Late May 2017

May 31st. On Tennyson's Sands were a Spoonbill and a Mediterranean Gull. Birds around included a Greenshank, a Turtle Dove, 2 Cuckoo and a Hobby.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 9 new birds: 6 Blue Tit, a Blackcap, a Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 2 retraps: a Whitethroat and a Blue Tit.

Hobby, 31st May 2017.

Hobby, 31st May 2017.

Sedge Warbler, 31st May 2017.

May 30th. Soggy start, gradually drying out.
 On Tennyson's Sands were a Spoonbill, a Great Crested Grebe and a Ruff; and on Fenland Lagoon 2 Little Ringed Plover.  Around were a Short-eared Owl, 3 Cuckoo, a Turtle Dove, a Green Woodpecker (North End) and a Garden Warbler. Heading south were 3 Barnacle Goose, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Buzzard, a Red Kite, a Greenshank, 32 Swift, 44 Swallow and 18 House Martin; and north 2 Gannet.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 7 new birds: 3 Linnet, a Reed Bunting and 3 Dunnock; and 5 retraps: 3 Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock.

May 29th. Rainy spells in early morning and in afternoon.
 The Spoonbill remained on Tennyson's Sands. Birds around included 3 Turtle Dove, 3 Cuckoo and a Short-eared Owl.

Roe Deer in West Dunes, 29th May 2017.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Great Spotted Woodpecker at the Feeding Station, 29th May 2017.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Turtle Dove in West Dunes, 29th May 2017.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Short-eared Owl, 29th May 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Short-eared Owl, 29th May 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale.

May 28th.  Flying south were a first-summer male Red-footed Falcon, an Alpine Swift, 31 Red Kite, 6 Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harrier, 4 Hobby, 3 Mediterranean Gull, 260 Swift, 15 Swallow, 30 House Martin and a Siskin. A Black Stork circled before heading south. Around were a Short-eared Owl, a Turtle Dove and 2 Cuckoo. On Fenland Lagoon were 2 Little Ringed Plover; and on Tennyson's Sands a Spoonbill and a Great Crested Grebe.

Red Kite, 28th May 2017.
Photo - James Siddle

3 Red Kites over Gibraltar Point, 28th May 2017.
Photo - James Siddle

Red Kite over Old Saltmarsh, 28th May 2017.
Photo - James Siddle

Young Rabbit in West Dunes, 28th May 2017.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Red-footed Falcon, 28th May 2017.
Photo - James Siddle

May 27th. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Spoonbill and a Great Crested Grebe. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Short-eared Owl, a Turtle Dove (East Dunes) and 2 Cuckoo. Heading south were a Black Tern and 150 Swift.
 A brief morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 2 new birds: a Whitethroat and a Cuckoo; and no retraps.

Spoonbills on Tennyson Sands, 27th May 2017.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Broad-bodied Chaser, 27th May 2017.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Turtle Dove, East Dunes 27th May 2017.
Photo - James Siddle

First-summer female Cuckoo showing retained juvenile feathers, ringed 27th May 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

First-summer female Cuckoo showing retained juvenile feathers, ringed 27th May 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

May 26th. The Spoonbill remained on Tennyson's Sands, where was also a Common Sandpiper. On Fenland Lagoon were 2 Little Ringed Plover and a Grey Plover. Around were a Turtle Dove, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Cuckoo and a Grasshopper Warbler. Going south was a Grey Wagtail.

Grey Plover (with lunch), 26th May 2017.

Grey Plover, 26th May 2017.

Selection of Butterflies around the Reserve, 26th May 2017.
Photo - Philip Millns

May 25th. An adult male Red-footed Falcon drifted south early afternoon. Birds around included a Short-eared Owl, 2 Turtle Dove, 2 Cuckoo and a Redwing. On Tennyson's Sands were a Spoonbill, a Mediterranean Gull and 2 Little Ringed Plover.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, resulted in 2 new birds: a Whitethroat and a Blackcap; and 10 retraps: 3 Whitethroat, a Dunnock, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Great Tit, a Sedge Warbler, a Blue Tit and a Reed Bunting.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling resulted in 11 new birds: 5 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Whitethroat, 3 Sedge Warbler and a Dunnock; and 7 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, 3 Sedge Warbler, a Wren and a Blackbird.
 A check of nest boxes revealed a Barn Owl nest with 5 warm eggs; a Stock Dove nest with 2 warm eggs: 6 Jackdaw pulli ringed; and several Great Tit nests with small pulli or sitting adults, but also several failed clutches, probably the result of recent rains.

