Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory Blog: September 2016

Late September 2016

September 30th. Birds around, including those trapped, were a ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Marsh Harrier, 55 Brent Goose, 7 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 150 Black-tailed Godwit, a Ruff, 3 Water Rail, a Kingfisher, 9 Goldcrest, 15 Chiffchaff, a Reed Warbler, a Whitethroat, 3 Stonechat and 2 Whinchat. Going south were 700 Meadow Pipit, 890 Linnet, 510 Goldfinch, 385 Reed Bunting, 95 House Martin, 60 Swallow, 40 Chaffinch, 42 Siskin, 7 House Sparrow and 35 Tree Sparrow; and south-east 300 Pink-footed Goose.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 36 new birds: 4 Wren, 6 Goldcrest, 9 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, a Linnet, a Reed Warbler, a Whitethroat, a Chaffinch, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Robin and 6 Dunnock; and 6 retraps: a Robin, 3 Dunnock, a Wren and a Blackcap.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling yielded 15 new birds: a Goldcrest, 2 Wren, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Robin, a Blue Tit, a Blackcap, 5 Dunnock and a Kestrel; and 7 retraps: a Long-tailed Tit, 5 Dunnock and a Great Tit.

Adult Whitethroat, ringed 30th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

September 29th. Moderately strong south-east wind, slowly decreasing; some brief, light early morning rain.
Around were 45 Brent Goose, 2 Spotted Redshank, 3 Ruff and 4 Greenshank. Heading south were 54 Red-throated Diver, 45 Sandwich Tern, 104 Gannet, 7 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Scaup, a Razorbill, a Guillemot, a Mediterranean Gull, 5900 Swallow, 18 Sand Martin, 2780 House Martin, 1390 Meadow Pipit, 4 Rock Pipit, 11 Grey Wagtail, 38 Alba Wagtail, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 850 Linnet, 200 Goldfinch and a Siskin.

September 28th. Birds around included 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Marsh Harrier, 17 Pintail, 5 Spotted Redshank, 7 Greenshank, 173 Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Snipe, 22 Ruff, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Water Rail, 38 Little Grebe, 2 Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker and a Wheatear. Flying south were a Great Northern Diver, 3 Swallow, 17 Sand Martin, 2 Grey Wagtail, a Siskin and 4 Tree Sparrow.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 4 new birds: 2 Wren, a Blackcap and a Reed Bunting; and 3 retraps: a Wren and 2 Robin.

September 27th. Fresh south-westerly wind.
Around, including birds trapped, were 12 Pintail, 5 Spotted Redshank, 6 Greenshank, 4 Ruff, 6 Snipe, 149 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Water Rail, a Green Woodpecker, a Kingfisher, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Chiffchaff and 12 Goldcrest. Highlights going south were a Manx Shearwater, 10 Arctic Skua, a Great Skua, a Black-throated Diver and 23 Red-throated Diver. Otherwise there was routine passage overhead and offshore.
A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 9 new birds: 6 Goldcrest, a Robin and 2 Blackcap; and 5 retraps: singles of Robin, Wren, Blackcap, Goldcrest and Blackbird.

September 26th. Birds around included 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 45 Brent Goose, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Peregrine, a Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Greenshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, 13 Ruff, 11 Snipe, 2 Jack Snipe, 155 Black-tailed Godwit, a Water Rail, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Whinchat and 7 Stonechat. Heading south were a Richard's Pipit, a Pomarine Skua, 16 Arctic Skua, a Grey Heron, 2 Goosander, a Red-breasted Merganser, 80 Reed Bunting, 800 Meadow Pipit, 350 House Martin, 120 Swallow, 2 Grey Wagtail, 200 Linnet and 20 Siskin.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 54 new birds: 7 Wren, 19 Goldcrest, 12 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 4 Robin, 2 Reed Bunting, a Linnet, a Chaffinch, a Meadow Pipit, a Dunnock and a Song Thrush; and 6 retraps: 3 Dunnock and 3 Long-tailed Tit.

Vestal, 26th September 2016.

