July 31st. Mostly sunny, with increasing easterly wind.
The Osprey remained round the Reserve and 3 Cattle Egrets were mobile and may have departed over the sea. 235 Common Scoter flew north, a Kittiwake flew south and good numbers of Sandwich Terns and Arctic Skuas were again around the beach and offshore. A juvenile Yellow-legged Gull was amongst the Gull/Tern roost. A good selection of waders mostly around the lagoons included; 2 Wood Sandpipers, 7 Common Sandpipers, 3 Green Sandpipers, 3 Spotted Redshank, 3 Snipe, 4 Greenshank and 337 Black-tailed Godwit, 125 Avocet. Other birds of note included 1600 Starling, 74 Little Egret, 19 Spoonbill, 2 Marsh Harrier, a female Pintail and a Peregrine.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 3 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Whitethroat and a Lesser Whitethroat; and 2 retraps: a Wren and a Chiffchaff.
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Wood Sandpiper, 31st July 2024. Photo - Kev Wilson |
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Cattle Egret 31st July 2024. Photo - Kev Wilson |
Starlings were the main feature of the morning with up to 1200 feeding on the southern marshes and a further 600 arriving from the north. A group of 10 Arctic Skuas was around the foreshore, and a Spotted Redshank was on the Haven out from the wash Viewpoint and 3 adult Curlew Sandpipers were also new arrivals on Tennyson's Sands. Other birds around included a Short-eared Owl, a Barn Owl and 2 Marsh Harriers. A Southern Migrant Hawker Dragonfly was seen on the Mere.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 9 new birds: 2 Wren, a Chiffchaff, a Robin, a Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat and a Reed Warbler; and 5 retraps: 2 Wren, a Dunnock and 2 Whitethroat.
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2 Curlew Sandpipers with Black-tailed Godwits, 30th July 2024. Photo - Sam Goddard  Migrant Hawker, 30th July 2024. Photo - Rikki Clark |
Twenty Arctic Skuas were seen today including a flock of 12 that came off a sand bar on the rising tide. The Osprey was sat on a post out from Wash Viewpoint early morning, then was fishing over the Haven. A Marsh Harrier was over the marsh adjacent. Other birds around included a Green Woodpecker and a Grey Wagtail, but there was generally low coverage of the reserve.
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Little Tern juvenile - one of the 17 fledged from the Gibraltar Point colony this year. Photo - Sam Goddard  Grey Heron, 29th July 2024. Photo - Rikki Clark  Curlew, 29th July 2024. Photo - Rikki Clark  Yellow Wagtail, 29th July 2024. Photo - Rikki Clark |
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Migrant Hawker, 28th July 2024. Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
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Black-tailed Skimmer, 28th July 2024. Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
The mobile Osprey was still around, at one stage being mobbed by 7 Arctic Skuas over the Haven. Counts around the scrub revealed a modest arrival of post-breeding Willow Warblers and Lesser Whitethroats, but Common Whitethroats are still in relatively low numbers. Locally nesting Chiffchaffs appear to have done well. Other birds around included the Wood Sandpiper on Moat Scrape, 26 Spoonbill, 4 Marsh Harriers, 2 Grasshopper Warblers and a Cuckoo.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 6 new birds: 2 Wren, a Robin, a Blackcap, a Linnet and a Dunnock; and 2 retrap Wren.
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Osprey, 28th July 2024. Photo - Paul Neale |
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Osprey, 28th July 2024. Photo - Paul Neale |
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Osprey, 28th July 2024. Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
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Great White Egret with Spoonbill, 28th July 2024. Photo - Paul Neale  Spoonbills, 28th July 2024. Photo - Paul Neale  Common Sandpiper, 28th July 2024. Photo - Stuart Ainsworth  Wren, 28th July 2024. Photo - Paul Neale |
Over 2000 Sandwich Terns were roosting on the beach with a few Common Terns and Arctic Terns mixed in. The whole flock was flushed early morning but a large pale falcon - quite an arresting view when seen on the beach having just caught a small wader. However, this juvenile Gyrfalcon was seen to be wearing a thin red ring on its right leg - another escapee following last year's adult Gyrfalcon. The Osprey was highly mobile around the reserve this morning, fishing over Cowbank Drain and over Greenshanks Creek where it was vigorously mobbed by a Marsh Harrier before landing on the beach. The morning WeBS count was underway with good numbers of waders coming up to roost. 6 Arctic Skuas were blogging with a further 14 heading south offshore, and there was a steady passage of Swallows with fewer Sand Martins. Other birds around included a juvenile Whinchat, a Redstart, a Cuckoo and a Wood Sandpiper.
A check of one of our Barn Owl nest boxes revealed 2 well fed chicks.
