Mid August 2018

August 18th. The Spotted Crake was still on the Mere. On Tennyson's Sands were a Spoonbill, a Water Rail, a Little Ringed Plover, 682 Black-tailed Godwit, 18 Dunlin, 2 Spotted Redshank, 12 Greenshank and 111 Redshank; and on Jacksons Marsh 3 Green Sandpiper. Around were 7 Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Sandpiper, 5 Arctic Skua, 350 Sandwich Tern, 2 Mediterranean Gull, a Yellow-legged Gull and a Whinchat. Going south were 4 Turnstone, 2 Arctic Skua, 81 Sandwich Tern, 2 Arctic Tern, 2 Swift, 42 Sand Martin, 5 House Martin, 94 Swallow and 7 Yellow Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 14 new birds: 8 Willow Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Linnet, a Meadow Pipit, a Reed Warbler and a Whitethroat; and 4 retraps: a Great Tit, 2 Whitethroat and a Dunnock.

Mediterranean Gull, 18th August 2018.

Photo - Nige Lound 

August 17th. The Spotted Crake remained on the Mere. On Tennyson's Sands were a Little Ringed Plover, 571 Black-tailed Godwit and 7 Common Sandpiper. Birds around included 17 Little Egret, 20 Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, 4 Water Rail, a Whimbrel, 30000 Knot, 3000 Sanderling, 5000 Dunlin, 8 Green Sandpiper, 4 Greenshank, 19 Snipe, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Yellow-legged Gull, a Short-eared Owl, 280 Willow Warbler (including birds trapped), a Garden Warbler, 3 Whinchat and 8 Yellow Wagtail. Heading south were 6 Whimbrel, a Greenshank, 560 Sandwich Tern, 24 Common Tern, 18 Swift, 150 Swallow, 22 Sand Martin, 16 House Martin and 10 Yellow Wagtail; and north 86 Common Scoter.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 72 new birds: 51 Willow Warbler, a Wren, 2 Robin, 14 Linnet, a Whitethroat, a Blackcap and 2 Lesser Whitethroat; and 3 retraps: a Wren and 2 Whitethroat.

Short-eared Owl, 17th August 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

Spotted Crake, 17th August 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

Leopard Slug, 17th August 2018.
Photo - Nige Lound

Waders, 17th August 2018.
Photo - Nige Lound

Painted Lady, 17th August 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

August 16th. Rain from early morning to early afternoon.
 The Spotted Crake was rediscovered on the Mere. On Jackson's Marsh were 13 Spoonbill; and on Tennyson's Sands 2 Grey Heron, a Grey Plover, 74 Lapwing, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 17 Ringed Plover, 3 Knot, 158 Dunlin, 601 Black-tailed Godwit, a Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Sanderling, 13 Common Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshank, 120 Redshank, 8 Greenshank and 8 Snipe. Birds around included a Marsh Harrier, 3 Water Rail, 3 Green Sandpiper, a Kingfisher, a Hobby and 2 Green Woodpecker. Flying south were 8 Swift.

Swallow, 16th August 2018.

Photo - Jack Wilson

August 15th. On Jackson's Marsh were 17 Spoonbill; and on Tennyson's Sands a Garganey, 2 Water Rail, 708 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Spotted Redshank, 333 Redshank and 7 Greenshank. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Marsh Harrier, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 9000 Sanderling, 4 Green Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, a Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Short-eared Owl, 2 Garden Warbler, 35 Willow Warbler, 5 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 25 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Crossbill. Going south were 15 Yellow Wagtail, 90 Sand Martin, 220 Swallow and 40 House Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 10 new birds: 5 Willow Warbler, a Garden Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Blackbird; and a retrap Willow Warbler.

Garganey, 15th August 2018.

Video - Ben Ward

Whinchat, 15th August 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

Stonechat, 15th August 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

Spotted Flycatcher, 15th August 2018.

Photo - Kev Wilson

Crossbill, 15th August 2018.