Photo - Kevin Wilson

September 25th. Gradually decreasing south-westerly wind; some brief, light early morning rain.
Around were 6 Spoonbill, 9 Spotted Redshank, 14 Ruff, 3 Greenshank, 350 Golden Plover, 6 Snipe, 20 Pintail, 150 Wigeon, a Kingfisher, a singing Cetti's Warbler and a Yellow Wagtail. South at sea went a Grey Phalarope, 2 Black Tern and 20 Arctic Skua.
A delayed morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 16 new birds: a Wren, 2 Goldcrest, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, a Linnet, a Dunnock and a Woodpigeon; and 2 retraps: a Linnet and a Dunnock.

Common Sandpiper, 25th September 2016.

Photo - Philip Millns

Spotted Redshanks, 25th September 2016.

Photo - Philip Millns

Migrant Hawker, 25th September 2016.
Photo - Rob Watson

September 24th. Moderately strong south-south-westerly wind.
Birds around, including those trapped, were a Yellow-browed Warbler, 4 Spoonbill, 5+ Spotted Redshank, 4 Greenshank, 2 Snipe, 9 Ruff and a Kingfisher. Flying south were a juvenile Pomarine Skua, a Sooty Shearwater, 43 Arctic Skua, 105 Gannet, 198 Sandwich Tern, a Yellow-legged Gull, a Marsh Harrier, 5 Grey Wagtail, 65 Swallow and 40 Meadow Pipit.
A brief, wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 7 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, a Blue Tit and 2 Dunnock; and 3 retraps: singles of Blue Tit, Kingfisher and Dunnock.

Synchronised preening, 24th September 2016.

Photo - Philip Millns

Kingfisher, retrapped 24th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

September 23rd. Around were 6 Yellow-browed Warbler, 6 Spoonbill, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 5 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, a Kingfisher, a Common Buzzard, a Pied Flycatcher, 20 Chiffchaff and 3 Whinchat. Going south were 2 Common Buzzard, 2 Tree Pipit, 260 Meadow Pipit, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, 11 Siskin, 2 House Martin and 45 Swallow.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 16 new birds: 2 Wren, a Goldcrest, a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Great Tit, 4 Blackcap, 2 Robin and 4 Dunnock; and 4 retraps: singles of Dunnock, Robin, Whitethroat and Wren.

Whinchat, 23rd September 2016.

Photo - Philip Millns

Stonechat, 23rd September 2016.

Photo - Philip Millns

September 22nd. Birds around included 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 4 Spoonbill, a Hobby, a Merlin, 40000 Knot, 2000 Grey Plover, 5500 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, 21 Ruff, a Snipe, 5 Whinchat and 4 Stonechat. Heading south were a Great Northern Diver, a Long-tailed Duck, a Great Skua, 4 Arctic Skua, a Whimbrel, 24 Brent Goose, 65 Sandwich Tern, 700 Meadow Pipit, 4 Rock Pipit, 560 House Martin, 200 Swallow, a Sand Martin, 32 Linnet, 13 Siskin, 16 Alba Wagtail, 9 Grey Wagtail, 410 Wigeon and 9 Pintail; and north 17 Brent Goose
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, provided 8 new birds: a Wren, 3 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, a Robin, a Blackcap and a Dunnock; and 4 retraps: 2 Dunnock, a Blackbird and a Wren.

Curlew Sandpiper, 22nd September 2016.

Snipe, 22nd September 2016.

September 21st. Around were a Yellow-browed Warbler, 4 Spoonbill, a Peregrine, 2 Greenshank, 15 Ruff, 5 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat and a Lapland Bunting. Flying south were a Hawfinch, a Lapland Bunting and 7 Swallow; and north-west 29 Pink-footed Goose.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 18 new birds: 2 Wren, a Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, 3 Robin, a Chaffinch, 3 Blackcap, 6 Dunnock and a Woodpigeon; and 8 retraps: 2 Wren, a Blackbird, a Dunnock, a Robin, a Blue Tit and 2 Great Tit.

