Mid May 2018

May 20th. Birds around included 2 Brent Goose, a Spotted Redshank, 32 Little Tern, 2 Cuckoo, 3 Collared Dove, 6 Swift, a Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wagtail and 10 Swallow. Over Jackson's Marsh was a Marsh Harrier; and on Tennyson's Sands were 2 Garganey. Going north were 5 Swallow; and south 27 Swift, 2 House Martin and 5 Swallow.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 2 new birds: a Whitethroat and a Reed Bunting; and 2 retraps: a Chiffchaff and a Sedge Warbler.

Tawny Owl, 20th May 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

Broad-bodied Chaser, 20th May 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

Broad-bodied Chaser, 20th May 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

May 19th. Around were 20 Brent Goose, 2 Marsh Harrier, 700 Grey Plover, 3 Whimbrel, a Little Stint, 30 Little Tern, 3 Cuckoo, an Asio Sp, 4 Swift, 3 Jay, a Wheatear, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Yellow Wagtail and 8 Swallow. On or over Tennyson's Sands were 2 Garganey, a Red Kite and 4 Common Tern; and on Croftmarsh 5 Black-tailed Godwit. Heading south were a Swift, 14 Swallow and a Grey Wagtail; and north 4 Whimbrel. In off the sea came a Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 2 new birds: a Chiffchaff and a Sedge Warbler; and 4 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler and a Chaffinch.
 At least 10 Broad-bodied Chasers have emerged recently.

Swallow, 19th May 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

May 18th. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Garganey. Birds around included a Marsh Harrier, 2 Cuckoo, a Black Redstart (Visitor Centre/South Car Park) and 2 Swallow.
 The second session of CES was done this morning. The 13 new birds were 3 Chiffchaff, a Reed Warbler, 2 Robin, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Linnet and a Sedge Warbler. The 15 retraps were a Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, a Song Thrush, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Dunnock, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Whitethroat and a Wren.

May 17th. Fairly strong northerly wind, slowly decreasing.
 Around, including birds trapped, were 11 Brent Goose, 4 Whimbrel, 3000 Sanderling, 2400 Dunlin, 800 Grey Plover, 560 Oystercatcher, 2 Cuckoo, 3 Jay, a Garden Warbler and 6 Swallow. On Tennyson's Sands was a Wood Sandpiper. Flying north were 713 Auk Sp, a Puffin, 12 Gannet, 2 Kittiwake, a Fulmar and 60 Linnet.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett and Sam Prettyman, produced 7 new birds: 2 Linnet, a Sedge Warbler, a Meadow Pipit, 2 Dunnock and a Jay; and 8 retraps: a Blackbird, 2 Whitethroat, a Linnet, a Goldfinch, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Dunnock and a Reed Bunting.

Jay, ringed 17th May 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Jay, ringed 17th May 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Jay, ringed 17th May 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

May 16th. Fairly strong northerly wind.
 Birds around included 81 Brent Goose, 11 Common Scoter, a Common Sandpiper, a Wheatear and 17 Swallow. Going north were 8 Gannet, 100 Auk Sp, 4 Common Scoter and 4 Arctic Tern. On Fenland Lagoon was a Common Sandpiper.

May 15th. Around were 12 Whimbrel, 600 Oystercatcher, 30 Black-tailed Godwit, a Cuckoo, a Jay, a Wheatear, a Swallow and 2 Corn Bunting. Heading north was an Arctic Tern.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 5 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and a Linnet; and 4 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat, a Reed Bunting and a Blackbird.

May 14th. Birds around included a Garganey, a Marsh Harrier, 1400 Sanderling, a Common Sandpiper, a Spotted Redshank, a Cuckoo, a Peregrine, a Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wagtail and a Yellowhammer. Flying south were a Sand Martin and a Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 5 new birds: 2 Blackcap, a Whitethroat and 2 Reed Bunting; a retrap Whitethroat; and a control Reed Bunting.

