Late July 2012

July 31st: Rain/drizzle most of day. On Croftmarsh were 2 Spoonbills, on Tennyson Sands 2 Ruffs and a Green Sandpiper, and on Jackson's Marsh a Black-tailed Godwit. The escaped Crimson Rosella hung around the Field Station. A Golden Plover was on Croftmarsh.

July 30th: Waders were represented by a Common Sandpiper, a Little Ringed Plover, 3 Ruffs, 20 Black-tailed Godwits, 20 Whimbrels and 16 Greenshanks. A Short-eared Owl, a Wheatear, a Goldcrest, 5 Willow Warblers, 3 Yellow Wagtails, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, the escaped Crimson Rosella and a Peregrine were around. A leucistic Woodpigeon was accompanied by a wild-type one. Some Swifts and Swallows flew south. Offshore were 80 Guillemots, adults and juveniles, 2000 Sandwich Terns and 250 Common Terns.

July 29th: A total of 7 Spoonbills flew south and landed on the saltmarsh southeast of Wash Viewpoint. There was a good passage of Swifts and Swallows south. A Marsh Harrier soared very high up. Around were 3 Ruffs, several Whimbrels, 9 Greenshanks, 5 Common Sandpipers and a Cuckoo. Strange birds included the escaped Crimson Rosella perched on a solar panel and a leucistic Swallow being mobbed by wild-type Swallows.

July 28th: Interesting waders were 3 Ruffs, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, a Green Sandpiper, a Whimbrel and 2 Common Sandpipers. 3 Marsh Harriers and 2 Hobbys passed through, and a Wheatear and a Redstart were around. About 4000 Swifts flew south. Offshore were a Red-throated Diver, 2500 Sandwich Terns and 250 Common Terns.

July 27th: The water bodies produced 16 Black-tailed Godwits, 7 Greenshanks, 3 Common Sandpipers, 3 Green Sandpipers, 41 Sandwich Terns, 11 Common Terns, an adult Mediterranean Gull and 3 Ruffs. There was a moderate southward movement of Swifts and hirundines, including a leucistic Swallow. A Marsh Harrier, a Wheatear, a Goldcrest, a Willow Warbler and a Redstart were around on land, and 300 Common Scoters offshore.

July 26th: South went 2 Little Gulls, 11 Snipes, a Hobby and a Cuckoo. On the water bodies were 4 Green Sandpipers, 2 Ruffs, 3 Common Sandpipers, 5 Black-tailed Godwits and 11 Greenshanks. Around were a Short-eared Owl, 3 Willow Warblers and a Crossbill, and offshore were 1800 Sandwich Terns.
The ninth session of CES was done this morning, resulting in 7 new birds ringed and 2 retraps - there were few small landbirds around.

July 25th: Waders were represented by 13 Black-tailed Godwits, a Green Sandpiper, 14 Greenshanks, 3 Whimbrels, 2 Ruffs, 2 Common Sandpipers and a Snipe south. On Tennyson Sands were 2 Garganeys and an adult Mediterranean Gull. A Kingfisher flew over the River Steeping. The escaped Crimson Rosella was in East Dunes.

July 24th: A Marsh Harrier and 2 Yellow Wagtails flew south, and 17 Crossbills west. Good waders were 3 Green Sandpipers, a Ruff, 17 Whimbrels, 4 Common Sandpipers and a Black-tailed Godwit. Around were a Willow Warbler, 2 Yellow Wagtails, a Cuckoo, a Wheatear and 2 Peregrines. Offshore were 1400 Sandwich Terns, 250 Common Terns, 2 Arctic Skuas, 24 Eiders and 12 Common Scoters.

July 23rd: Sanderlings increased to 2500. Tennyson Sands held 7 Sandwich Terns, 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Ruffs, a Green Sandpiper, 10 Greenshanks, 90 Lapwings and 2 Knots, and Jackson's Marsh a Common Sandpiper. Around were a Green Woodpecker, 12 Whimbrels, 2 Snipes and 3 Yellow Wagtails. South went 5 Whimbrels, 2 Crossbills and 3300 Swifts. Offshore were 900 Sandwich Terns and an Arctic Skua.

July 22nd: A Kingfisher flew over Tennyson Sands. A Marsh Harrier and a Whimbrel were around. At least 800 Swifts headed south. On Tennyson Sands were 2 Ruffs, a Greenshank, a Green Sandpiper and 5 Black-tailed Godwits, and on Jackson's Marsh a Common Sandpiper.

July 21st: A female Montagu's Harrier and 7 Little Terns were around. A Whimbrel and a Greenshank flew south, and 171 Common Scoters north. On Jackson's Marsh was a Green Sandpiper, and on Tennyson Sands were 120 Lapwings, 3 Ruffs, 6 Greenshanks and 2 Black-tailed Godwits.
In East Dunes the moulting adult female Redwing, ringed here on July 3rd, was retrapped. Also, a new spotty juvenile Redstart was trapped.

                                            3+CY female Redwing (George Gregory)

                                         Juvenile Redstart (George Gregory)