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Gyrfalcon, 27th July 2024. Photo - Kev Wilson  Marsh Harrier and Osprey, 27th July 2024. Photo - Kev Wilson |
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Whinchat, 27th July 2024. Photo - Kev Wilson  Common Terns 27th July 2024. Photo - Rikki Clark  Common Tern 27th July 2024. Photo - Rikki Clark  Kingfisher, 27th July 2024. Photo - Rikki Clark  Spoonbill, 27th July 2024. Photo - Rikki Clark  Goldfinch, 27th July 2024. Photo - Rikki Clark |
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| Barn Owl pullus, ringed 27 July 2024. Photo - George Gregory |
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| Barn Owl pullus, ringed 27 July 2024. Photo - George Gregory |
July 26th. Mild start, slowly warming up, quite cloudy, with light south-westerly wind.
A very good morning for numbers and variety, starting with the regular Osprey around Croftmarsh and Cowbank Drain. There was a further increase in numbers of small waders at the roost: 3310 Sanderling and 2400 Dunlin, whilst Sandwich Terns remained around the 2300 mark. Swallows were passing through at a rate of 400 per hour with a good number of Sand Martins mixed in. Six Arctic Skuas were patrolling the Haven while a further 13 passed south offshore, with a surprise adult Long-tailed Skua. A good selection of waders on the lagoons included Wood Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper and 2 Common Sandpiper. A Cuckoo was in the dunes.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 14 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, 4 Wren, 4 Blackcap, a Sedge Warbler. a Grasshopper Warbler and a Blue Tit; and 7 retraps: a Wren, a Great Tit, 4 Whitethroat and a Long-tailed Tit.
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Osprey, 26th July 2024. Photo - Nige Lound |
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Marsh Harrier, 26th July 2024. Photo - Rikki Clark |
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Shelduck, 26th July 2024. Photo - Rikki Clark |
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Black-headed Gull, 26th July 2024. Photo - Rikki Clark |
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Kingfisher, 26th July 2024. Photo - Rikki Clark |
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| Willow Warbler, ringed 26 July 2024. Photo - George Gregory  Swallows, 26th July 2024. Photo - Rikki Clark  Comma, 26th July 2024. Photo - Rikki Clark  Sunset, 26th July 2024. Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
July 25th. A cool and overcast morning, gradually becoming warmer with a westerly breeze and a couple of short bouts of light rain.
After yesterday's absence, the Osprey made another appearance, drifting out over the beach where it flushed the roost of 1900 Sandwich Terns, before heading back inland and fishing along Cowbank Drain. The Montagu's Harrier was seen again from the Wash Viewpoint and further bird of prey interest was provided by a juvenile Peregrine hunting waders and terns over the beach. The morning high tide roost included 2474 Sanderling, 1633 Dunlin and 3000 Knot amongst other waders. 8 Arctic Skuas were blogging/harassing terns while a further 21 passed south. A Manx Shearwater also passed south, and a Kittiwake was in the roost with 10 Arctic Terns. On the Haven there were 6 Spoonbills.
During the late afternoon there were 200+ Sandwich Terns on the beach down from Mill Hill with an accompanying Arctic Skua giving them some grief!
Tennyson's Sands held 90 Black-tailed Godwit, 52 Lapwing, 52 Avocet, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Spoonbill, a juvenile Grey Heron and a Common Tern. Whilst on Jackson's Marsh there were a Common and a Wood Sandpiper reported but mobile.
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Great Spotted Woodpecker, 25th July 2024. Photo - Nige Lound |
No sign of the Osprey this morning but an adult male Hen Harrier was showing very well from the Wash Viewpoint as it hunted the saltmarsh, with the regular Montagu's Harrier more distant to the south. Also 2 local Marsh Harriers hunting there and two juveniles flew south over the sea. A Wheatear flew south over the Visitor Centre whilst several juvenile Yellow Wagtails were around. Also south was a Wood Sandpiper over Greenshanks Creek whilst the Creek itself held 7 Common Sandpipers. 2 Arctic Skua were chasing Sandwich Terns on the beach before heading North along with 2 Gannet North as well.
From Harvey's Hide there were 2 Water Rail, 47 Little Egrets, 22 Spoonbill, 1 Great White Egret, 15 Dunlin, 124 Avocet, 93 Redshank, 293 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 4 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Ringed Plover, 80 Sandwich Tern flew North over with 14 dropping in and 2 Common Terns. Also, Fenland Lagoon held 3 Greenshanks.
During the late afternoon/early evening, there was a female Marsh Harrier over Croft Marsh whilst on Tennyson's Sands there was 42 Avocet, 111 Black-tailed Godwits, 12 Redshank, 1 Curlew whilst 2 Green Sandpiper flew south.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 9 new birds: 2 Wren, a Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Whitethroat, a Blackcap and a Dunnock; and 5 retraps: a Wren, a Great Tit and 3 Whitethroat.
