Late August 2021

August 31st. Occasional brief drizzly spells.

 A Common Rosefinch was trapped and ringed in East Dunes. Birds around, including those trapped, were 3 Common Sandpiper, 4 Marsh Harrier, 4 Swallow, 4 Willow Warbler, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Garden Warbler, a Wheatear, a Redstart, 3 Spotted Flycatcher and 4 Pied Flycatcher. On Jackson's Marsh were an Avocet, 142 Black-tailed Godwit and 32 Dunlin; and on Tennyson's Sands 51 Avocet, 37 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Dunlin, a Redshank, a Snipe and 3 Spoonbill. Heading north were 3 Golden Plover, 10 Kittiwake, 5 Arctic Tern, a Roseate Tern,  a Black Tern, 3 Great Skua, a Pomarine Skua, 90 Arctic Skua, 5 Long-tailed Skua, 19 Gannet and a Marsh Harrier; and south 2 Red-throated Diver.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with James Siddle, provided 7 new birds: a Grasshopper Warbler, a Whitethroat, a Garden Warbler, 2 Pied Flycatcher, a Common Rosefinch and a Kestrel; and 5 retraps: a Robin, a Pied Flycatcher, a Dunnock and 2 Whitethroat.

Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwits, 31 August 2021.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Common Rosefinch, ringed 31 August 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

August 30th. Moderately strong northerly wind.

 Around, including birds trapped, were 2 Arctic Skua, a Sparrowhawk, a Peregrine, 23 Swallow, a Willow Warbler, a Garden Warbler, 6 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Spotted Flycatcher and a Wheatear. On Jackson's Marsh were an Avocet, 18 Dunlin, 3 Greenshank and 8 Spoonbill; and on Tennyson's Sands 52 Avocet, 223 Black-tailed Godwit, 31 Dunlin, a Snipe, 3 Common Tern and a Spoonbill. Flying north were 40 Arctic Skua, a Sooty Shearwater, 1000 Sandwich Tern, a Black Tern, 4 Fulmar, 28 Gannet, 31 Arctic Skua and a Puffin.

 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 3 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Whitethroat and a Reed Warbler; and 5 retraps: a Garden Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, a Dunnock and a Blackbird.

Juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 30 August 2021.
Photo - Kevin Wilson
Wheatear, 30 August 2021.
Photo - Steve Clipperton

Pied Flycatcher, 30 August 2021.
Photo - Steve Clipperton

August 29th. A Wryneck was discovered seaward of Mill Hill. Other birds around, including those trapped, were a Sparrowhawk, 6 Swallow, a Garden Warbler, a Pied Flycatcher, a Whinchat, a Redstart, 3 Willow Warbler and a Chiffchaff. On Jackson's Marsh were  were 3 Black-tailed Godwit, a Green Sandpiper and 15 Spoonbill; and on Tennyson's Sands 36 Avocet, 226 Black-tailed Godwit, 160 Dunlin, a Snipe, a Green Sandpiper, 7 Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank, 3 Common Tern, 4 Spoonbill and a Bearded Tit.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 13 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Garden Warbler, a Pied Flycatcher, 2 Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Whitethroat and a Dunnock; and 5 retraps: 3 Whitethroat, a Dunnock and a Song Thrush.

August 28th. Around, including birds trapped, were a Sparrowhawk, a Merlin, 2 Willow Warbler and 3 Tree Sparrow. On Tennyson's Sands were 45 Avocet, a Little Ringed Plover, 273 Black-tailed Godwit, a Knot, 60 Dunlin, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, a Little Stint, 4 Green Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 7 Spotted Redshank, 9 Snipe, 3 Common Tern, 8 Spoonbill, a Kingfisher and 2 Yellow Wagtail; and on Jackson's Marsh a Spoonbill. Going south were 6 Swallow.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 11 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Sedge Warbler, a Reed Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Robin, a Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Tree Sparrow; and 4 retraps: a Willow Warbler, a Whitethroat, a Tree Sparrow and a Dunnock.

Merlin, 28 August 2021.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Green Sandpipers, 28 August 2021.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Tree Sparrow, ringed 28 August 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

Tree Sparrow, ringed 28 August 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

August 27th. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Whimbrel, a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, a Short-eared Owl, 700 Starling, a Willow Warbler and 4 Redstart. On Jackson's Marsh were 16 Spoonbill; and on Tennyson's Sands 51 Avocet, 216 Black-tailed Godwit, 62 Dunlin, 45 Redshank, 4 Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank and 11 Spoonbill. Heading south were 16 Swallow.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 11 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Linnet, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, a Blackcap, 2 Redstart and a Robin; and 3 retrap Whitethroat.