Photo - Kev Wilson

Ringing Control.
Chiffchaff ringed Kilnsea, Yorkshire 27 May 2018, controlled GPBO 8 June 2018.

August 14th. The Spotted Crake remained on the Mere, though highly elusive. A Garganey was also identified there; and on Tennyson's Sands there were a Water Rail, 650 Black-tailed Godwit, a Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshank, 5 Greenshank and a Mediterranean Gull. Around, including birds trapped, were 17 Spoonbill, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Water Rail, 2264 Grey Plover, 381 Ringed Plover, 302 Curlew,  3 Whimbrel, 3903 Bar-tailed Godwit, 8 Turnstone, 60000 Knot, 10105 Sanderling, 13920 Dunlin, 12 Common Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, 11 Snipe, 2 Yellow-legged Gull, 2 Short-eared Owl, a Wood Warbler (trapped and ringed at Observatory), 6 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, 40 Yellow Wagtail and 3 Tree Pipit. Heading south were a Swift, 290 Sand Martin, 1140 Swallow and 23 Yellow Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 25 new birds: 14 Willow Warbler, a Wood Warbler, 2 Tree Pipit, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Linnet, 3 Meadow Pipit and a Starling; and 9 retraps: a Blackcap, 4 Whitethroat, a Willow Warbler, a Linnet, a Dunnock and a Starling.
 Also around were 2 Hummingbird Hawk-moth and a vast influx of Small Tortoiseshell.

Curlew Sandpiper, 14th August 2018.

Video - Ben Ward

Spotted Flycatcher, 14th August 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

Tree Pipit, ringed 14th August 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Tree Pipit, ringed 14th August 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Wood Warbler, ringed 14th August 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

Wood Warbler, ringed 14th August 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

 August 13th. Occasional morning and afternoon drizzle/showers.
 The Spotted Crake remained on the Mere, though becoming rather elusive. On Jackson's Marsh were 27 Spoonbill; and on Tennyson's Sands a Water Rail, a Ruff, 2 Spotted Redshank and 3 Mediterranean Gull. Birds around included 3 Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harrier, 4 Water Rail, 4500 Oystercatcher, 1060 Grey Plover, 6 Little Ringed Plover, 400 Ringed Plover, 560 Curlew, 6 Whimbrel, 729 Black-tailed Godwit, 3000 Bar-tailed Godwit, 9800 Sanderling, 16300 Dunlin, 51200 Knot, 22 Common Sandpiper, 7 Green Sandpiper, 9 Greenshank, 3 Little Tern, a Cuckoo, a Short-eared Owl, a Hobby, 80 Sand Martin, 400 Swallow, 121 Willow Warbler, a Redstart and 50 Yellow Wagtail.

Spotted Crake, 13th August 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

Cuckoo, 13th August 2018.

Photo - Kev Wilson

House Sparrow, 13th August 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

August 12th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind, with drizzle in morning.

 The Spotted Crake was still on the Mere, also a Water Rail; on Fenland Lagoon 4 Little Ringed Plover; on Jackson's Marsh a Green Sandpiper; and on Tennyson's Sands 25 Spoonbill, 650 Black-tailed Godwit, 16 Common Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshank and a Mediterranean Gull. Birds around included a Marsh Harrier, 297 Grey Plover, 9 Whimbrel, 60000 Knot, 8300 Sanderling, 11000 Dunlin, 600 Sandwich Tern and a Short-eared Owl. Flying south were 5 Whimbrel, 4 Arctic Skua, an Arctic Tern, 65 Swallow and 65 Sand Martin.

Evening high tide wader roost, 12th August 2018.

Photo - Jim Shaw

Evening high tide wader roost, 12th August 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

August 11th. The Spotted Crake remained on the Mere, where 2 Green Sandpiper flew around. On Jackson's Marsh were 20 Spoonbill; and on Tennyson's Sands 2 additional Spoonbill. Heading south were at least 4 more Spoonbill, a Hobby, a Yellow Wagtail, 4 Sand Martin, a House Martin and 65 Swallow. Birds around included a Whimbrel, 53000 Knot, a Greenshank, a Snipe, 250 Sandwich Tern, a Tree Pipit and a Whinchat.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 17 new birds: 9 Willow Warbler, a Wren, a Chiffchaff, a Sedge Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Meadow Pipit, a Linnet, a Whitethroat and a Dunnock; and 8 retraps: a Wren, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock and a Linnet.