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Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, 24th July 2024. Photo - Tom Baker |
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Feeding Dunlin with roosting Redshanks and Black-tailed Godwits. 24th July 2024. Photo - Tom Baker. Close examination of this photo reveals the presence of the white-capped partially leucistic bird returning for its 5th year. |
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Greenshank, 24th July 2024. Photo - Tom Baker |
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| Little Ringed Plover on Fenland Lagoon, 24th July 2024. |
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Essex Skipper, 24th July 2024. Photo - Tom Baker |
A Kingfisher flew out of Barrie's Plot across the Visitor Centre Car Park early morning, whilst the Osprey was back on a post on Croftmarsh before flying south along Cowbank Drain. A Cattle Egret flew high west over Croftmarsh a short time later. The Montagu's Harrier was again out from the Wash Viewpoint towards the old RAF Control Tower. Over 2500 Knot came up to roost on the morning tide along with 1200 Oystercatcher, 500 Dunlin, 150 Redshank and 1100 Sandwich Terns when a Peregrine and a Merlin were in attendance. Some 200 Swallows moved south over East Dunes.
From Harvey's Hide there were 309 Black-Tailed Godwits, 143 Redshank, 123 Avocet, 111 Lapwing, 5 Snipe, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 1 male Ruff, 1 female Pintail,7 Cormorant, 21 Spoonbill, 102 Little Egret and 1 Great White Egret.
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| Egret congregation on Moat Scrape from Harvey's Hide, 23rd July 2024. Photo - Nigel Lound. |
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| Egret congregation on Moat Scrape from Harvey's Hide, 23rd July 2024. Photo - Nigel Lound. |
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| Waders, Gulls & Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands 23rd July 2024. Photo - Nigel Lound. |
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Greenshank, 23rd July 2024. Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
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Sedge Warbler, 23rd July 2024. Photo - Stuart Ainsworth |
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Green Woodpecker, 23rd July 2024. Photo - Jason Virgin |
July 22nd. Fairly cloudy, with increasing south-westerly wind.
A busy morning, with more waders arriving form the north, waders coming out of the Wash to roost on high tide, a large Sandwich Tern roost, 130 Swift moving south and the Osprey appearing again before heading into the Wash.
Tennyson's Sands held a Spotted Redshank, 5 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, a Ruff, a Dunlin, 149 Redshank, 292 Black-tailed Godwit, 106 Lapwing, 134 Avocet, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 21 Spoonbill and a single juvenile Mediterranean Gull.
A total of 84 Little Egrets were present along with a single Great White Egret and 2 Grey Heron, whilst 3 Marsh Harriers were over Croftmarsh. The Green Woodpecker was again in the Plantation.
From Harvey's Hide Black-tailed Godwits had increased to 340 which were roosting and feeding across Jackson's Marsh, Moat Scrape and Tennyson's Sands. There was also a single Greenshank and 2 Common Sandpiper from Fenella Hope Hide.
A wind-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 11 new birds: a Wren, 4 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Robin, 2 Linnet, a Dunnock and a Song Thrush; and 4 retraps: a Blue Tit and 3 Whitethroat.
A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling yielded 5 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Great Tit and a Dunnock; and 3 retraps: a Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaff.
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Redshank, 22nd July 2024. Photo - Tom Baker
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Spoonbill, 22nd July 2024. Photo - Tom Baker
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Montagu's Harrier, 22nd July 2024. Photo - Sam Goddard
 Speckled Wood, 22nd July 2024. Photo - Tom Baker  Southern Hawker, 22nd July 2024. Photo - Tom Baker |
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Ruby Tiger, 22nd July 2024. Photo - Rikki Clark |
July 21st. Mostly sunny, with fairly light north-westerly, then variable, wind.
An Osprey was around the Reserve for nearly two hours early morning before drifting off west. It then returned around 3 pm. Another unusual July bird was a Jay around the west side. Waders continue to build up with well over 2000 Sanderling present now, and among the gulls were 4 juvenile Mediterranean Gulls and 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.
During the late afternoon 26 Common Scoter were offshore from the beach whilst at the Visitor Centre there was a juvenile Stonechat.
The ninth session of CES was done this morning. The 30 new birds were 5 Wren, 4 Chiffchaff, 7 Long-tailed Tit, a Willow Warbler, 9 Blackcap, a Sedge Warbler, a Great Tit, a Whitethroat and a Song Thrush; and the 4 retraps were a Chiffchaff, a Dunnock and 2 Whitethroat.
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Osprey, 21st July 2024. Photo - Stuart Ainsworth  Oystercatchers, 21st July 2024. Photo - Rikki Clark  Common Sandpiper, 21st July 2024. Photo - Rikki Clark |
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Common Tern, 21st July 2024. Photo - Rikki Clark |
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Kingfisher, 21st July 2024. Photo - Rikki Clark |
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Kestrel, 21st July 2024. Photo - Rikki Clark |
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Skylark, 21st July 2024. Photo - Rikki Clark |
