May 20th. A mainly sunny day with occasional cloud rolling through in a moderate south westerly wind.
The high tide roost produced a total of 3000 Sanderling and 8 Ringed Plover. On the sea were 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Gannet (North) and 17 Little Terns. Hirundines were still on the move south, mainly over the East Dunes, including 37 Swift, 1 Sand Martin, 83 Swallow, 68 House Martin. A Red Kite went south over the West Dunes at 10am.
On the water bodies were 56 Shelduck, 6 Shoveler, 28 Gadwall, 1 drake Teal, 2 drake Pochard, 16 Tufted Duck, 12 Little Grebe, 1 Great White Egret, 37 Avocet, 1 Common Sandpiper, 127 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Terns (Tennyson's Sands) and 2 Little Terns (Fenland Lagoon).
Also about today were 2 Cuckoo, 2 Cetti's Warblers (Mill Hill and Tennyson's Sands), 6 Chiffchaff, 7 Sedge Warbler, 5 Reed Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler (Mill Pond Road), 6 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat, 1 Wheatear and 1 Grey Wagtail (South).
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| Drake Pochard on Tennyson's Sands, 20th May 2026 Photo - Tom Baker |
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| Drake Pochard with female Tufted Duck, 20th May 2026 Photo - Jack Hood |
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| Drake Pochard with Tufted Ducks, 20th May 2026 Photo - Tom Baker |
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| Oystercatchers moving over the high tide on the foreshore, 20th May 2026 Photo - Mike Watts |
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| Oystercatchers roosting over high tide, 20th May 2026 Photo - Mike Watts |
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| Little Tern on Fenland Lagoon, 20th May 2026 Photo - Tom Baker |
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| Little Tern over the Sanctuary Area, 20th May 2026 Photo - Mike Watts |
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| Red Kite heading south, 20th May 2026 Photo - Tom Baker |
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| Male Wheatear around the Visitor Centre, 20th May 2026 Photo - Tom Baker |
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| Male Wheatear, 20th May 2026 Photo - Tom Baker |
A wet start meant hide watching was the order of the day with various waders turning up over the morning high tide sequence. A light passage of 16 Swallow, 75 House Martin and 14 Swift were heading south. On Tennyson's Sands were a Great White Egret and a drake Pochard.
Around the water bodies across the reserve were 71 Shelduck, 5 Shoveler, 34 Gadwall, 17 Tufted Duck, 7 Little Grebe, 1 Water Rail, 42 Avocet, 1 Ringed Plover, 4 Little Ringed Plover (Tennyson's Sands), 2 Whimbrel, 86 Black-tailed Godwit, 16 Sanderling (Over high tide), 8 Dunlin, 1 Little Tern (Fenland Lagoon briefly) and 2 Common Tern (Tennyson's Sands).
Elsewhere around the reserve were 1 Turtle Dove (Showing well along the road side near the farm on and off during the afternoon), 2 Cetti's Warbler (Mill Hill and Tennyson's Sands), 1 Grasshopper Warbler (Mill Pond Road) and a Wheatear (Wash View Point).
Ringing Controls and Recovery's:
Chiffchaff, ringed Holland Haven Country Park, Essex 18 October 2025, controlled GPBO 17 May 2026.
Goldcrest, ringed GPBO 13 October 2025, controlled Nidingen, Halland, Sweden 2 April 2026.
Willow Warbler, ringed GPBO 29 July 2025, controlled Kilnsea Clays, East Yorkshire 13 April 2026.
Turtle Dove, ringed GPBO 12 May 2017, ring read in field Burgh le Marsh, Lincolnshire 26 April 2026.
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| Drake Pochard with female Tufted Duck, 19th May 2026 Photo - David Nutt |
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| Dunlin and Sanderling over the high tide on Tennyson's Sands, 19th May 2026 Photo - Nige Lound |
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| Avocets, 19th May 2026 Photo - Jack Hood |
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| Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, 19th May 2026 Photo - David Nutt |
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| Spoonbill, 19th May 2026 Photo - David Nutt |
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| Great White Egret, 19th May 2026 Photo - David Nutt |
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| Wheatear, 19th May 2026 Photo - Jack Hood |
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| Common Blue Butterfly, 18th May 2026 Photo - David Nutt |
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| The first Meadow Brown Butterfly photographed of the year, 18th May 2026 Photo - David Nutt |
Highlights of the day were the waders showing well, close in over the high tide. Also a was Gannet heading North over the sea, a Woodlark flying south along with 5 Yellow Wagtails and 14 Swift. A Garden Warbler singing from Willy's Slack, a Grasshopper Warbler was again singing along Mill Pond Road as were 2 Cetti's Warblers (Mill Hill and North Hide).
Around the water bodies on the reserve were 105 Shelduck, 7 Shoveler, 18 Gadwall, 24 Tufted Duck, 11 Little Grebe, 2 Common Tern, 4 Oystercatcher, 63Avocet, 117 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Redshank, 2 Dunlin and a Grey Wagtail.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 2 new birds: a Willow Warbler and a Jackdaw; and 2 retrap Whitethroat.