Black-tailed Godwit, 11th August 2018.

Photo - Jim Shaw

Greenshank, 11th August 2018.

Photo - Jim Shaw

Spoonbills, 11th August 2018.

Photo - Jim Shaw

Whinchat, 11th August 2018.

Photo - Kev Wilson

Early August 2018

August 10th. The Spotted Crake was still on the Mere. On Tennyson's Sands were 27 Spoonbill (reserve record), a Water Rail, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 408 Black-tailed Godwit, 53 Dunlin, 3 Common Sandpiper, a Spotted Redshank, 7 Greenshank, 12 Snipe and a Mediterranean Gull. Flying south were 6 House Martin and 36 Swallow; and west 14 House Martin. Around were 2 Whimbrel and an adult Caspian Gull.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 20 new birds: a Wren, 8 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap and a Dunnock; and 3 retraps: 2 Willow Warbler and a Whitethroat.

Spotted Crake, 10th August 2018.

Photos - Colin Casey

27 Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, a new reserve record, 10th August 2018

Photo - Nige Lound

August 9th. A Spotted Crake was found on the Mere early morning and a Water Rail there later. On Jackson's Marsh were 19 Spoonbill (later 6 of these flew to the estuary); and on Tennyson's Sands 400 Black-tailed Godwit. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Marsh Harrier, a Greenshank, a Snipe, 250 Sandwich Tern, a Green Woodpecker, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Garden Warbler, a Pied Flycatcher and 2 Redpoll. Heading north were 2 Arctic Tern, 19 Common Tern and 3 Pied Wagtail; and south a Gannet, 45 Swallow, 2 Pied Wagtail and 3 Yellow Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, provided 17 new birds: 2 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 4 Linnet, a Reed Bunting, a Pied Flycatcher, 5 Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Meadow Pipit; and 11 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, 5 Dunnock, 2 Linnet, a Willow Warbler and a Wren.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, by Mike Polling, provided 6 new birds: a Whitethroat, 2 Linnet, a Blackcap, a Garden Warbler and a Dunnock; and 3 retraps: a Willow Warbler, a Blackbird and a Sedge Warbler.

Spotted Crake, 9th August 2018

Video - Stuart Ainsworth

Spotted Crake, 9th August 2018.
Photo - Nige Lound

Pied Flycatcher, ringed 9th August 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

August 8th. On Jackson's Marsh were 21 Spoonbill; and on Tennyson's Sands a Water Rail. Around were a Cuckoo and a Green Woodpecker. Going south were 35 Swallow, 3 Sand Martin and 16 House Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 27 new birds: 6 Willow Warbler, 17 Linnet, a Whitethroat, a Reed Bunting, a Chaffinch and a Song Thrush; and 6 retraps: a Linnet, a Wren, 2 Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock.

August 7th. On Tennyson's Sands were 10 Spoonbill, a Water Rail, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 5 Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, 6 Snipe, 2 Mediterranean Gull and a Yellow Wagtail; and on Jackson's Marsh a Wigeon, a Green Sandpiper and 15 Snipe. Birds around included a Marsh Harrier and a Green Woodpecker. Flying south were 18 Swift, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 6 Sand Martin and 65 Swallow.
 The tenth session of CES was done this morning. The 61 new birds were 5 Wren, 17 Willow Warbler, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Robin, 8 Whitethroat, 11 Blackcap, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, a Swallow, a Lesser Whitethroat and 6 Blackbird. The 15 retraps were 2 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, a Willow Warbler, 4 Wren, 3 Long-tailed Tit and a Great Tit.

