June 30th. Cloudy start, then clearing and becoming very hot, with moderate south-easterly wind.
Birds around included a Cuckoo, a Marsh Harrier and a Barn Owl.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 9 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, a Wren, a Willow Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat and 4 Blue Tit; and 2 retraps: a Dunnock and a Great Tit.
A check of a nest box revealed a retrap adult female Barn Owl and 2 small chicks.
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| Adult female Barn Owl, retrapped 30 June 2025. Photo - George Gregory |
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| Adult female Barn Owl, retrapped 30 June 2025. Photo - George Gregory |
June 29th. Partially cloudy, with light north-westerly then south-easterly wind.
A Blyth's Reed Warbler was trapped and ringed in East Dunes early morning. It was later heard giving brief bursts of song in scrub south of the Sleeper Track. Other than a Tree Pipit and 2 Cattle Egrets there was very little southward movement. On Tennyson's Sands the Curlew Sandpiper was still present with 2 Wood Sandpipers, around 180 Black-tailed Godwit, 120 Avocet, 60 Redshanks and an increase of Spoonbills up to 15.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 18 new birds: 2 Wren, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 7 Whitethroat, a Blyth's Reed Warbler, a Robin and 2 Chaffinch; and 7 retraps: a Wren, 2 Dunnock, 2 Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler and a Great Tit.
Notable moths over the weekend included Lunar Hornet Clearwing and the Reserve's first Scarlet Tiger. An increase in butterfly numbers this week with a large influx of Large Whites and Green-veined Whites along with good numbers Meadow Browns, Ringlets and Essex Skippers and scattering of small Tortoiseshells, Peacocks and Commas. White-letter Hairstreaks continue to be seen along the Cycle Track.
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| Blyth's Reed Warbler in 'banana posture', ringed 29 June 2025. Photo - George Gregory |
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| Blyth's Reed Warbler showing short P2, deep emargination on P3 and P4, and slight emargination on P5, ringed 29 June 2025. Photo - George Gregory  Photo - Sam Wilson  Lunar Hornet Clearwing, 28th June 2025. Photo - Nige Lound  Wood Sandpiper, 29th June 2025. Photo - Tom Baker  Curlew sandpiper & Avocets, 29th June 2025. Photo - Tom Baker  Avocet & Dunlin, 29th June 2025. Photo - Tom Baker  Spoonbill, 29th June 2025. Photo - Paul Neale  Black-tailed Godwit, 29th June 2025. Photo - Paul Neale  Black-tailed Godwit, 29th June 2025. Photo - Paul Neale  Meadow Pipit, 29th June 2025. Photo - Paul Neale  White-letter Hairstreak, 29th June 2025. Photo - Paul Neale  Green-veined White, 29th June 2025. Photo - Paul Neale  Essex Skipper, 29th June 2025. Photo - Paul Neale |
June 28th. Mostly cloudy, with increasing south-westerly wind.
The main theme of the morning was a strong passage of Sand Martins, with 2172 heading south in four hours up to 10 o'clock, although the main movement did not start until around 0750 and mostly involved birds heading down the beach and over the sea. Accompanying them were 626 Swifts. A calling Bee-eater passed over the East Dunes at 0850 but was not seen, whilst down the West Dunes two parties of Crossbills totaled 24. The morning WeBS count produced low numbers of roosting waders as expected but parties of new arrivals included Curlews, Black-tailed Godwits, Dunlin and Sanderling with 3 Golden Plover and a Whimbrel, heading into the Wash. A Little Stint was attached to a Dunlin flock.
On Jacksons Marsh was a Great White Egret, and on Tennyson's Sands were a Curlew Sandpiper and 9 Spoonbill. Other birds around included a Jay, a Cuckoo and 2 Barn Owl.
June 27th. Some light early morning rain, then partially cloudy, with increasing south-westerly wind.
On the water bodies were 2 Egyptian Geese, 15 Gadwall, 1 drake Pochard, 15 Tufted Duck, 118 Avocet, 7 Little Ringed Plover, 111 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 41 Redshank, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin, 9 Spoonbill and 8 Little Egret.
Swifts were still moving south in small numbers.
A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 4 new birds: a Wren, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Robin and a Meadow Pipit; and 4 retraps: a Wren, a Great Tit, a Whitethroat and a Dunnock.
Colour Ring Control: Black-headed Gull - "NOS K19876" - with white colour ring - J2869 was originally ringed in Gjeddeholmen, Moss, Ostfold, Norway as a chick on the 19th June 2023 and seen today on Tennyson's Sands. This is the 32nd colour-ringed Black-headed Gull to be control sighted at Gibraltar Point. Many thanks to Nigel Lound for the record and information.