Mid September 2016

September 20th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, 4 Spoonbill, a Marsh Harrier, 10 Pintail, 4 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, 27 Ruff, 94 Black-tailed Godwit, a Snipe, 5 Brent Goose, 30 Pink-footed Goose, a Green Woodpecker, a Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, 2 Tree Pipit, a Sedge Warbler and 3 Reed Warbler. Going south were 35 Swallow.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 11 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, a Sedge Warbler, a Reed Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, a Goldfinch, a Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 6 retraps: 5 Dunnock and a Goldcrest.

September 19th. There were 3 Yellow-browed Warbler present: 1 trapped and ringed in East Dunes, and 2 around Beach Car Park. Around, including birds trapped, were 4 Spoonbill, 4 Pink-footed Goose, 5 Brent Goose, 11 Pintail, a Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Whimbrel, 3 Spotted Redshank, 4 Greenshank, 27 Ruff, 2 Kingfisher, 4 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, a Redstart, a Spotted Flycatcher, 35 Goldcrest, a Reed Warbler and a Garden Warbler. Heading south were 1500 Swallow, 2 Grey Wagtail, a Tree Pipit and 2 Tree Sparrow; and east 61Pink-footed Goose.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 32 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Wren, 2 Willow Warbler, a Yellow-browed Warbler, a Robin, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, a Redstart, 8 Dunnock, 5 Song Thrush, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Kingfisher; and 8 retraps: a Robin, 4 Dunnock, a Garden Warbler, a Wren and a Reed Warbler.

Yellow-browed Warbler, ringed 19th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Kingfisher, ringed 19th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

High tide near Bird Observatory, 19th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

September 18th. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 Spoonbill, a Lapland Bunting, a Little Stint, 7 Spotted Redshank, 4 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, 10 Ruff, 196 Black-tailed Godwit, 5930 Bar-tailed Godwit, 67000 Knot, 2 Snipe, a Scaup, 2 Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, a Redstart, a Wheatear, a Whinchat, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Pied Flycatcher, a Tree Pipit, 2 Garden Warbler, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Sedge Warbler and a Reed Warbler. Offshore were a Sabine's Gull, a Red-throated Diver and 100 Common Scoter. Flying south were a possible juvenile White-winged Black Tern, 3 Red-throated Diver, 50 Common Scoter, 14 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, 7 Arctic Skua, 6 Common Buzzard, 940 Meadow Pipit, 3 Grey Wagtail, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Siskin, 65 Swallow, 2 Sand Martin and 11 House Martin; north a black Tern; and south-east 10 Pink-footed Goose. In from the north-east came 3 Brent Goose.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 21 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, a Goldcrest, 4 Robin, a Tree Pipit, a Garden Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Blackcap, a Great Tit, a Swallow, 3 Dunnock and a Sparrowhawk; and 5 retraps: singles of Wren, Reed Warbler, Great Tit, Robin, Dunnock and Blackbird.
Chris Bottomer found 2 male Willow Emerald Damselflies (see photographs below). As well as being a new species for the reserve, this is almost certainly the most northerly UK record for this species.

Shorebirds, 18th September 2016.
Photo - James Siddle

Tree Pipit, ringed 18th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Sparrowhawk, ringed 18th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Willow Emerald Damselfly, 18th September 2016.
Photo - Chris Bottomer

Comma, 18th September 2016.

Photo - Rob Watson

September 17th. Soggy start. Moderately strong north-easterly wind, gradually decreasing.
Around, including birds trapped, were a Great White Egret, 5 Spoonbill, 55000 Knot, a Hobby, 2 Wheatear, a Rock Pipit (first of autumn), 5 Song Thrush, a Garden Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff and 8 Goldcrest. Sea-watching produced 62 Sooty Shearwater, 16 Manx Shearwater, a Great Skua, 10 Arctic Skua and 14 Fulmar north; 6 Red-throated Diver south; a Slavonian Grebe offshore; and a Pomarine Skua over the beach. South over land went 31 Pink-footed Goose, 26 Swallow, 8 House Martin, 3 Yellow Wagtail and 17 Meadow Pipit.
A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 11 new birds: a Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Robin, a Meadow Pipit, a Dunnock and 3 Song Thrush; and 2 retraps: a Garden Warbler and a Whitethroat.