 By the Heligoland Trap was a Water Shrew.

Redstart, ringed 27 August 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

August 26th. Moderately strong northerly wind.

 Around, including birds trapped, were 2 Greenshank, 80000 Knot, 11000 Dunlin, 6500 Sanderling, 3000 Grey Plover, 2500 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3000 Oystercatcher, a Sparrowhawk, 4000 Starling, a Treecreeper, 18 Swallow and a Willow Warbler. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Avocet, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and 25 Spoonbill; and on Tennyson's Sands 53 Avocet, 228 Black-tailed Godwit, a Knot, 11 Dunlin, a Greenshank, 44 Redshank and a Spoonbill. Flying north were 2 Ruff, a Whimbrel, 2 Long-tailed Skua, a Pomarine Skua, 55 Arctic Skua, a Great Skua, 120 Common Tern, 1100 Sandwich Tern, 5 Sooty Shearwater and a Marsh Harrier; and south a Hobby and a Yellow Wagtail.

 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, resulted in 5 new birds: a Willow Warbler, 2 Linnet, a Whitethroat and a Dunnock; and 5 retraps: a Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, a Robin and a Dunnock.

 A wind-restricted morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling resulted in 3 new birds: a Wren, a Treecreeper and a Goldfinch.

August 25th. Drizzly spells until late morning.

 Birds around, including those trapped, were 2 Greenshank, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, a Marsh Harrier, 3 Spoonbill, 22 Willow Warbler, a Pied Flycatcher, a Treecreeper, a Redstart, 100 Swallow, 3000 Starling and 4 Yellow Wagtail. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Snipe and 24 Spoonbill; and on Tennyson's Sands a Pink-footed Goose, 71 Avocet, a Ringed Plover, a Little Ringed Plover, 279 Black-tailed Godwit, a Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 193 Redshank, 4 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 11 Snipe, 65 Dunlin, 2 Common Tern and a Great White Egret.

 A drizzle-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 10 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Robin, a Pied Flycatcher, a Linnet, a Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Blackbird; and 2 retraps: a Whitethroat and a Dunnock.

Pied Flycatcher, ringed 25 August 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

August 24th. Around, including birds trapped, were a Whimbrel, a Curlew Sandpiper, 1500 Starling, 2 Willow Warbler and a Tree Pipit. On Jackson's Marsh were an Avocet, a Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper and 19 Spoonbill; and on Tennyson's Sands 72 Avocet, 204 Black-tailed Godwit, a Snipe, 11 Greenshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, 13 Redshank, 15 Spoonbill and a Great White Egret.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 11 new birds: 2 Willow Warbler, a Wren, 2 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Meadow Pipit, a Tree Pipit and a Goldfinch; and 2 retrap Whitethroat.

Sanderling roost, 24 August 2021.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Curlew Sandpiper, 24 August 2021.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Tree Pipit, ringed 24 August 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

August 23rd. Birds around, including those trapped, were 2 Sparrowhawk, a Marsh Harrier, 3 Buzzard, a Kingfisher, a Cetti's Warbler, a Whinchat and a Treecreeper. Out of the Mere roost came 3000+ Starling. On Jackson's Marsh were 10 Black-tailed Godwit, a Green Sandpiper, a Greenshank, a Dunlin, a Snipe, 29 Spoonbill, 3 Great White Egret and 14 Little Egret; on Tennyson's Sands 65 Avocet, a Little Ringed Plover, 204 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Greenshank, 200 Redshank, 3 Spotted Redshank, 28 Snipe, 7 Dunlin, 4 Grey Heron and 3 Yellow Wagtail; and on Fenland Lagoon a Greenshank, 2 Redshank and a Little Egret. Going south were 3 Black Tern, 2 Marsh Harrier and 8 Swallow; and north a Kittiwake.

 The twelfth and final session of CES was done this morning. The 16 new birds were a Wren, a Treecreeper, 3 Robin, 2 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock, a Song Thrush, a Blackbird and a Magpie. The 3 retraps were a Dunnock, a Whitethroat and a Wren.