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| Colour-ringed Black-headed Gull - J2869, 27th June 2025 Photo - Nigel Lound |
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| Spoonbill, 27th June 2025 Photo - Paul Neale |
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| Colour-ringed Spoonbill ND9L still present on Tennyson's Sands, 27th June 2025 Photo - Paul Neale |
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| Barn Owl trailing something off its legs, 27th June 2025 Photo - Paul Neale |
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| Ruff, 26th June 2025 Photo - Mike Watts |
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| x2 Egyptian Geese, 26th June 2025 Photo - Mike Watts |
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| Carrion Crow tucking into a baby bird of some description! 27th June 2025 Photo - Mike Watts |
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| Gatekeeper Butterfly, 27th June 2025 Photo - Mike Watts |
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| White-letter Hairstreak, 27th June 2025 Photo - Paul Neale |
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| Comma Butterfly, 27th June 2025 Photo - Paul Neale |
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| Small Magpie Moth, 27th June 2025 Photo - Paul Neale |
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| Small Skipper Butterfly, 26th June 2025 Photo - Mike Watts |
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| Four-spotted Chaser Dragonfly, 26th June 2025 Photo - Mike Watts |
Early today a Crossbill flew over North Car Park. Then in the afternoon, the Curlew Sandpiper was still on Tennyson's Sands associating with the Redshank roost. Also the 6 Wood Sandpipers were still present and had been joined by a Ruff. Black-tailed Godwits now numbered 160. Sand Martins were still moving through in small numbers into the strong westerly wind.
Along the track to Harvey's Hide, there were 11 White-letter Hairstreak Butterflies.
Overnight moth-trapping was productive, including the first Reserve record of the Small Marbled. This was the 2nd Lincolnshire record following the first trapped further up the coast the previous day!
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| Great White Egret, 26th June 2025 Photo - Paul Neale |
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| Ringlet Butterfly, 26th June 2025 Photo - Beth McGuire |
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| White-letter Hairstreak Butterfly, 26th June 2025 Photo - Beth McGuire |
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| Comma Butterfly, 26th June 2025 Photo - Beth McGuire |
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| Small Copper Butterfly, 26th June 2025 Photo - Paul Neale |
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| Ringlet Butterfly, 26th June 2025 Photo - Paul Neale |
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| White Letter Hairstreak Butterfly, 26th June 2025 Photo - Paul Neale |
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| White Letter Hairstreak Butterfly, 26th June 2025 Photo - Paul Neale |
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| Six Spot Burnet Moth, 26th June 2025 Photo - Beth McGuire  Small Marbled, 25th June 2025. Photo - Nige Lound |
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| Female Roe Deer, 26th June 2025 Photo - Paul Neale |
On the water bodies around the reserve were 2 Egyptian Geese, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls, 488 Black-headed Gulls, 25 Lapwing, 121 Avocet, 141 Black-tailed Godwit, 27 Redshank, 1 Dunlin, 6 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 5 Little Ringed Plover, 10 Spoonbill, 8 Little Egret and a Grey Heron
Off shore was an Eider and a Fulmar went north over the beach. 184 Sand Martin passed south during the evening as did 4 Mediterranean Gulls (2 Adults and 2 2CY's). A Cuckoo was on Croft Marsh and also around was a Barn Owl
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 12 new birds: a Wren, a Robin, 4 Great Tit, 3 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock; and 8 retraps: 3 Whitethroat, 3 Great Tit, a Dunnock and a Wren.
June 24th. A cloudy day with occasional light rain and a brisk south-westerly wind.
Today Tennyson's Sands held 1 drake Pochard, 1 Shoveler, 23 Shelduck, 18 Tufted Duck, 115 Avocet, 121 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Wood Sandpiper, 4 Common Sandpiper, 12 Lapwing, 26 Redshank, a Greenshank (Fly-over), a Dunlin, a Golden Plover (South), 5 Little Ringed Plover, 8 Spoonbill, 11 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 575 Black Headed Gulls, 1 Adult Mediterranean Gull and another 2CY Year South). On Jackson's Marsh there were 66 Shelduck, 23 Avocet, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Great White Egret and 4 Little Egret
Elsewhere during the morning a Bee-eater was heard to call twice over Sykes Farm at 11.20am but not relocated. During the evening another adult Mediterranean Gull was on the beach. Also a Wall Brown butterfly was found during the late afternoon at Mill Hill.
