141 species so far this year

136 by the same time last year

A total of 78 species were recorded during the month which compares favourably with a ten-year average of 73.6 species but below the best of these years with 82 in 2015. The year total of 141 species also compares well with an average of 135.5 by the end of July. Four new species were added to the year list including an early Arctic Skua on 16th and our fifth record of Cattle Egret (all in the last four years) on 27th.

31st

Sunny periods with a light westerly wind. Waders included one Oystercatcher on the beach, and another ten flying east, six Ringed Plovers and an influx of 81 Turnstones, many in breeding plumage, on the beach, two Whimbrel, one west and one on the shoreline which flew south courtesy of a dog walker, and the Common Sandpiper on the Marsh Pool. A Juvenile Marsh Harrier, which flew west over the sea at 11.10 am, was surprisingly our first since March 29th. Two Sandwich Terns flew west, a Stock Dove was over the area, two Swift, a juvenile Robin by the sewage works entrance and four dull-capped Blackcaps were along the east bank.

A total of ten butterfly species included Common and Holly Blues, Comma, Speckled Wood and Essex Skipper. Common Blue was, belatedly, our first of the year.

29th

Sunny, moderate SW wind. Two Little Terns could be made out amongst a melee of gulls and terns offshore. Waders included four Ringed Plovers, the Common Sandpiper on the Marsh Pool and 20 Turnstones on the beach. Three juvenile Mistle Thrushes flying west landed in the trees along Swalecliffe Court Drive before heading west again across the football pitch (always a good bird to see here these days). A juvenile Willow Warbler was along the east bank and Blackcap and Chiffchaff were also seen.

28th

Cloudy, light SW wind. There were three Little Egrets on the beach. Waders included 11 Ringed Plovers and 44 Turnstones on the beach and a Common Sandpiper was on the Marsh Pool. Three adult Mediterranean Gulls flew west and three Sandwich Terns and Common Terns were offshore. Two Stock Doves flew south off the beach, three Swifts flew west and a Willow Warbler was calling near the sluice.

27th

A Cattle Egret flew west by the Obs at 7.55 am. A new bird for the year. The first was recorded in May 2018 but this is now the sixth record with singles in April and September 2019 and a juvenile and an adult in July 2020.

26th

Cloudy, muggy, light NW wind. A Black-tailed Godwit present on the shoreline by the Obs early morning was an addition to the year list. Other waders included two Ringed Plovers, an adult Dunlin and 25 Turnstones on the beach, a Curlew east and a Common Sandpiper. There were three Mediterranean Gulls on the beach with 165 Black-headed Gulls and a single Common Gull, a Sandwich Tern east and a Common Tern west. Also noted were two Stock Doves and 15 Swifts.

24th

Cloudy, rain shower, light southerly wind. 19 Mallard included a duck with five ducklings. Waders included seven Ringed Plovers and four Dunlin on the shingle ridge at high tide. A Whimbrel was heard calling as it moved west and two Greenshanks circled over the area before flying off high west over the Obs and 20 Turnstones were on the beach. There were three Mediterranean Gulls, including two juveniles on the beach, and an adult Common Gull.

23rd

A Jay was seen in the scrub.

22nd

Sunny, warm, light SE wind. One Gannet flew east. There were three Little Egrets with two on the Marsh Pool and roosting along the east bank. Waders noted were one Oystercatcher and 11 Whimbrel west, a Ringed Plover on the shingle ridge, a Dunlin and 26 Turnstones between the groynes. A Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Greenfinch were also noted.

21st

Sunny, warm, calm. A Great Crested Grebe on the sea was the first of the month. Seven Gannets flew west and three flew east. A single Oystercatcher and a Sanderling were on the beach, and a party of five Common Sandpipers gathered there briefly, whilst an influx of 27 Turnstones were roosting between the groynes. An adult and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull were on the beach, an immature Common Gull flew south over the sewage works and the pair of Great Black-backed Gulls, and an immature, were also on the beach. A Stock Dove flew south by the Obs, a Yellow Wagtail was seen and, unusually for this time, a juvenile Rook flew west by the scout hut.

Nine species of butterfly included Painted Lady and Marbled White, a Shaded Broad-bar moth was seen and a Water Vole also made an appearance.

