Mid May 2026

May 19th. A very wet and windy day with a strong southerly wind and rain, heavy at times.

  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 and 75 House Martin were heading south.

Around the water bodies across the reserve were 71 Shelduck, 5 Shoveler, 34 Gadwall, 17 Tufted Duck, 7 Little Grebe, 42 Avocet, 1 Ringed Plover, 4 Little Ringed Plover (Tennyson's Sands), 2 Whimbrel, 86 Black-tailed Godwit, 16 Sanderling (Over high tide), 7 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), 1 Cetti's Warbler (Mill Hill), 1 Grasshopper Warbler (Mill Pond Road) and a Wheatear (Wash View Point). 

Dunlin and Sanderling over the high tide on Tennyson's Sands, 19th May 2026
Photo - Nige Lound

Avocets, 19th May 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

Wheatear, 19th May 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

Common Blue Butterfly, 18th May 2026
Photo - David Nutt

The first Meadow Brown Butterfly photographed of the year, 18th May 2026
Photo - David Nutt

May 18th. A sunny start to the day with occasional cloud rolling through later on in a light generally southerly breeze.

  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.

Sanderlings over the high tide roost, 18th May 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Sanderlings incoming! 19th May 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Sanderlings over the high tide, 18th May 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Sanderlings on the move over the high tide, 18th May 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Time for a sleep whilst the tide is in, 18th May 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Jackdaw, ringed 18 May 2026.
Photo - George Gregory

May 17th. A broken cloud type of day with occasional sunny spells and a continuing light westerly wind.

  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.

Gadwall, 16th May 2026
Photo - Steve Clipperton

Swift, 16th May 2026
Photo - Steve Clipperton

Grasshopper Warbler, 16th May 2026
Photo - Steve Clipperton

Cuckoo, 16th May 2026
Photo - Steve Clipperton

Millipede, 16th May 2026
Photo - Steve Clipperton

Common Blue Butterfly, 17th May 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

May 16th. A sunny start to the day before clouding over later on in the afternoon with threatening rain. Staying cool throughout with a light westerly wind.

  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.

Rough weather incoming over Tennyson's Sands, 16th May 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Drake Tufted Duck, 16th May 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Female Tufted Duck, 16th May 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Cuckoo, 16th May 2026
Photo - Ste Taylor

Reed Warbler, 16th May 2026
Photo - Ste Taylor

Brown Argus Butterfly, 16th May 2026
Photo - Ste Taylor

May 15th. A day of broken cloud and sunny intervals in a warmer moderate westerly wind.

  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.

Little Egret, 15th May 2026
Photo - Jeremy Eyeons

Drake Tufted Duck, 15th May 2026
Photo - Jeremy Eyeons

Curlews, 15th May 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

Redshank, 15th May 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

Greenshank, 15th May 2026
Photo - Jeremy Eyeons

Small Copper Butterfly, 15th May 2026
Photo - Jeremy Eyeons

May 14th. A day full of sunshine and intermittent violent showers, heavy at times in a light northerly wind.

  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.

Drake Tufted Duck in the rain, 14th May 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Common Terns on Tennyson's Sands in the rain, 14th May 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Oystercatcher, 14th May 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Kestrel looking for some lunch, 14th May 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Barn Owl carrying home dinner in-between showers, 14th May 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

Male Wheatear, 14th May 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

May 13th. A cold but fairly pleasant start, then an increasing westerly wind accompanied by a drop in temperature and several rain showers.

  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.

Egyptian Geese on Tennyson's Sands, 13th May 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Black-tailed Godwit on Tennyson's Sands, 13th May 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Avocets in the rain, 13th May 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Black-tailed Godwits, 13th May 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

May 12th. A cold day with plenty of cloud around and a strengthening moderate westerly wind.

  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.

Little Grebe feeding its chick, 12th May 2026
Photo - David Nutt

A Resplendent Little Egret, 12th May 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Incoming Avocet, 12th May 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Common Sandpiper, 12th May 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Robin with food for its family in the Plantation, 12th May 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Reed Warbler, 12th May 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Whitethroat, 12th May 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

May 11th. Continued strong northerly wind with some early, light rain showers.

  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.