May 13th. Rain until early morning.
 Around were 2 Marsh Harrier, a Cuckoo, 2 Little Ringed Plover, a Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Peregrine, a Wheatear, 6 House Sparrows, a Tree Pipit and a Corn Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Spotted Redshank. Going south were a Swift and 30 Swallow; west 2 Swift; and north 2 Whimbrel.
 A rain-delayed morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 16 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Long-tailed Tit, a Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 2 Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Bunting, 2 Goldfinch and a Linnet; and 3 retraps: a Reed Bunting and 2 Whitethroat.

May 12th. On Tennyson's Sands, then on Jackson's Marsh, was a Great White Egret. Birds around included 100 Brent Goose, Common Sandpiper and a Cuckoo. Heading south were 2 Swallow; and north 3 Whimbrel.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 5 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat and a Linnet; and 2 retraps: a Whitethroat and a Dunnock.

May 11th. Around were 88 Brent Goose, a Marsh Harrier, 1200 Ringed Plover, 2500 Dunlin, a Turtle Dove and 2 Swallow. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Garganey.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 3 new birds: a Chiffchaff and 2 Linnet; and 2 retrap Whitethroat.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, by Mike Polling, provided 4 new birds: a Wren, a Willow Warbler, a Sedge Warbler and a Whitethroat; and 5 retraps: a Sedge Warbler, a Dunnock, a Willow Warbler, a Whitethroat and a Wren.
 At about 0805hrs two presumed escape Azure Tits were found together in a mist net in East Dunes. On examination, one was found to have a pink split colour ring on the right tarsus, a broken primary and some tail feather damage. The other had minor tail feather damage and a just started brood patch. The birds were presumed to be escapes, and no rings were added. They were released into the Plantation, next to Sykes Farm.

Presumed escape Azure Tit, trapped 11th May 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Presumed escape Azure Tit, with pink split colour ring, trapped 11th May 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Presumed escape Azure Tit, trapped 11th May 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Presumed escape Azure Tit, showing tail feather damage, trapped 11th May 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Presumed escape Azure Tit, showing broken primary, 11th May 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Early May 2018

May 10th. Some early morning rain.

 A Spoonbill landed on Old Saltmarsh. Around, including birds trapped, were a 88 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, a Marsh Harrier, 4 Whimbrel, 2 Cuckoo, a Short-eared Owl, a Long-eared Owl heard late, a Swift, a Spotted Flycatcher and a Corn Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands was a Common Sandpiper. Flying south was a Swallow and a Yellow Wagtail.
 A rain-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Sam Prettyman and Keith Collett, produced 5 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Spotted Flycatcher and 2 Whitethroat; and 4 retraps: a Linnet, 2 Whitethroat and a Chiffchaff.

Spotted Flycatcher, ringed 10th May 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

May 9th. Birds around included 80 Brent Goose, 2 Garganey (on Old Saltmarsh), a Red Kite, 3 Common Sandpiper, a Short-eared Owl, a Cuckoo, a Garden Warbler, a Yellow Wagtail and 4 Swallow. On Jackson's Marsh was a Garganey; and on Croftmarsh a Greenshank. Flying south were a Red Kite, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Swallow. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Common Tern.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 7 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff and 3 Whitethroat; and 2 retraps: a Whitethroat and a Great Tit.

Yellow Wagtail, 8th May 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

Recent Ringing Controls.
Great Tit, ringed GPBO 14 October 2017, controlled Muckton Bottom, Lincolnshire 7 April 2018.
Blackbird, ringed GPBO 1 November 2016, controlled Skaelskor, Denmark 31 March 2018.
Blackbird, ringed GPBO 3 November 2016, controlled Akeroya, Norway 13 April 2017.
Great Tit, ringed GPBO 3 July 2017, controlled Kilnsea, Yorkshire 25 March 2018.
House Martin, ringed GPBO 7 August 2013, controlled Fishtoft Sewage Works, Lincolnshire 29 April 2018.