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| Sanderlings over the high tide roost, 18th May 2026 Photo - Mike Watts |
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| Sanderlings incoming! 19th May 2026 Photo - Mike Watts |
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| Sanderlings over the high tide, 18th May 2026 Photo - Mike Watts |
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| Sanderlings on the move over the high tide, 18th May 2026 Photo - Mike Watts |
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| Time for a sleep whilst the tide is in, 18th May 2026 Photo - Mike Watts |
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| Jackdaw, ringed 18 May 2026. Photo - George Gregory |
The morning WeBS count saw 2000 Oystercatcher, 40 Grey Plover, 220 Ringed Plover, 300 Knot and 1800 Sanderling moving up on the high tide. 26 Little Tern were around the beach and a light passage of Swallows was underway which also involved 3 Yellow Wagtails. A Porpoise was seen off shore.
On the water bodies were 118 Shelduck, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 108 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Greenshank, 15 Avocet, 7 Turnstone (Flying over), 20+ Pied Wagtail, 3 White Wagtail and a Yellow Wagtail.
Elsewhere around the reserve were 2 Cuckoo, a Barn Owl, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Cetti's Warblers (Mill Hill and Tennyson's Sands), 2 Grasshopper Warblers (Mill Pond Road), 6 Blackcap, 13 Whitethroat, a Wheatear (Visitor Centre).
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 4 new birds: 3 Whitethroat and a Blackcap; and a control Chiffchaff.
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| Gadwall, 16th May 2026 Photo - Steve Clipperton |
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| Swift, 16th May 2026 Photo - Steve Clipperton |
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| Grasshopper Warbler, 16th May 2026 Photo - Steve Clipperton |
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| Cuckoo, 16th May 2026 Photo - Steve Clipperton |
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| Millipede, 16th May 2026 Photo - Steve Clipperton |
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| Common Blue Butterfly, 17th May 2026 Photo - Jack Hood |
The high tide wader pushed up 1800 Sanderling and 1800 Oystercatchers to roost onto Greenshanks Creek. Birds on the lagoons included 2 Great Crested Grebes (Jackson's Marsh), 1 drake Pochard, 25 Black-tailed Godwits, a high count of 105 Shelduck and a pair of Shoveler with a brood of 10 chicks. Lapwings have three chicks on Croftmarsh.
Also around were 2 Grasshopper Warblers, a Cuckoo and a Spoonbill.
The second session of CES was done this morning. The 12 new birds were 3 Wren, 3 Chiffchaff, a Long-tailed Tit, a Robin, a Blue Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler and a Dunnock; and the 16 retraps were 2 Wren, 3 Dunnock, a Great Tit, a Robin, 2 Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, a Blue Tit, 4 Whitethroat and a Sedge Warbler.
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| Rough weather incoming over Tennyson's Sands, 16th May 2026 Photo - David Nutt |
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| Drake Tufted Duck, 16th May 2026 Photo - David Nutt |
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| Female Tufted Duck, 16th May 2026 Photo - David Nutt |
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| Cuckoo, 16th May 2026 Photo - Ste Taylor |
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| Reed Warbler, 16th May 2026 Photo - Ste Taylor |
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| Brown Argus Butterfly, 16th May 2026 Photo - Ste Taylor |
The highlight of a morning sea watch was a Little Gull heading North close inshore early on. Also seen were 7 Common Scoter, 43 Little Tern, 2 Common/Artic Tern, all heading North. Heading South were 7 Gannet. It was clear that a small Hirundine passage was underway with 45 Swift, 110 Swallow, 60 House Martin and 2 Sand Martin caught up in the movement heading into the westerly wind whilst heading south was a Grey Wagtail.
Around the reserves water bodies were 72 Shelduck, 7 Shoveler, 45 Gadwall, 44 Mallard, 7 Teal, 42 Tufted Duck, 1 Water Rail, 7 Little Grebe, 2 Oystercatcher, 41 Avocet, 5 Curlew, 53 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpipers.
Also around were a Cuckoo, a Collared Dove, 1 Whimbrel, a Barn Owl, 2 Cetti's Warbler (Mill Hill and Tennyson's Sands), 1 Grasshopper Warbler (Mill Pond Road), a Wheatear (Wash Viewpoint), 1 Yellowhammer (Field 10), 2 Red-legged Partridge (Field 10) and flying north were 2 Grey Herons.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 5 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, a Robin, a Reed Bunting and a Whitethroat; and 3 retraps: 2 Whitethroat and a Chiffchaff.