August 22nd. Occasional rainy spells.

 Around, including birds trapped, were 344 Common Scoter, 2 Whimbrel, 60000 Knot, 2500 Grey Plover, 8 Arctic Skua, a Long-tailed Skua, 1500 Sandwich Tern, 400 Common Tern, 2 Black Tern, 2 Marsh Harrier and 2 Willow Warbler. Out of the Mere roost came 5000+ Starling. On Jackson's Marsh were an Avocet, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Snipe, a Greenshank, 30 Spoonbill, 3 Great White Egret, 27 Little Egret and a Grey Heron; and on Tennyson's Sands 64 Avocet, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 234 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Ruff, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Little Stint, 2 Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, 4 Greenshank, 28 Snipe, 200 Redshank, 3 Spotted Redshank, 2 Common Tern, a Kingfisher and 3 Yellow Wagtail. Heading south were 37 Curlew, 2 Whimbrel, a Mediterranean Gull, a Red-throated Diver and 47 Swallow; and north 9 Common Scoter.

 A brief morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 8 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Wren, 3 Whitethroat, a Reed Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Dunnock; and 5 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Willow Warbler and a Dunnock.

August 21st. Birds around, including those trapped, were 2 Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, a Merlin, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 250 Swallow, a Treecreeper, 7 Willow Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatcher and a Pied Flycatcher. Offshore was a Long-tailed Skua. On Jackson's Marsh were 17 Spoonbill; and on Tennyson's Sands 73 Avocet, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 257 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Curlew, a Ruff, a Knot, 12 Snipe, 4 Spotted Redshank, a Green Sandpiper, 6 Greenshank, a Mediterranean Gull and 3 Common Tern. Flying south were a Great White Egret, a Hobby, 22 Arctic Skua, 3 Great Skua, 300 Common Tern, 400 Sandwich Tern, 7 Arctic Tern, a Little Tern, 4 Sand Martin and 23 Swallow. 

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 4 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Robin, a Pied Flycatcher and a Dunnock; and 2 retraps: a Whitethroat and a Wren.


Pied Flycatcher, ringed 21 August 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

Mid August 2021

August 20th. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Sparrowhawk, a Marsh Harrier, a Merlin, a Cetti's Warbler, 51 Willow Warbler, a Pied Flycatcher, 6 Yellow Wagtail and 6 Tree Sparrow. On Jackson's Marsh were an Avocet, a Snipe and 17 Spoonbill; and on Tennyson's Sands 82 Avocet, a Little Ringed Plover, 204 Black-tailed Godwit, a Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, 37 Dunlin, a Little Stint and a Curlew Sandpiper. Going south were a Mandarin Duck, a Little Ringed Plover, 6 Whimbrel, a Green Sandpiper, a Long-tailed Skua, a Pomarine Skua, a Black Tern, a Mediterranean Gull, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Tree Pipit, 21 Yellow Wagtail, 39 Sand Martin, 490 Swallow, 45 House Martin.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 12 new birds: 7 Willow Warbler, a Reed Warbler, 3 Whitethroat and a Dunnock; and 3 retrap Whitethroat.

August 19th. Around, including birds trapped, were a Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, 250 Swallow, 2 Whinchat and 25 Willow Warbler. On Tennyson's Sands were 85 Avocet, a Little Ringed Plover, 214 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Spotted Redshank, a Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, 28 Dunlin, a Little Stint, a Curlew Sandpiper, 5 Snipe, 2 Grey Heron and 17 Spoonbill (including 2 south later); on Croftmarsh a Great White Egret; and on Jackson's Marsh 6 Avocet, a Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Dunlin, 7 Snipe, 2 Common Sandpiper, a Greenshank, a Grey Heron and a Green Sandpiper. Heading south were 13 Swift, 26 Curlew, 7 Sand Martin, 120 Swallow, 4 House Martin and 2 Yellow Wagtail; and north a Whimbrel.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett resulted in 17 new birds: 10 Willow Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat and 3 Whitethroat; and 8 retraps: a Willow Warbler, 5 Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling resulted in 12 new birds: 3 Wren, a Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Goldfinch, 3 Whitethroat, a Great Tit and 2 Dunnock; and 3 retraps: 2 Whitethroats and a Chiffchaff.

