Late September 2022

September 30th. Thick fog enveloped the reserve throughout much of the morning after dawn making for grim birding conditions. Increasing southerly wind, with rain in afternoon.

 Around, including birds trapped, were a Sparrowhawk, a Merlin, a Garden Warbler, a Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 10 Goldcrest, 2 Stonechat and 4 Redwing. On the Mere were 578 Teal and 3 Pintail; and on Tennyson's Sands 47 Black-tailed Godwit. Heading north-west were 52 Pink-footed Goose; and south 5 Redwing, 8 Meadow Pipit and 7 House Sparrow.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Liam Andrews, resulted in 23 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, 3 Robin, a Garden Warbler, a Linnet, 5 Meadow Pipit, 6 Reed Bunting, a Blackcap and 4 Redwing; and a retrap Dunnock.

Ringing Recovery: Greenfinch, ringed GPBO 14 September 2019, killed by cat Croft, Lincolnshire 26 August 2022.

Redwing in fog, 30th September 2022. Photo - Nige Lound.

Herring Gull, 30th September. 

Photo - Steve Clipperton

September 29th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 5 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Purple Sandpiper, a Jack Snipe, a Whimbrel, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, a Buzzard, a Kingfisher, a Green Woodpecker, a Merlin, 5 Swallow, 15 Chiffchaff, 14 Goldcrest, a Coal Tit, 11 Redwing, 8 Song Thrush, 4 Stonechat, 11 House Sparrow, a Snow Bunting and a Brambling. On Croftmarsh were 900 Pink-footed Goose. Flying west were 470 Pink-footed Goose; north 35 Pink-footed Goose; and south 245 Pink-footed Goose, 12 Whooper Swan, a Tree Pipit, a Grey Wagtail, 25 Meadow Pipit, a Tree Sparrow, a Siskin and 30 Goldfinch.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, provided 11 new birds: a Wren, a Goldcrest, a Blackcap, a Reed Bunting, a Blue Tit, 3 Dunnock, 2 Redwing and a Song Thrush; and 3 retraps: a Robin, a Dunnock and a Wren.

Snow Bunting 29th September 2022.
Photo - Harry Fenwick

Juvenile Ruff with the wader roost, 29th September 2022.
Photo - Kev Wilson

Coal Tit 29th September 2022,
Photo - Steve Clipperton

Red-throated Diver, 29th September 2022,
Photo - Steve Clipperton

Pink-footed Geese 29th September 2022,
Photo - Steve Clipperton

Wader flock 29th September 2022,
Photo - Steve Clipperton

September 28th. Visible migration involved groups of Chaffinch, Meadow Pipit, Linnet and Reed Bunting, with a few House Sparrow, Redpoll, Brambling, Alba Wagtail, Rock Pipit and a Grey Wagtail. Several Redwing and Song Thrush arrived off the sea and good numbers of Reed Bunting were grounded.  Other birds around, including those trapped, were 4 Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, a Barn Owl, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 10 Chiffchaff, 10 Goldcrest and a Snow Bunting (South Marsh Road). 60,000 waders came up on the morning tide roost. On Croftmarsh were 500 Pink-footed Goose with a further 45 south and 600 north-west.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Liam Andrews, produced 22 new birds: a Goldcrest, a Wren, a Chiffchaff, 6 Meadow Pipit, 2 Linnet, a Chaffinch, 2 Reed Bunting, a Robin, a Blackcap, 4 Dunnock, a House Sparrow and a Great Spotted Woodpecker; and 4 retraps: 2 Goldcrest, a Blackbird and a Dunnock.

Snow Bunting, 28th September 2022. 

Photo - Steve Clipperton

Snow Bunting, 28th September 2022. 

Photo - Steve Clipperton

Sparrowhawk, 28th September. 

Photo - Steve Clipperton

Barn Owl, 28th September 2022. 

Photo - Steve Clipperton

House Sparrow, ringed 28 September 2022.
Photo - George Gregory

Ringing Control: Meadow Pipit, ringed Kilnsea, East Yorkshire 21 September 2022, controlled GPBO 24 September 2022.

