Yellow Wagtail. Going south were 3 Swift and 3 Sand Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 19 new birds: 3 Wren, a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 2 Whitethroat, a Robin, a Great Tit, 2 Meadow Pipit, 2 Linnet, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Dunnock and a Starling; and 5 retraps: a Blackcap, a Dunnock, a Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Whitethroat.

Juvenile Yellow Wagtail, ringed 16th July 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Essex Skipper on Sea Holly, 16th July 2017.
Photo - Rob Watson

Fly, 16th July 2017.
Photo - Rob Watson

July 15th. On Tennyson's Sands were 5 Spoonbill, 350 Redshank, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Ruff, 50 Black-tailed Godwit and a Kingfisher. Around were a Whimbrel, 2 Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, a Turnstone and a Stonechat. Heading south was a Mediterranean Gull and 20 Swift; and southwest 250 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 18 new birds: 2 Wren, 3 Blackcap, 9 Linnet, a Sedge Warbler, a Whitethroat, a Dunnock and a Song Thrush; and 7 retraps: 2 Linnet, 2 Wren, a Dunnock, a Great Tit and a Lesser Whitethroat.

July 14th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 5 Spoonbill, 2 Ruff, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Greenshank, a juvenile Peregrine, a Green Woodpecker, a Kingfisher and 5 Yellow Wagtail. On Tennyson's Sands were 74 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank and a Water Rail. Flying south were 200 Swift and 7 Sand Martin.
 The eighth session of CES was done this morning. The 28 new birds were 10 Chiffchaff, a Wren, 5 Blackcap, 5 Whitethroat, 6 Dunnock and a Kingfisher. The 9 retraps were 2 Wren, 2 Blackbird, 3 Dunnock and 2 Whitethroat.

Kingfisher, ringed 14th July 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

July 13th. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Spoonbill, 63 Black-tailed Godwit and a Ruff. Around were a Whimbrel, a Greenshank, a Marsh Harrier,  and 3 Yellow Wagtail. Going south were 100 Common Scoter, 296 Swift, 3 Sand Martin and 2 Yellow Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 10 new birds: 2 Wren, 5 Linnet, a Blackcap, a Whitethroat and a Dunnock; and 7 retraps: a Blackcap, a Wren, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock.

July 12th. Quite strong north-easterly wind.
 On Tennyson's Sands were 5 Spoonbill, 5 Ruff and 35 Black-tailed Godwit. Birds around included a juvenile Hobby. Going north were 7 Arctic Skua, 40 Gannet, 120 Common Scoter and 2 Auk Spp.

July 11th. On Tennyson's Sands were 6 Spoonbill, a Green Sandpiper, a Ruff, 41 Black-tailed Godwit and a Spotted Redshank. Around, including birds trapped, were a Little Ringed Plover, a Whimbrel, 2 Greenshank, 1000 Dunlin, 348 Redshank, 200 Sanderling, 400 Curlew, a Green Woodpecker and a juvenile Cuckoo. Heading north was a Kittiwake.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 17 new birds: 4 Wren, 6 Linnet, a Whitethroat, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Blackcap and a Cuckoo; and 9 retraps: 2 Sedge Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Dunnock and 3 Whitethroat.

Common Tern feeding chick, 11th July 2017.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Marsh Harrier, 11th July 2017.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Spoonbills on Tennyson Sands, 11th July 2017.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Juvenile Cuckoo, ringed 11th July 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Early July 2017

July 10th. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Spoonbill and 25 Black-tailed Godwit; and on Fenland Lagoon a Little Ringed Plover. Birds around included a Common Buzzard, 6 Greenshank, an adult Spotted Redshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Ruff, 40 Sanderling, 2 Kingfisher, a Wheatear and 3 Yellow Wagtail. The first juvenile Little Egret of the year appeared. Flying north were 2 Gannet.

Gatekeeper, 10th July 2017.
Photo - Rob Watson

Black-tailed Skimmer, 10th July 2017.

Dune Robberfly (Philonicus albiceps) 10th July 2017.This species is  to be expected in numbers on open sand, with eggs laid among Marram Grass roots.

