Mid June 2014

June 20th. On Tennyson Sands were 2 Green Sandpiper, a Greenshank, a Mediterranean Gull, a Little Gull and a Grasshopper Warbler. A female Montagu's Harrier was around.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue was quite productive. The 30 new birds were 2 Wren, 3 Whitethroat, 6 Great Tit, 8 Chaffinch, a Linnet, 9 Dunnock and a Song Thrush. The 16 retraps were a Whitethroat, 2 Blue Tit, 7 Great Tit, 2 Sedge Warbler, 3 Dunnock and a Chaffinch.

June 19th. A Spoonbill flew from Tennyson Sands out over the Wash towards Norfolk. Remaining on Tennyson Sands were a first-summer Little Gull and a Grasshopper Warbler. Around were a ringtail Montagu's Harrier by the Wash Viewpoint, 6 Turtle Dove and 20 Little Tern.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 4 new birds: singles of Blue Tit, Linnet, Great Tit and Dunnock; and 7 retraps: 3 Great Tit, 2 Dunnock and 2 Whitethroat.

June 18th. Intermittent drizzle early morning, then soggy.
 On Tennyson Sands was a Spoonbill. Around was a Cuckoo. Flying north offshore were 2 European Storm Petrel and 3 Kittiwake.
 A brief morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in just 3 new birds: singles of Blue Tit, Linnet and Dunnock.

June 17th. A Spoonbill was on Tennyson Sands. South went a Grey Heron, and 6 north Kittiwake. Around were a Marsh Harrier, a Peregrine, a Grasshopper Warbler and 1100 Starling.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes was disappointing. The new birds were a Blue Tit and a Linnet; and the retraps were 4 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, 2 Whitethroat and a Meadow Pipit (from 2010).

June 16th. Occasional brief light rain in morning.
 Around were a Grasshopper Warbler and 2 Cuckoo in pursuit flight. Flying south were 4 Gannet.
 A morning ringing session, with Jenni Godber, provided 12 new birds: 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Blue Tit, a Linnet, 2 Whitethroat, a Dunnock and a Turtle Dove; and 10 retraps: 2 Great Tit, 5 Blue Tit, a Whitethroat, a Dunnock and a Wren.

Turtle Dove, ringed 16 May 2014.
Photo - George Gregory

June 15th. Occasional drizzle in morning.
 On Tennyson Sands were 2 Spoonbill.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 11 new birds: 2 Linnet, 7 Great Tit, a Whitethroat and a Dunnock; and 8 retraps: 4 Great Tit, 3 Blue Tit and a Dunnock.
 The 5th session of CES was done this morning by David Vincent at Aylmer Avenue, resulting in 16 new birds and 12 retraps. The new birds were 6 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Blue Tit, 3 Dunnock, 2 Great Tit, a Wren and a Chiffchaff. The retraps were 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Dunnock, 2 Great Tit, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Robin, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Willow Warbler. As it wasn't very busy this morning, bird ringing wise anyway, the opportunity was taken to carry out some much needed maintenance on the CES net rides.

June 14th. Occasional rain in morning.
 Birds singing included 2 Turtle Dove and a Cuckoo.
 A restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 6 new birds: a Chaffinch, a Linnet and 4 Dunnock; and 2 retrap Dunnock.

June 13th. Generally very warm.
 A GLOSSY IBIS was picked up in fight mid morning, it was observed flying west towards Jackson's Marsh/Tennyson's Sands, a follow up visit revealed nothing. The Glossy Ibis was airborne again at 1900hrs, seemed to be loosely associating with the godwit flock, presumably all flushed off Croft Marsh. The Glossy Ibis flew over The Wash and headed off towards Norfolk for about 3km then u-turned, heading towards Wainfleet, up the sea bank and over the visitor centre and presumably dropped onto Jackson's Marsh. Also present were a Spoonbill, the Honey Buzzard, a Temminck's Stint, 2 Curlew Sandpiper and a Mediterranean Gull.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 8 new birds: 2 Whitethroat, a Goldfinch, a Linnet, a Coal Tit and 3 Dunnock; and 7 retraps: singles of Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Linnet, Dunnock, Wren and Sedge Warbler.
 A longer ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling was much more productive. The 51 new birds were 3 Wren, a Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, 13 Chaffinch, 6 Great Tit, a Robin, 7 Whitethroat, 7 Blue Tit, a Reed Warbler, a Coal Tit, a Linnet, a Goldfinch, 4 Dunnock, 3 Greenfinch and a Blackbird. The 41 retraps were a Wren, a Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, 7 Chaffinch, 2 Great Tit, 6 Whitethroat, 11 Blue Tit, 5 Dunnock, 2 Greenfinch, 2 Robin, 2 Sedge Warbler and a Blackbird.


Glossy Ibis, 13th June 2014
Photo - Richard Doan

June 12th. A Jay was in Measures. Going south were 35 Starling and 4 Swift, and east 6 Grey Heron. The same Honey Buzzard passed through again.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes was reasonable. The 11 news were 2 Wren, 3 Robin, 2 Whitethroat, a Great Tit, a Reed Warbler and 2 Dunnock. The 6 retraps were singles of Dunnock, Robin, Wren, Linnet, Whitethroat and Blue Tit.



Honey Buzzard, 12th June 2014
Photo - Richard Doan

June 11th. Flying south were 200 Swift. A Nightjar was in East Dunes in the evening.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 8 new birds: 2 Linnet, 4 Blue Tit, a Coal Tit and a Chaffinch; and 7 retraps: 2 Blue Tit, 3 Dunnock, a Great Tit and a Chaffinch.
 A Beautiful China-mark (Nymphula nitidulata) trapped overnight was a reserve first.

Coal Tit, ringed 11th June 2014.
Photo - George Gregory

Beautiful China-mark (Nymphula nitidulata), trapped overnight 11th June 2014
Photo - Nigel Lound

Early June 2014

June 10th. Around were 400 Starling and a Green Woodpecker. Passing through was a Honey Buzzard. 2 Hobby were hunting in the East Dunes late evening.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 6 new birds: a Robin, a Blue Tit and 3 Starling; and 4 retraps: 2 Great Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Blue Tit.

Honey Buzzard, 10th June 2014.
Photo - Paul Neale

Honey Buzzard, 10th June 2014.
Photo - Paul Neale

Honey Buzzard, 10th June 2014.
Photo - Paul Neale

June 9th. Heading south were 4 Swift.
  In a morning ringing session in East Dunes there were 7 new birds: a Linnet, a Whitethroat, a Meadow Pipit and 4 Dunnock; and 4 retraps: singles of Chaffinch, Whitethroat, Linnet and Dunnock.
 A Puss Moth and an Eyed Hawk-moth were trapped overnight.


Puss Moth, 9th June 2014
Photo - Nigel Lound

Eyed Hawk-moth, 9th June 2014
Photo - Nigel Lound

June 8th. Flying south were 154 Swift, 32 House Martin, 40 Swallow, 3 Grey Heron and 3 Yellow Wagtail. Birds around included a Goosander, a Greenland Wheatear, a Cuckoo, 400 Starling and a Peregrine.