May 8th. On Jackson's Marsh was a Spoonbill and a Garganey; and on Croftmarsh a Greenshank. Around were a Marsh Harrier, 4 Whimbrel, 50 Little Tern, 15 Sandwich Tern, 3 Cuckoo, a Tree Pipit and 2 Yellow Wagtail. Going south were 4 Stock Dove and 3 Swift.
 The first session of CES was done this morning. The 8 new birds were a Wren, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat, a Linnet and 2 Blackcap. The 3 retraps were a Long-tailed Tit, a Dunnock and a Blackbird.

Spoonbill, 8th May 2017.
Photo - Ben Ward

May 7th. Birds around included 41 Brent Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Greenshank, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Sandwich Tern, a Short-eared Owl, 3 Cuckoo, a Peregrine, a Jay, a Wheatear, a Redstart, a Siskin and 5 Corn Bunting. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Garganey; and on Croftmarsh a Greenshank. Heading north were 33 Black-tailed Godwit and a Swallow; and south a Marsh Harrier.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Sam Prettyman, provided 7 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Bunting, a Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat and a Blue Tit; and 4 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, a Linnet and a Chiffchaff.

Marsh Harrier, 7th May 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

Barn Owl, 7th May 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

Grass Snake, 7th May 2018.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Large Red Damselfly, 7th May 2018.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

May 6th. Around were 59 Brent Goose, 7 Whimbrel, a Wood Sandpiper, 4 Little Tern, 3 Collared Dove, 3 Cuckoo, a Jay, 3 Wheatear, a Siskin and a Yellowhammer. On Tennyson's Sands were 4 Common Tern; and on Jackson's Marsh a Garganey. Flying south were 2 Grey Heron, 2 Sand Martin and 4 Swallow; and north a Greenshank.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Sam Prettyman, produced 8 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Blackcap, 2 Chaffinch, a Dunnock, a Blackbird and a Wood Pigeon; and 2 retraps: a Whitethroat and a Sedge Warbler.

Roe Deer, 6th May 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

Roe Deer, 6th May 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

Orange-tip, 6th May 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

Woodpigeon, ringed 6th May 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

May 5th. A Serin was discovered in West Dunes. On Jackson's Marsh was a Great White Egret; and on Fenland Lagoon 2 Spotted Redshank. Birds around included 41 Brent Goose, 2 Whimbrel, 3 Cuckoo, a Peregrine, 2 Jay, a Tree Pipit and 8 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Sam Prettyman, yielded 8 new birds: a Sedge Warbler, 4 Whitethroat, a Chaffinch, a Blackcap and a Reed Bunting; and 4 retraps: 2 Great Tit, a Whitethroat and a Dunnock.

Great White Egret, 5th May 2018

Video - Stuart Ainsworth

Great White Egret, 5th May 2018.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Tawny Owl, 5th May 2018.
Photo - Nige Lound

Spotted Redshanks, 5th May 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

May 4th. Around were a Grey Partridge, 33 Brent Goose, a Garganey, 4 Buzzard, a Little Ringed Plover, a Wood Sandpiper, a Greenshank, a Snipe, 2 Whimbrel, a Swift, 2 Cuckoo, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 8 Jay, 5 Ring Ouzel, 4 Whinchat, 42 Wheatear, a Pied Flycatcher, a Redstart,  a Garden Warbler, a Treecreeper, a Yellow Wagtail, 8 Swallow, a Brambling and 3 Corn Bunting. Offshore were 2 Common Scoter and 20 Little Tern. On Croftmarsh were 4 Pink-footed Goose and 11 Black-tailed Godwit. Heading south were a Buzzard, a Stock Dove and a Siskin; east a Common Tern; and west 3 Collared Dove.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Sam Prettyman, provided 4 new birds: 2 Willow Warbler, a Blackcap and a Dunnock; and a retrap Whitethroat.