19th

Sunny, very warm, light SE wind. Four Gannets flew east, one flew west. There were four Little Egrets on the Marsh Pool and a Grey Heron flew south. Two juvenile Shovelers that circled the area before landing on the Marsh Pool was an unusual occurrence at an unusual time of the year. There were also 12 Mallard on the Marsh Pool. Waders noted were a Ringed Plover on the shingle ridge, a Green Sandpiper heard calling and our first Turnstone of the month. There were two Mediterranean Gulls on the beach, one adult Common Gull flew west, numbers of juvenile Herring Gulls on the beach rose to 57, there were two adult and an immature Great Black-backed Gull on the beach and five Sandwich Terns flew west. Also, five Swifts flew west.

Eight species of butterfly were noted on this warm day which included our first Comma of the year and Marbled White.

17th

Sunny, warm, light northerly wind. Three adult Mute Swans flew east over the sea and a Grey Heron flew SE pursued by gulls. Five Oystercatchers flew east, four Whimbrel flew west and a Curlew was heard calling. There were three Great Black-backed Gulls on the beach, a pair and an immature, and a Sandwich Tern flew east. A Swallow came in off the sea.

Butterflies included our first Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown and Red Admiral.

16th

Cloudy at first, sunny later, moderate northerly wind. An Arctic Skua, quite early for the site, flew west at 8.48 am. New for the year but little else moving although single Mediterranean Gull and Common Gull flew west. Waders noted were two Oystercatchers, one Ringed Plover, 14 Lapwing SE over the area, three breeding plumage Dunlin and a Redshank. There were ten Juvenile Herring Gulls on the beach.

Butterflies noted were Small White, Small Heath, Essex Skipper and a Marbled White.

15th

Waders noted were one Ringed Plover on the shingle ridge, eight Lapwings, two Whimbrels and a Redshank. Also there were seven Kittiwakes, two Yellow Wagtails and a Chiffchaff was heard calling again.

Four Marbled Whites in the scrub was an exceptional count for the site.

13th

A lone Brent Goose and 20 Common Scoters flew west, with three east. An adult Ringed Plover was on the shingle ridge and a Redshank on the beach. A Buzzard flew NW over the Obs and a Hobby west over the estate. Also, one Meadow Pipit flew west and a Chiffchaff was heard calling.

A brief view of a Marbled White and there were a few Shaded Broad-bar moths in the grassland.

12th

There were eight Little Egrets on the Marsh Pool in the afternoon and seven Gadwall flew west at 6.45 pm.

10th

Cloudy, some light rain, calm. There were five Little Egrets. Nine Whimbrel flew west, a party of six and three singles, one Curlew flew west and two were by the tidal ponds, and one Oystercatcher flew west. Seven Sandwich Terns flew east and two Common Terns flew west. Four Swifts flew west and at least three Blackcaps continued to sing.

9th

Sunny periods, light southerly wind. Three Gannets flew east, there were seven Little Egrets, a Grey Heron flew west low over the sea and a flock of c20 Common Scoters landed on the sea. Waders were represented by singles of Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover and Curlew. Three adult Great Black-backed Gulls were chasing each other over the beach and one Sandwich Tern was offshore. Two Sand Martins and a Swallow flew west and a Chiffchaff was seen at the Obs and along the east bank.

8th

A Hobby flew over the caravan park.

7th

Sunny periods, moderate southerly wind. Three Gannets flew east, two Little Egrets flew west and three were on the Marsh Pool and there were four Sandwich Terns and a Common Tern offshore. Waders noted included a juvenile Ringed Plover and singles of Oystercatcher, Whimbrel and Curlew. Other birds noted included a Stock Dove, two Swifts, two Sand Martins and a House Martin west, a juvenile Pied Wagtail and a Chiffchaff.

Amongst seven species of butterfly were our first Essex Skippers, moths were represented by a Silver Y and dragonflies by an Azure Damselfly.

5th

Cloudy, rain until 7 am, light SW wind. Two Mute Swans flew west over the sea and 15 Common Scoters flew east. There were two Whimbrel on the beach early morning, three Curlews and an Oystercatcher. A secobd calendar year Mediterranean Gull flew west and there were five immature Great Black-backed Gulls on the beach. Six Swifts flew west and a single Swallow was also noted.

Bug wise there were eight species of butterfly, a Box Tree and Cinnabar moth and our first Southern Migrant Hawker dragonfly. The latter becoming increasingly regular in the county.

4th

Four Sandwich Terns were fishing at 12.15 pm.