 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 6 new birds: a Linnet, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, a Great Tit and a Dunnock; and 4 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Great Tit and a Whitethroat.
  A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in a productive 52 new birds and 19 retraps. The new birds were 15 Chaffinch, 11 Blue Tit, 6 Whitethroat, 6 Greenfinch, 4 Robin, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Chiffchaff and singles of Great Tit, Dunnock, Linnet and Yellowhammer. The retraps were 7 Whitethroat, 3 Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch and singles of Blue Tit, Great Tit, Sedge Warbler, Yellowhammer, Chiffchaff and Wren. Again, just the same as last Sunday, the majority of the birds processed were juveniles.

June 7th. Occasional rain from mid morning.
 On Tennyson Sands were 2 Spoonbill and 2 Mediterranean Gulls. Around were 15 Swift.
 The 4th session of CES was done this morning. The 7 new birds were a Chiffchaff, a Long-tailed Tit, a Linnet, 2 Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock. The 19 retraps were 6 Whitethroat, 2 Blackbird, 2 Great Tit, 3 Willow Warbler, a Chaffinch, a Chiffchaff, a Long-tailed Tit, a Blue Tit and a Robin.

Adult Spoonbill on Tennyson Sands, 7th June 2014
Photo - Nigel Lound

June 6th. On Tennyson Sands was a Spoonbill. 2 Great Crested Grebe were on Tennyson Sands. Around was a Cuckoo. A Honey Buzzard drifted off west.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 5 new birds: 2 Linnet, a Blackcap, a Meadow Pipit and a Blackbird; and 7 retraps: 5 Great Tit, a Whitethroat and a Wren.

June 5th. Occasional very light rain in morning, fairly windy.
 Around were a Cuckoo and 40 Black-tailed Godwit. Flying south were 150 Swift and a Yellow Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 3 new birds: a Lesser Whitethroat, a Reed Bunting and a Dunnock; and 16 retraps: 9 Great Tit, 4 Blue Tit, a Whitethroat, a Goldfinch and a Dunnock.

June 4th. Dry start, then rain most of day.
 Around were an Osprey, a Honey Buzzard, a Montagu's Harrier and 25 Black-tailed Godwit.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes was reasonable, with more young birds emerging.The news were 5 Blue Tit, 2 Linnet, a Reed Bunting, a Robin, a Chaffinch and a Dunnock. The retraps were a Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Whitethroat and a Linnet.

Montagu's Harrier, 4th June 2014. 
Photo - Paul Neale

Montagu's Harrier, 4th June 2014. 

Photo - Paul Neale

June 3rd. Around were 23 Black-tailed Godwit, a Cuckoo, 2 Turtle Dove and a Montagu's Harrier. Heading south were 25 Swift, 30 Swallow, 3 House Martin and a Yellow Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 6 new birds: singles of Blue Tit, Whitethroat, Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Blackbird and Mistle Thrush; and 2 retraps: a Dunnock and a Whitethroat.

Mistle Thrush, ringed 3 June 2014.
Photo - George Gregory

June 2nd. Flying south over land were 13 Swift, a Yellow Wagtail and 20 Lesser Black-backed Gull. A male Green Woodpecker was in the East Dunes. Flying south over the sea were 60 Razorbill, 10 Gannet, 3 Little Gull and 4 Sandwich Tern
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 9 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, 3 Meadow Pipit, a Whitethroat, a Linnet and 2 Dunnock; and 2 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat and a Dunnock.

June 1st. Misty then sunny.
 An adult female Red-backed Shrike was discovered alongside Gibraltar Road north of Aylmer Avenue.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 4 new birds: 2 Wren, a Robin and a Meadow Pipit; and 5 retraps: 2 Great Tit, 2 Whitethroat and a Dunnock.
  A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David and Liv Vincent resulted in a very productive 77 new birds and 24 retraps. The new birds were 24 Chaffinch, 15 Greenfinch, 6 Whitethroat, 5 Goldfinch, 5 Blue Tit, 5 Great Tit, 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Robin, 2 Wren, 2 Dunnock, 2 Linnet and singles of Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Yellowhammer and Blackbird. The retraps were 5 Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Greenfinch, 3 Blue Tit, 2 Dunnock, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Sedge Warbler, a Song Thrush and a Great Tit. Of the 101 birds processed, a large proportion of them were juveniles.

Red-backed Shrike, 1 June 2014.
Photo - Sam Wilson

Late May 2014

May 31st. Around were a Marsh Harrier and 7 Turtle Dove. A Little Ringed Plover was on Tennyson Sands. Heading south were a Grey Heron, 20+ Swift and 4 House Martin. A Fulmar flew south at sea.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with James Siddle, was productive. The new birds were a Chiffchaff, 10 Linnet, a Meadow Pipit, 8 Great Tit and 4 Dunnock. The retraps were 4 Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Reed Bunting and a Chaffinch.

May 30th. The Golden Oriole was singing in the Plantation. A Honey Buzzard, a Red Kite and a Marsh Harrier flew north. A Stone Curlew was seen flying towards Croftmarsh. 2 adult Mediterranean Gull and 2 Whimbrel went south.
 The third CES session, with Jenni Godber and Sue Gosling, was done this morning. The new birds were 4 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Greenfinch, 2 Long-tailed Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Robin, a Spotted Flycatcher and 2 Dunnock. The retraps were 6 Whitethroat, a Blue Tit, a Chiffchaff, 2 Dunnock, a Sedge Warbler, a Tawny Owl and a Lesser Whitethroat.

Spotted Flycatcher, ringed 30 May 2014.
Photo - George Gregory

Tawny Owl, retrapped 30 May 2014.
Photo - George Gregory

Honey Buzzard, 30 May 2014.
Photo - Russell Hayes

May 29th. Strong easterly wind, light rain in morning.
 A Golden Oriole was discovered singing near Shovelers Pool. Other birds around included a Spotted Flycatcher. Flying south were 50 Swift.
 An afternoon nest-box check, with Mike Polling, yielded mixed results. Clearly the persistent rain over the last few days has affected the nesters. Several boxes contained cold eggs and dead pulli. However, the following live and healthy pulli were ringed: 3 Great Tit, 5 Blue Tit, 2 Jackdaw and 2 Stock Dove.

May 28th. Quite strong north-easterly wind, rain most of day.
 Around was a Cuckoo.
 No ringing was attempted.

May 27th. Quite strong north-easterly wind, rain most of day.
 A Cuckoo, a Garden Warbler and a Whimbrel were around.
 No ringing was attempted.

May 26th. Birds around included an adult male Black Redstart, a Barn Owl, a Cuckoo and 2 Brent Goose. A pair of Garganey were on Jackson's Marsh along with 94 Black-tailed Godwit and 4 drake Pochard. Offshore were 14 Eider. Flying south were 2 adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Sand Martin, 5 House Martin and 11 Swallow. In off the sea came 4 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Chris Hansell, produced 5 new birds: a Blackcap, 2 Meadow Pipit, a Whitethroat and a Linnet; and 12 retraps: a Blue Tit, 4 Dunnock, 2 Great Tit, a Reed Bunting, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Wren and 2 Whitethroat.

May 25th. Strong south-westerly wind.
 In the evening 2 Nightjar were discovered in East Dunes. Heading south were 75 Swift and a House Martin.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Mike Polling, provided 6 retraps: a Whitethroat, a Goldfinch, a Blue Tit, 2 Dunnock and a Great Tit.