Water Vole, 4th May 2018.
Photo - Chris Tyler

Whinchat, 4th May 2018.
Photo - Roy Parkin

Colour-ringed Black-tailed Godwit, 4th May 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

Garganey, 4th May 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

May 3rd. A Red-rumped Swallow was over the north end of the reserve, then over Tennyson's Sands. Birds around were 35 Brent Goose, 3 Little Tern, 3 Cuckoo, a Green Woodpecker, 7 Jay, 3 Ring Ouzel, 3 Wheatear, 2 Pied Flycatcher, a Yellow Wagtail, 12 Swallow and 2 Tree Sparrow. On the Mere were 2 Pochard; and on Tennyson's Sands 2 Common Tern. Flying south were 2 Collared Dove, a Sand Martin and 12 House Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 18 new birds: 6 Chiffchaff, a Robin, 4 Blackcap, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Linnet and a Goldfinch; and 3 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat, a Blue Tit and a Whitethroat.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling produced 7 new birds: a Willow Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Blackcap, a Whitethroat and a Dunnock; and 6 retraps: 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Blackcap, a Whitethroat and a Wren.

Cowslips, 3rd May 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

May 2nd. Strong south-westerly wind; rain until mid afternoon.
 A Red-rumped Swallow flew over Jackson's Marsh in the afternoon, then drifted south. Around were 13 Brent Goose, 4 Whimbrel, a Cuckoo, a Green Woodpecker, a Pied Flycatcher, 2 Ring Ouzel, 5 Wheatear, a Redstart, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 60 House Martin, 4 Sand Martin and 180 Swallow. Going south were 2 Yellow Wagtail; and west a Turtle Dove.

Red-rumped Swallow, 2nd May 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

Red-rumped Swallow, 2nd May 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

Pied Flycatcher, 2nd May 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

May 1st. Increasing south-westerly wind.
 Birds around, including those trapped, were 26 Brent Goose, 2 Buzzard, 9 Whimbrel, 2 Cuckoo, a Green Woodpecker, a Long-eared Owl, c7 Jay, a Garden Warbler, 5 Pied Flycatcher, 4 Ring Ouzel, a Redstart and 9 Wheatear. On Jackson's Marsh were 3 Pink-footed Goose; and on Croftmarsh 2 Garganey. Heading north were 3 Gannet; south a Mediterranean Gull, a Collared Dove, 4 Yellow Wagtail, a Tree Pipit, a Sand Martin, 2 House Martin and 47 Swallow; south-west a Tree Pipit; and west a Grey Heron.
A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 16 new birds: 3 Chiffchaff, a Wren, a Willow Warbler, a Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Goldfinch, a Wheatear, a Redstart, 2 Reed Bunting and a Ring Ouzel; and 4 retraps: a Song Thrush, a Chiffchaff, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Robin.

Pied Flycatcher, 1st May 2018.
Photo - Paul Neale

Ring Ouzel, ringed 1st May 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Redstart, ringed 1st May 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Wheatear, ringed 1st May 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Late April 2018

April 30th. Strong northerly wind, slowly decreasing in afternoon.

 Around were 15 Brent Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Glaucous Gull, a Peregrine, a Wood Warbler, a Redstart, 7 Pied Flycatcher, a Ring Ouzel, a Fieldfare, 11 Wheatear and 2 Corn Bunting. On the Mere were 2 Garganey. Going south were a Great Skua and 3 Gannet.

Wood Warbler, 30th April 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

April 29th. Fairly strong north-easterly wind.
 A Red-rumped Swallow fed around the Observatory area early morning, and twice perched on the artificial Swallow nest there. Birds around, including those trapped, were 30 Brent Goose, 8 Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, a Glaucous Gull, a Peregrine, a Wood Warbler, 4 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Ring Ouzel, 16 Wheatear, a Fieldfare and a Redwing. Heading north were 3 Gannet, 3 Kittiwake, 10 Little Tern, 3 Common Tern and an Arctic Tern; and south 55 Swallow.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes, with James Siddle, provided 29 new birds: 3 Chiffchaff, 6 Willow Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, 7 Blackcap, a Robin, a Linnet, 3 Wheatear, a Chaffinch, a Redwing and 3 Song Thrush; and 2 retraps: a Willow Warbler and a Great Tit.