Wild Hop, 19 August 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

Ringing Control: Sedge Warbler ringed Saint-Vigor-d'Ymonville, Seine-Maritime, France 27 August 2019, controlled GPBO 9 July 2021

August 18th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 16 Willow Warbler. On Tennyson's Sands were 67 Avocet, a Little Ringed Plover, 246 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Snipe, 89 Dunlin and 9 Spoonbill; and on Jackson's Marsh an Avocet, 3 Snipe and 50 Dunlin. Flying south were 11 Curlew, a Whimbrel, 2 Swift and 19 Swallow.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 19 new birds: 16 Willow Warbler and 3 Whitethroat; and 2 retraps: a Dunnock and a Whitethroat.

A partially slug-eaten Stinkhorn Fungus, causing a bad smell near the Heligoland Trap, 18 August 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

A partially slug-eaten Stinkhorn Fungus, causing a bad smell near the Heligoland Trap, 18 August 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

August 17th. Some early morning light rain.

 Around, including birds trapped, were a Sparrowhawk, a Peregrine, 12000 Starling and 6 Willow Warbler. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Avocet, a Black-tailed Godwit and a Redshank; and on Tennyson's Sands 82 Avocet, 5 Little Ringed Plover, 212 Black-tailed Godwit, a Knot, a Curlew Sandpiper, 125 Dunlin, a Little Stint, 11 Snipe, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 3 Greenshank, 2 Redshank, 4 Spotted Redshank, 2 Common Tern, a Grey Heron, 2 Spoonbill and a Kingfisher. Going south were 37 Curlew, 3 Swift, 3 Sand Martin and 26 Swallow.

 A rain-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 9 new birds: 6 Willow Warbler and 3 Whitethroat; and 5 retraps: a Wren, 3 Whitethroat and a Dunnock.

Little Stint, 17 August 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Little Stint, 17 August 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Ringing Recovery: Chiffchaff, ringed Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire 9 September 2020, found dead GPNNR 21 June 2021.

August 16th. Birds around included 1200 Sandwich Tern, 130 Common Tern, 2 Arctic Skua, 24 Gannet, a Sparrowhawk, a Peregrine and a Sand Martin, 114 Swallow and 5 Willow Warbler. On Tennyson's Sands were 70 Avocet, 30 Lapwing, 11 Little Ringed Plover,  152 Black-tailed Godwit, a Curlew Sandpiper, 72 Dunlin, 9 Snipe, 5 Green Sandpiper, a Wood Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, 5 Spotted Redshank, 7 Greenshank, a Grey Heron, 4 Great White Egret and 8 Spoonbill; and on Jackson's Marsh 3 Avocet, a Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper and 4 Snipe. Heading south were 4 Little Tern, 2 Arctic Skua, 7 Sand Martin and 36 Swallow; and north 2 Swift. 

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 7 new birds: a Robin, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat and 4 Starling; and 2 retrap Dunnock.

 Butterflies included 2 Painted Lady.

Little Egret, Great White Egrets and Spoonbill, 16 August 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Juvenile Great Crested Grebe, 16 August 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Lesser Whitethroat, ringed 16 August 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

Whitethroat, ringed 16 August 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

August 15th. Around were a Whimbrel, a Sparrowhawk and a Short-eared Owl. On Jackson's Marsh were 3 Avocet, a Snipe, a Common Sandpiper and a Great White Egret; and on Tennyson's Sands 74 Avocet, 4 Little Ringed Plover, a Golden Plover, 240 Black-tailed Godwit, a Knot, 75 Dunlin, a Curlew Sandpiper, a Little Stint, 8 Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper, a Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 2 Common Tern and 10 Spoonbill. Flying south were 4 Arctic Skua, 4 Spoonbill (early) and a Swallow.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 5 new birds: 2 Wren, 2 Whitethroat and a Linnet; and 3 retraps: a Blackcap, a Whitethroat and a Dunnock.

 Butterflies included 5 Painted Lady.