May 24th. Rain from mid morning.
 Around were a Peregrine and a Marsh Harrier. A Crossbill flew south.
 A rain-shortened morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Chris Hansell and Georgina Scott, resulted in 3 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Whitethroat and a Linnet; and 3 retraps: a Goldfinch, a Whitethroat and a Great Tit.

May 23rd. A Great Reed Warbler was trapped and ringed in East Dunes early morning. It was the first for Gibraltar Point. On Jackson's Marsh were the Pectoral Sandpiper and a Wood Sandpiper. In off the Wash came a Spoonbill.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Chris Hansell, yielded 6 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Linnet, a Meadow Pipit, a Dunnock and a Great Reed Warbler; and 5 retraps: a Meadow Pipit, 2 Dunnock, a Great Tit and a Blue Tit.

Great Reed Warbler, ringed 23rd May 2014.
Photo - George Gregory

May 22nd. Rain early morning.
 The Pectoral Sandpiper and 2 Ruff remained on Jackson's Marsh. Flying south were 7 Swift. On Tennyson's Sands was a Wood Sandpiper.
 A brief morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Mike Polling, provided 2 new Dunnock, and 5 retraps: a Wren, a Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Blue Tit.
 A nest-box check, with Mike Polling, resulted in 5 new Jackdaw pulli ringed.

Pectoral Sandpiper (with Redshank and Ruff), 22nd May 2014
Photo - Richard Doan

Wood Sandpiper on Tennyson's Sands, 22nd May 2014
Photo - Phillip Milns

May 21st. On Jackson's Marsh were a Pectoral Sandpiper and 3 Ruff. South went 2 Swift and a House Martin.
 On a morning ringing session in East Dunes there were 7 news: 2 Whitethroat, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Sedge Warbler and a Dunnock; and 5 retraps: 3 Great Tit, a Dunnock and a Wren.

Mid May 2014

May 20th. On Jackson's Marsh were a Little Stint and a Curlew Sandpiper.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 8 retraps: a Blue Tit, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock and a Sedge Warbler.

May 19th. Birds around included a Cuckoo and a Marsh Harrier. On Jackson's Marsh was a Curlew Sandpiper. South went 3 Swift, a Yellow Wagtail, 60 Kittiwake, a Grey Heron and 7 Little Egret.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced a new Whitethroat, and 4 retraps: 2 Great Tit, a Dunnock and a Whitethroat.

May 18th. Around were 3 Mediterranean Gulls, a Cuckoo, a Red Kite and 2 Turtle Dove. Offshore were 8 Little Tern, 2 Arctic Tern, 4 Sandwich Tern, a Common Scoter, a Great Crested Grebe and 17 Eider.
 A brief morning ringing session in East Dunes was disappointing, with just 3 Dunnock retrapped.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David and Liv Vincent, which included the second C.E.S session of the year, resulted in a total of 17 new birds and 20 retraps. Of the C.E.S nets the new birds were 4 Whitethroat, 2 Swallow, a Robin, a Reed Warbler, a Linnet and a Blackbird. The retraps were 4 Whitethroat, 4 Great Tit, a Robin, a Swallow, a Blackcap and a Willow Warbler. Of the other nets the new birds were 4 Greenfinch, a Chaffinch, a Goldfinch and a Wren. The retraps were 4 Chaffinch, a Goldfinch, a Greenfinch, a Dunnock and a Chiffchaff.


Red Kite over Tennyson's Sands, 18th May 2014
Photo - Garry Wright

May 17th. Birds around included a Red Kite, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Peregrine, 3 Common Buzzard, 2 Whimbrel, a Greenshank, 2 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Pink-footed Goose. A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 7 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Chaffinch, 2 Blackcap, a Garden Warbler and a Song Thrush; and 5 retraps: singles of Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Great Tit and Dunnock.

May 16th. A Nightingale was discovered singing around North Building at dawn. Other notables included 3 Cuckoo and 12 Turtle Dove. Heading north were 5 Common Scoter and a Common Buzzard, meanwhile 158 Swallow, 2 Yellow Wagtail and 35 House Martin flew south. The Wood Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper remained on Jackson's Marsh.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes was disappointing. The only new was a Blackbird, and a Blue Tit and a Dunnock were retrapped.

May 15th. Around were 2 Cuckoo, a Turtle Dove, 2 Spotted Flycatcher and 4 Wheatear. Jackson's Marsh produced a Spoonbill, a Wood Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Ringed Plover, 50 Black-tailed Godwit, 38 Dunlin and 5 Redshank. South went 200 Swallow, 3 Rook and 2 Yellow Wagtail. No sign of the Serin today.
 During a morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Mike Polling, there was just 1 new bird: a Sedge Warbler; but 5 retraps: 3 Whitethroat, a Great Tit and a Robin; and a control Chiffchaff.
 A check of the nest boxes, again with Mike Polling, resulted in 17 pulli ringed: 4 Jackdaw, 7 Blue Tit and 6 Great Tit; and 2 adult Stock Dove ringed.

May 14th. The Serin remained at the bird feeding station. Birds around included 3 Jay, a Pied Flycatcher, 2 Whinchat, 4 Wheatear and a Mediterranean Gull.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 9 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Robin, 3 Whitethroat and a Lesser Whitethroat; and 3 retraps: a Chaffinch and 2 Whitethroat.

May 13th. Brief light rain mid morning, soggy.
 The Serin was still in the Plantation. Also around were 2 Garganey, 20 Black-tailed Godwit, a Green Woodpecker and a Cuckoo.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 6 new birds: a Goldcrest, 2 Whitethroat, a Garden Warbler, a Meadow Pipit and a Chaffinch; and 3 retraps: a Blue Tit, a Whitethroat and a Reed Bunting.

May 12th. Occasional rain.
 The Serin remained in the Plantation. Other birds around included 3 Turtle Dove, 4 Whimbrel and a Cuckoo. Another Whimbrel flew north. On Jackson's Marsh were 40 Black-tailed Godwit, 30 Dunlin and 2 Common Sandpiper
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 7 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 2 Chaffinch, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat and a Reed Bunting; and 5 retraps: a Great Tit, a Blue Tit, 2 Dunnock and a Whitethroat.

Black-tailed Godwit over Jackson's Marsh scrape
Photo - Richard Doan

May 11th. Intermittent rain, windy, again.
 The Serin was still in the Plantation. Also around were a Cuckoo and 2 Turtle Doves.

Early May 2014

May 10th. Intermittent rain, windy.
 The Serin remained in the Plantation. Other birds around included a Spotted Flycatcher, a Whimbrel, a Cuckoo and a Turtle Dove.

Spotted Flycatcher in the Plantation, 10th May 2014
Photo - Garry Wright

May 9th. Occasional rain early morning, then increasing wind.
 The Serin was again at the feeding station in the Plantation, and the pair of Garganey remained on Jackson's Marsh. A Firecrest was around Mill Hill. Other birds around included 3 Wheatear, a Common Sandpiper, a Mediterranean Gull and a Greenshank. Offshore was a Black Tern. A Great White Egret flew inland late afternoon. South went a Pink-footed Goose and 40 Swift.
 A brief morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 2 new birds: a Whitethroat and a Robin; and 5 retraps: 4 Whitethroat and a Reed Bunting.