Greenshank, 11th May 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Male Reed Bunting, 11th May 2026
Photo - David Nutt

The ever changing dynamics of the beach where Greenshanks Creek continues to move South.
11th May 2026, Photo - David Nutt

Early May 2026

May 10th. A cloudy day with just the odd sunny break and a bitterly cold moderate north easterly wind.

  It seems that two days of consecutive good weather is too much to ask for this Spring. This morning's return to cold and strong north easterly wind meant that further counting of migrants in the dunes was futile early on, so a return to sea-watching produced intermittent small groups of 89 Little Terns and Sandwich Terns heading north along with 3 Gannet and a high flying Great Northern Diver also north.

  The pair of Garganey were again showing well on Tennyson's Sands. Other birds around the reserves water bodies included 80 Brent Geese, 16 Mute Swan, 29 Shelduck, 16 Gadwall, 6 Shoveler, 15 Mallard, 6 Teal, 32 Tufted Duck, 8 Little Grebe, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper, 4 Redshank, 82 Black-tailed Godwit, 60 Avocet, 3 Ruff, 2 Greenshank and 1 Great White Egret.

  Also about were 2 Cetti's Warblers (Mill Hill and North Hide), 5 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and 6 Whitethroat. Later in the day some Hirundines were moving including 4 Swift, 1 Sand Martin, 15 Swallow and 45 House Martin with a single Hobby, a Turtle Dove was a welcome sighting.

Garganey pair on roosting Tennyson's Sands, 10th May 2026
Photo - Nige Lound

Black-tailed Godwits with Ruff and Spotted Redshank in flight, 9th May 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Roosting Greenshank, 10th May 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

Turnstone, 10th May 2026
Photo -Mike Watts

Sanderling on the beach, 10th May 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Ringed Plover, 10th May 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Buzzards soaring, 10th May 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Turtle Dove, 10th May 2026
Photo - Tony Foster

A Swallow doing the King Charles Coastal Path, 10th May 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Meadow Pipit halfway across the Old Saltmarsh, 10th May 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

May 9th. A very pleasant, sunny and warm morning with a light north-easterly breeze.

  

  There were plenty of birds singing around the Reserve this morning and the conditions were excellent for carrying out a census without much distraction by any visible overland passage. Over 110 Whitethroats were counted in the dune scrub, with 43 Sedge Warblers around the Freshwater Marsh and dune scrub. Other highlights of the day were 1 Red Kite, 

  On the water bodies were 80 Brent Geese, 11 Gadwall, 2 Avocet, Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 3 Ruff, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 88 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Common Tern and a Spoonbill. Also around were 2 Cuckoo, a Swift, 1 Buzzard, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Cetti's Warblers (Mill Hill and North Hide) and 2 Grasshopper Warblers. 

  A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 4 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Whitethroat and 2 Blue Tit.

  It was a good day for insects with the first Brown Argus of the year emerged along with several Small Heath, many Speckled Wood, 2 Painted Lady and a Brimstone Butterfly. The first Broad-bodied Chaser and Azure Damselflies were also emerging.

Little Terns over the Sanctuary Area, 9th May 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Little Terns freshly arrived and already feeding well, 9th May 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Ringed Plover not happy with the new arrivals on the beach, 9th May 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Little Tern, 9th May 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Common Tern on Tennyson's Sands with Avocets and a Cormorant, 9th May 2026
Photo - Nige Lound

Common Sandpipers on Tennyson's Sands, 9th May 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Common Tern on Tennyson's Sands, 9th May 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Male Yellowhammer, 9th May 2026
Photo - Ste Taylor

Brown Argus Butterfly, 9th May 2026
Photo - Kev Wilson

Holly Blue Butterfly, 9th May 2026
Photo - Ste Taylor

May 8th. A sunny day with the odd cloud drifting through on a gentle southerly breeze becoming easterly by dark.

  Highlights of the day included 2 Common Terns on Tennyson's Sands and a Turtle Dove in Measures. Two adult Mediterranean Gulls were around and a Red Kite drifted North. A Merlin was on the beach.

  The water bodies held 63 Brent Geese, 17 Mute Swans, 11 Shelduck, 8 Shoveler, 26 Gadwall, 21 Mallard, 7 Teal, 24 Tufted Duck, 13 Little Grebe, 7 Oystercatcher, 43 Avocet, 11 Lapwing, 4 Whimbrel, 60 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Ruff, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 1 Water Rail, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Great White Egret (Field 10) and 1 Spoonbill.