Great White Egret, 17th September 2016.
Photo - Garry Wright

A link to video of waders, by Stuart Ainsworth:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa6NIthitbo&feature=youtu.be

September 16th. A Honey Buzzard flew south-east over the East Dunes at 1054hrs. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Kingfisher, 2 Whinchat, 3 Chiffchaff, a Garden Warbler and a Reed Warbler. Heading south were 50 House Martin and 17 Swallow. Sea-watching produced an adult Pomarine Skua, 80 Common Scoter, 11 Red-throated Diver, 100 Gannet, 120 Teal, 25 Wigeon and a Pintail south; and a Black Tern and a Great Skua north. A skein of 26 Pink-footed Goose, the first of the autumn, flew east.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 14 new birds: 3 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Wren, 2 Robin, a Reed Warbler, 2 Whinchat, a Reed Bunting, a Dunnock and 2 Mistle Thrush; and 5 retraps: 2 Great Tit, a Garden Warbler, a Blackcap and a Dunnock.

Whinchat, ringed 16th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Mistle Thrush, ringed 16th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

September 15th. Fog until late morning.
Around, including birds trapped, were 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 7 Spoonbill, 2 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 3 Snipe, a Water Rail, 2 Kingfisher, 2 Pied Flycatcher, a Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Wheatear, a Whinchat, a Garden Warbler and 4 Willow Warbler. Flying south were 24 Swallow.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 4 new birds: a Wren, a Willow Warbler, a Garden Warbler and a Blackcap; and 2 retrap Dunnock.

Yellow-browed Warbler, 15th September 2016.
Photo - Dave Roberts

Pied Flycatcher, 15th September 2016
Photo - Dave Roberts

September 14th. Fresh north-easterly wind.
Birds around included 8 Spoonbill, 7 Spotted Redshank, 4 Greenshank, 9 Ruff, 3 Water Rail, a Marsh Harrier, a Kingfisher, 6 Pied Flycatcher, a Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Whinchat and a Garden Warbler. Going south were 9 Swallow.
A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 4 new birds: singles of Goldcrest, Whitethroat, Chaffinch and Blackcap; and 2 retraps: a Wren and a Dunnock.

September 13th. In the Plantation were 15 Goldcrest, a Bullfinch, a Spotted Flycatcher and a Garden Warbler. On Jackson's Marsh were a Spoonbill, 4 Ruff, 3 Pintail and a Little Stint; and on Tennyson's Sands 2 Greenshank and a Spotted Redshank. Around were 4 Spoonbill, a Pomarine Skua, 193 Golden Plover, a Marsh Harrier, a Greenshank, a Tree Pipit, a Pied Flycatcher, a Garden Warbler and 2 Wheatear. Heading south were 5 Black Tern, a Fulmar, 300 Sandwich Tern, a Mediterranean Gull, a Great Skua, 20 Arctic Skua, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 40 House Martin, 35 Swallow, 8 Sand Martin, 8 Black Tern and a Hobby; and north a Manx Shearwater.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 13 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, a Whitethroat, a Robin, 2 Blue Tit, 3 Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 8 retraps: a Blackbird, a Robin, a Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock, a Blackcap, a Wren and a Blue Tit.

Sanderling, 13th September 2016.

Arctic Skua, 13th September 2016.

September 12th. Around, including birds trapped, were 8 Spoonbill, a Merlin, 10 Arctic Skua, 2 Greenshank, 5 Spotted Redshank, 7 Ruff, 148 Black-tailed Godwit, a Water Rail, a Yellow Wagtail, 5 Goldcrest, a Garden Warbler and 2 Sedge Warbler. Flying south were 13 Black Tern, 5 Pintail, 800 Meadow Pipit and 6 Swallow.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 11 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, 3 Robin, 2 Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Sedge Warbler; and 2 retraps: singles of Whitethroat and Blackcap.