Pied Flycatcher, 29th April 2018.
Photo - Alan Brewster

Ring Ouzel, 29th April 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

Wood Warbler, 29th April 2018.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Redwing, ringed 29th April 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Glaucous Gull, 29th April 2018.
Photo - James Siddle

Common Sandpiper, 29th April 2018.
Photo - James Siddle

April 28th. Light rain for most of day.
 A Red-rumped Swallow remained feeding over Jackson's Marsh then over Tennyson's Sands. Around were 50 Brent Goose, 15 Black-tailed Godwit, a Cuckoo and a Wheatear. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Common Sandpiper. Flying north were a Red-throated Diver, 3 Gannet, a Kittiwake, a Sandwich Tern and 9 Swallow; and south 6 Brent Goose and a Fulmar.

April 27th. Rain developing from late morning.
 A Red-rumped Swallow was feeding over Jackson's Marsh. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Grey Partridge, 50 Brent Goose, a Grey Heron, a Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, 14 Whimbrel, 4 Greenshank, a Turtle Dove, 4 Jay, 2 Ring Ouzel, a Whinchat, 25 Wheatear, a Whinchat, 60 Swallow, 20 House Martin, a Chiffchaff , 59 Willow Warbler, a Garden Warbler and a Bullfinch. Going south were a Red-throated Diver, 2 Whimbrel, a Mediterranean Gull, a Swift, 2 Sand Martin, a House Martin and 3 Swallow; and north 7 Black-tailed Godwit.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 33 new birds: 20 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 2 Linnet, a Blue Tit, a Wheatear, a Great Tit and a Jay; and 5 retraps: a Great Tit, a Wren, 2 Dunnock and a Blue Tit.

Noisy Jay, ringed 27th April 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Wheatear, ringed 27th April 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

April 26th. Increasing westerly wind.
 Around were the 2 Red-rumped Swallow (feeding over Jackson's Marsh for the fourth day), 35 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 42 Avocet, 9 Whimbrel, a Greenshank, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Collared Dove, 2 Cuckoo, 7 Ring Ouzel, 17 Wheatear, a Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff and 4 Yellowhammer. On the Mere were 2 Garganey. Heading south-east was a Spoonbill; north a Marsh Harrier; and south 2 Swift, a Tree Pipit, 4 Sand Martin, 39 House Martin, 62 Swallow and 2 Brambling. In off the sea came a Buzzard.
 A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, yielded just a retrap Wren.

April 25th. Increasing south-westerly wind.
 The 2 Red-rumped Swallow remained feeding over Jackson's Marsh. Other birds around were 83 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 12 Avocet, a Whimbrel, a Little Ringed Plover, a Cuckoo, a Turtle Dove, 3 Ring Ouzel, 8 Wheatear, a Redstart, a Tree Pipit and 2 House Sparrow. On Croftmarsh were a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 3 Pink-footed Goose, a Buzzard and a Greenshank. Flying south were 4 Collared Dove, 8 Rook, a House Martin and 2 Swallow.
 A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 5 new birds: 2 Chaffinch, a Blackcap, a Whitethroat and a Lesser Whitethroat; and a retrap Ring Ouzel.
 The retrap Ring Ouzel, a second-year female, weighed 96.7g, an increase of 7.2g from the 89.5g it weighed when ringed on April 22nd.