September 27th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Chiffchaff, a Stonechat and 8 Goldcrest. On Croftmarsh were 200 Pink-footed Goose; and on Fenland Lagoon 5 Greenshank and a Kingfisher. Heading north-west were 350 Pink-footed Goose; and south 2 Redwing and 5 Meadow Pipit.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 11 new birds: 5 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, a Reed Bunting, a Goldfinch, a Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 5 retraps: 3 Goldcrest, a Dunnock and a Robin.

Wader flocks at sunrise, 27th September 2022. 

Photo - Kev Wilson

Kingfisher, 27 September 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

Marsh Harrier, 27th September 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

Grey Plover, 27th September 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

Greenshanks, 27th September 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

September 26th. Increasing north-westerly wind.

 Around, including birds trapped, were a Yellow-browed Warbler, 14 Chiffchaff and 12 Goldcrest. On Croftmarsh were 500 Pink-footed Goose early morning.

 A wind-shortened morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, with Liam Andrews, provided 8 new birds: a Wren, a Long-tailed Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, a Blackcap and a Tawny Owl; and 9 retraps: a Robin, 2 Long-tailed Tit, a Blue Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, a Great Tit and 2 Goldcrest.

Highlights of an evening sea-watch were a Sooty Shearwater, a Little Gull, 5 Arctic Skua and 2 Arctic Tern.

Ringed Plover with Little Stint, 26th September 2022. 

Photo - Tom Baker

Little Stint, 26th September 2022. 

Photo - Tom Baker

Avocets 26th September 2022. 

Photo - Tom Baker

September 25th. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Sparrowhawk, 5 Snipe, 28 Chiffchaff, 18 Goldcrest, 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Coal Tit, a Ring Ouzel, 60 Redwing, 60 Robin and 10 Song Thrush. Flying north-west were 1500 Pink-footed Goose; and south 500 Pink-footed Goose, a Snipe, 300 Meadow Pipit and 6 Brambling. A group of 13 Buzzard circling over Seacroft was joined by a Honey Buzzard - all moved off inland early afternoon.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Kyle Campbell and Liam Andrews, produced 88 new birds:4 Chiffchaff, 15 Reed Bunting, 56 Meadow Pipit, a Robin, 2 Chaffinch, a Blackcap, a Linnet, 3 Dunnock, 4 Redwing and a Song Thrush; and 4 retraps: 2 Dunnock and 2 Goldcrest.

Great Spotted Woodpecker, 25th September 2022. Photo - Tom Baker

Redshank, 25th September. Photo - Tom Baker

September 24th. Around, including birds trapped, were a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrest, a Ring Ouzel and a Redwing. Going south were a Snipe, 100 Meadow Pipit, 2 Swallow and 2 Brambling; and north-west 270 Pink-footed Goose.

Highlights of an evening sea-watch were a Pomarine Skua, 5 Arctic Skua, a Great Skua, 9 Red-throated Diver, 20 Sandwich Tern, 6 Common Tern and 2 Arctic Tern. 

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Liam Andrews and Kyle Campbell, yielded 61 new birds: 2 Wren, 4 Goldcrest, 38 Meadow Pipit, 10 Reed Bunting, a Robin, a Blue Tit, a Linnet, 3 Dunnock and a Redwing; 3 retraps: a Goldcrest and 2 Dunnock; and a control Meadow Pipit.

 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling and Robyn Dalton yielded 9 new birds: 3 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, a Robin, a Blackcap and 3 Dunnock; and 6 retraps: 4 Dunnock, a Robin and a Wren.

Daybreak, 24th September 2022. 

Photo - Kev Wilson

Little Stint with Dunlin 24thSeptember 2022. 

Photo - Tom Baker

Little Stint with Moorhen, 24th September. 

Photo - Tom Baker

Nursery Web Spider, 24th September 2022. 