August 14th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 400 Sandwich Tern, 2 Arctic Skua, a Sparrowhawk, a Peregrine, a Merlin, 40 Willow Warbler, 13 Lesser Whitethroat, a Whinchat, 2 Wheatear and 3 Tree Sparrow. On Jackson's Marsh were 5 Avocet, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Common Sandpiper, a Snipe and 4 Spoonbill; over Croftmarsh a Great White Egret; and on Tennyson's Sands 66 Avocet, 5 Little Ringed Plover, 53 Dunlin, a Little Stint, a Curlew Sandpiper, 9 Snipe, 3 Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, a Wood Sandpiper, 168 Black-tailed Godwit, 265 Redshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, a Grey Heron, 28 Spoonbill and 2 Yellow Wagtail. Going south were 2 Swift, 63 Sand Martin and 19 Swallow.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Mike Polling, produced 16 new birds: 9 Willow Warbler, a Wren, 5 Whitethroat and a Lesser Whitethroat; and 4 retraps: a Willow Warbler, a Dunnock, a Wren and a Blue Tit.

 Butterflies included 4 Painted Lady.

Wheatear, 14 August 2021.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Wheatear, 14 August 2021.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

August 13th. Slowly increasing south-westerly wind.

 Around, including birds trapped, were a Cuckoo, a Sparrowhawk, 12000 Starling and 8 Willow Warbler. On Jackson's Marsh were 7 Avocet, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Snipe, a Common Sandpiper and a Redshank; and on Tennyson's Sands a Pink-footed Goose, 69 Avocet, 7 Little Ringed Plover, 202 Black-tailed Godwit, a Knot, a Ruff, a Curlew Sandpiper, 63 Dunlin, 9 Snipe, 2 Common Sandpiper, 4 Green Sandpiper, 226 Redshank, a Spotted Redshank, 5 Greenshank, a Yellow-legged Gull, a Mediterranean Gull, 3 Common Tern, 34 Spoonbill and 2 Grey Heron. Heading south were 26 Swift, 30 Sand Martin and 4 Swallow.

 The eleventh session of CES was done this morning. The 22 new birds were 5 Wren, 4 Willow Warbler, a Robin, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Blackcap, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Dunnock, 3 Blackbird, a Magpie and a Cuckoo. The 5 retraps were a Song Thrush, a Robin, a Wren, a Dunnock and a Blue Tit.

 Butterflies included 3 Painted Lady.

Little Ringed Plover, 13 August 2021.
Photo - Steve Clipperton

Spoonbill, 13 August 2021.
Photo - Steve Clipperton

Curlew Sandpiper, 13 August 2021.
Photo - Steve Clipperton

Juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, 13 August 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

Cuckoo, ringed 13 August 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

August 12th. Flying south early morning were 2 Common Crane. Also flying south were 140 Swift, a Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Common Sandpiper, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard, 420 Swallow, 3 House Martin and 14 Sand Martin. Around, including birds trapped, were a Whimbrel, 3 Greenshank, a Yellow-legged Gull, 120 Sandwich Tern, 7 Little Tern, 22 Common Tern, 2 Arctic Skua,2 Gannet, a Peregrine, 3 Willow Warbler and a Garden Warbler. On Jackson's Marsh were a Common Sandpiper and 3 Great White Egret (early); and on Tennyson's Sands 68 Avocet, 176 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Green Sandpiper, 5 Snipe, a Common Sandpiper, a Ruff, 2 Greenshank, 160 Redshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, 34 Dunlin, 2 Common Tern and 30 Spoonbill

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, yielded 9 new birds: 2 Willow Warbler, 5 Whitethroat, a Linnet and a Garden Warbler; and 4 retraps: 2 Wren, a Whitethroat and a Willow Warbler.

 Butterflies included 3 Painted Lady.

Great White Egret and Little Egret, 12 August 2021.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Great White Egret and Little Egrets, 12 August 2021.
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth

Garden Warbler, ringed 12 August 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

August 11th. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Cetti's Warbler, 8 Willow Warbler, a Grasshopper Warbler and a Bullfinch. On Tennyson's Sands were a Pink-footed Goose, 2 escaped Cape Shelduck, 72 Avocet, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 198 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Spotted Redshank, 300 Redshank, 3 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 3 Greenshank, 3 Snipe, 31 Dunlin, a Mediterranean Gull, 34 Spoonbill, 3 Great White Egret and a Grey Heron; and on Jackson's Marsh 2 Black-tailed Godwit, a Snipe and 2 Greenshank. Going south were 192 Swallow and 16 Sand Martin.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 6 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat and a Blackcap; and 3 retraps: a Great Tit and 2 Dunnock.

 Butterflies included a Painted Lady.