Garganey pair on Jackson's Marsh 9th May 2014
Photo - Richard Doan

May 8th. Quite windy.
The pair of Garganey were again on Jackson's Marsh, a Serin was at the feeding station in the Plantation, and on Fenland Lagoon was a 2CY Mediterranean Gull. Around were a Hobby, a Turtle Dove, 2 Wheatear, 28 Little Tern and 4 Whimbrel.
A restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 3 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff and a Chaffinch; and 2 retrap Whitethroat.


Serin at Feeding Station, 8th May 2014
Photo - Russell Hayes

May 7th. Flying south were 2 Red-rumped Swallow, with many Swallow, and fewer Swift and House Martin. The pair of Garganey remained on Jackson's Marsh. Around were 2 Cuckoo, 2 Turtle Dove, 3 Wheatear, 2 Common Sandpiper, 34 Black-tailed Godwit, 37 Avocet, a Grey Heron and 2 Bullfinch.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Mike Polling, produced 5 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Lesser Whitethroat and 3 Whitethroat; and a retrap Whitethroat.
 A check on the nest-boxes, with Mike Polling, resulted in 9 Great Tit pulli ringed, and several other boxes with various species of sitting females, small pulli or eggs.

May 6th. Rainy early morning, then damp. The pair of Garganey were still on Jackson's Marsh early morning. Around the reserve were 7 Greenshank, 62 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Snipe, 3 Turtle Dove, 15 Little Tern, a drake Pochard, a Common Buzzard, a Marsh Harrier and a Cuckoo. Over 100 Swallow flew south as did 9 Swift. A drake Eider and a Great Crested Grebe were on the sea.
 A delayed morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 6 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Reed Bunting and a Chaffinch; and 2 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat and a Whitethroat.

May 5th. A ringtail Montagu's Harrier flew north across the reserve early morning. A pair of Garganey were on Jackson's Marsh. Around were a Hen Harrier, a Mediterranean Gull, a male Redstart, a Coal Tit, a Turtle Dove, 2 Wheatear and a Cuckoo.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes was disappointing. The news were a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff and a Whitethroat; and the retraps 2 Lesser Whitethroat.

May 4th. A Great White Egret was discovered on Jackson's Marsh. On Tennyson Sands were 30 Black-tailed Godwit and a Common Sandpiper. Around were a Wheatear and a Cuckoo. Flying south were 7 Swallows.
  A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 8 new birds: a Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Lesser Whitethroat and a Goldfinch; and a retrap Wren.
  A simultaneous ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David and Liv Vincent, which included the first C.E.S session of the year, resulted in a total of 15 new birds and 16 retraps. Of the C.E.S nets the new birds were 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Blackbird and a Robin. The retraps were 3 Chaffinch, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat (one of which was ringed in 2009), 2 Great Tit, a Chiffchaff, a Blue Tit, a Dunnock and a Wren. Of the other nets the new birds were 2 Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinch and a Willow Warbler. The retraps were a Chaffinch and a Greenfinch.


Great White Egret on Tennyson's Sands, 4th May 2014
Photo - Richard Doan



Great White Egret, 4th May 2014.
Photo - James Siddle

May 3rd. Birds around included a Cuckoo, a Spotted Redshank and a Buzzard. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Greenshank.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 9 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Goldfinch, a Chaffinch, a Meadow Pipit and a Pied Flycatcher; and 4 retraps: a Chiffchaff, a Whitethroat, a Dunnock and a Goldfinch.

Pied Flycatcher, ringed 3rd May 2014.
Photo - George Gregory

May 2nd. A mobile Quail was in various locations around the reserve. Around were a male Wheatear, a Common Tern, a Great Crested Grebe, a Common Sandpiper, a Greenshank and a Cuckoo. A Whimbrel, 130 Little Terns and 110 Barnacle Geese flew north.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 8 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 2 Redstart, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Tree Pipit and a Song Thrush; and 2 retraps: a Blue Tit and a Dunnock.

Redstart, ringed 2nd May 2014.
Photo - George Gregory

May 1st. Rain overnight, wet and misty most of day.
 A mobile Spoonbill arrived from the south, flew around the reserve, then ended up on Jackson's Marsh, together with a drake Goosander, 2 Greenshank, 92 Black-tailed Godwit and a Mediterranean Gull. On Tennyson Sands were 2 Barnacle Geese. Birds around included a Wood Warbler, 2 Ring Ouzel, a Jay, a Tree Pipit, 2 Turtle Dove, a Fieldfare, 3 Brambling, 7 Wheatear, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Whimbrel and a Cuckoo.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes was disappointing. The only new bird was a Linnet; while the retraps were a Dunnock, a Great Tit and a Whitethroat.

Wood Warbler in East Dunes, 1st May 2014.
Photo - Kevin Wilson

Tree Pipit in East Dunes, 1st May 2014.
Photo - Nigel Lound

Adult Spoonbill on Jackson's Marsh, 1st May 2014.
Photo - Nigel Lound

Late April 2014

April 30th. Around were a Cuckoo, 3 Turtle Dove, a Ring Ouzel, a Redstart, a Reed Warbler, 12 Little Tern, a Greenshank and 3 Whimbrel.
 During a morning ringing session in East Dunes the new birds were a Willow Warbler, a Meadow Pipit, a Sedge Warbler and a Whitethroat; and the retraps were a Dunnock and a Blue Tit.

April 29th. Birds around included a Cuckoo, 2 Whimbrel and 4 Swallow.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 11 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Goldfinch, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Tree Pipit, a Linnet and a Robin; and 7 retraps: 2 Whitethroat, 3 Goldfinch, a Wren and a Dunnock.

Tree Pipit, ringed 29th April 2014.
Photo - George Gregory

April 28th. A Montagu's Harrier flew through the reserve, then towards Norfolk. A Woodlark was over East Dunes. Other birds around were a Little Ringed Plover, 8 Song Thrush, a Redwing, 3 Fieldfare, a Ring Ouzel, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, a Cuckoo, 5 Wheatear, a Redstart and a Brambling.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 10 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Whitethroat, a Chaffinch, a Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Song Thrush (continental type) and a Great Spotted Woodpecker; and 2 retraps: a Whitethroat and a Blue Tit.
 The Great Spotted Woodpecker was a large female, with wing length 142mm and bill depth 10mm. It was also rather white below. Baker (1993) gives for full grown females: D. m. anglicus wing length 126-134mm and bill depth 8-9mm; and D. m major wing length 138-144mm and bill depth 9-10mm. However, more recent work apparently shows that some British birds (whether pure D. m. anglicus or an admixture) can have longer wings than Baker gives for D. m. anglicus.

Large female Great Spotted Woodpecker, ringed 28th April 2014.
Photo - George Gregory

Large female Great Spotted Woodpecker, ringed 28th April 2014.
Photo - George Gregory

April 27th. Birds around included a Cuckoo, a Turtle Dove, 2 Whimbrel, 6 Swallow, 3 Redstart and a Sparrowhawk.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes was disappointing. The news were 2 Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Whitethroat; and the retraps 2 Whitethroat.
  A similarly disappointing ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David and Liv Vincent resulted in just 3 new birds and 8 retraps. The new birds were a Great Tit, a Goldfinch and a Blackcap. The retraps were 2 Greenfinch, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Long-tailed Tit, a Chaffinch and a Blue Tit.