Photo - Jim Shaw

Willow Emerald Damselfly, 24th September 2022. 
Photo - Jim Shaw.

September 23rd. Soggy start, gradually drying out.

 Birds around, including those trapped, were 180 Pink-footed Goose, a Snipe, a Spotted Redshank, 3 Yellow-browed Warbler, a Firecrest, 10 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, a Redwing, a Pied Flycatcher and 3 Stonechat. Heading south were 81 Pink-footed Goose and 5 Swallow; and north a Marsh Harrier and 3 Swallow.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 7 new birds: 2 Wren, a Goldcrest, a Robin, a Blackcap, a Reed Bunting and a Redwing; and 4 retraps: a Pied Flycatcher, 2 Dunnock and a Song Thrush.

 Meanwhile at Aylmer Avenue a morning ringing session provided 10 new birds: 4 Goldcrest, 3 Meadow Pipit and singles of Robin, Dunnock and Yellow-browed Warbler; and 5 retraps: 2 Dunnock and singles of Goldcrest, Chiffchaff and Blackcap.

 A Convolvulus Hawk-moth Caterpillar was found near the North Car Park.

Yellow-browed Warbler, ringed 23rd September 2022
Photo - Michael Briggs

Little Egret, 23rd September 2022.
Photo - Jack Hood

Kingfisher, 23rd September 2022.
Photo - Jack Hood

Convolvulus Hawk-moth Caterpillar, 23rd September 2022.
Photo - Philip Millns

September 22nd. Around, including birds trapped, were a Sparrowhawk, a Chiffchaff and 24 Goldcrest. Flying south were 8 Shoveler, a Marsh Harrier, 50 Swallow, 10 House Martin, a Grey Wagtail and 220 Meadow Pipit: and north-west 500 Pink-footed Goose. A Yellow-browed Warbler was in East Dunes early morning, another Yellow-browed Warbler was along the road edge between North Car Park and Aylmer Avenue from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. Highlights at sea were a Black-throated Diver, a Scaup and 2 Arctic Tern. 

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett and Kyle Campbell, produced 7 new birds: 2 Goldcrest, a Wren, 2 Reed Bunting and 2 Blackcap; and a retrap Goldcrest.

 Meanwhile another ringing session over at Aylmer Avenue produced 33 new birds: 22 Meadow Pipit, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap and singles of Jackdaw, Sparrowhawk, Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Robin and Greenfinch; and 3 retraps: singles of Blackcap, Blue Tit and Long-tailed Tit.

Vapourer Moth 22nd September 2022.
Photo - David Curtis

September 21st. Birds around, including those trapped, were a Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harrier, 22 Goldcrest, a Willow Warbler, 11 Chiffchaff, a Spotted Flycatcher, 10 Song Thrush and 9 Stonechat. On the Mere were a Ruff, 3 Spotted Redshank and a Cetti's Warbler. Going north-west were 1190 Pink-footed Goose; north a Long-tailed Skua, 34 Shoveler and a Grey Wagtail; and south 75 Pink-footed Goose, an Arctic Skua, a Snipe, 3 Swallow and 710 Meadow Pipit.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Liam Andrews, resulted in 10 new birds: 4 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, a Sedge Warbler, a Great Tit and a Dunnock; and 6 retraps: 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Long-tailed Tit, a Goldcrest and a Wren.

 Over at Aylmer Avenue, another ringing session was also taking place which resulted in 82 new birds: 30 Meadow Pipit, 16 Goldcrest, 7 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 5 Chaffinch, 3 Wren, 3 Blue Tit, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Great Tit, 2 Robin, 2 Dunnock, 2 Whitethroat and singles of Lesser Whitethroat and Reed Warbler; and 17 retraps: 4 Great Tit, 4 Dunnock, 3 Blue Tit, 2 Robin, a Goldcrest, a Wren and a Chiffchaff.

Song Thrushes. Photo - Kev Wilson

Ichneumon Wasp 21st September 2022. 

Photo - Nige Lound.