Red-rumped Swallow over Jackson's Marsh, 25th April 2018.
Photo - IanB

Red-rumped Swallow over Jackson's Marsh, 25th April 2018.
Photo - IanB

Red-rumped Swallow over Jackson's Marsh, 25th April 2018.
Photo - IanB

Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 25th April 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 25th April 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

April 24th. An Alpine Swift flew south into the Wash in the morning. The 2 Red-rumped Swallow remained around the Sykes Farm area. A Bittern was around the water bodies. Also present, including birds trapped, were 91 Brent Goose, 10 Whimbrel, a Cuckoo, 5 Ring Ouzel, 4 Wheatear, a Chiffchaff, 2 Whitethroat, 12 Sedge Warbler, a Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler and 5 Lesser Whitethroat. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Garganey. Going south were 3 Marsh Harrier and 3 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 2 new birds: a Chiffchaff and a Blue Tit; and 2 retraps: a Linnet and a Dunnock.

Grasshopper Warbler

Video - Stuart Ainsworth

April 23rd. Increasing south-westerly wind.
 Two Red-rumped Swallow were discovered hawking overhead the reserve for some time.
 Around, including birds trapped, were 56 Brent Goose, a Garganey, 6 Buzzard, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Red Kite, a Whimbrel, 3 Cuckoo, a Swift, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Ring Ouzel, a Wheatear, a Brambling, 2 Siskin and 2 Corn Bunting. On Jackson's Marsh was a Mediterranean Gull; and on Tennyson's Sands a Common Sandpiper. Heading south were a Marsh Harrier, a Red Kite, a Swift, 18 Rook, 69 Swallow, 13 Sand Martin, 78 House Martin and a Grey Wagtail; and west a Hobby.
 A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 7 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Chaffinch and a Great Tit; and a retrap Dunnock.

First-winter Mediterranean Gull, 23rd April 2018.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Red-rumped Swallow, 23rd April 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

Red-rumped Swallow, 23rd April 2018.
Photo - Ben Ward

Red-rumped Swallow, 23rd April 2018.
Photo - Phil Hyde

Red-rumped Swallow, 23rd April 2018.
Photo - Phil Hyde

Garganey, 23rd April 2018.
Photo - Phil Hyde

Blackcap with pollen around base of bill, ringed 23rd April 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Brown-tailed Moth caterpillars in their silk tent, 23rd April 2018.
The hairs of these caterpillars can cause severe allergic reactions in humans, and they should be avoided.
Photo - George Gregory

April 22nd. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Marsh Harrier, 2 Little Ringed Plover, a Greenshank, 4 Whimbrel, a Mediterranean Gull, 4 Cuckoo, a Short-eared Owl, a Peregrine, a Jay, 3 Ring Ouzel, a Wheatear, a Cetti's Warbler, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Siskin. On the Mere were 2 Garganey. Flying north were an Osprey, 9 Whimbrel and a Yellow Wagtail; west a Hooded Crow; and south a Red Kite, a Jay, a Woodlark, 5 Whimbrel, 27 Swallow, 3 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Siskin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 15 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Chaffinch, 3 Blackcap, a Great Tit, a Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Reed Bunting, a Cetti's Warbler, a Blue Tit, a Linnet and 2 Ring Ouzel; 2 retrps: a Wren and a Chiffchaff; and a control Willow Warbler.

Cetti's Warbler, ringed 22nd April 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Ring Ouzel, with a tick behind the bill, ringed 22nd April 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Ring Ouzel, ringed 22nd April 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Ring Ouzel, ringed 22nd April 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

April 21st. Around, including birds trapped, were a male Garganey (briefly on Old Saltmarsh), 3 Whimbrel, a Mediterranean Gull, 3 Buzzard, a Cuckoo, 2 Raven, a Firecrest, a Reed Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, a Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, a Blackcap and 2 Ring Ouzel. Going south were a Hobby, 2 Swallow, 6 House Martin and a Yellow Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, provided 10 new birds: a Wren, a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 2 Linnet, a Reed Warbler, 2 Dunnock and a Song Thrush; and 6 retraps: 2 Great Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, a Dunnock and a Wren.

Blackcap, 21st April 2018.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Brown Hare, 21st April 2018.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Whitethroat, 21st April 2018.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Yellowhammer, 21st April 2018.
Photo - Paul Johnson