  Also around were a 2 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Common Scoter, 2 Cuckoo, 5 Buzzard, 18 Swallow, 2 Cetti's Warblers (Mill Hill and North Hide), 3 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 7 Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler (Mill Pond Road), 7 Blackcap, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 14 Whitethroat 1 2 Siskin, Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush and 1 Yellow Wagtail.

  A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 5 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Swallow and a Sparrowhawk; and a retrap Whitethroat.

Second-year Male Sparrowhawk, ringed 8 May 2026.
Photo: George Gregory

Water Rail, 8th May 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Little Egret, 8th May 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Coot Family out and about, 8th May 2026
Photo - David Nutt

May 7th. After a promising start, rain of varying intensity then compromised recording effort for a while early morning with a light easterly wind.

  Subsequently, many birds were active and singing, 2 Pied Flycatchers were new arrivals in the East Dunes (one of which was trapped and ringed). The other highlight of the day was the pair of Garganey still showing well on Fenland Lagoon along with a Greenshank.

  A morning sea watch produced two Arctic Skuas, 126 Little Tern, 121 Sandwich Tern and 6 Auk species north.

  Visible migration was limited to a few Swallows and Yellow Wagtails and a Grey Heron early morning but there was a passage of 150 Swallows in the afternoon. On Tennyson's Sands were 62 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Ruff, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Redshank, 1 Little Ringed Plover and 2 Spoonbill. Also around were 18 Whimbrel and a Barn Owl. 

  A rain-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 9 new birds: 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Reed Bunting, a Pied Flycatcher and 2 Meadow Pipit; and 3 retraps: a Meadow Pipit, a Wren and a Dunnock.

Greenshank, 7th May 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

Spotted Redshank and Redshanks not getting along! 7th May 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

Pied Flycatcher, 7th May 2026
Photo - Kev Wilson

Singing male Whitethroat, 7th May 2026
Photo - Caroline Sedgley.

Pied Flycatcher - ringed, 7th May 2026
Photo - George Gregory

May 6th. A cloudy day with occasional morning rain showers in a moderate north north easterly wind.

  A morning sea watch resulted in 12 Common Scoter, 4 Ringed Plover, 288 Little Tern, 3 Artic Tern, 158 Sandwich Tern, 1 Puffin, 4 Auk species and 2 Gannet, all heading north. Heading south over the East Dunes were a Tree Pipit and a Wood Sandpiper.

  Highlights of the day were again the two pairs of Garganey on Fenland Lagoon and Tennyson's Sands. A Great White Egret was on Field 10 early morning. A Little Ringed Plover was on Croft Marsh and a Spotted Redshank was on Jackson's Marsh. A Wood Sandpiper was on Tennyson's Sands with 11 Ruff.

  Also about on the water bodies were 40 Shelduck, 14 Shoveler, 31 Gadwall, 38 Mallard, 6 Teal, 22 Tufted Duck, 1 Water Rail, 10 Little Grebe, 49 Avocet, 30 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 1 Spoonbill, 40 House Martins and 24 Swallows.

  Also around the reserve were 2 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Cuckoo, 15 Whimbrel, 2 Buzzard, 1 Barn Owl, 140 Jackdaw, 2 Cetti's Warblers (Tennyson's Sands and Mill Hill), 1 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 4 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler (Mill Pond Road), 7 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Yellow Wagtail (Croft Marsh), 6 Whitethroat and a Crossbill (Singing in  the Plantation!).

Gadwall, 6th May 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Greenshank, 6th May 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Avocet, 6th May 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

Oystercatcher, 6th May 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

Coot with chicks, 6th May 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Little Egret, 6th May 2026
Photo - David Nutt

House Martin, 6th May 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

May 5th. A cool cloudy morning with occasional sunny breaks later on in a moderate northerly wind.

  Visible migration was in evidence again. Swallows were on the move with 345 south in 2.5 hours from 0700. Also heading south were 19 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Greenshank and many Corvids. 

  Highlights of the day though was again the pair of Garganey on Fenland Lagoon and the Spotted Redshank in summer plumage again on Tennyson's Sands accompanied by a fine Wood Sandpiper. Elsewhere on the water bodies there were 9 Shoveler, 19 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 31 Avocet, 46 Black-tailed Godwits, 10 Ruff, 4 Curlew, 2 Redshank, a Spoonbill and a Cetti's Warbler (North Hide).

