A total of 74 species for the month compared with the ten-year average of 69.9 species. The first month this year to better the ten-year average. However, the total number for the year so far of 132 species is the lowest since 2018. The highlight of the month was the first recorded attempt by a pair of Oystercatchers to nest. First noted sitting on a nest on the shingle ridge on 12th and last noted on 18th. With the amount of routine disturbance on the beach, it was always a slim hope that they would be successful, but it does illustrate the possibilities if that problem could be eliminated. Two new species were added to the year list, a drake Pochard on the shoreline on 25th and a party of c10 Black-tailed Godwits that flew west on 27th. Other birds of note included a singing Sedge Warbler in the Scout Wood on 22nd, an Avocet on the Marsh Pool from 26th and only our second Kingfisher of the year on 27th.
A total of 132 species so far this year
139 species by the same time last year
29th
Sunny, calm and warm. An Oystercatcher offshore, two Curlews west and the Avocet was present on the Marsh Pool from 7.45 to 10 am, at least. Other birds noted included five Great Black-backed Gull, one adult, a Sandwich Tern east, five Swifts and two Swallows. There were 51 Carrion Crows on the beach.
A better morning for butterflies with a Small Tortoiseshell, our first Comma since April, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Holly Blue, Small Skipper, Marbled White and Small White.
27th
Light cloud and a light SW wind. A flock of eight Little Egrets flew west early morning and there were three on the Marsh Pool. Two Curlews flew west, a flock of c10 Black-tailed Godwits which flew west were new for the year and the Avocet was present again on the Marsh Pool from mid-morning. A Kingfisher ,which flew from the wooden bridge towards Coot Strait, was early for a post-breeding bird. Only the second recorded here in the month of June and only the second record this year, due to the condition of the brook.
26th
Cloudy, light NE wind. Four Gannets flew east, one flew west and two Common Scoters flew east. Waders noted were two Oystercatchers, two Curlews west and an Avocet on the Marsh Pool from midday. Four Mediterranean Gulls and three Sandwich Terns were seen offshore.
Butterflies included Red Admiral and Holly Blue.
25th
A drake Pochard, which came in over the caravan park and settled along the shoreline, was our first of the year.
24th
Sunny with a light westerly wind. There were four Little Egrets along the shoreline, three Mute Swans swam west offshore and one Oystercatcher was seen. Other birds noted were a single Sandwich Tern and three Lesser Whitethroats along the upper brook.
Butterflies included out first Marbled White of the year, Small Skipper, Small White, Small Heath, Speckled Wood and Meadow Brown.
22nd
Cloudy, light SW wind. One Curlew which flew west was the only wader of the day. Five adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls circled over the estate and there were three Sandwich Terns offshore. Surprise of the day was a Sedge Warbler singing in the Scout Wood. Only recorded once before in June, in 2008, in contrast to Reed Warbler which has been recorded in eight of the last ten Junes. Also noted were four Swifts and a Swallow.
21st
Sunny after early morning mist, calm. There were two Shelducks on the Marsh Pool and two Teal flew over the area early morning. A Greenshank could be heard in the Therwasearly mist and one Oystercatcher was seen. There were four Sandwich Terns offshore. Also noted were three Swifts, two Sand Martins flew west and two Swallows were feeding over the football pitch.
Butterflies noted included Red Admiral, Small Heath and Holly Blue.
20th
A Grey Heron was on the beach at dawn.
19th
Cloudy, moderate NE wind. There were c20 Gannets offshore and two Common Scoters flew east. The Oystercatchers were still present but showed no interest in the nest site. Possibly as a result of yesterday’s disturbances or other disturbance risks. Two Lapwings and two Redshanks were disturbed from the Marsh Pool and 14 Curlews flew west. Nine Kittiwakes flew west and a large auk sp flew west. Also noted were a Hobby flying NW low over the sea, there were two Swifts, two Skylarks flew south by the Obs and there were three House Martins.
18th
A Fulmar flew west over the Obs and an Avocet flew east. The Oystercatchers were still nesting but the laying of the new pipe and drones were causing them much agitation.