August 6th. A White Stork flew over Jackson's Marsh then headed west. On or over Tennyson's Sands were 10 Spoonbill, 2 Marsh Harrier with green wing tags, 2 Common Sandpiper and 500 Black-tailed Godwit. Around were a Garganey, 2 Grey Heron, an untagged Marsh Harrier, 12 Snipe, 3 Wheatear, a Whinchat and a Garden Warbler. Heading south were 35 Yellow Wagtail, 450 Swallow and 60 Sand Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 9 new birds: 2 Willow Warbler, 4 Linnet, 2 Whitethroat and a Dunnock; and 4 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, a Dunnock and a Wren.

August 5th. On Tennyson's Sands were 13 Spoonbill, a Water Rail, 2 Common Sandpiper, 500 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Mediterranean Gull. Birds around included 3 Grey Heron, a Whimbrel, 2 Snipe, a Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Arctic Skua, a Cuckoo, a Green Woodpecker, a Hobby and 30 Yellow Wagtail. Going south were 8 Yellow Wagtail, 35 Swallow and 3 Sand Martin; and north a Little Gull.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 10 new birds: 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Linnet, a Robin, a Whitethroat, a Goldfinch, a Song Thrush and 2 Blackbird; and a retrap Goldfinch.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue provided 13 new birds: 7 Willow Warbler and singles of Wren, Blackcap, Linnet, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat and Blue Tit; and 5 retraps: 2 Sedge Warbler, a Wren, a Dunnock and a Blackcap.

August 4th. 2 Common Crane were observed flying low south over East Dunes at 1540hrs. On Tennyson's Sands were 12 Spoonbill, 543 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Dunlin, a Spotted Redshank, 8 Greenshank and 288 Redshank; and on Jacksons Marsh a Wood Sandpiper. Around, including birds trapped, were 2 Marsh Harrier, 4 Water Rail, 7 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Whimbrel, 15000 Knot, 11 Common Sandpiper, 4 Green Sandpiper, 27 Snipe, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Green Woodpecker, a Hobby, 12 Pied Flycatcher and 7 Yellow Wagtail. Flying north were 2 Swallow and 3 Sand Martin; and south a Curlew Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, an Arctic Skua and 2 Yellow Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 26 new birds: 11 Willow Warbler, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Linnet, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat and a Pied Flycatcher; and 4 retraps: a Whitethroat, a Linnet and 2 Dunnock.
 Also around were at least 5 Hummingbird Hawk-moth.

Hummingbird Hawkmoth, 4th August 2018
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Pied Flycatcher, ringed 4th August 2018.
Photo - George Gregory

August 3rd. A Nightjar flew around over the southern end of West Dunes at dawn, and was seen again at dusk. On Tennyson's Sands were 12 Spoonbill, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 562 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Spotted Redshank, 8 Greenshank, 354 Redshank, 21 Snipe and a Mediterranean Gull; and on Jacksons Marsh a Whimbrel and a Wood Sandpiper. Birds around included a Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Sandpiper, 4 Green Sandpiper, 5 Snipe, 2 Mediterranean Gull, a Yellow-legged Gull, 36 Swallow, 7 Pied Flycatcher, a Whinchat and 6 Yellow Wagtail. Heading south were a Grey Heron, 3 Stock Dove, 8 Swallow and 3 Yellow Wagtail..
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 13 new birds: a Willow Warbler, 2 Robin, 5 Linnet, 3 Whitethroat, a Reed Bunting and a Greenfinch; and 4 retraps: singles of Great Tit, Whitethroat, Wren and Dunnock.