Juvenile Robin, 10th July 2017.

Juvenile Wheatear, 10th July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Spoonbills, 10th July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Spoonbill, 10th July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

July 9th. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Spoonbill and 43 Black-tailed Godwit; and on Fenland Lagoon 3 Greenshank, 2 Ruff and 3 Little Ringed Plover. Around were a first-summer Little Gull, 187 Curlew, a Green Sandpiper, a female Marsh Harrier, a Hobby, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Wheatear and a Yellow Wagtail. Going south were 120 Swift, 2 Sand Martin and a Grey Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 6 new birds: 3 Chiffchaff, a Long-tailed Tit, a Willow Warbler and a Whitethroat; and 7 retraps: 2 Dunnock, 2 Wren, a Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Song Thrush.

July 8th. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Spoonbill and 49 Black-tailed Godwit; and on Jackson's Marsh a Grey Wagtail. Birds around included a Golden Plover, 350 Curlew, a Whimbrel, 2 Ruff, 4 Greenshank, 300 Dunlin, 200 Sandwich Tern, 5 Arctic Tern, a Marsh Harrier, a Cuckoo and a Green Woodpecker. Flying south were a Golden Plover, 4 Whimbrel, a Hobby, a Swift, 20 Sand Martin, 2 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Grey Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 30 new birds: 7 Wren, a Chiffchaff, 7 Whitethroat, a Blackcap, 2 Great Tit, 8 Linnet, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Robin, a Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 5 retraps: 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Dunnock and a Whitethroat.
 A White-letter Hairstreak was seen again in the West Dunes.

White-letter Hairstreak, 8th July 2017
Photo - Richard Doan

July 7th. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Spoonbill, 18 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, 2 Ruff, 2 Common Tern and a Common Sandpiper. Hunting the fields beyond the scrapes were 2 Barn Owl. Around, including birds trapped, were 300 Redshank, 200 Curlew, a Grey Heron, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 26 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Whimbrel, an adult Cuckoo, a Green Woodpecker, a Bullfinch and a House Sparrow. Going south were a Whimbrel, 7 Swift and a Sand Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 17 new birds: 2 Wren, a Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, a Robin, 3 Whitethroat, a Chaffinch, a Meadow Pipit, a Bullfinch, 3 Dunnock, a Starling and a Woodpigeon; and 4 retraps: a Blackcap, 2 Dunnock and a Chaffinch.
 A Silver-washed Fritillary was present on the reserve.

Juvenile Bullfinch, ringed 7th July 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Silver-washed Fritillary, 7th July 2017.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Silver-washed Fritillary, 7th July 2017.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

 July 6th. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Spoonbill, 3 Wigeon, a Great Crested Grebe, a Spotted Redshank and 26 Black-tailed Godwit. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Grey Heron, 2 Little Ringed Plover, a Whimbrel, 37 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Snipe, a Treecreeper, 1700 Starling and 35 Swallow. Heading south were 2 Whimbrel and 19 Swift; and north a Razorbill, a Gannet and 950 Common Scoter.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 11 new birds: a Wren, 4 Whitethroat, 5 Linnet and a Goldfinch; and 12 retraps: a Linnet, 4 Dunnock, 2 Sedge Warbler, a Great Tit, a Wren and 3 Whitethroat.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling provided 10 new birds: 2 Wren, a Treecreeper, 4 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Blackcap and a Dunnock; and 2 retraps: a Wren and a Chiffchaff.
 A Banded Demoiselle flew across Tennyson's Sands.

July 5th. A Spoonbill was near Millennium Ridge. On Tennyson's Sands were a male Pochard and a Black-tailed Godwit. Around were 2 Wigeon, 6 Shoveler, a Little Ringed Plover, a Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Whimbrel, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 300 Starling and a Yellow Wagtail. Offshore were 20 Sandwich Tern and 8 Common Tern. Flying south were 10 Black-tailed Godwit, a Hobby, 300 Starling, 17 Sand Martin and 2 Yellow Wagtail; and north an Arctic Skua, 5 Gannet and 8 Eider.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 28 new birds: 4 Wren, a Chiffchaff, 8 Whitethroat, 7 Linnet, 2 Great Tit, 2 Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat and 3 Dunnock; and 5 retraps: a Wren, a Linnet, 2 Dunnock and a Whitethroat.