April 26th. Around were a Whinchat, a Redstart, a Ring Ouzel, a Fieldfare, 2 Siskin, a Brambling and a Hen Harrier.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with James Siddle, provided 3 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Whitethroat and a Lesser Whitethroat; and 3 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat, a Goldfinch and a Reed Bunting.

Whinchat, 26th April 2014.
Photo -  James Siddle

April 25th. Drizzle/rain and poor visibility for most of day.
Birds around included a Redstart, a Jack Snipe, a Tawny Owl, a Cuckoo, a Green Woodpecker and 3 Brambling.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 7 new birds: 4 Willow Warblers, 2 Whitethroats and a Lesser Whitethroat; and a retrap Goldfinch.

April 24th. Around were a Redstart, 10 Wheatear, a Ring Ouzel, a Cuckoo, a Barn Owl, a Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier,10 Snipe, 3 Little Tern, 2 Common Tern, 20 Sandwich Tern and a Jay.  Flying south were 31 Swallow, 7 Sand Martin, 4 Whimbrel, 3 Marsh Harrier, a Red Kite and a Common Buzzard. 2 adult Mediterranean Gull flew high north.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 3 new birds: 2 Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler; and 6 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat, a Goldfinch, 2 Wren, a Blackcap and a Dunnock.

April 23rd. A Hoopoe was discovered near the Mere. A Great White Egret was on the Freshwater Marsh briefly. Around were a Goosander, a Jay, 15 Rook, a Fieldfare, 5 Wheatear, a Reed Warbler, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Siskin, a Cuckoo, 2 Common Tern, a Greenshank and 9 Whimbrel. South went 14 Yellow Wagtail, a Peregrine, a Common Buzzard, 2 Grey Heron and 4 Stock Dove. A Marsh Harrier went north over Croft Marsh.
 A morning session provided 6 new birds: a Long-tailed Tit, a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Robin and a Song Thrush; and 4 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat, a Goldfinch (from 2008) and a Blue Tit.
 A Scorched Carpet Moth was trapped overnight, the 2nd reserve record.

April 22nd. Rain on and off during day.
Birds around included a Hen Harrier, 8 Whimbrel, 8 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, a Fieldfare, a Black Redstart, 2 Wheatear, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Siskin and 14 Corn Bunting. On Jackson's Marsh was a White Wagtail, a Spotted Redshank, a Common Sandpiper and a Green Sandpiper.

April 21st. Around were 13 Little Tern, a Marsh Harrier, 11 Wheatear, 5 Rook, a Siskin, a Whimbrel, a Jack Snipe, a Greenshank and a Green Sandpiper. Flying north were a Fulmar, a Hobby and 6 Swallows.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 10 new birds: 3 Chiffchaff, a Wren, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Blackcap, a Bullfinch (British subspecies), a Chaffinch and a Linnet; and 4 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Linnet and a Dunnock.

Bullfinch, ringed 21st April 2014.
Photo - George Gregory

Mid April 2014

April 20th. An Iceland Gull was on Jackson's Marsh then drifted north. Around were a Peregrine, 3 Wheatear, 10 Corn Bunting, a White Wagtail, 2 Yellow Wagtail and a Redpoll. Waders included 1500 Dunlin, 31 Turnstone and 97 Ringed Plover. Offshore were 220 Common Scoter and 2 Harbour Porpoise. North went 3 Whimbrel, 7 Sand Martin and 4 Swallow.

April 19th. A Kentish Plover was discovered in the Sanctuary. Around were 2 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Yellow Wagtail, 4 Swallow, a Whimbrel, a Marsh Harrier and a Buzzard. Offshore were 2 Little Tern, 105 Common Scoter and 2 Red-breasted Merganser. North flew a Hen Harrier, a Rook and a House Martin.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Chris Hansell, yielded 3 new birds: a Goldfinch, a Linnet and a Meadow Pipit; and 2 retraps: a Wren and a Great Tit.



KENTISH PLOVER on the 19th April 2014
Photo - Kev Wilson

 April 18th. Around
were a Whimbrel, 2 House Martin, 3 Swallow, 7 Whitethroat and a Grasshopper Warbler. On Fenland Lagoon was a Greenshank, and on Jackson's Marsh a White Wagtail. Waders included 13000 Knot and 750 Grey Plover. Offshore were 250 Common Scoter. South went 3 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Redpoll, and south-east a Buzzard.
A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 3 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Goldfinch and a Reed Bunting; and 2 retrap Wren.

April 17th. A Peregrine, a Merlin and 3 Wheatear were around.
Again little was caught on a morning ringing session in East Dunes, with Mike Polling. The 5 new birds were 2 Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, a Reed Bunting and a Linnet, and there were no retraps.

April 16th. Around were a Whimbrel, a Peregrine, a Merlin and a Crossbill. 2 Tree Pipit, 5 Swallow, a House Martin and 5 Yellow Wagtail went south. 5 Velvet Scoter flew north at sea and the first 4 Little Tern of the year were seen.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes, with trainee Jenni Godber, was disappointing. The news were 2 Linnets and a Goldfinch, and the retraps a Great Tit, a Dunnock, a Wren and a Lesser Whitethroat.

April 15th. A sea-watch first thing saw 2 Red-throated Diver south, 151 Common Scoter north and 69 south, 2 Gannet north and 3 south. Flying north were a Great Crested Grebe, a Sandwich Tern, 2 Fulmar, 3 MANX SHEARWATER and a GREAT SKUA. 6 Yellow Wagtail and a Common Buzzard flew south. Around were a Barn Owl, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Sedge Warbler, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Greenshank, a Whimbrel and a Merlin.
  A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided a bit of variety. The new birds were 2 Chiffchaff, a Linnet, a Blackcap, a Goldfinch, a Sparrowhawk and a Woodpigeon. The retraps were 2 Wren, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Goldfinch, a Great Tit and a Dunnock.

Sparrowhawk, ringed 15 April 2014.
Photo - George Gregory

April 14. Around were a male Hen Harrier, 2 Wheatear, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Grasshopper Warbler and 2 Green Woodpecker. 2 Swallow flew south and 3 went north.
A brief, wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes was not very productive. The news were 2 Long-tailed Tit, and the retraps 3 Wren and a Blue Tit.

April 13th. Around were 2 Hen Harrier, a Whimbrel, 7 Swallow, a Yellow Wagtail, a Grey Wagtail, 6 Rook, a Merlin, a Marsh Harrier, a Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper, 4 Wheatear, a Sedge Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Corn Bunting and a Yellowhammer.
  During a morning ringing session in East Dunes 9 new birds were trapped: 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Wren, a Willow Warbler, 2 Goldfinch, a Linnet and a Blue Tit; as were 6 retraps: 3 Dunnock, 2 Wren and a Blackcap.
A simultaneous ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David and Liv Vincent resulted in 16 new birds and 19 retraps. The new birds were 8 Goldfinch, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, a Blackbird and a Linnet. The retraps were 10 Goldfinch, 4 Chaffinch, 3 Blue Tit and 2 Great Tit.