Pied Flycatcher, 3rd August 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

Juvenile Spotted Redshank, 3rd August 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

Migrant Hawker, 3rd August 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

August 2nd. On Tennyson's Sands were 12 Spoonbill, a Water Rail, a Little Ringed Plover, 606 Black-tailed Godwit, a Spotted Redshank, 12 Greenshank, 331 Redshank, 19 Snipe and 2 Mediterranean Gull. Around, including birds trapped, were 2 Grey Heron, a Marsh Harrier, 117 Ringed Plover, 6 Whimbrel, 159 Curlew, 23 Turnstone, 8000 Knot, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, 5 Common Sandpiper, a Yellow-legged Gull, 350 Sandwich Tern, a Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, a Garden Warbler, a Stonechat and 2 Yellow Wagtail. Going south were a Grey Heron, a Yellow-legged Gull, 60 Swift, 61 Sand Martin, 18 House Martin and 285 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, provided 10 new birds: a Wren, 3 Willow Warbler, a Blackcap, a Linnet, 2 Whitethroat, a Reed Bunting and a Stonechat; and 9 retraps: a Blue Tit, 3 Whitethroat and 5 Dunnock.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling provided 12 new birds; 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Wren, 2 Blackcap, a Linnet, a Sedge Warbler and a Dunnock; and 2 retraps: a Long-tailed Tit and a Willow Warbler.

Little Grebe chicks fed by parent, 2nd August 2018.

Photos - Ben Ward

Painted Lady, 2nd August 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

August 1st. On Tennyson's Sands were 12 Spoonbill, a Little Ringed Plover and a Spotted Redshank. Birds around included 3 Grey Heron, 4 Marsh Harrier, 5 Whimbrel, 529 Black-tailed Godwit, 40 Turnstone, 10000 Knot, 1500 Sanderling, 6000 Dunlin, 3 Common Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, 12 Greenshank, 6 Snipe, 400 Sandwich Tern, 30 Common Tern, an Arctic Tern, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Peregrine and the first Pied Flycatcher of the autumn. Flying south were 5 Whimbrel, 48 Sand Martin, 667 Swallow and 6 Yellow Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 45 new birds: 16 Willow Warbler, 2 Wren, 2 Robin, 8 Linnet, a Great Tit, 5 Whitethroat, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap and 3 Dunnock; and 5 retraps: a Wren, 2 Dunnock and 2 Whitethroat.
 Also around were 27 Painted Lady, 2 Hummingbird Hawk-moth and a sizeable arrival of Silver-Y.

Pied Flycatcher, 1st August 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

Copulating Common Blue, 1st August 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

Holly Blue, 1st August 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

Late July 2018.

Ringing Recovery and Control:

Greenfinch ringed GPBO 4 January 2018, recovered North Somercotes, Lincolnshire 22 July 2018.

Great Tit ringed Kilnsea, Yorkshire 28 March 2018, controlled GPBO 30 March 2018.

July 31st. On Jackson's Marsh were a Garganey, 13 Spoonbill, 6 Common Sandpiper and a Green Sandpiper; on Tennyson's Sands a Ruff, a Spotted Redshank and 19 Snipe; and on Fenland Lagoon 12 Greenshank. Birds around included 22 Little Egret, 4 Marsh Harrier, 10 Little Ringed Plover, 120 Ringed Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 699 Black-tailed Godwit, 30 Turnstone, 456 Knot, 12 Curlew Sandpiper, 3500 Sanderling, 7500 Dunlin, a Little Stint, a Wood Sandpiper, 364 Redshank, 450 Sandwich Tern, 3 Arctic Tern and a juvenile Cuckoo. Heading south were 107 Swift and 124 Swallow. 

 The ninth session of CES was done this morning. The 65 new birds were 6 Wren, 16 Willow Warbler, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, a Robin, 5 Blackcap, 2 Goldfinch, 17 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Linnet, 2 Blue Tit, a Chaffinch, a Dunnock, 3 Yellowhammer and a Blackbird. The 5 retrap swere singles of Robin, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Wren and Whitethroat. 

 A Hummingbird Hawk-moth nectared along the path to North Hide. 

July 30th. An adult Roseate Tern flew south along the beach late evening at the approach of high tide. On Tennyson's Sands were 13 Spoonbill, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Water Rail, a Spotted Redshank and a Green Sandpiper; and on Fenland Lagoon a Spotted Redshank and 11 Greenshank. Birds around included 107 Teal, a Marsh Harrier, 8 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Whimbrel, 545 Black-tailed Godwit, 35 Turnstone, 32 Curlew Sandpiper, 2150 Sanderling, 1450 Dunlin, a Little Stint, 6 Common Sandpiper, 318 Redshank, 554 Sandwich Tern and 3 Arctic Tern. Flying south were 4 Little Ringed Plover, 7 Whimbrel, 387 Swift, 5 Sand Martin and 3 Swallow; and north a Fulmar and an Arctic Tern. 