Swallow, 5th July 2017.

Swallow, 5th July 2017.

Black-tailed Godwits, 5th July 2017.

Lapwing, 5th July 2017.

Lapwing, 5th July 2017.

July 4th. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Spoonbill and 14 Black-tailed Godwit; and on Croftmarsh a Grey Heron. Offshore were 350 Common Scoter. Birds around included 2 Wigeon, a Marsh Harrier, a Peregrine, a Snipe, a Turtle Dove, a Yellow Wagtail, 50 Swallow, 10 Mistle Thrush and a Grasshopper Warbler. Going north was a Whimbrel; and south were 19 Redshank, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 50 Swift, 26 Sand Martin and 32 Swallow.
 The seventh session of CES was done this morning. The 29 new birds were 2 Chiffchaff, 5 Wren, 3 Willow Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 3 Robin, 4 Whitethroat, 5 Dunnock and 2 Blackbird. The 9 retraps were 2 Whitethroat, 2 Wren, a Willow Warbler, a Blue Tit, a Dunnock, a Blackcap and a Chiffchaff.

Grasshopper Warbler, 4th July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Grasshopper Warbler, 4th July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Roe Deer, 4th July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

July 3rd. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Spoonbill. Later, 4 Spoonbill were on Millennium Ridge. A juvenile Wheatear was near the Shorebird Hut. Around, including birds trapped, were 17 Teal, 2 Shoveler, 300 Common Scoter, 3 Little Ringed Plover, a Whimbrel, a Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, 50 Curlew, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, a Kingfisher, a Cuckoo and 40 Swift. Heading south were 31 Gannet, 24 Curlew, 2 Grey Heron, 350 Swift, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 37 Sand Martin and 14 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 18 new birds: 5 Wren, a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 2 Linnet, a Blackcap, a Robin, 3 Whitethroat, a Great Tit, a Dunnock, a Kingfisher and a Woodpigeon; and 4 retraps: 2 Dunnock, a Wren and a Whitethroat.
 Butterflies included 2 White-letter Hairstreaks; and mammals 2 Water Voles.

Essex Skippers, 3rd July 2017
Photo - Rob Watson

Six-Spotted Burnett, 3rd July 2017
Photo - Rob Watson

Comma, 3rd July 2017
Photo - Rob Watson

Black-tailed Godwit, 3rd July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Black-tailed Godwits, 3rd July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Avocet, 3rd July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Avocet, 3rd July 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Kingfisher, ringed 3rd July 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

July 2nd. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Spoonbill, a Black-tailed Godwit and a Barnacle Goose; and on Fenland Lagoon 3 Little Ringed Plover. Birds around included 26 Teal, 3 Marsh Harrier, 80 Curlew, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, a Goldcrest, 7 Sand Martin, 45 Swallow and 3 House Sparrow. Offshore were 400 Common Scoter. Going south were 110 Starling and a Bullfinch.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 23 new birds: 2 Wren, 3 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Linnet, 5 Whitethroat, a Meadow Pipit, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Great Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Dunnock and 2 Song Thrush; and 10 retraps: 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 3 Dunnock and 2 Wren.
 In Beach (North) Car Park were 2 Hummingbird Hawkmoths.

Essex Skippers, 2nd July 2017.
Photo - Rob Watson

Comma, 2nd July 2017.
Photo - Rob Watson

Six-spot Burnet, 2nd July 2017.
Photo - Rob Watson

July 1st. Flying south was a Honey Buzzard. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Spoonbill. Offshore were 300 Sandwich Tern, an Arctic Tern, 4 Common Tern, 70 Little Tern, 500 Common Scoter and 10 Gannet. Around were 174 Shelduck, 150 Curlew, a Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, 3 Turnstone, a Little Gull, 2 Sand Martin, a Grasshopper Warbler, 60 Starling and a Crossbill.
 Dragonflies included a Red-veined Darter.