17th
Sunny, warmer with a light westerly wind. A flock of 24 Common Scoters flew west and three broods of Mallard ducklings were noted in the brook (eight full-size, seven large and two small). The Oystercatchers continue nesting, two Curlews rested on the outflow islands before flying off west and a Turnstone was on the beach. A Cuckoo flew west along the promenade (our fourth sighting of the year). Three Lesser Whitethroats along the east bank suggests a successful breeding attempt.
A Large Skipper in the scrub was our 13th butterfly species of the year. Meadow Brown, Holly Blue, Small and Green-veined Whites were also seen.
15th
Sunny but clouding west, over and rain from 10.15 am. Moderate SW wind. There were ten Gannets offshore. The pair of Oystercatchers continue to nest. There were 14 Sandwich Terns offshore. Other birds noted included a single Buzzard, surprisingly the first since April, 50 Swifts west and one Swallow. A juvenile Robin was in the Elm Wood and a Goldfinch sang from a TV aerial in the caravan park.
14th
One Great Crested Grebe offshore and a Little Egret on the Marsh Pool. The Oystercatchers were still nesting and 12 Turnstones were seen. Sandwich Terns were feeding offshore, there were two Swifts and six Swallows flew west.
13th
Sunny, light SW wind. One Great Crested Grebe flew east, three Little Egrets included one flying west and there were three Gadwalls west.The pair of Oystercatchers were still nesting but they were regularly disturbed. Two Sandwich Terns were offshore and also noted were 11 Swifts and three Swallows west, a count of 64 Carrion Crows on the beach and a Meadow Pipit in song and display flight; not seen since April 30th.
Small White and Holly Blue were the only butterflies noted.
12th
Cloudy, light NE wind. One Little Egret was on the Marsh Pool. Broods of seven and two Mallard ducklings were resting on the mud just below the sluice. Also noted were eight Great Black-backed Gulls on the beach and at least two juvenile Long-tailed Tits in the Elm Wood and along the east bank.
Highlight of the day was a pair of Oystercatchers with one bird sitting (on a nest) on the shingle ridge. Displaying Oystercatchers have been present in recent years but this is the first occasion that nesting has been observed. The incubation period for this species is between 24 and 27 days but the level of disturbance on the beach, primarily by dog walkers but others as well, makes the chances of success seem slim. The notice boards request dog walkers to keep off the beach but this is routinely ignore by some. As well as direct danger of the nest being trampled upon, it would be very difficult to see the nest, disturbance of a sitting bird may lead to the eggs becoming cold and infertile and also allow predation by crows or gulls. However, with the help of some sympathetic dog walkers, it is hoped that disturbance can be limited.
11th
A Little Egret and two Shelducks were on the Marsh Pool. There were two Oystercatchers and a Mediterranean Gull was heard.
9th
A Meadow Brown butterfly, near the marsh this morning, was our 12th species for the year.
8th
Two Great Crested Grebes, two Little Egrets, two Swifts and two Swallows were noted.
7th
There were five Little Egrets, five Mute Swans at the eastern end of the beach, one Oystercatcher and four Swallows noted.
6th
Sunny with a light NW wind. There were three Great Crested Grebes offshore and a Shelduck on the tidal ponds. Two Oystercatchers and a Turnstone were the only waders recorded. Also noted was a Reed Warbler singing in the bushes opposite the Obs.
5th
Sunny, light NW wind. A pair of Shelducks and two Oystercatchers were on the Marsh Pool. There were six Turnstones on the groynes. Two adult Mediterranean Gulls joined the gull feeding frenzy offshore and there were six Great Black-backed Gulls, including two adults, on the beach. Also noted were 10 Swifts, nine Swallows, a Great Spotted Woodpecker along the upper brook, our first Song Thrush since April, a Lesser Whitethroat and two Jays in the churchyard.
4th
Cloudy, light SW wind. A Brent Goose was seen amongst feeding gulls of the Street. Two Oystercatchers flew east, one flew west and there were nine Turnstones on the groynes. One Swift and five Swallows flew west.
3rd
Two Avocets flew west at 6.38 am.
2nd
Two Fulmars flew west together, two Canada Geese flew SE, a Lapwing was over the marsh and two Stock Doves were on the beach.
1st
Cloudy, cool, fresh NNW wind. A Fulmar flew east, three Gannets flew west and ten flew east, and ten Common Scoters flew west and nine flew east.