Barn Owl, 25th May 2017.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Linnet, 25th May 2017.
Photo - Paul Johnson

May 24th. Around, including birds trapped. were a Mediterranean Gull, a Short-eared Owl, 5 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Cuckoo, 2 Turtle Dove and a Redwing. On Tennyson's Sands was a Spoonbill; and on Fenland Lagoon a Common Sandpiper.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 3 new birds: a Chaffinch, a Blackcap and a Redwing; and 4 retraps: 2 Dunnock, a Willow Warbler and a Whitethroat.

Redwing, ringed 24th May 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

May 23rd. Flying south in the morning were a Bee-eater, a Red Kite and a Yellow Wagtail; and north 53 Brent Goose. Birds around included 2 Brent Goose, a Short-eared Owl, 3 Turtle Dove, 2 Cuckoo and Spotted Flycatcher. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Little Ringed Plover.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 4 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Meadow Pipit; and a retrap Lesser Whitethroat.

Reed Warbler, Tennyson Sands.
Photo - Paul Neale

Little Egret, Tennyson Sands.
Photo - Paul Neale

Little Ringed Plover, Tennyson Sands.
Photo - Paul Neale

May 22nd. Around were a Red Kite, a Short-eared Owl, 3 Cuckoo, a Turtle Dove, 2 Hobby and a Spotted Flycatcher.

 The third session of CES was done this morning. The 20 new birds were a Willow Warbler, a Wren, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Robin, 3 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler and 2 Dunnock. The 17 retraps were 3 Dunnock, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, a Robin, 2 Whitethroat, a Wren, 3 Blackbird, a Chaffinch, a Song Thrush and a Sedge Warbler.

Spotted Flycatcher, 22nd May 2017.
Photo - Kev Wilson

Red Kite, 22nd May 2017.
Photo - Phil Hyde

Red Kite, 22nd May 2017.
Photo - Phil Hyde

Short-eared Owl, 22nd May 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Little Egret, Tennyson Sands, 22nd May 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Common Terns, Tennyson Sands, 22nd May 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Turtle Dove, 22nd May 2017.

May 21st. On Tennyson's Sands was a Spoonbill. Flying north were 2 more Spoonbill; and south a Hobby, 3 Swift, 12 Swallow, 5 House Martin and a Grey Wagtail. Birds around were a Marsh Harrier, 4 Whimbrel, a Greenshank, 3 Cuckoo, 4 Turtle Dove, a Short-eared Owl, a Kingfisher, a Grasshopper Warbler and a Spotted Flycatcher.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded just 4 retraps: a Willow Warbler, 2 Dunnock and a Sedge Warbler.

Mid May 2017

May 20th. Around, including birds trapped, were 80 Brent Goose, 15 Whimbrel, 65 Little Tern, a Short-eared Owl, 3 Cuckoo, a Kingfisher and 3 Spotted Flycatcher. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Little Ringed Plover. Flying south were 3 Whimbrel, a Marsh Harrier, a Hobby, 18 Swallow and 2 House Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 9 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, a Reed Bunting, a Robin and a Mistle Thrush; and 5 retraps: singles of Whitethroat, Meadow Pipit, Blue Tit, Dunnock and Great Tit.
 Butterflies included 10 Green Hairstreak and a Wall Brown.

Swallow, 20th May 2017.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Willow Warbler, 20th May 2017.
Photo - Paul Johnson

Spotted Flycatcher, ringed 20th May 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Juvenile Robin, ringed 20th May 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Mistle Thrush, ringed 20th May 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

May 19th. Rain until early afternoon.
 Birds around included 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Swift, 50 Swallow, 20 House Martin and a Goldcrest. Going south were 2 Whimbrel and a Yellow Wagtail.

May 18th. Soggy start, gradually drying out.
 Around were 5 Whimbrel, a Short-eared Owl, 3 Cuckoo and 2 Hobby. On Fenland Lagoon was a Kingfisher. Heading south were 15 Swallow and 20 House Martin.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 3 new birds: a Chaffinch and 2 Blackcap; and 2 retrap Whitethroat.
 Butterflies included a Painted Lady.

Hobby, 18th May 2017.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

May 17th. Rain almost all day, making recording difficult.
 The Spoonbill returned to Tennyson's Sands in the evening. Also there were a Common Sandpiper, 18 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Little Tern; and on Fenland Lagoon was a Grey Plover. Birds around included 32 Brent Goose, 8 Whimbrel, 3 Cuckoo, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Bullfinch and a House Sparrow. Going south were 5 Swift, 118 Swallow, 11 Sand Martin, 68 House Martin and a Tree Pipit; and south-south-east a female Marsh Harrier.