  Around were 2 Cuckoos, 10 Whimbrel and a Cetti's Warbler (Mill Hill).

  A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 8 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 4 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Reed Bunting and a Meadow Pipit; and 3 retraps: a Dunnock, a Whitethroat and a Lesser Whitethroat.

Summer Plumage Spotted Redshank on Tennyson's Sands, 5th May 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

Ruff on Tennyson's Sands, 5th May 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Common Sandpiper, 5th May 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

An Avocet walking on water! escaping the attentions of a Black-headed Gull, 5th May 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Spoonbill, 5th May 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Coot with the first chicks seen this year, 5th May 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

May 4th. A dull morning with occasional sun later on in a cool light north easterly breeze.

  A good morning survey of the outer ridges revealed good numbers of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits, but lower than expected Reed Buntings. An Asio sp was over East Dunes before dawn, with a Tree Pipit there later. 240 Swallows flew north at sea, and heading south were a Hobby, 2 Buzzards and 5 Yellow Wagtails.

  Highlight of the day was the pair of Garganey which were still showing well on Fenland Lagoon and then incredible a 2nd pair of Garganey were found on Tennyson's Sands. On Jackson's Marsh was a Little Ringed Plover and a summer plumaged Spotted Redshank whilst on Tennyson's Sands held a Wood Sandpiper.

  On the water bodies were 40 Brent Geese, 2 Egyptian Geese, 38 Shelduck, 13 Shoveler, 40 Gadwall, 2 drake Wigeon, 39 Mallard, 1 Teal, 27 Tufted Duck, 11 Little Grebe, 4 Oystercatcher, 46 Avocet, 7 Lapwing, 2 Whimbrel, 41 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Common Sandpiper, 14 Ruff, 5 Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 3 Spoonbill and 1 Cetti's Warbler (North Hide).

  Also about were 2 Cuckoo, 25 House Martin, 1 Cetti's Warbler (Mill Hill), 6 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 8 Sedge Warbler, 7 Reed Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 5 Lesser Whitethroat and 18 Whitethroat.

  The first freshly emerged Four-spotted Chaser was seen on 26th April this year and as with last year the first Four-spots were on the wing before the first Broad-bodied Chasers. The latter species has always been the first Dragonfly of the year in the past. 

  A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 8 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, a Goldfinch, a Swallow and a Cuckoo; and a retrap Goldfinch.

  The first session of CES was done by Mike Polling this morning. The 6 new birds were 2 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Chaffinch, a Blackcap and a Sedge Warbler; and the 8 retraps were 2 Robin, a Wren, a Long-tailed Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, a Blackcap and a Sedge Warbler.

  Ringing Recovery: Some good news concerning a Turtle Dove that was ringed at Gib in May 2017 and has ben returning to a territory near Burgh-le Marsh. This year it has returned on 26th April, a week earlier than usual. Diligent ring reading from photos confirms it is the same bird.

Garganey pair still busily feeding up on Fenland Lagoon, 4th May 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

Oystercatcher on the River Steeping, 4th May 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

Gib ringed Turtle Dove at Burgh-le Marsh, 4th May 2026
Photo - Nicky Yeadon

Gib ringed Turtle Dove at Burgh-le Marsh, 4th May 2026
Photo - Nicky Yeadon

Four-spotted Chaser, 26th April 2026
Photo - Sam Wilson

May 3rd. A cloudy murky start to the day with occasional sunny breaks later on in a light southerly wind switching to a northerly by dark.

  Highlights of the day were a Hooded Crow which was found on the Golf Course/Field 10 area. Seven Fieldfare and a Tree Pipit were in the East Dunes during the early morning whilst the Garganey pair were still on Fenland Lagoon. Heading south was a Swift over Syke's Farm.

  On the water bodies were 3 Shoveler, 9 Ruff, 31 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Avocets, 2 Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and 2 Spoonbill.

  Also around the reserve were 20 Whimbrel, 27 Common Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 4 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Grasshopper Warblers, 1 Reed Warbler, 8 Sedge Warbler, 12 Swallows, 2 Wheatear (Outer Dunes) and 1 Cuckoo.