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| x2 Wood Sandpipers, 24th June 2025 Photo - Tom Baker |
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| x2 Wood Sandpipers, 24th June 2025 Photo - Tom Baker |
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| x3 Green Sandpipers, 24th June 2025 Photo -Tom Baker |
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| Common Sandpiper, 24th June 2025 Photo - Tom Baker |
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| A tree nesting Black-headed Gull in a Hawthorn, 21st June 2025 Photo - Tom Baker |
Swifts continued to move South but in reduced numbers and again accompanied by a small number of Red Kites. On Tennyson's Sands were a colour ringed 2CY Caspian Gull, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 80 Avocet, 102 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Greenshank, 10 Redshank, a Dunlin, 3 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper and 4 Spoonbill. On the Mere was a Great White Egret.
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| Avocet chicks going for a swim, 23rd June 2025 Photo - Tom Baker |
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| 2CY Caspian Gull, 23rd June 2025 Photo - Tom Baker |
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| Mediterranean Gull, 23rd June 2025 Photo - Tom Baker |
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| Hare, 23rd June 2025 Photo - Tom Baker |
Swifts were on the move from before dawn with 135 South down West Dunes by 5.30am. Passage then seemed to switch to East Dunes were at least another 1500 went South. Accompanying these were a small number of Swallows, 18 Sand Martins, a Marsh Harrier and at least 22 Red Kites, all heading South by 10.30am. Highlight of the day though was a Bee-eater which, after originally being spotted heading south over Anderby, was then spotted still heading south over North Shore Golf Course at 8.40am. It then paused briefly perched up near Mill Hill before heading high South at 9am.
On Tennyson's Sands were 76 Avocet, 106 Black-tailed Godwit, 38 Redshank, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 10 Spoonbill and a Grey Heron. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Green Sandpiper and a Great White Egret. Also around were 3 Crossbills.
Other wildlife highlights today were 4 Red-veined Darter dragonflies over the Mere and adjacent Mill Pond Road and a Grass Snake that was sunning itself on the road before being encouraged to find a more sensible location! Another large female Grass Snake was sunning itself on the CES rides, seen several times during the morning.
A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 2 new birds: a Whitethroat and a Lesser Whitethroat; and 3 retraps: a Robin, a Whitethroat and a Dunnock.
A total of 26 new birds and 7 retraps were processed over in the West Dunes with Constant Effort Site session number Six of Twelve being done today resulting in 18 new birds: 2 Robin, 1 Blue Tit, 4 Great Tit, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Long Tailed Tit and 1 Wren; and 4 retraps: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Long Tailed Tit and 2 Great Tit.
The West Dunes feeding station also produced 8 new birds: 5 Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinch and 1 Great Tit; and 3 retraps: 2 Chaffinch and a Great Tit.
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| Bee-eater pausing briefly on its way south 22nd June 2025 Photo - Rob Watson |
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| Bee-eater pausing briefly on its way south 22nd June 2025 Photo - Rob Watson |
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| One of 22 Red Kite today heading South, 22nd June 2025 (This probable non breeding adult is in active Primary moult) Photo - Tom Baker |
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| Spoonbill, 22nd June 2025 Photo - Paul Neale |
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| Spoonbill, 22nd June 2025 Photo - Paul Neale |
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| Spoonbill cooling off! 22nd June 2025 Photo - Paul Neale |
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| Avocet, 22nd June 2025 Photo - Paul Neale |
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| Little Ringed Plover, 22nd June 2025 Photo - Paul Neale |
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| Black-tailed Godwit, 22nd June 2025 Photo - Paul Neale |
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| Black-tailed Godwits, 22nd June 2025 Photo - Tom Baker |
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| Green Sandpipers, 22nd June 2025 Photo - Tom Baker  Grass Snake, 22nd June 2025. Photo - Nige Lound |
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| Green Veined White Butterfly, 22nd June 2025 Photo - Tom Baker |
Around the water bodies were a Green Sandpiper, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Greenshank, 2 Common Terns, 7 Spoonbills and a Great White Egret. Also around were a Cuckoo and 2 hunting Barn Owls.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 16 new birds: 3 Wren, 2 Linnet, a Robin, a Lesser Whitethroat and 9 Whitethroat; and 7 retraps: 4 Wren, a Magpie, a Sedge Warbler and a Whitethroat.
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| Little Ringed Plover, 21st June 2025 Photo - Tom Baker |
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| Black-tailed Skimmer, 21st June 2025 Photo - Tom Baker |
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| Comma Butterfly, 21st June 2025 Photo - Tom Baker |
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| Ringlet Butterfly, 21st June 2025 Photo - Tom Baker |