May 16th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.
 On Tennyson's Sands in the evening was a Spoonbill. Around, including birds trapped, were 6 Whimbrel, a Snipe, 3 Cuckoo, 2 Rook and 2 Siskin. Flying south were 2 Hobby and 100 Swallow.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 6 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Whitethroat, a Chaffinch, 2 Swallow and a Cuckoo; and 6 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, 2 Blue Tit, a Great Tit and a Sedge Warbler.

Swallow, ringed 16th May 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Cuckoo, ringed 16th May, 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Spoonbill, 16th May 2017.
Photo - Richard Doan

May 15th. Some light rain late morning, then more rain in the afternoon.
 On Tennyson's Sands were a Temminck's Stint and a female Wigeon. Birds around included 38 Common Scoter, 125 Little Tern, 4 Whimbrel and 3 Cuckoo. Heading south were 9 Common Scoter, an Arctic Tern, 3 Swift, 4 Sand Martin, 54 House Martin, 78 Swallow and a Tree Pipit; and west a female Bullfinch.
 The second session of CES was done this morning. The 13 new birds were a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 2 Whitethroat, a Robin, 2 Blackcap, a Swallow, a Song Thrush, 2 Blackbird and 2 Mistle Thrush. The 21 retraps were 3 Dunnock, 6 Whitethroat, 2 Great Tit, a Song Thrush, a Willow Warbler, a Robin, 2 Wren, 2 Blue Tit, a Sedge Warbler, a Mistle Thrush and a Chiffchaff.

Temminck's Stint, 15th May 2017.
Photo - Richard Doan

Mistle Thrush, ringed 15th May 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

May 14th. Some rain early morning.
 Around, including birds trapped, were a Common Sandpiper, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, a Turtle Dove, 5 Cuckoo, a Firecrest, 5 Wheatear, 3 Grasshopper Warbler and a Bullfinch. Flying north were 2 Spoonbill; and south 6 Barnacle Goose, 2 Goosander and a Peregrine.
 A rain-delayed morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 3 new birds: a Firecrest, a Reed Warbler and a Chaffinch; and 2 retraps: singles of Whitethroat and Dunnock.

Grasshopper Warbler, 14th April 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Roe Deer, 14th April 2017.
Photo - Paul Neale

Firecrest, ringed 14th May 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

May 13th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.
 In the early morning a Red-rumped Swallow went south over Jackson's Marsh, then later another Red-rumped Swallow went south over Mill Hill, then a Bee-eater flew south over East Dunes. Also going south were 3 Barnacle Goose, 3 Marsh Harrier, 16 Whimbrel, 3 Swift, a Hobby, 200 Swallow, 50 Sand Martin, 250 House Martin, 3 Tree Pipit and 14 Yellow Wagtail. Birds around included a Turtle Dove, 3 Cuckoo, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Tree Pipit, 3 Yellow Wagtail and a Corn Bunting. On Tennyson's Sands were a Ruff and 17 Black-tailed Godwit; and on Fenland Lagoon a Greenshank and a Kingfisher.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 9 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 6 Whitethroat and a Robin; and 3 retraps: a Goldfinch and 2 Sedge Warbler.

May 12th. The Nightingale sang briefly in West Dunes. Around, including birds trapped, were a Whimbrel, 2 Greenshank, 3 Cuckoo, 3 Turtle Dove, a Short-eared Owl, a Wheatear, a Grasshopper Warbler and 2 Tree Pipit. Heading south were 3 Yellow Wagtail and 25 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 16 new birds: a Wren, a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 3 Sedge Warbler, a Reed Warbler, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Goldfinch, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Reed Bunting and a Turtle Dove; and 7 retraps: a Linnet, 2 Whitethroat, a Wren, a Chiffchaff and 2 Sedge Warbler.

Turtle Dove, ringed 12th May 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

Turtle Dove, ringed 12th May 2017.
Photo - George Gregory

May 11th. The Nightingale sang again south of Beach Car Park. Other birds around were a female Marsh Harrier, a Common Buzzard, 5 Whimbrel, a Cuckoo, 3 Swift, a Green Woodpecker, a Wheatear, a female Redstart (East Dunes), 2 female Pied Flycatcher (1 East Dunes, 1 Plantation), a Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Yellow Wagtail and a Redpoll. On Tennyson's Sands were a male Pochard, a Ruff, a Common Tern and 3 Reed Warbler.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, provided 4 new birds: singles of Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat and a Great Tit; and no retraps.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling provided 5 new birds: a Long-tailed Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler and a Mistle Thrush; and 9 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat, a Blue Tit, a Sedge Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, a Blackbird, a Chiffchaff and a Robin.

Lesser Whitethroat, 11th May 2017.
Photo - Kev Wilson 

Grasshopper Warbler, 11th May 2017.
Photo - Chris Greene