Wader-watching, 11 August 2021.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Escaped Cape Shelducks, 11 August 2021.
Photo -Steve Clipperton

Painted Lady, 11 August 2021.
Photo - Steve Clipperton

Early August 2021

August 10th. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Sparrowhawk, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Swallow and 5 Willow Warbler. On Jackson's Marsh were 4 Avocet, 35 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Snipe, a Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, 3 Redshank and 6 Spoonbill; and on Tennyson's Sands 96 Avocet, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 120 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Snipe, 4 Green Sandpiper, a Ruff, 25 Dunlin, 258 Redshank, 2 Common Tern and 21 Spoonbill. Heading south were 2 Swallow.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 14 new birds: 5 Willow Warbler, 5 Robin, 2 Reed Warbler, a Whitethroat and a Song Thrush; and 3 retraps: 2 Whitethroat and a Dunnock.

Bordered Beauty, 10 August 2021.
Photo - Nige Lound

August 9th. Around, including birds trapped, were a Grey Heron, a Short-eared Owl, 2 Swallow and 4 Willow Warbler. On Tennyson's Sands were 103 Avocet, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 140 Black-tailed Godwit, a Knot, 6 Green Sandpiper, 16 Snipe, a Dunlin, 8 Greenshank, 265 Redshank, a Sandwich Tern and 24 Spoonbill; and on Jackson's Marsh 2 Snipe, a Green Sandpiper, 13 Redshank and 6 Spoonbill. Flying south were 45 Swift, 4 Swallow and 6 Sand Martin.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 12 new birds: 4 Willow Warbler, 2 Wren, 4 Robin, a Dunnock and a Kestrel; and 3 retraps: a Blue Tit, a Whitethroat and a Wren.

Black-tailed Godwit, 9 August 2021.
Photo - Steve Clipperton

Green Sandpiper, 9 August 2021.
Photo - Steve Clipperton

Green Sandpiper and Snipe, 9 August 2021.
Photo - Steve Clipperton

Kestrel, ringed 9 August 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

Kestrel, ringed 9 August 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

August 8th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.

 Birds around, including those trapped, were 2 Collared Dove, a Peregrine and a Willow Warbler. On Jackson's Marsh were a Common Sandpiper and 27 Spoonbill; and on Tennyson's Sands 81 Avocet, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 114 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Dunlin, a Snipe, 2 Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, 5 Greenshank and 41 Redshank. Going south were 145 Swift and 8 Swallow.

 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 4 new birds: 2 Wren, a Willow Warbler and a Linnet.

August 7th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.

 Around, including birds trapped, were 2 Swallow and a Willow Warbler. On Jackson's Marsh were a Snipe and a Spoonbill; and on Tennyson's Sands 81 Avocet, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 92 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Dunlin, 2 Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, 11 Snipe, 85 Redshank and 17 Spoonbill. Heading south were 38 Swift and 76 Curlew.

 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 8 new birds: a Wren, 3 Linnet, a Goldfinch, 3 Whitethroat and a Blackbird; and 2 retraps: a Linnet and a Willow Warbler.

August 6th. Moderately strong south-westerly wind.

 Birds around, including those trapped, were a Whimbrel, a Marsh Harrier, a Peregrine, a Swallow, a Cetti's Warbler and a Willow Warbler. On Jackson's Marsh were 55 Black-tailed Godwit; and on Tennyson's Sands 62 Avocet, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 37 Black-tailed Godwit, 16 Dunlin, a Snipe, a Ruff, 3 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, a Wood Sandpiper, 6 Spotted Redshank, 5 Greenshank and 21 Spoonbill. Flying south were 150 Swift.

 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 5 new birds: a Willow Warbler, 3 Linnet and a Blackbird; and a retrap Whitethroat.

Spoonbill, 6 August 2021.
Photo - Steve Clipperton

Greenshank, 6 August 2021.
Photo - Steve Clipperton

Marsh Harrier, 6 August 2021.
Steve Clipperton

Ruff, 6 August 2021.
Photo - Steve Clipperton

August 5th. Around were a Peregrine, 7 Swallow and a Willow Warbler. On Tennyson's Sands were 73 Avocet, 5 Little Ringed Plover, 74 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Snipe, 6 Dunlin, a Common Sandpiper, 8 Greenshank, 11 Redshank and 10 Spoonbill; and on Jackson's Marsh 70 Black-tailed Godwit and a Green Sandpiper. Going south were 45 Curlew, 6 Whimbrel, 6 Spoonbill (early) and 24 Swallow.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, produced 7 new birds: a Wren, a Chiffchaff, a Sedge Warbler, 3 Whitethroat and a Dunnock; and 2 retrap Whitethroat.