Black-tailed Godwits, 3rd May 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Greenshank, 3rd May 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Little Egret, 3rd May 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Cuckoo, 2rd May 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Cuckoo, 3rd May 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Holly Blue Butterfly, 3rd May 2026
Photo - David Nutt

May 2nd. Another sunny morning with light clouds rolling through on a light southerly breeze and becoming very warm.

  Visible migration was busy over the East Dunes and beach with an exceptional spring movement of 160 Yellow Wagtails south between 0700 and 1030hrs. Also on the move were 220 Swallow, 35 Sand Martin, 6 Swift, 49 Whimbrel (with another 21 on the saltings), 8 Mediterranean Gull, 11 Ruff, 3 Greenshank, 12 Red Kite, a Merlin, a Collared Dove, 300 Woodpigeon, a Grey Heron and various Corvids and Finches. There was low coverage of the sea but a few Sandwich Terns and Little Terns were close inshore, the wader roost held 1800 Oystercatcher and 520 Sanderling, and 2 male Goosander went south close in.

  The pair of Garganey were again on Fenland Lagoon showing well at times along with a solitary Greenshank. The Ruff flock of 10 birds continued to show well on Tennyson's Sands along with 18 Black-tailed Godwit, and 3 Spoonbill. Also on the water bodies were 25 Shelduck, 14 Shoveler, 17 Gadwall, 4 Teal, 12 Tufted Duck, 2 Water Rail, 6 Little Grebe, 44 Avocet, 1 Common Sandpiper and 1 Greenshank.

  Elsewhere around the reserve there were 22 Whimbrel, 3 Spoonbill (Flying south over the golf course at first light), 2 Red-legged Partridge (Field 10), 2 Cuckoo, 2 Collared Doves, 4 Sparrowhawk, 3 Buzzard, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Sedge Warblers, 3 Reed Warblers, 2 Grasshopper Warblers, 34 Whitethroat 3 Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Wheatear.

  A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Paul Jerem, provided 17 new birds: 4 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Reed Bunting, a Robin, a Chaffinch, 2 Whitethroat, a Blue Tit, a Blackcap and a Goldfinch; and 4 retraps: 2 Dunnock, a Whitethroat and a Chiffchaff.

  Overnight Moth trapping in Sykes Farm resulted in 76 Moths of 37 Species including a Chocolate Tip Moth and a Pale Tussock Moth.

Garganey pair on Fenland Lagoon, 2nd May 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

Spoonbill, 2nd May 2026
Photo - Ste Taylor

Little Egret on the river Steeping, 2nd May 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

Chocolate Tip Moth, 2nd May 2026
Photo - Nige Lound

Pale Tussock Moth, 2nd May 2026
Photo - Nige Lound

May 1st. A sunny day throughout getting to the mid twenties in the afternoon in a very light south easterly breeze.

  Highlights of the day included a fine summer plumaged Spotted Redshank on Jackson's Marsh and on Tennyson's Sands (Harvey's Hide), there were 2 Wood Sandpipers. A Jay flew south down the East Dunes. Seventeen Ruff were still showing well on Tennyson's Sands with 18 Black-tailed Godwits and the Garganey pair were still showing well on fenland Lagoon with a Greenshank.

 Early morning visible migration involved a light passage of Swifts, Swallows and Sand Martins over the East Dunes whilst offshore, several parties of Bar-tailed Godwits were heading north-east out of the Wash. Flying south during the afternoon were 50+ Swallows and 4 Little Terns were on location around the sanctuary area.

  Also around the water bodies were 20 Avocet, 34 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Redshank and a Water Rail. Also about were a Cuckoo, 2 Cetti's Warblers and 2 Siskin.

  A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 9 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 5 Lesser Whitethroat, a Blackcap and a Meadow Pipit; and a retrap Whitethroat.

Two Wood Sandpipers on Tennyson's Sands, 1st May 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Spotted Redshank, 1st May 2026
Photo - Ste Taylor

Greenshank, 1st May 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

x15 Ruff busily feeding in amongst a pair of Mute Swans, 1st May 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Male Garganey on Fenland Lagoon, 1st May 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Male Garganey on Fenland Lagoon, 1st May 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Jackdaw, 1st May 2026
Photo - Tom Baker