3rd

Cloudy, steady rain from 9.45-10.30 am, and light SW wind. There were two Little Egrets on the Marsh Pool and an adult Mute Swan was close inshore, and later flew south over Lang Court. Three Oystercatchers flew west and a flock of 35 Lapwings flew west inland. An adult Mediterranean Gull was on the beach and an adult and second calendar year bird flew west. A flock of 120 Black-headed Gulls roosting close inshore early morning included two juveniles. There were 15 immature Great Black-backed Gulls on the beach and three Sandwich Terns offshore. Other birds included a Stock Dove, which circled over the area and landed by the Marsh Pool and also attempted to land by the Obs Pool and eight Swifts west. A Leucistic House Sparrow was present in the scrub.

A Water Vole put in one of its regular appearances and butterflies noted were Small and Large Whites and Meadow Brown.

1st

Sunny, warmer, light NNW wind. Three Gannets flew west, there were two Little Egrets on the Marsh Pool (also one on the Obs Pool) and two Brent Geese flew west accompanying a Cormorant. Three Curlews flying west were the only waders noted. Three Sandwich Terns were offshore. Other birds noted included a Hobby, ten Swifts and a Swallow west and a Reed Warbler singing in the Scout Wood.

137 species so far this year

133 species by this time last year

A total of 77 species for the month compares with a ten-year average of only 69.9 species and a maximum during that period of 76 species. This seems to belie the feeling of a struggling month which is backed up statistically with my own daily average of only 31.9 species compared with averages between 34.4 and 41.1 species during the previous ten year period. There were two additions to the year list which included a singing and typically elusive Marsh Warbler on 15th (our third after birds in June 2004 and July 2011). A Green Sandpiper on 28th was also new for the year.

30th

Cloudy, cool with showers, light to moderate northerly wind. A very quiet end to the month. Three Curlews and an immature Common Gull flew west. 21 Swifts flew west and a Chiffchaff was calling along the east bank.

28th

Cloudy, misty, calm. There were four Little Egrets on the beach. Waders noted were four Oysteratchers east, 16 Curlews and a Whimbrel west and a Green Sandpiper, our first this year, which circled over the area calling. There were eight immature Great Black-backed Gulls on the beach, a Sandwich Tern offshore. Six Swifts and a Swallow were also noted.

26th

Sunny, calm. There were four Little Egrets along the shoreline, two Shelducks and a Curlew flew west. Two Sandwich Terns and two Common Terns were offshore.

24th

Sunny, calm, warmer. A Brent Goose came in from the east and rested on the shoreline in front of the Obs. A Grey Heron flew over the area, a Shelduck flew east, two Curlews flew west and a Sandwich Tern was offshore. A Skylark flew over the grassland.

23rd

Sunny with a light NE wind. Three broods of Mallard were noted; one of c8 medium-sized and two of five and nine small ducklings. There were two Curlews, one flew west and one on the beach, six Sandwich Terns flew east and a Common Tern was also noted. Two adult Moorhens with a single chick were seen along the middle brook. One Sand Martin flew west.

Butterflies included a Red Admiral and Holly Blue and a Yellow Shell moth was also seen.

22nd

Two Common Terns on the beach and a large party of schoolchildren there too.

21st

Cloudy with a fresh NE wind and rain from 8.30 am. Two Fulmars, 12 Gannets, a Curlew and an adult Common Gull flew east. There were 12 Great Black-backed Gulls on the beach and five Swifts flew west.

19th

Cloudy, cool, with a light northerly wind. A very quiet morning. A Fulmar flew west. Three Turnstones, only seven Great Black-backed Gulls, but including two adults, and four Sandwich Terns on the beach.

17th

Cloudy, calm, rain. There were eight Little Egrets on the Marsh Pool early morning, a flock of 14 Gadwall flew SE over the sewage works, later one was along the shoreline and a Mute Swan flew east over the skate park. Waders noted wee a single Oystercatcher east, a Ringed Plover and seven Turnstones on the beach. There were 34 immature Great Black-backed Gulls, a second calendar year Mediterranean Gull and a Sandwich Tern on the beach. A Skylark was seen in the grassland.

16th

A Mute Swan flew over the sewage works and the church.