Mediterranean Gull, 5 August 2021.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

August 4th. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Marsh Harrier, 9 Swallow, 2 Willow Warbler and a Garden Warbler. On Jackson's Marsh were 56 Black-tailed Godwit, a Snipe and 2 Spoonbill; and on Tennyson's Sands 67 Avocet, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 58 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Dunlin, a Common Sandpiper and 3 Greenshank. Going north were 4 Sand Martin.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 7 new birds: a Wren, 2 Willow Warbler, a Linnet, a Garden Warbler, a Reed Bunting and a Swallow; and 4 retraps: a Dunnock, a Blue Tit and 2 Whitethroat.

Garden Warbler, ringed 4 August 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

Willow Warbler, 4 August 2021.
Photo - George Gregory

August 3rd. Around were 19 Swallow and a Bullfinch. On Tennyson's Sands were 110 Avocet, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 188 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Dunlin, a Snipe, 4 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, a Common Tern and 18 Spoonbill; and on Jackson's Marsh 4 Black-tailed Godwit. Heading south were a Marsh Harrier and 7 Swallow.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 13 new birds: 3 Wren, a Robin, 4 Linnet, a Sedge Warbler, a Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 6 retraps: 2 Dunnock, a Blue Tit, a Sedge Warbler, a Whitethroat and a Chiffchaff.

Snipe, 3 August 2021.
Photo - Jim Shaw

Spoonbills, 3 August 2021.
Photo - Jim Shaw

Juvenile Shelduck, 3 August 2021.
Photo - Jim Shaw

August 2nd. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Treecreeper and a Willow Warbler. On Jackson's Marsh were 18 Avocet, 80 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Dunlin and 2 Spoonbill; on Fenland Lagoon 2 Redshank and a Kingfisher; and on Tennyson's Sands 21 Avocet, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 72 Black-tailed Godwit, a Redshank and a Spoonbill. Flying south were 2 Swallow.

 The tenth session of CES was done this morning. The 20 new birds were a Treecreeper, a Willow Warbler, 5 Wren, a Chiffchaff, a Linnet, 4 Blackcap, a Whitethroat, a Reed Warbler, a Chaffinch, a Great Tit and 3 Dunnock. The 7 retraps were 2 Robin, a Linnet, 2 Wren, a Blackcap and a Blue Tit.

Peacock, 2 August 2021.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

August 1st. Intermittent early morning drizzle.

 Around were a Greenshank, 4 Kittiwake, 2 juvenile Mediterranean Gull, a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull, an Arctic Tern, 3 Arctic Skua, 10 Gannet,  a Peregrine, 120 Swallow and a Willow Warbler. On Jackson's Marsh were 4 Black-tailed Godwit; over Croftmarsh a Great White Egret; on Fenland Lagoon a Little Ringed Plover, a Green Sandpiper, 147 Black-tailed Godwit, a Snipe, a Greenshank and 2 Redshank; and on Tennyson's Sands 61 Avocet, 65 Lapwing, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 66 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Snipe and a Spotted Redshank. To roost at the Mere went 17300 Starling. Going south were 45 Common Scoter, a Little Ringed Plover, 5 Whimbrel, an Arctic Skua, 4 Swift and 10 Sand Martin; north 2230 Sandwich Tern, 11 Arctic Skua and a Manx Shearwater; and east an Arctic Skua.

 A drizzle-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 15 new birds: 5 Wren, a Blue Tit, 4 Linnet, 2 Whitethroat and 3 Dunnock; and 2 retraps: a Dunnock and a Whitethroat.

Arctic Skuas, 1 August 2021.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Sea Holly, 1 August 2021.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Sea Holly, 1 August 2021.
Photo - Kevin Wilson
Avocet with chicks, 1 August 2021.
Photo - Jim Shaw

Green Sandpiper, 1 August 2021.
Photo - Jim Shaw

Lapwings, 1 August 2021.
Photo - Jim Shaw

Little Ringed Plovers, 1 August 2021.
Photo - Jim Shaw