Mid September 2022

September 20th.  Another very busy day for arrivals and departures - with hundreds of Meadow Pipit and Pink-footed Goose, tens of Linnet, Chaffinch and Reed Bunting moving through with 75 Swallow, 20 House Martin, 14 Alba Wagtail, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Brambling, 2 Tree Sparrow, 3 Redpoll and a Sand Martin. A Blyth's Reed Warbler was eventually identified in the East Dunes, where a Common Rosefinch dropped in briefly. Other birds around, including birds trapped, were 20 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Reed Warbler, 6 Redwing, 25 Song Thrush, 4 Stonechat and 2 Pied Flycatcher. On the Mere were 240 Teal, a Snipe, a Greenshank and 3 Spotted Redshank. Going south offshore were a Marsh Harrier, 3 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, with small groups of Teal, Wigeon and Dunlin; north 19 Pintail and 2 Arctic Skua; and north-west 1130+ Pink-footed Goose. A migrant Vestal moth was found on the New Saltmarsh.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Liam Andrews, provided 59 new birds: a Wren, a Pied Flycatcher, a Robin, 2 Blackcap, 16 Reed Bunting, 31 Meadow Pipit, 3 Linnet, a Goldfinch and 3 Dunnock; and 2  retrap Dunnock.

Shoveler 20th September 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

Avocet, 20th September 2022. 

Photo - Tom Baker

Avocet 20th September 2022. 

Photo - Tom Baker

Vestal nectaring on Sea Aster, 20th September. 

Photo - Kev Wilson

Deep Brown Dart 20th Sept 2022. - a new species for the Reserve.
Photo - Nige Lound.

Blackneck Moth 20th Sept 2022.
Photo - Nige Lound

Devil's Coach Horse
Photo - Tom Baker

September 19th.  The morning started with a noisy roost of at least 400 Pink-footed Goose flying out of roost on Croftmarsh and there followed various skeins through the morning. Other than an obvious increase in geese, new arrivals overnight included Song Thrush, Robin, Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting and Chaffinch along with the first Redwing and Brambling of the autumn; 5 and 4 respectively. A Yellow-browed Warbler arrived in Sallows at Mill Hill late morning and was very vocal - still calling there at 1730hrs and a Marsh Warbler was a rare autumn sighting.. Meadow Pipit were moving south in groups of up to 80 during the morning, with single Yellow Wagtail and 2 Grey Wagtail.

Other birds around, including those trapped, were 4 Willow Warbler, 38 Chiffchaff, 15 Blackcap, a Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler, 6 Goldcrest, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Redstart, 15 Stonechat and 2 Raven - the latter heading north, a Spotted Redshank and a Little Ringed Plover. Heading north-west were 970 Pink-footed Goose (mostly onto fields). 

Heading north offshore were 2 Pomarine Skua and 3 Arctic Tern; and south a Great Skua, 2 Little Tern and 14 Red-throated Diver.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Liam Andrews, produced 88 new birds: 8 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, 11 Reed Bunting, a Blackcap, 64 Meadow Pipit, a Dunnock, a Redwing and a Magpie; and a retrap Goldcrest.

Stonechat, 19 September 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

Meadow Pipits, 19th September 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

Pink-footed Geese, 19th September 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

Bar-tailed Godwit, 19th September 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

Redwing, ringed 19 September 2022.
Photo - George Gregory

September 18th. A splendid roost of wildfowl on the Mere involved 60 Pink-footed Goose, 63 Wigeon and 16 Pintail amongst Teal and Mallard until they dispersed around an hour after dawn. Around, including birds trapped, were 10 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 8 Blackcap, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Snow Bunting and 5 Goldcrest. Flying south were 50 Pink-footed Goose and 600 Meadow Pipit with Linnets, Reed Buntings and Chaffinches, a Snow Bunting, a Yellow Wagtail and 3 Grey Wagtail; and north-west 390 Pink-footed Goose.

