Late June 2016

June 30th. Soggy start, then afternoon rain.
 Birds around, including those trapped, were a Marsh Harrier, a Greenshank, 25 Black-tailed Godwit, a Bullfinch, a family of 4 House Sparrow, a family of 5 Goldcrest, 4 Cuckoo and a Barn Owl. On Tennyson's Sands was an adult Little Ringed Plover. Heading south were 5 Swift, 3 Sand Martin and 30 Curlew.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 7 new birds: singles of Chiffchaff, Wren, Blackcap, Bullfinch, Whitethroat, Starling and Cuckoo; and a retrap Dunnock.

Bullfinch, ringed 30th June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
Cuckoo, ringed 30th June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
June 29th. Soggy start, rain later.
 Around were an unseasonal Redwing (see entry for June 21st), a House Sparrow (scarce here), 4 Cuckoo and a Barn Owl. Flying south were 9 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 11 new birds: a Wren, a Goldcrest, 2 Blue Tit, a Meadow Pipit, a Linnet, 3 Whitethroat, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Dunnock; and 3 retraps: 2 Whitethroat and a Blackbird.

Redwing, 29th June 2016.
Photo - Kevin Wilson
Juvenile Goldcrest, ringed 29th June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
June 28th. Birds around included a Short-eared Owl and 3 Cuckoo. On Tennyson's Sands was a Little Gull. Going northwest were 3 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 9 new birds: a Blackcap, a Blue Tit, a Robin, a Whitethroat, a Meadow Pipit, 3 Dunnock and a Mistle Thrush; and a retrap Dunnock.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue by Mike Polling provided 34 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Wren, a Chiffchaff, 4 Goldfinch, 4 Chaffinch, 8 Whitethroat, 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Robin, a Linnet, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Greenfinch, 5 Dunnock and a Great Tit; and 28 retraps: 7 Chaffinch, 3 Dunnock, a Sedge Warbler, 5 Whitethroat, 3 Greenfinch, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Goldfinch, 5 Great Tit and a Willow Warbler.

Mistle Thrush, ringed 28th June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
Poplar Hawkmoth, 28th June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
June 27th. Damp start.
 Around were a Whimbrel and 2 Cuckoo. Heading south were 24 Swift and a Grey Wagtail.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 6 new birds: a Blackcap, a Linnet, a Whitethroat, 2 Goldfinch and a Woodpigeon; and 5 retraps: 2 Dunnock, a Wren, a Great Tit and a Robin.

It seems that the two recent Caspian Terns had first turned up in Somerset, where they were seen together at Portbury Wharf in mid May. 

June 26th. Brief early morning rain, then damp.
 Birds around included a Whimbrel, a Marsh Harrier, 75 Little Tern, 2 Mediterranean Gull, a Little Gull, a Kingfisher, a Grey Wagtail, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, a Short-eared Owl and 4 Cuckoo. On Tennyson's Sands were 2 Spoonbill and a juvenile Little Ringed Plover. Flying south were 16 Swift.
 A rain-delayed morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 6 new birds: a Willow Warbler, a Robin, a Whitethroat, a Great Tit and 2 Dunnock; and 6 retraps: a Dunnock, 2 Great Tit, 2 Whitethroat and a Wren.

Privet Hawkmoth, 26th June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
June 25th. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Spoonbill, which arrived in the afternoon, and a Green Sandpiper. Around were 4 Cuckoo, 70 Little Tern, 4 Common Tern, 27 Sandwich Tern, a Little Gull, 2 Peregrine, a Whimbrel, 18 Black-tailed Godwit, 56 Curlew, 8 Mistle Thrush and a Barn Owl. On the move were 90 Swift, 2 Sand Martin, 3 Curlew, 7 Gannet, a Great Skua, a Fulmar and 40 Common Scoter.
 On the offshore sandbank were 218 Common Seal, including several pups.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 8 new birds: a Wren, a Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, a Great Tit, a Meadow Pipit, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Dunnock; and 5 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Great Tit and a Whitethroat.

June 24th. Soggy start, gradually drying out.
 Birds around included 2 Barn Owl, a Marsh Harrier, 2 Sandwich Tern, 70 Little Tern, 4 Mistle Thrush and 2 Cuckoo. Heading south were 340 Swift and 2 Curlew. Offshore were 80 Common Scoter,
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 12 new birds: a Chiffchaff, 3 Robin, a Blackcap, a Great Tit, a Whitethroat, 2 Blue Tit, a Dunnock, a Blackbird and a Starling; and 7 retraps: 4 Great Tit, 2 Whitethroat and a Sedge Warbler.