April 12th. Heading north were 3 Whimbrel, and south 2 Swallow, a Sand Martin, 8 Rook and 2 Common Buzzard. About were a male Wheatear, a Willow Warbler, a Merlin and 55 Avocet
  A morning ringing session, with trainee Georgina Scott, in East Dunes provided 15 new birds: 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, a Brambling, 2 Blue Tit, a Great Tit, a Goldfinch, a Linnet, a Reed Bunting and a Black Redstart; and 5 retraps: 3 Dunnock, a Chaffinch and a Goldfinch.

Brambling, ringed 12 April 2014.
Photo - George Gregory

Black Redstart, ringed 12 April 2014.
Photo - George Gregory

April 11th. A morning ringing session in East Dunes was reasonable. The new birds were a Wren, 3 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, 5 Linnet, a Reed Bunting and a Goldfinch. The retraps were 2 Dunnock, a Linnet and a Great Tit.

Early April 2014

April 10th. Around today were a Marsh Harrier, a Hen Harrier, 2 Common Buzzard, a Swallow, a Snipe, a Wheatear, a White Wagtail and a Greenshank. 59 Avocet were on Tennyson Sands.
A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 10 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler, 4 Linnet, a Chaffinch, a Reed Bunting and 2 Dunnock; and 7 retraps: 3 Wren, 2 Great Tit, a Dunnock and a Goldfinch.

April 9th. In the East Dunes were a Long-eared Owl and a Woodlark. Around were 2 Hen Harrier, 2 Merlin, a Common Buzzard and 4 Sparrowhawk. A Mediterranean Gull, a Whimbrel, 2 Swallow and 2 Sand Martin went south. 17 Corn Bunting were around the Visitor Centre
A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 9 new birds: a Firecrest, a Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 3 Reed Bunting and 2 Linnet; and 5 retraps: a Great Tit, 2 Dunnock, a Wren and a Linnet.

Firecrest, ringed 9 April 2014.
Photo - George Gregory

April 8th. A strong westerly wind. Mostly sunny.
Moving south were 2 Red Kite, 3 Merlin, a Sparrowhawk, 4 Sandwich Tern (1st for the year), a Yellow Wagtail and 3 Swallow. Around the reserve were 4 Wheatear, 50 Avocet, 200 Redshank, 80 Brent Geese, 4 Brambling, 2 Blackcap and 5 Chiffchaff.

April 7th. A fairly strong westerly wind. Showers on and off all day, heavy at times.
Around were 2 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 500+ Redshank, 150 Redwing, 2 Brambling, a Woodcock, a Pintail, 38 Avocet, 2 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 12 Corn Bunting and 3 Jack Snipe.

April 6th. A fairly strong wind all day. Sunny intervals.
Around were 4 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow, 3 Blackcap, a Hen Harrier, a Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel, 6 Corn Bunting, a Brambling, a Crossbill, a Redpoll Sp and there was a Little Ringed Plover on Jackson's Marsh (1st for the year).
  A morning ringing session in East Dunes was moderately successful. The news were a Chiffchaff, a Linnet, a Reed Bunting, 2 Chaffinch and a Dunnock; and the retraps 2 Dunnock, a Blue Tit and a Blackbird.

April 5th. A brisk south-south-westerly wind. Mostly sunny.
Around were a Crossbill, a Bullfinch, a Mealy Redpoll, a Sand Martin, 109 Linnet, 67 Goldfinch, 13 Magpie, 10 Brambling, a Woodcock, 26 Rook, a Yellowhammer, 6 Corn Bunting, a Sparrowhawk and 60+ Avocet. 
  A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 5 new birds: 3 Reed Bunting, a Chaffinch and a Dunnock; and 3 retraps: a Blue Tit and 2 Dunnock.

April 4th. A breezy westerly wind. Mostly cloudy. 
Visible migration was evident from mid-morning with the following flying south: 6 Swallow, 5 Sand Martin, a House Martin (1st of the year), 124 Linnet, 11 Chaffinch, 10 Greenfinch, 15 Meadow Pipit, 1 White Wagtail, 4 Alba Wagtail, 11 Siskin, a Redpoll Spp, 6 Rook and 2 Grey Heron flew north-west.
On the reserve were: 11 Yellowhammer, 2 Green Woodpecker, 6 Chiffchaff, 25 Avocet, a Short-eared Owl, a Peregrine, a Red-legged Partridge, a Tawny Owl, a Corn Bunting, 124 Meadow Pipit, 64 Skylark and 20 Golden Plover.
  A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced just a single new bird, a Goldfinch, while the retraps were 2 Goldfinch, a Robin, a Dunnock and a Great Tit.

April 3rd. A brisk north easterly wind with thick fog and mist again.
Again rather quiet first thing. Around were a male Hen Harrier, a Merlin, 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Redwing and a Goldcrest. 37 Avocet were on Tennyson Sands.

April 2nd. A brisk north easterly wind with thick fog and mist.
Very little about first thing. A Coal Tit, a Blackcap, a Goldcrest and 2 Chiffchaff were among the few birds singing around North Car Park. 23 Redwing flew north over Aylmer clearing and a further flock of 60 Redwing were around the north of the reserve late afternoon.

April 1st. A slight easterly wind. Sunny intervals.
Around the reserve were 16 Little Egret, a Twite, a Willow Warbler, 6 Corn Bunting, 2 Brambling, a Woodcock, a Blackcap, a Pintail and a Goosander.
Wader counts from the Estuary this evening were 2964 Grey Plover, 250 Redshank, 65 Sanderling, 2390 Dunlin, 16376 Knot, 14 Avocet and 4 Black-tailed Godwit.

Late March 2014

March 31st. A slight south easterly wind. Mostly cloudy with occasional sunny intervals.

March 30th. A moderate easterly wind. Mostly cloudy.
Around were a Tawny Owl, 20 Avocet, 6 Corn Bunting, a Barn Owl and 2 Chiffchaff.
  A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in just 10 new birds and 3 retraps. The new birds were 5 Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch and 2 Greenfinch. The retraps were 2 Great Tit and a Greenfinch.

March 29th. A brisk easterly wind. Mostly sunny.
Around the reserve were a Merlin, 35 Avocet, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, a drake Pochard, 2 Tawny Owl, 5 Chiffchaff and a Siskin. Still very quiet on the reserve at the moment!

March 28th. A breezy easterly wind. Sunny intervals.
The only birds recorded today were a Barn Owl, a Merlin and 6 Corn Bunting with 14 Avocet and 7 Black-tailed Godwit on Tennyson's Sands

March 27th. A fairly brisk easterly wind. Sunny intervals with showers.
Around today were 6 Chiffchaff, a Coal Tit, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Snipe, a Song Thrush, a Sparrowhawk, a Merlin, a Marsh Harrier and a Barn Owl. 6 Rook flew south. 30 Avocet and 10 Black-tailed Godwit were on Tennyson Sands.