Offshore 3 Arctic Skua, 3 Unidentified Skuas, 90 Wigeon and 6 Red-throated Diver south were the highlights. Another Arctic Skua on the beach appeared injured but flew off well.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Liam Andrews, yielded 28 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, a Robin, 5 Reed Bunting, 16 Meadow Pipit, 2 Blackcap and 2 Chaffinch.

Pink-footed Geese with Pintail and Wigeon, 18 September 2022. 

Photo - Kev Wilson

Arctic Skua, 18th September 2022. 

Photo - Chris Tyler

September 17th. Moderately strong north-westerly wind.

 Birds around, including those trapped, were 4 Greenshank, 2 Sparrowhawk, a Buzzard, a Peregrine, 5 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, a Snow Bunting and a Siskin. A marked arrival of Stonechat involved 9 along the north end ridges and one trapped on Storm Ridge. On Tennyson's Sands were 11 Pink-footed Goose. Going south were 4 Whooper Swan (early morning), 2 Snipe and 65 Meadow Pipit; north a Great Skua; and in various directions 270 Pink-footed Goose. Highlights of an evening sea-watch were single juvenile Pomarine Skua and juvenile Long-tailed Skua north, and 4 Red-throated Diver.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Liam Andrews, provided 36 new birds: a Wren, a Stonechat, a Reed Bunting and 33 Meadow Pipit.

Stonechat, ringed 17 September 2022.
Photo - George Gregory

September 16th. Increasing north-westerly wind.

 Around, including birds trapped, were 4 Greenshank, a Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, a Merlin, a Peregrine, 4 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Stonechat and a Tree Sparrow. On the Mere were 3 Spotted Redshank. Heading south were 520 Pink-footed Goose, 13 Swallow, 2 House Martin, a Grey Wagtail and 200 Meadow Pipit. At the back of Tennyson's Sands were 50 Pink-footed Goose.

 A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 37 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, 2 Robin, 28 Meadow Pipit, 2 Reed Bunting and 2 Blue Tit; and 3 retraps: a Chiffchaff, a Robin and a Goldcrest.

Pink-footed Geese, 16 September 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

Sparrowhawk, 16th September 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

September 15th. Birds around, including those trapped, were 2 Whimbrel, 3 Greenshank, an Arctic Skua (over the saltmarsh), 2 Marsh Harrier, a Buzzard, a Spoonbill, a Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest and 2 Greenfinch. On Tennyson's Sands were 5 Pink-footed Goose. About 180 Pink-footed Goose were moving, mostly south-east; and 2 Snipe and a Swallow went south.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Keith Collett, resulted in 12 new birds: a Wren, 4 Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, a Chaffinch, a Robin and 2 Greenfinch; and a retrap Robin.

Marsh Harrier, 15th September 2022. 

Photo - Tom Baker

Marsh Harrier, 15th September 2022. 

Photo - Tom Baker

Whitethroat, 15th September 2022. 

Photo - Tom Baker

Whimbrels, 15th September 2022. 

Photo - Tom Baker

Sanderling, 15th September 2022. 

Photo - Tom Baker

Foxes, 15 September 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

September 14th. The morning tide roost saw another large gathering of waders: approximately 70,000 Knot, 3000 Grey Plover, 10,000 Dunlin, 3000 Sanderling, 6000 Bar-tailed Godwit and 2000 Oystercatcher. Thanks to this morning's visitors who avoided going out to the beach until the roost had dispersed on the falling tide. At least 600 Teal today, with over 350 on the Mere alone - also there, 5 Spotted Redshank. Several skeins of Pink-footed Goose moved south-east across the Wash during the day, totaling 140. Meadow Pipit were moving south in moderate numbers with fewer Swallow and House Martin, 5 Snipe, 2 Redpoll, several Grey and Alba Wagtail, 2 Yellow Wagtail and a Flava Wagtail type that was calling around Mill Hill on two occasions that was probably a Citrine Wagtail. Other birds around, including birds trapped, were 2 Common Sandpiper, 5 Greenshank, 2 Sparrowhawk, 5 Marsh Harrier, a Kingfisher, 6 Goldcrest, a Pied Flycatcher, a Redstart and 5 Willow Warbler. 