July 29th. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Whimbrel, 6 Knot, a Spotted Redshank and 168 Redshank; and on Fenland Lagoon 10 Greenshank. Birds around included 42 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 15 Spoonbill, 11 Little Ringed Plover, 456 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Turnstone, a Curlew Sandpiper, 8 Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper and 5 Snipe. Flying south were 2332 Swift and 9 Teal. 

Little Egret pre-roost gathering, 29th July 2018.

Photo - Ben Ward

July 28th. On Tennyson's Sands were a Garganey, a Ruff, a Spotted Redshank and a Kingfisher; on Fenland Lagoon 8 Greenshank; and in the Plantation a Crossbill. Birds around included 70 Common Scoter, 4 Grey Heron, 18 Spoonbill, 2 Marsh Harrier, 12 Little Ringed Plover, a Whimbrel, 400 Black-tailed Godwit, 13 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 7 Snipe. Heading south were 654 Swift. A fair number of Migrant Hawker are now on the wing. 

Spoonbills on Tennyson Sands, 28th July 2018
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

 Little Ringed Plover, 28th July 2018. 

Photo - Ben Ward 

Kestrel, 28th July 2018. 

Photo - Ben Ward 

July 27th. Thunderstorms overnight and during the morning, again in the evening. 
 On the Mere was a Garganey; on Tennyson's Sands were a Water Rail, 10 Little Ringed Plover, 122 Knot, 3 Sanderling, 18 Dunlin, a Spotted Redshank, 203 Redshank, 2 Sandwich Tern and a Bearded Tit; and on Jacksons Marsh were 26 Little Egret. Birds around included 4 Grey Heron, 15 Spoonbill, a juvenile Marsh Harrier, 3 Whimbrel, 469 Black-tailed Godwit, 17 Common Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, 9 Greenshank, 22 Snipe and an adult Mediterranean Gull. Heading south were an Arctic Tern and 29 Swift.
  

Garganey, 27th July 2018. 

Photo - Ben Ward 

Common Sandpiper, 27th July 2018. 

Photo - Ben Ward 

Thunderstorm sweeping Tennyson's Sands, 27th July 2018. 

Video - Ben Ward 

July 26th. On Tennyson's Sands were 8 Little Ringed Plover, 46 Knot, 22 Dunlin, 7 Common Sandpiper, a Spotted Redshank, 8 Greenshank and 184 Redshank; on Jacksons Marsh were 16 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron, 14 Spoonbill, a Ruff, a Common Sandpiper and 2 Green Sandpiper; and on the Mere a Garganey. Birds around included a Common Scoter, 30 Gannet, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Whimbrel, 426 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Turnstone, 800 Sanderling, 1200 Dunlin, a Little Stint, 15 Snipe and 1452 Sandwich Tern. Flying south were an Arctic Tern and 90 Swallow. 

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling produced 21 new birds: a Great Tit, 8 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 3 Sedge Warbler, 3 Dunnock and a Great Spotted Woodpecker; and 6 retraps: 2 Dunnock, a Sedge Warbler, a Blackcap and 2 Whitethroat.

Reed Warbler, moth-catching in Mere Hide, 26th July 2018. 

Photos - Ben Ward 

Little Stint, 26th July 2018. 

Photo - Ben Ward 

A nice selection of Spiders found throughout the reserve this summer
Photos courtesy of Jim Shaw:

Labrynth Spider (Agelena labryrinthica)

Wolf Spider (Arctosa perita) with spiderlings attached to abdomen 

Walnut Orb-weaver (Nuctenea umbratica)

Zebra Spider (Salticus scenicus)

Grass Spider (Tibellus sp.)