 Elephant Hawkmoth, 24th June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
June 23rd. A Caspian Tern, considered to be the ringed previous bird, was on Tennyson's Sands from late morning. Other birds around included 4 Brent Goose, 2 Barn Owl, 4 Cuckoo, a Hobby, a Black-tailed Godwit, 85 Knot, a Grey Heron and 2 Turtle Dove. Offshore were 2 Great Crested Grebe, 65 Little Tern, 82 Sandwich Tern, 6 Common Tern, a Kittiwake, 20 Common Scoter, a Mediterranean Gull and 3 Little Gull. Several small groups of Curlew arrived in from the north during the day; 101 birds in total.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, including the 6th session of CES, resulted in 26 new birds: a Wren, a Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 8 Great Tit, 4 Chaffinch, a Blue Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat, a Goldfinch, 4 Dunnock and 2 Greenfinch; and 24 retraps: a Blackcap, a Wren, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Coal Tit, 9 Great Tit, 2 Chaffinch, a Chiffchaff, 3 Goldfinch, a Greenfinch and a Whitethroat.

Curlew arriving from the north, 23rd June 2016
Photo - Richard Doan
Caspian Tern on Tennyson's Sands, 23rd June 2016
Photo - Richard Doan
Little Gull, 23rd June 2016
Photo - Richard Doan
Little Gull, 23rd June 2016
Photo - Richard Doan
June 22nd. An Osprey flew over the Mere. Around were 60 Little Tern, 30 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Tern, a Grey Partridge, a Marsh Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, 500 Herring Gull, 4 Cuckoo and a Turtle Dove. Flying south were 102 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 4 new birds: a Robin, a Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock; and 2 retraps: a Meadow Pipit and a Whitethroat.

June 21st. In from the east came a Spoonbill. An unseasonal adult Redwing, which had just started primary moult, was trapped and ringed in East Dunes. This is the third recent summer in which a moulting adult Redwing has been trapped and ringed in East Dunes here. Other birds around included 7 Cuckoo and a Turtle Dove.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 10 new birds: 3 Robin, a Chaffinch, a Whitethroat, a Blue Tit, a Meadow Pipit, 2 Dunnock and a Redwing; and 5 retraps: a Whitethroat, 2 Wren, a Dunnock and a Blue Tit.

Moulting adult Redwing, ringed 21st June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory

Mid June 2016

June 20th. Moderately strong southerly wind, with rain developing.
 Birds around included 2 Cuckoo and 2 Turtle Dove. Heading south were 500+ Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 6 new birds: a Whitethroat, 4 Great Tit and a Dunnock; and a retrap Linnet.

June 19th. A Caspian Tern flew south offshore in the afternoon. Also moving were 3 Gannet north and 10 Swift south. Around were a Hobby, 2 Cuckoo and a Turtle Dove.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 8 new birds: a Goldfinch, 2 Linnet, a Meadow Pipit, a Chaffinch, a Whitethroat and 2 Dunnock; and 8 retraps: 7 Great Tit and a Linnet.

Hobby, 19th June 2016.
June 18th. Soggy start with some brief drizzle.
 The 2 Caspian Tern on Tennyson's Sands came and went several times. One bird bore a metal ring. There are 3 old British recoveries of Caspian Terns ringed abroad: (1) ringed in 1927 in the United States and recovered at Whitby in 1939, (2) ringed in 1970 in Finland and recovered at Haddon (in a Fox's den) in 1972, and (3) ringed in 1975 in Sweden and recovered on Yell in 1976.
 One bird shows suspended/arrested moult limits in the wing feathers, but there is little data on moult in post-juvenile large terns as a key to ageing.
  Also on Tennyson's Sands were a Little Gull, 2 Mediterranean Gull and 2 Green Sandpiper. Other birds around were a Grey Heron and 2 Cuckoo. Going north were 23 Gannet
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 4 new birds: 2 Blue Tit, a Linnet and a Meadow Pipit; and 7 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat, a Blue Tit, a Chaffinch, 3 Great Tit and a Dunnock.

June 17th. The 2 Caspian Tern were on Tennyson's Sands, and a Green Sandpiper and 4 Black-tailed Godwit on Jackson's Marsh. Also around were a Spoonbill, a Grey Heron, 2 Cuckoo and 2 Turtle Dove. Flying north were 3 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 5 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Wren, 2 Great Tit and a Goldfinch; and 6 retrap Great Tit.