September 11th. Soggy start, gradually drying out.
Birds around, including those trapped, were 12 Spoonbill, 3 Manx Shearwater, a Little Stint, a Curlew Sandpiper, 7 Spotted Redshank, 10 Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper, 5 Ruff, 3 Snipe, 223 Black-tailed Godwit, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Water Rail, 32 Little Grebe, 2 Pintail, 44 Shoveler, a juvenile Peregrine, a Merlin, a Hobby, 3 Common Buzzard, a Jay, 2 Kingfisher, 7 Wheatear, 2 Siskin, 5 Yellow Wagtail, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler and 2 Goldcrest. Going south were 100 Swallow, 10 House Martin, 4 Sand Martin and 11 Dunnock.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 24 new birds; 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Whitethroat, a Greenland Wheatear, 2 Robin, 2 Garden Warbler, 3 Blackcap and 7 Dunnock; and 10 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Robin, a Whitethroat, 3 Dunnock, a Blue Tit, a Woodpigeon and a Wren.

Speckled Wood, 11th September 2016.
Photo - Rob Watson

Wheatear, 11th September 2016.
Photo - Rob Watson

Greenland Wheatear, ringed 11th September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Hunting Peregrine, 11th September 2016.

Early September 2016

September 10th. Rain for most of day, making recording difficult.

Birds around included 12 Spoonbill, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshank and a Greenshank.

September 9th. Increasing south-westerly wind.
Sea-watching produced a juvenile Long-tailed Skua and 700 Sandwich Tern around the shore, and a Pomarine Skua, 12 Arctic Skua, a Great Northern Diver and 200 Gannet south. Around were 6 Spoonbill, a Red-throated Diver, 2 Pintail, a Little Stint, a Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Ruff, 19 Snipe, 10 Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Arctic Skua, a Merlin, 2 Water Rail, a Green Woodpecker, 5 Mistle Thrush and 5 Yellow Wagtail. Heading south were 30 Teal, 7 House Martin and 65 Swallow. A Hobby flew west over Jackson's Marsh.
A brief, wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 4 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, a Blackcap and a Whitethroat; and 3 retraps: 2 Dunnock and a Robin.

Female Pintail on the Mere, 9th September 2016
Photo - Nige Lound

September 8th. Birds around included 12 Spoonbill, a Merlin, a Common Buzzard, 7 Pintail, a Whimbrel, 16 Ruff, a Little Stint, a Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 7 Greenshank, 5 Spotted Redshank, 180 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 8 Snipe, a Green Woodpecker, 27 Mistle Thrush and a Grey Wagtail. The over-summering Redwing was seen again in East Dunes. Flying south were 2 Grey Wagtail, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 520 House Martin, 65 Sand Martin and 500 Swallow.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 3 new birds: singles of Blackcap, Blue Tit and Great Tit; and 4 retraps: 2 Robin, a Dunnock and a Wren.

1st calendar year Little Ringed Plover on Tennyson's Sands, 8th September 2016
Photo - Nige Lound

September 7th. A Dowitcher Sp flew south with 10 Bar-tailed Godwit at 0750hrs. Around, including birds trapped, were 2 Spoonbill, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Little Stint, a Little Ringed Plover, 4 Ruff, 6 Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank, a Marsh Harrier, a Common Buzzard, 2 Pied Flycatcher and a Redstart. Going south were 500 Swallow and 7 House Martin.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 16 new birds: 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Robin, a Whitethroat, a Linnet, 2 Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Redstart and 3 Dunnock; and 3 retraps: singles of Linnet, Whitethroat and Dunnock.

September 6th. Birds around included 12 Spoonbill, 2 Ruff, 10 Greenshank, 5 Spotted Redshank and 2 Common Sandpiper. Heading south were 3 Pomarine Skua and 400 Swallow.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 11 new birds: 5 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 2 Robin, 2 Whitethroat and a Blackcap; and 4 retraps: singles of Robin, Wren, Great Tit and Dunnock.