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| Little Egret, 15th May 2026 Photo - Jeremy Eyeons |
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| Drake Tufted Duck, 15th May 2026 Photo - Jeremy Eyeons |
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| Curlews, 15th May 2026 Photo - Jack Hood |
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| Redshank, 15th May 2026 Photo - Jack Hood |
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| Greenshank, 15th May 2026 Photo - Jeremy Eyeons |
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| Small Copper Butterfly, 15th May 2026 Photo - Jeremy Eyeons |
A look at the sea revealed just 2 Common Scoter on the sea along with 150 Grey Plover, 100 Dunlin and 14 Little Terns along the beach and foreshore.
A tour of the water bodies resulted in 23 Mute Swan, 108 Shelduck, 7 (+ 10 chicks in one brood), Shoveler, 54 Gadwall, 4 Teal, 27 Tufted Duck, 1 Water Rail, 14 Little Grebe, 2 Common Terns, 38 Avocet, 8 Curlew, 49 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Snipe, 3 Common Sandpiper, 5 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sand Martin, 6 House Martins, 78 Swallows, 1 Wheatear (River Haven) and 5 Yellow Wagtails
Elsewhere around the reserve there were 1 Barn Owl, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, a Hobby (East Dunes), 2 Cetti's Warblers (Mill Hill and North Hide), 4 Sedge Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Wheatear and 14 Reed Buntings.
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| Drake Tufted Duck in the rain, 14th May 2026 Photo - Tom Baker |
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| Common Terns on Tennyson's Sands in the rain, 14th May 2026 Photo - Tom Baker |
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| Oystercatcher, 14th May 2026 Photo - David Nutt |
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| Kestrel looking for some lunch, 14th May 2026 Photo - David Nutt |
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| Barn Owl carrying home dinner in-between showers, 14th May 2026 Photo - Jack Hood |
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| Male Wheatear, 14th May 2026 Photo - Jack Hood |
Very little change on the bird front but a welcome increase of Little Terns with a group of 66 settled on the beach in the evening. Also around during the day were 4 Egyptian Geese and 33 Black-tailed Godwits on Tennyson's Sands along with 40 House Martins hawking over the lagoons. A Cetti's Warbler was vocal behind Fenella Hope Hide and 2 Kestrels were hunting over Croft Marsh.
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| Egyptian Geese on Tennyson's Sands, 13th May 2026 Photo - Tom Baker |
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| Black-tailed Godwit on Tennyson's Sands, 13th May 2026 Photo - Tom Baker |
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| Avocets in the rain, 13th May 2026 Photo - Tom Baker |
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| Black-tailed Godwits, 13th May 2026 Photo - Tom Baker |
On the water bodies were 23 Mute Swan, 29 Shelduck, 8 Shoveler, 27 Gadwall, 12 Mallard, 9 Teal, 25 Tufted Duck, 12 Little Grebe, 46 Avocet, 56 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Snipe, 2 Common Sandpiper, 5 Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank and 1 Ruff.
Also around were 2 Mediterranean Gull (In off the sea over East Dunes), 3 Red-legged Partridge, 14 Swift, 1 Cuckoo, 4 Sand Martin, 80 Swallow, 60 House Martin, 2 Cetti's Warblers (Mill Hill and North Hide), 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 12 Whitethroat, 7 Blackcap, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Buzzard and a Short-eared Owl.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 11 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, a Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Meadow Pipit and 2 Reed Bunting; and 5 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, a Meadow Pipit, a Reed Bunting and a Long-tailed Tit.
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| Little Grebe feeding its chick, 12th May 2026 Photo - David Nutt |
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| A Resplendent Little Egret, 12th May 2026 Photo - David Nutt |
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| Incoming Avocet, 12th May 2026 Photo - David Nutt |
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| Common Sandpiper, 12th May 2026 Photo - Tom Baker |
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| Robin with food for its family in the Plantation, 12th May 2026 Photo - David Nutt |
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| Reed Warbler, 12th May 2026 Photo - Tom Baker |
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| Whitethroat, 12th May 2026 Photo - Tom Baker |
Highlight of the day was easily, the pair of Garganey which were still on Tennyson's Sands.
There was very little movement at sea but a chance to check though the large Gulls revealed a 2cy Yellow-legged Gull in amongst 100 Herring Gulls, 3 Great Black-backed Gulls and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. A few Swallows were moving north and a Cuckoo was calling in the West Dunes.
On the water bodies were 16 Mute Swan, 21 Shelduck, 9 Shoveler, 38 Gadwall, 16 Mallard, 7 Teal, 22 Tufted Duck, 1 Water Rail, 10 Little Grebe, 59 Avocet, 74 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Common Sandpiper, 8 Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 1 Ruff.
Also about were 1 Cuckoo, 30 Swallow, 2 Cetti's Warbler (Mill Hill and North Hide), 6 Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 17 Whitethroat and 3 Wheatear.
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| Greenshank, 11th May 2026 Photo - David Nutt |
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| Male Reed Bunting, 11th May 2026 Photo - David Nutt |
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| The ever changing dynamics of the beach where Greenshanks Creek continues to move South. 11th May 2026, Photo - David Nutt |