Late June 2017

June 30th. On Tennyson's Sands were 5 Spoonbill. Offshore were 450 Common Scoter. Going south were 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 14 Curlew and 80 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 12 new birds: a Linnet, 7 Whitethroat, a Great Tit, a Meadow Pipit and 2 Dunnock; and 7 retraps: 3 Dunnock, a Goldfinch, 2 Whitethroat and a Great Tit.

June 29th. Soggy start, slowly drying out.
 Birds around included 7 Sandwich Tern and a Greenshank. On Tennyson's Sands was a Common Sandpiper. Heading south were 7 Lapwing, 38 Curlew, 4 Black-tailed Godwit and 150 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, yielded 15 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, a Blackcap, 2 Linnet, a Sedge Warbler, a Chaffinch, a Dunnock and a Starling; and 13 retraps: 4 Wren, 5 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock and a Linnet.

June 28th. Rain and strong wind for most of the day, making recording difficult.
 A few common birds were seen.

June 27th. Intermittent rain from late morning.
 Around was a Hobby. On Jackson's Marsh were 3 Common Sandpiper, 29 Redshank and a Little Ringed Plover. Going south were 2 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 6 new birds: 2 Wren, a Linnet, 2 Dunnock and a Woodpigeon; and 4 retraps: a Dunnock, 2 Whitethroat and a Goldfinch.

June 26th. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Spoonbill. Bird around included a Marsh Harrier, a Common Buzzard, a Cuckoo, 20 Sandwich Tern and 60 Little Tern.
 The sixth session of CES was done this morning. The 28 new birds were 12 Wren, a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 4 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Great Tit, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Dunnock and a Wood Pigeon. The 14 retraps were a Song Thrush, 5 Whitethroat, 3 WillowWarbler, 3 Dunnock and 2 Wren.
 In Beach Car Park were now 2 Hummingbird Hawkmoths.

Spoonbills, 26th June 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Hummingbird Hawkmoth, Beach Car Park 26th June 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale 

June 25th. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Spoonbill and 2 Wigeon. Around were 10 Black-tailed Godwit. Flying south were 4 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 8 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 3 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat and 3 Linnet; and 2 retrap Whitethroat.
 A Hummingbird Hawkmoth was in Beach Car Park.

June 24th. On Tennyson's Sands were 3 Spoonbill and a Common Sandpiper. Going south were 156 Swift, a Hobby, a Grey Wagtail and 2 Sand Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 16 new birds: a Wren, a Chiffchaff, 2 Great Tit, 7 Whitethroat, a Goldfinch, a Robin, a Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock; and 14 retraps: 2 Great Tit, 2 Whitethroat, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, a Reed Bunting and 2 Wren.

June 23rd. Around were a Grey Partridge, a Marsh Harrier and a Grasshopper Warbler. Offshore were 4 Common Tern and 40 Sandwich Tern. On Jackson's Marsh was a Common Sandpiper. Heading north were 2 Manx Shearwater; and south 60 Gannet, 2 Auk Spp, an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull and 86 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 4 new birds: a Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 3 retraps: a Great Tit, a Chaffinch and a Meadow Pipit.

June 22nd. On the Mere were 2 Little Gull; and on Tennyson's Sands 2 Great Crested Grebe. Birds around included an adult Black-tailed Godwit and a Grasshopper Warbler. Flying south were 3 Hobby and 3500 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 8 new birds: a Wren, a Chiffchaff, a Great Tit, 2 Whitethroat, a Meadow Pipit, a Goldfinch and a Dunnock; and 6 retraps: 2 Dunnock, 2 Great Tit and 2 Whitethroat.

June 21st. The summer solstice - the longest day.
 On Tennyson's Sands early were 2 Spoonbill (which flew off later) and 2 Great Crested Grebe. Around were a Wigeon, an adult Black-tailed Godwit, a Grasshopper Warbler and 2 House Sparrow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 6 new birds: a Wren, 2 Whitethroat, a Robin and 2 Dunnock; and 7 retraps: a Dunnock, a Chiffchaff, a Whitethroat, a Great Tit, 2 Wren and a Linnet.
 Dragonflies included a Red-veined Darter.