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Liam Andrews, provided 16 new birds: a Goldcrest, a Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 5 Reed Bunting, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock and a Sparrowhawk; and a retrap Dunnock.

Mixed Wader roost, 14th September 2022.  

Photo - David Curtis

Mixed Wader roost, 14th September 2022.  

Photo - David Curtis

Turnstone with Sanderling, 14 September 2022. 

Photo - Tom Baker

Ringed Plover, 14 September 2022. 

Photo - Tom Baker

Sanderling, 14 September 2022. 

Photo - Tom Baker

Turnstone, 14 September 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

Starlings, 14 September 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

September 13th. A noticeable shift in species composition over the last couple of days with the first Pink-footed Geese of autumn (109), Skylark and Siskin starting to move, an increase in wildfowl and more Robin, Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Whitethroat numbers are well down now and Sedge Warbler seem to have gone completely. The number of Tree Sparrow at the Visitor Centre feeding station has further increased to 18 and the morning high tide produced another spectacular wader roost - over 100,000 birds. Unfortunately, all flushed by an early morning male nudist traversing the beach.

6 Spotted Redshank remained on the Mere whilst on Tennyson's Sands 3 Pintail and 55 Shoveler remained with a significant increase in Tufted Duck - now 72 - but quite why an influx of diving duck has occurred during a  period of record low water levels is a mystery. Other birds around, including those trapped, were 4 Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpiper, 6 Whimbrel, 4 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Little Stint, a Sparrowhawk, a Cetti's Warbler, a Garden Warbler, 18 Chiffchaff, 7 Willow Warbler, 6 Goldcrest and a Stonechat. Flying south were 19 Pink-footed Goose, a Wood Sandpiper and 6 Siskin.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Liam Andrews, produced 13 new birds: 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, a Goldcrest, 2 Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat, a Blue Tit and a Dunnock; and 2 retraps: a Whitethroat and a Blackcap.

Spotted Redshank, 13 September 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

Chiffchaff, 13 September 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

Sparrowhawk, 13 September 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

Reed Bunting, 13 September 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

Tree Sparrows, 13 September 2022. 

Photo - Jim Shaw.

Very high tide over South Marsh Road, 13 September 2022.
Photo - George Gregory

September 12th. A Barred Warbler was trapped and ringed in East Dunes, then flew onto Storm Ridge. Other birds around included 2 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, a Long-eared Owl, a Green Woodpecker, a Ring-necked Parakeet, a Willow Warbler, a Redstart and a Whinchat. On the Mere were a Ruff and 7 Spotted Redshank; on Jackson's Marsh 6 Spoonbill; and on Tennyson's Sands a Kingfisher. Going south were a Dark-bellied Brent Goose, a Swift, 41 Sandwich Tern, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Buzzard, a Sand Martin, 725 Swallow and 640 House Martin.

Migrant Hawker, 13 September 2022. 

Photo - Tom Baker

Spoonbills with Black-tailed Godwits.
Photo - Tom Baker

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 3 new birds: a Blackcap, a Great Tit and a Barred Warbler; and a retrap Dunnock.

Barred Warbler, ringed 12 September 2022.
Photo - George Gregory

September 11th. Soggy, misty start.

 About 50 Meadow Pipit were grounded on the southern end of East Dunes early morning, then went south. Other birds around, including those trapped, were 3 Common Sandpiper, 3 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Garden Warbler, a Wheatear, a Whinchat and a Redstart.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 32 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, a Linnet, a Reed Warbler, 3 Robin, 6 Whitethroat, 4 Reed Bunting, 4 Meadow Pipit, a Redstart, a Chaffinch, a Garden Warbler and 2 Dunnock; and 7 retraps: 3 Dunnock, a Robin and 3 Great Tit.

Common Sandpipers, 11 September 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

Reed Bunting, 11 September 2022.
Photo - Tom Baker

Common Seal, 11 September.
Photo - Tom Baker