Nursery Web Spider (Pisaura mirabilis)

Cucumber Spider (Araniella sp.)

Crab Spider (Xysticus cristatus)

Candy-striped Spider (Enoplognatha sp.)

July 25th. On Tennyson's Sands were 8 Little Ringed Plover, 394 Black-tailed Godwit, a Spotted Redshank and a Kingfisher; on Jacksons Marsh 18 Spoonbill, 14 Little Egret, 4 Grey Heron and a Common Sandpiper; and on the Mere a Garganey. Birds around included 84 Teal, 3 Marsh Harrier, 80 Ringed Plover, 6 Whimbrel, 3 Turnstone, 122 Knot, 501 Curlew, 80 Sanderling, 902 Dunlin, 3 Greenshank, 447 Redshank, 11 Snipe, 3 Arctic Tern, 1708 Sandwich Tern, 2 Mediterranean Gull, a Cuckoo, a Hobby, 2 Peregrine, 90 Sand Martin, 500 Swallow and a Yellow Wagtail. Flying south were 23 Whimbrel.  

July 24th. On the Mere was a Garganey; and on Tennyson's Sands were 16 Spoonbill, a Water Rail, a Spotted Redshank and a Bearded Tit. Birds around included 16 Little Egret, 5 Grey Heron, a Marsh Harrier, 4 Golden Plover, 8 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 418 Black-tailed Godwit (including the first juvenile), 2 Common Sandpiper, 7 Greenshank, 16 Snipe, 400 Sandwich Tern, a Short-eared Owl, 300 Sand Martin, 650 Swallow (including a leucistic individual) and a Yellow Wagtail.

Garganey, 24th July 2018. 

Photo - Ben Ward 

July 23rd. On Tennyson's Sands were 14 Spoonbill, 236 Redshank, a Spotted Redshank and a Kingfisher; on Jackson's Marsh were 2 Mediterranean Gull; and on the Mere a Garganey. Birds around included 84 Teal, a Water Rail, a Golden Plover, 8 Little Ringed Plover, 150 Ringed Plover, 4 Whimbrel, 392 Black-tailed Godwit, 2500 Sanderling, 4000 Dunlin, 8 Greenshank, 10 Snipe, 20 Little Tern, a Black Tern, 1000 Sandwich Tern, 2 Arctic Tern, a Short-eared Owl 2 Cuckoo, 350 Swallow and a Grasshopper Warbler. Flying south were 3 Yellow Wagtail; and north 70 Common Scoter.

Copulating Common Darter, 23rd July 2018. 

Photo - Ben Ward 

July 22nd. On Tennyson's Sands were 10 Spoonbill, a Common Sandpiper, a Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 2 Mediterranean Gull and a Kingfisher. Birds around included 30 Common Scoter, 6 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 434 Curlew, 332 Black-tailed Godwit, 800 Dunlin, 31 Snipe, 531 Sandwich Tern, a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, a Cuckoo, 90 Sand Martin, 220 Swallow and 2 Yellow Wagtail.

Ovipositing Small Red-eyed Damselfly, 22nd July 2018. 

Photo - Ben Ward 

July 21st. On Tennyson's Sands were 14 Spoonbill, a Water Rail, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 292 Black-tailed Godwit and a Spotted Redshank; and on Jacksons Marsh a Common Sandpiper. Birds around included 17 Little Egret, 3 Marsh Harrier, 3 Whimbrel, 500 Curlew, 500 Dunlin, 3 Greenshank, 11 Snipe, 650 Sandwich Tern, a  juvenile Cuckoo, a Short-eared Owl, a Peregrine and 80 Swallow. Flying south were 229 Swallow, 13 Sand Martin and 11 Yellow Wagtail. 

Water Rail, 21st July 2018. 

Photo - Ben Ward 

Copulating Ruddy Darter, 21st July 2018. 

Photo - Ben Ward 

Roesel's Bush-cricket, 21st July 2018. 

Photo - Ben Ward