15th

Cloudy with a light NE wind. In contrast to yesterday, this seemed like the essence of mid-June. A Grey Heron flew north over the sewage works, there were 26 Great Black-backed Gulls on the beach, including two adults, a Stock Dove circled over the Marsh Pool and a Meadow Pipit was noted. However, a second circuit of the site led to a reappraisal of the morning. A warbler singing from a clump of nettles sounded interesting although it was difficult to hear clearly above the chatter of House Sparrows. Also, it interspersed brief snatches of its song with long periods of silence. However, perseverance and an upgrade in its song quality, confirmed that it was our third Marsh Warbler. It continued to sing intermittently in and around the bluethroat bush well into the afternoon but only afforded one observer one brief view. Previous records were in June 2004 and July 2011; all typical late one-day jobs.

14th

Sunny, warm , calm then a light NW wind. Unexpectedly, two Siskins were calling in the pines by Lang Court first thing; they flew off west. There was a raft of 19 Shelducks sitting on a flat calm sea, a drake Tufted Duck flew west at 6.05 am and a Greenshank flew west at 8.35 am. Other waders were a single Oystercatcher east and eight Turnstones on the beach. A gathering of 23 Great Black-backed Gulls on the beach included one adult. Four Sand Martins also flew west. A rather above average morning for the doldrums of mid-June.

Butterflies noted were Small White, Holly Blue, Small Heath and Red Admiral.

12th

Sunny with a light westerly wind. Two Gannets flew east and a Mute Swan flew north over the area. A Fulmar and a Grey Heron were also noted. Seven Turnstones were roosting amongst the groynes and 18 Great Black-backed Gulls were roosting on the beach.

Butterflies noted were Small and Large Whites, Holly Blue, Red Admiral and Speckled Wood.

10th

Sunny, very warm, light SW wind. One Great Crested Grebe on the sea, a Gannet flew west and there were two Little Egrets roosting along the east bank. There were two Sandwich Terns and two Common Terns offshore and a Skylark flew west low over the Obs.

9th

Sunny, warm, light SW wind. One Great Crested Grebe on the sea and three Little Egrets included two roosting along the east bank. Three Mediterranean Gulls flew west, there were 17 Great Black-backed Gulls, including two adults, on the beach and three Sandwich Terns offshore. A Chiffchaff was singing at the Obs.

Butterflies included the first Small Heath of the year.

8th

A quiet morning birdwise with a single Skylark west and a Reed Warbler also noted.

Most notable though unfortunately deceased, was a Smooth Hound shark, which appeared to be in good condition, stranded on the beach. This a fairly common shallow water shark but the first to be recorded at the site. It was to provide several days of nourishment for an immature Great Black-backed Gull. On a different scale, a Speckled Wood was seen in the churchyard. This common species has been rather scarce so far this year.

7th

Sunny, calm, warm. There were three Great Crested Grebes on the sea, a Gannet flew east and five Mute Swans swam leisurely west. A pair of Shelducks were on the Marsh Pool, two Lapwings circled over the beach and a Red Kite drifted SW. A Sandwich Tern was offshore and two Swifts and three Swallows flew west.

Butterflies noted were Small and Large Whites, Holly Blue and a Red Admiral.

6th

Five Shelducks flew west, three Mediterranean Gulls were noted whilst a Willow Warbler along the east bank was unusual at this time of the year.

5th

Cloudy, cool with a light NW wind. There was one Great Crested Grebe on the sea, seven Gannets flew east and a group of seven Kittiwakes flew west. Waders noted were an Oystercatcher east and a Ringed Plover and ten Turnstones on the beach. Three Mediterranean Gulls flew west and there were 19 Great Black-backed Gulls on the beach. Other birds noted included two Stock Doves, which dropped onto the Marsh Pool, and four Swallows west.

3rd

A quiet day but two Common Scoters and a Yellow Wagtail were noted.

2nd

A Common Sandpiper and eight Turnstones were noted and four Kittiwakes flew east. Other birds noted included a Hobby, a House Martin, three Jays and a Greenfinch.

1st

Sunny and warm. There were two Great Crested Grebes on the sea and singles of Fulmar and Gannet flew east. Waders included two Avocets and two Sanderlings, eight Oystercatchers flying east, two Ringed Plovers on the shingle ridge and six roosting Turnstones. A Hobby zipped east through the scrub and over the caravan park and there were nine immature Great Black-backed Gulls on the beach. Other birds included a Stock Dove which dropped onto the shingle ridge, a Swift and a Swallow, a Grey Wagtail by the sluice and a Reed Warbler singing occasionally in the scrubland trees.

Butterflies seen were large and Small White, Holly Blue and presumably one of the last Orange-tips of the year. Jim Bloor reported seeing three Water Voles in the brook by the Marsh Pool.