Saturday 20th June

A non-summery feel to the morning with an overcast sky, offshore mist and occasional light drizzle.  Bird-life too reflected a sense of change in the air with the unexpected arrival of a Dark-bellied Brent Goose; the long-staying summer-plumage Golden Plover (present since 28th May), and a noticeable increase in presumably failed breeding Curlew with 79 present on Railway Saltmarsh. Also on the dropping early morning tide were c.220 Oystercatcher, 16 Bar-tailed Godwit, 11 Shelduck, six Cormorant, five Whimbrel, four Little Egret, just three Great Black-backed Gull, two Dunlin, a Ringed Plover and an adult Kingfisher hunted along tidal creeks, later seen on the Main Pond briefly. Occasional sightings this spring along a nearby stream could account for this individual.   

Both Brent Goose and Kingfisher are very scarce here in June with only four previous records for each species since 2000.  The sea also reflected procession of the seasons with the first three Arctic Skua since 5th May; all appeared to be immatures.  Also, single figures of Gannet, Fulmar, Kittiwake and Sandwich Tern.  A Common Tern that flew out of the estuary was the first reported since 12th May.   Not much to report from passerines, flocks totaling over 130 Starling roamed the site and two families of fledged Long-tailed Tit joined forces into a flock of 15 birds to forage in Entrance Bushes. 

Wildlife news: focus on bees today found usual species such as Large Sharp-tailed Bee Coelioxys conoidea, Hairy-saddled Colletes Colletes fodiens, Coast Leafcutter Bee Megachile maritima, Silvery Leafcutter Bee Megachile leachella, Green-eyed Flower Bee Anthophora bimaculata, Yellow-legged Mining-bee Andrena flavipes, and the highlight, confirmation of the presence of Common Yellow-faced Bee Hylaeus communis on site.

Large Sharp-tailed Bee Coelioxys conoidea - Alan Keatley

Common Yellow-faced Bee Hylaeus communis - Alan Keatley

Hairy-saddled Colletes Colletes fodiens - Alan Keatley