60 Swallows and 32 Common Swifts were feeding over the dunes in the very warm conditions.   Also using the thermals were 10 Black-headed Gulls, 5 Lesser Black-backs and a Common Buzzard.   Two Hobbies flew SW inland together and 4 Kestrels were over the marshes.   Other highlights were 3 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Pied Wagtails, 4 Corn Buntings, 3 Reed Warblers and a Blackcap.   Two Sandwich Terns flew north at sea.

         Mostly breeding birds seen at the south end.   Highlights were 5 Sandwich Terns passing south at sea, 33 Common Swifts south and a Hobby north, a Cuckoo, a Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcaps, 25 Swallows and 6 Tree Sparrows.

         17 Curlews and 86 Oystercatchers were on the tide-line out from Stonebridge and 3 more Oystercatchers were on the realignment area where other waders were singles of Greenshank and Redshank, 2 Little Ringed Plovers and a good count of 63 Avocets which included at least 27 fully-grown juveniles.    Ducks were 34 Shelducks, 16 Mallard and 2 Tufted Ducks and other waterbirds included 5 Cormorants, 7 Little Egrets and a Grey Heron.    Also of note were 2 Kestrels, a Common Buzzard, Cuckoo, 260 Starlings, Corn Bunting, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, 5 Common Swifts, a House Martin and 45 Swallows.

                                                                         Painted Lady

         The best birds at the south end were 4 Common Buzzards, one Marsh Harrier, 4 Kestrels, 7 Little Egrets, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Corn Buntings, one Cuckoo and 3 Sandwich Terns.
        
         A large increase in Red Admirals was apparent, also quite a few Painted Ladies and odd Silver Y moths present.

         Highlights between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall were 10 Avocets, 55 Oystercatchers, 46 Shelducks, 11 Little Egrets, Grey Heron, 3 Gannets, Common Buzzard, Cuckoo, 14 Common Swifts and 8 House Martins.

                                                                           Avocets


Late news from yesterday, 12th June.   The WeBS count for the realignment area resulted in 30 Avocets plus at least 18 young, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, Redshank, Greenshank, 7 Oystercatchers, 33 Shelducks, 34 Mallard, 6 Tufted Ducks, 10 Little Egrets, 4 Grey Herons, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Pied Wagtails and 2 Kestrels.

                                                                              Avocet


         A beautiful day and a leisurely five hour circuit of the realignment area.   Waders were 27 Avocets plus at least 18 well-grown young, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Oystercatchers, 3 Redshanks and a Greenshank.   Wildfowl were 5 late dark-breasted Brent Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 50 Shelducks plus 6 young, 33 Mallard and 4 Tufted Ducks.   Other waterbirds were 17 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Herons, a Cormorant, 4 Moorhens, a Little Grebe and 8 Black-headed Gulls.   At 1135, an Arctic Tern came from inland and continued NE out to sea.
         Two Common Buzzards and 2 Kestrels were seen and other birds of note were 2 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Pied Wagtails, 3 Blackcaps, Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, 13 Swallows, 6 House Martins, 14 Common Swifts and a Spotted Flycatcher.

         Birds on the flashes included 4 Tufted Ducks, 4 Shelducks, 19 Mallard, 8 Little Egrets, 2 Grey Herons and 3 Reed Warblers.   Elsewhere on the dunes were 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 4 Grey Partridges, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 3 Pied Wagtails, 7 Blackcaps, Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and 20 Swallows.   A Greenshank was heard.

                                                                       Common Blues.

                                                                           Small Heath.

         Moving north were 17 Swallows, 9 House Martins, 8 Common Swifts and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.   On the flashes at the south end were 6 Shelducks, 15 Mallard, Tufted Duck, 3 Little Egrets, Grey Heron, Pied Wagtail and a Greenshank.   Also noted were 2 Common Buzzards, 3 Kestrels, Mistle Thrush, Turtle Dove, 3 Reed Warblers, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and 2 Yellow Wagtails.

         Gale force winds persisted all day after the overnight storms and heavy rain.   The use of optics was difficult in the wind, so only a short visit was made to the realignment area in the afternoon.   Not much was seen and most notable were 5 Avocets, 40 Mallard, 27 Shelducks plus 6 young, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 Little Egrets, Grey Heron, Common Buzzard, Yellow Wagtail, 8 Swallows, House Martin and Common Swift.

         Birds on the southern half of the realignment area this morning in the very windy conditions included 21 Avocets, 5 Oystercatchers, 30 Shelducks plus 6 young, 4 Tufted Ducks, 4 Little Egrets, Grey Heron, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 2 Kestrels, Yellow Wagtail and Pied Wagtail.
         In and around the wooded areas of the rookery were 3 Blackcaps, 2 Common Whitethroats, Reed Warbler, 3 Sedge Warblers, 24 Swallows, 3 Common Swifts and a Hobby.   11 House Martins flew NW.