Sunday 1st July

WeBS count totals included 333 Curlew, 32 Redshank, nine Ringed Plover, eight Bar-tailed Godwit, four Whimbrel, four Sandwich Tern, three Dunlin, two Sanderling and a Knot and the Slavonian Grebe.

Wildlife News: A Hummingbird Hawkmoth was on Red Valerian near the seawall.

Saturday 30th June

The birding has little chance of keeping up with the weather with the resident Slavonian Grebe being the highlight. Also in the estuary 218 Curlew, seven Redshank, four Sandwich Tern, a Dunlin and a summer plumaged Mediterranean Gull. Elsewhere the first Willow Warbler of the autumn was in the Entrance Bushes and six Shoveler flew over.

Wildlife News: A Grey Seal was hauled out on Bull Hill. A Golden-ringed Dragonfly was in Greenland Lake and at least 12 species of butterfly were on the wing with a single Ringlet near Dead Dolphin Wood the highlight. In Greenland Lake Marsh Helleborine is out in abundance and the first Great Green Bush-cricket of the year were heard calling.

Friday 29th June

The Slavonian Grebe was off Cockwood but no other news was received.

Monday 25th June

Wildlife News: A Silver-washed Fritillary by the First Pond was only the third site record and one of 11 butterfly species on the wing today. These included the first Gatekeeper of the year, Common Blue, Red Admiral and Comma.

 Comma - Simon Thurgood

Gatekeeper - Simon Thurgood

Meadow Brown - Simon Thurgood

Sunday 24th June

The Slavonian Grebe remains off Cockwood in full summer plumage but no other news was received.

Saturday 23rd June

In the estuary there were 12 Sandwich Tern to search through along with 145 Oystercatcher, 80 Curlew, 16 Dunlin, eight Redshank and a Bar-tailed Godwit.

Thursday 21st June

A hot and quiet summer day with counts from the estuary including 98 Curlew, 12 Bar-tailed Godwit, seven Sanderling, two Dunlin, two Redshank and a Whimbrel. Just two Sandwich Tern were present. Elsewhere good number of young birds have fledged but the Moorhen and Little Grebe chicks on the Main Pond are still running the Grey Heron gauntlet.

Grey Heron - Alan Keatley

Wildlife News: Midsummer day saw the first Marbled White, Ringlet and Small Skipper of the year on the wing, along with Golden-ringed Dragonfly, Common Darter and Beewolf.  Also flying Broad-bodied Chaser, Emperor Dragonfly, Red Admiral, Small White, Large Skipper, Small Copper, Common Blue, Meadow Brown and Speckled Wood. As well as the Beewolf other hymenoptera included Yellow-legged and Sandpit Mining Bee, Silvery Leafcutter and several Sharp-tailed Bee.

 Marbled White - Alan Keatley

Ringlet - Alan Keatley

Sunday 17th June

Wader counts included 86 Curlew, 15 Bar-tailed Godwit, five Redshank, two Ringed Plover and single Dunlin, Whimbrel, Sanderling and Greenshank. Elsewhere a lone Siskin overhead was further evidence of the changing seasons.

Saturday 16th June

Returning waders continue to herald the end of summer with a Greenshank and four Redshank joining 71 Curlew and seven Whimbrel in the Railway Saltmarsh. Sadly arrivals at this time of year indicate failed breeding further north. Other waders over high tide included 16 Bar-tailed Godwit, 13 Sanderling and two Dunlin. Elsewhere a Cuckoo was in Greenland Lake and 40 Common Scoter were offshore.

A rather hungry looking juvenile Stonechat - Alan Keatley

Friday 15th June

Counts over the evening tide included 231 Oystercatcher, 88 Curlew, 20 Sanderling, 13 Bar-tailed Godwit, five Dunlin and a Whimbrel with a first summer Mediterranean Gull also in the estuary.