Caspian Tern showing ring on right leg, 17th June 2016.
Caspian Tern flying past hide, 17th June 2016.
Southern Marsh Orchid, 17th June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
Yellow Rattle keeps the dune grasses down by parasitizing their roots, 17th June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
June 16th. Another foggy, soggy start, gradually clearing.
 The 2 Caspian Tern were back on Tennyson's Sands. Other birds around included a Green Sandpiper, 2 adult Mediterranean Gull, 3 Cuckoo and 3 Turtle Dove.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes by Mike Polling produced 2 new Linnet; and 3 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat, a Dunnock and a Blue Tit.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, including the 5th CES session, produced 41 new birds: 3 Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Goldcrest, a Wren, 6 Coal Tit, a Great Tit, 7 Chaffinch, 7 Goldfinch, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Blue Tit, a Pied Wagtail, a Yellowhammer, 2 Dunnock, 3 Greenfinch, a Jackdaw and a Woodpigeon; and 26 retraps: 4 Dunnock, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldfinch, a Great Tit, 3 Chaffinch, 3 Whitethroat, a Sedge Warbler, a Wren and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Caspian Tern, 16th June 2016.
Photo - Andrew Chick
Caspian Tern, 16th June 2016.
Photo - Andrew Chick
Caspian Tern, 16th June 2016.
Photo - Andrew Chick
Pied Wagtail, ringed 16th June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
Yellowhammer, ringed 16th  June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
Great Spotted Woodpecker, retrapped 16th June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
June 15th. Foggy, soggy start, gradually clearing.
 The 2 Caspian Tern returned to Tennyson's Sands for some time. Around were 2 Cuckoo, 2 Grey Partridge and a Turtle Dove. A Swift flew south.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 8 new birds: a Wren, 2 Linnet, a Goldfinch, a Whitethroat and 3 Dunnock; and 6 retraps: a Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat, 2 Linnet, a Dunnock and a Blue Tit.

Caspian Tern, 15th June 2016.
Photo - Paul Neale
Caspian Tern, 15th June 2016.
Photo - Paul Neale
June 14th. Soggy start.
 2 Caspian Tern were on Tennyson's Sands this afternoon. Birds around included a Green Woodpecker, a Spotted Redshank, 2 Turtle Dove and 2 Cuckoo.
Double Caspian Tern action on Tennyson's Sands, 14th June 2016
Photo - Nige Lound
June 13th. Around were 2 Cuckoo, 4 Sandwich Tern, 25 Little Tern, 208 Oystercatcher and 2 Turtle Dove. A Swift flew north. Flying south offshore were 128 Common Scoter and a Fulmar.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 10 new birds: 6 Linnet, a Reed Bunting, a Whitethroat, a Chaffinch and a Dunnock; and 6 retraps: singles of Blue Tit, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Whitethroat, Robin and Sedge Warbler.

Ringed Plover and Little Terns, 11th June 2016.
Photo - Richard Doan
June 12th. Birds around included a Short-eared Owl, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Green Sandpiper, a Collared Dove, 72 Shelduck, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Cuckoo and 2 Turtle Dove. Heading south were 73 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 10 new birds: a Reed Warbler, 5 Linnet, a Meadow Pipit, 2 Whitethroat and a Reed Bunting; and 3 retraps: 2 Whitethroat and a Dunnock.

June 11th. Around were a Spoonbill, a Green Woodpecker, a Green Sandpiper, a Greenshank, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Grey Wagtail, a Barn Owl, 2 Turtle Dove and 2 Cuckoo.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 11 new birds: a Reed Warbler, 8 Great Tit, a Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 3 retraps: singles of Blue Tit, Wren and Linnet.

Early June 2016

June 10th. Intermittent light then heavy rain.
 Birds around, including those trapped, were a Long-eared Owl, a Hobby, 3 Turtle Dove, 2 Cuckoo and a Grey Heron. Going south were 26 Swift.
 A rain-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 3 new birds: a Dunnock, a Blackbird and a Long-eared Owl; and 5 retraps: singles of Reed Bunting, Goldfinch, Robin, Sedge Warbler and Blue Tit.