March 26th. A fairly strong northerly wind. Sunny intervals with showers.
A sea-watch from first light was again predictably quiet with 5 Red-breasted Merganser and a single Eider on the sea, with 7 Red-throated Diver and a Merlin going north. A Harbour Porpoise went north close to shore. There were 39 Avocet on Tennyson Sands. Also around were a Sparrowhawk, 5 Chiffchaff, 15 Redwing, a Yellowhammer, 121 Ringed Plover, 4000 Dunlin, 50 Turnstone, 300 Curlew, 42 Oystercatcher, 13 Sanderling and 200 Redshank.

March 25th. An increasing easterly wind. Sunny intervals.
Around the reserve today were 2 Merlin, a Peregrine, a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Barn Owl, 2 southbound Marsh Harrier and a Green Woodpecker seen well which proved to be an adult female.
  A wind-restricted ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 13 new birds and 7 retraps. The new birds were 5 Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch, 2 Lesser Redpoll (the first of the year) and a Brambling (also the first of the year). The retraps were 2 Blue Tit, 2 Goldfinch, a Greenfinch, a Chaffinch and a Long-tailed Tit.

March 24th. A moderate south easterly wind. Sunny.
Limited coverage with the only reports of any note being 2 adult Mediterranean Gull briefly on Tennyson Sands, 2 Barn Owl and a male Hen Harrier. One of the Mediterranean Gull was colour-ringed and was ringed in Belgium in 1997 making it 17 years old!

March 23rd. A breezy north-westerly then northerly wind. Sunny intervals in the morning, showers in the afternoon.
A RED KITE drifted south at 0930 and a BEARDED TIT was around The Mere. 3 Sand Martin were around Tennyson Sands and Jackson's Marsh.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David and Liv Vincent resulted in 19 new birds and 21 retraps. The new birds were 7 Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch, 2 Great Tit, 2 Siskin, 2 Chiffchaff and a Blue Tit. The retraps were 6 Blue Tits, 6 Greenfinch, 4 Goldfinch, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Great Tit and a Dunnock. The 2 Chiffchaff are the first-ringed Chiffchaff of the year! (Last year the first Chiffchaff was ringed on the 12th April).

March 22nd. A strong south westerly wind. Mostly sunny.
Limited coverage with Hen Harrier (ringtail), Peregrine, Merlin, Barn Owl and Sparrowhawk seen. The 3CY Mediterranean Gull was again on Tennyson Sands.

March 21st. A fairly strong south westerly wind. Mostly sunny.
The sea was predictably quiet with just 2 Red-throated Diver and a single Eider south. Visible migration involved 78 Chaffinch, 15 Goldfinch, 18 Siskin, 2 Redpoll sp, 6 Linnet, a Brambling, 6 Alba Wagtail, 12 Fieldfare, 50 Redwing, 150 Starling, 26 Rook and a Marsh Harrier moving south. Around the reserve were 7 Yellowhammer, a Green Woodpecker, a Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, a Water Pipit, a Green Sandpiper, a Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawk, 3 Common Buzzard and 2 Mediterranean Gull.

Mid March 2014

March 20th. A strong south westerly wind. Sunny intervals.
Around were 2 Snipe, 2 White Wagtail, a Tawny Owl, a Barn Owl and 11 Redwing. South went 65 Chaffinch, 2 Alba Wagtail, 28 Siskin, 2 Rook, a Brambling and 16 Meadow Pipit.

March 19th. A brisk west-south-west wind. Mostly cloudy.
On the sea were 3 Teal, a Great Crested Grebe and a Red-throated Diver whilst 2 Gannets and a Common Scoter flew north. A RED KITE was around the sycamore plot and a Sand Martin was around "The Hump". A FIRECREST was found late afternoon north of North Car Park. 2 Grey Heron, 22 Siskin and 162 Chaffinch went south. 2 Spotted Redshank were on Tennyson Sands. Also around were a Barn Owl, a male Hen Harrier, a Merlin, a Sparrowhawk, a Green Woodpecker and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

March 18th. A strong westerly wind. Mostly cloudy with occasional rain.
Around were 2 RED KITE, a Peregrine, a Merlin, a Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk and a Barn Owl. 8 Fieldfare flew west. South went a Sand Martin, 63 Golden Plover, 7 Rook, 4 Brambling, 47 Chaffinch and a possible Wood Lark (a single call, although bird not seen). A 3CY Mediterranean Gull was on Tennyson Sands.

March 17th. A brisk westerly wind. Sunny morning, cloudier afternoon.
A Great Skua flew north at sea early on. A visible migration watch from Mill Hill 0700 to 0915 saw 7 Rook, 16 Carrion Crow, 152 Wood Pigeon, 16 Chaffinch, 19 Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch, 2 Linnet, 2 Siskin, 12 Crossbill, 2 Meadow Pipit and an "alba" Wagtail south. Around the reserve were 18 Avocet, a Barn Owl, a Short-eared Owl, a Tawny Owl, male Hen Harrier, 2CY female Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, a Merlin, a Peregrine, a Common Buzzard, a Chiffchaff, a Green Woodpecker and the first Swallow of the year. A Spotted Redshank was on Tennyson Sands.

March 16th. A strong west-north-west wind. Sunny.
Around were a Brambling, a Tree Sparrow, 5 Yellowhammer, a Barn Owl, 30 Redwing, 3 Woodcock, a Merlin, a Green Woodpecker and 2 Sand Martin south.

March 15th. A fairly strong westerly wind. Cloudy morning, sunny afternoon.
Around were a Green Woodpecker, a Siskin, a Woodcock and 15 Avocet. South went 2 Egyptian Geese and a Sand Martin.

March 14th. An increasing west-south-west wind. Foggy morning, sunnier afternoon.
Around today were a female Marsh Harrier, a female Hen Harrier, 2 Merlin, a Sparrowhawk, a Woodcock and 36 Turnstone. 6 Roe Deer, (2 Bucks and 4 Does) were on Croftmarsh.
  A 3 hour morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 14 new birds and 20 retraps. The new birds were 6 Greenfinch, 4 Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinch and 2 Great Tit. The retraps were 8 Blue Tit, 5 Greenfinch, 3 Great Tit, 2 Chaffinch, a Long-tailed Tit and a Robin.

March 13th. A slight north easterly wind. Foggy start then sunny.
Around were a Siskin, a Green Woodpecker, a Grey Heron, a Merlin, a Peregrine, a Sparrowhawk, 3 Tawny Owl and a Rook.
Counts from the water bodies resulted in: 50 Golden Plover, 2 Oystercatcher, 16 Avocet, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Snipe, a Pochard, 65 Shoveler, 26 Gadwall, 22 Tufted Duck, 41 Wigeon, 32 Teal, 23 Coot, 12 Moorhen, 8 Little Grebe, 29 Shelduck, 68 Mallard, 4 Goldeneye and 13 Lapwing.

March 12th. A slight east-north-east wind. Sunny.
Around were 28 Avocet, 12 Snipe, 13 Black-tailed Godwit, 29 Turnstone, a Peregrine, a Tawny Owl and a Green Woodpecker. 2 Water Pipit were on the Old Saltmarsh. A reserve record count of 87 Shoveler were on Tennyson Sands. On Croftmarsh was an adult Black Brant Goose with 400 Brent Geese.
  A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 39 new birds and 22 retraps. The new birds were 21 Greenfinch, 10 Chaffinch, 5 Goldfinch, 2 Blue Tit and a Siskin. The retraps were 7 Greenfinch, 7 Great Tit, 4 Goldfinch, 3 Chaffinch and a Blue Tit.