September 5th. An Icterine Warbler was discovered in the Sallows visible from North Building Ridge. Around were 6 Spoonbill, 3 Marsh Harrier, 550 Sandwich Tern, 2000 Bar-tailed Godwit, 28500 Knot, 2500 Oystercatcher, 1200 Grey Plover, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, a Little Stint, a Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, a Water Rail, a Kingfisher, 15 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Pied Flycatcher, a Spotted Flycatcher and a Wheatear. Flying south were 2 Arctic Skua, 22 Wigeon, a Pintail, a Velvet Scoter, 70 Teal, 200 Sandwich Tern, 200 Meadow Pipit, 20 Yellow Wagtail, 1100 Swallow, 190 House Martin and 175 Sand Martin; and north 2 Pomarine Skua and 3 Manx Shearwater.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 16 new birds: a Wren, 4 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 3 Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Robin, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Blue Tit and 2 Dunnock; and 6 retraps: 4 Dunnock, a Whitethroat and a Blackbird.

September 4th. Birds around included 5 Spoonbill, 61000 Knot, a Little Stint, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, 6 Spotted Redshank, 10 Greenshank, 5 Green Sandpiper, 2 Little Ringed Plover, a Snipe, a Common Sandpiper, 3 Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Buzzard, a Swift, a Kingfisher, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Whinchat and a Wheatear. Heading south were 280 Swallow.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 7 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Blackcap, a Robin, 2 Whitethroat, a Linnet and a Goldfinch; and 3 retraps: 2 Blackcap and a Dunnock.

September 3rd. Around were 15 Spoonbill, a Little Stint, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 14 Greenshank, 5 Snipe, a Green Sandpiper, 3 Spotted Redshank, a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Ruff, 209 Black-tailed Godwit, 8000 Bar-tailed Godwit, a Mediterranean Gull, 2 Common Buzzard, 3+ Marsh Harrier, a Peregrine, a Green Woodpecker, 7 Whinchat and 2 Wheatear. Flying south were 120 Swallow, 4 Sand Martin and 8 House Martin.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 14 new birds: 5 Willow Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, a Robin, a Reed Warbler and a Dunnock; and 6 retraps: 2 Robin, 2 Whitethroat, a Wren and a Lesser Whitethroat.

Dawn over East Dunes, 3rd September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

September 2nd. Rain until early morning, then moderately fresh wind.
Birds around, including those trapped, were 8+ Spoonbill, 55000 Knot, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, a Little Stint, 3 Greenshank, 5 Spotted Redshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Little Ringed Plover, 184 Black-tailed Godwit, 37 Shoveler, 2 Common Buzzard and 2 Wheatear. Offshore was a juvenile Long-tailed Skua. Going south were a Hobby, 5 Sand Martin and 175 Swallow.
A rain-delayed and wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 2 new birds: a Reed Warbler and a Wheatear; and no retraps. The Wheatear, with a wing of 105mm, was of the Greenland subspecies.

Birds and sunset, 2nd September 2016.
Photo - Les Binns

Greenland Wheatear, ringed 2nd September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

September 1st. Around, including birds trapped, were a Wryneck, 7 Spoonbill, a Little Stint, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, 5 Snipe, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 206 Black-tailed Godwit, a Marsh Harrier, a Pintail, 10 Tree Sparrow, 8 Yellow Wagtail and a Redstart. Unseasonal birds were a Barnacle Goose and a Pink-footed Goose. The first-summer (portlandica) Common Tern was still present. Heading south were 2 Yellow Wagtail and 150 Swallow.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, resulted in 16 new birds: 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Linnet, a Meadow Pipit, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Blackcap, 2 Blue Tit, 3 Whitethroat and a Redstart; and 10 retraps: a Blackcap, 2 Robin, a Whitethroat, a Great Tit, 3 Dunnock, a Willow Warbler and a Linnet.

First-summer (portlandica) Common Tern, 1st September 2016.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Redstart, ringed 1st September 2016.
Photo - George Gregory