Long-eared Owl, ringed 10th June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
Red-necked Footman, 10th June 2016.
Photo - Sam Wilson
June 9th. Around were a Green Woodpecker, a Short-eared Owl, a Barn Owl, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Cuckoo and 2 Turtle Dove. On Jackson's Marsh were 2 Wigeon and a Great Crested Grebe. Flying north were 3 Swift.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 4 new birds: a Linnet and 3 Dunnock.

June 8th. Increasing then decreasing north-easterly wind.
 Birds around included a Red Kite, 2 Marsh Harrier, a Swift, 2 Turtle Dove and 2 Cuckoo. On Tennyson's Sands was a Spoonbill.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes resulted in 3 new birds: 2 Robin and a Starling; and 3 retrap Dunnock.

June 7th. Around were 4 Sandwich Tern, 2 Cuckoo, a Green Woodpecker and 2 Turtle Dove.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 13 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Robin, a Blackcap, a Linnet, a Chaffinch, 2 Meadow Pipit, a Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Dunnock, 2 Blackbird and a Woodpigeon; and a retrap Whitethroat.

Woodpigeon, ringed 7th June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
Grasshopper Warbler, ringed 7th June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
June 6th. Birds around included 4 Spoonbill, 2 adult Mediterranean Gull, 3 Cuckoo and 2 Turtle Dove. A Buzzard flew south.
 A Painted Lady was in East Dunes. A Marsh Moth was trapped overnight. Now known from only two sites in the UK: Gibraltar Point NNR and Saltfleetby NNR. Here, it was presumed that the 2013 tidal surge would have wiped out the relict population, but this individual proves otherwise.
 A morning ringing session at Aylmer Avenue, including the 4th session of CES, produced 13 new birds: 3 Long-tailed Tit, a Sedge Warbler, 2 Great Tit, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Robin, a Greenfinch, a Dunnock and a Blackbird; 23 retraps: a Sedge Warbler, 3 Chaffinch, 3 Great Tit, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Chiffchaff, 3 Long-tailed Tit, a Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, a Wren, 3 Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 3 controls: a Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Long-tailed Tit.

Great Spotted Woodpecker, retrapped 6th June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
Marsh Moth, trapped overnight 5th/6th June 2016.
Photo - Bryony Baxter
June 5th. Fairly strong northerly wind.
 Around were a Spoonbill, 3 Sandwich Tern, 2 Cuckoo and 2 Turtle Dove.
 A Painted Lady was on Storm Ridge.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes yielded 2 new birds: a Chiffchaff and a Dunnock; and 2 retrap Dunnock.

Painted Lady, 5th June 2016.
Photo - Rob Watson
Red-banded Sand Wasp, 5th June 2016.
Photo - Bryony Baxter
June 4th. Foggy, damp start, clearing later.
 Birds around included 2 Hobby, a Marsh Harrier, 4 Whimbrel, 9 Lapwing, 4 Eider, 18 Teal, 2 Turtle Dove and 3 Cuckoo. Going north was a Swift.
 About 20 Painted Lady arrived.
 A morning ringing session in East Dunes provided 4 new birds: a Chiffchaff, a Swallow, a Dunnock and a Sparrowhawk; and 7 retraps: a Spotted Flycatcher, a Blue Tit, a Woodpigeon, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Linnet and a Whitethroat;

Sparrowhawk, ringed 4th June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
June 3rd. Gradually moderating northerly wind.
 Around, including birds trapped, were 2 Spoonbill, a Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Cuckoo, a Swift and a purring Turtle Dove. Offshore were 3 Eider and a Kittiwake.
 A wind-restricted morning ringing session in East Dunes produced 9 new birds: 2 Linnet, a Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Chaffinch, a Blackcap, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Dunnock and a Blackbird; and 2 retraps: a Goldfinch and a Great Tit.
 A nest box check, with Bryony Baxter, produced 14 pulli Great Tit, 9 pulli Jackdaw, and an adult and 2 pulli Stock Dove ringed. Some nests held Blue Tit and Great Tit pulli too small to ring, but from other nests the fledglings had presumably flown already. Only one box held a clutch of dead chicks, presumably victims of the recent heavy rain.

Spotted Flycatcher, ringed 3rd June 2016.
Photo - George Gregory
June 2nd. Strong northerly wind.
 Birds around included a Turtle Dove and a Cuckoo. Heading north were 20 Auk Sp.

June 1st. Strong northerly wind. Soggy start.
 Around were a Cuckoo and 4 Mistle Thrush. Flying north were 23 Razorbill, 15 Fulmar and 6 Gannet.