March 11th. A brisk east-north-east wind. Mostly sunny.
Around was a Wheatear (showing well all day on the Visitor Centre lawn), a male Hen Harrier, a Merlin, 74 Ringed Plover, 7 Snipe, 2 Goldcrest, 28 Avocet, a Barn Owl and a Green Woodpecker. 2 Water Pipit were on the Old Saltmarsh. A Chiffchaff in the East Dunes looked good for Siberian Chiffchaff but was not heard to call.
  A 3 hour morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 16 new birds and 12 retraps. The new birds were 11 Greenfinch, 4 Chaffinch and a Goldfinch. The retraps were 10 Greenfinch, a Chaffinch and a Blue Tit.

Early March 2014

March 10th. Fairly strong northerly wind. Mostly cloudy, much cooler than yesterday.
Sea Watch 0625 to 0900hrs. On the sea were a Wigeon, an Eider, 50 Common Scoter, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Red-throated Diver and a Great Crested Grebe. Flying south were 9 Shelduck, 7 Shoveler, 19 Eider, 6 Red-throated Diver, a Great Crested Grebe and 2 Gannet. A Harbour Porpoise went south, close in and 3 Roe Deer were north of Beach Car Park. On Tennyson Sands were 32 Avocet and 8 Black-tailed Godwit. There was little visible migration, but 6 Rook flew south and 2 Snow Bunting were on the beach.

March 9th. A breezy south westerly wind. A very sunny and warm day.
Around were a Mediterranean Gull, 2 Chiffchaff, a Merlin, 23 Avocet, a Brambling, 3 Marsh Harrier, 3 Yellowhammer, 28 Redwing and a Green Woodpecker. A Crossbill went south and a small number of Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Great Tit and Blue Tit were seen going south early morning. 83 Gadwall were counted on the waterbodies. 38 Corn Bunting roosted near the Visitor Centre.

March 8th. A fairly strong southerly wind. Cloudy morning, sunny afternoon.
Going south were 300 Chaffinch, a Grey Wagtail, 26 Little Gull, 7 Red-throated Diver and 7 Red-breasted Merganser. A Tawny Owl and a Green Woodpecker were around the Plantation and 2 Grey Partridge were calling near the Wash Viewpoint at dusk. On Tennyson Sands were 26 Avocet. Also around were 3 Woodcock, 50 Fieldfare, a Yellowhammer and 40 Corn Bunting.
  A morning ring session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling and Jenni Godber resulted in just 7 new birds and 8 retraps. The new birds were 5 Chaffinch, a Goldfinch and a Greenfinch. The retraps were 3 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, 2 Long-tailed Tit and a Greenfinch.

March 7th. A brisk westerly wind. Rain to start followed by sunshine.
 A Long-tailed Duck flew south at sea early on as did 17 Eider and 13 Red-breasted Merganser. 2 Peregrine were also seen. Jackson's Marsh and Tennyson Sands held 50 Gadwall, 4 Little Egret, 6 Little Grebe, 3 Goldeneye, 24 Teal, 76 Wigeon, 42 Shoveler, 24 Mallard, 13 Shelduck, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Avocet, 16 Tufted Duck, 39 Curlew, 7 Snipe, 16 Coot and 6 Moorhen.  Also around were 50+ Fieldfare and 3 Redwing.

March 6th. Fairly strong south westerly wind. Rain to start followed by cloud.
Recorded today were a Hen Harrier, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 11 Avocet, 11 Black-tailed Godwit, a Green Woodpecker, a Goldcrest, a Blackcap, 50+ Fieldfare, 3 Redwing and a Brambling.

March 5th. Increasing south westerly wind, mostly sunny.
  A 3 hour ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 13 new birds and 9 retraps. The new birds were 5 Greenfinch, 4 Chaffinch, 2 Blue Tit,  a Great Tit and a Long-tailed Tit. The retraps were 3 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch, 2 Blue Tit, a Great Tit and a Dunnock.

March 4th. Light southerly wind, sunny. 
Around the reserve this morning were a Barn Owl, a Tawny Owl, a Marsh Harrier, a Sparrowhawk, 50 Fieldfare, 15 Redwing, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Green Woodpecker. Jackson's Marsh and Tennyson Sands held 6 Little Grebe, 3 Goldeneye, 2 drake Pochard, 11 Tufted Duck, 160 Wigeon, 42 Gadwall, 59 Shoveler, 5 Snipe, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, and 5 Avocet.
An Oak Beauty moth was trapped overnight.

March 3rd. A light southerly wind, sunny. 
A sea-watch 0650 to 0750hrs was quiet with 35 Common Scoter, 5 Red-throated Diver, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Wigeon and a Cormorant on the move with a Great Crested Grebe on the sea. 
Visible migration watch from Mill Hill from 0800 to 0940hrs produced 27 Chaffinch, 6 Greenfinch, 5 Goldfinch, 2 Linnet, a Meadow Pipit, a Yellowhammer, a Corn Bunting and 8 Rook south, and a Merlin heading north. 2 BEARDED TIT flew high over the Mere and appeared to head north-west. A Green Woodpecker was "yaffling" in the West Dunes. Also around were 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Goldeneye, a drake Pintail, a Marsh Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, a Barn Owl, a Siskin, a Tawny Owl, a Sparrowhawk, a Brambling and 100 Fieldfare. 2 Chinese Water Deer were seen together on the saltmarsh, viewed from the Wash Viewpoint early morning.
 A very productive 3 hour ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by David Vincent resulted in 26 new birds and 32 retraps. The new birds were 14 Greenfinch, 8 Chaffinch, 2 Great Tit, a Goldfinch and a Robin. The retraps were 15 Greenfinch, 6 Great Tit, 4 Blue Tit, 2 Chaffinch and singles of Goldfinch, Dunnock, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Long-tailed Tit and Coal Tit. Very spring-like conditions with birds singing everywhere and even a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming on a tree trunk the majority of the time he was there.

March 2nd. Strong southerly wind, mostly cloudy.
Around were 28 Chaffinch, a Green Woodpecker, 600 Lapwing, a Merlin, 10 Corn Bunting, a Red Kite and a Sparrowhawk. On Jackson's Marsh was a pair of Goldeneye and on Tennyson's Sands was an Avocet.

March 1st. A light northerly wind, foggy start then sunny.
Around were a Barn Owl, a Brambling, 50 Corn Bunting, a Tawny Owl, 2 Goldeneye and 3 Merlin (2 north together). On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Pink-footed Geese.
Estuary counts this evening resulted in 6000 Bar-tailed Godwits, 8000 Knot, 5000 Grey Plover, 1000 Dunlins, 400 Sanderling, 310 Oystercatcher, 8 Turnstone, 5 Ringed Plover and 14 Eider.
  A ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling and Georgie Scott resulted in a very productive 61 new birds and 45 retraps. The new birds were 41 Greenfinch, 8 Chaffinch, 5 Great Tit, 4 Blue Tit, 2 Goldfinch and a Siskin. The retraps were 20 Blue Tit, 7 Greenfinch, 6 Great Tit, 4 Chaffinch, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Dunnock and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.