June total and July hopes

June ended on 82, but could, or even should have been 83, possibly 85/86.

No reported sightings of Ring-necked Parakeet, Peregrine, Mistle Thrush, Nightingale, Lesser Whitethroat, or Little Owl, all of which are most likely present or, visit on the odd day, plus surprising absence of Sand Martin & Willow Warbler.

There were no real surprises, Barn Owl late on might now breed, which would be great.

July can be quite interesting and with very warm weather, a few nice possibilities could occur, more Common and Green Sandpiper as usual, but also might include Greenshank, Garganey, Black Tern, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Wood Sandpiper, Little Stint, Yellow-legged Gull and we should turn our attentions to the tit flocks for a Wood Warbler.

A stunning sunrise

If it is possible to wake naturally at 04:20 on a weekday, I did and through the dappled window of my bathroom, I could see some vivid pinks in the sky.

I rushed to get dressed and dashed out the front door, catching a photo of the sky a few moments after the pinks had changed to golds and orange. Shame I wasn't up 15 minutes earlier to catch more shots of it unfolding over DP.

At DP, a huge flock of 35 Egyptian Geese were on the sailing club beach, 2 Oystercatcher flew towards the golf course, at Tern scrape a pair, plus an unwelcome additional adult Little ringed Plover darted around.

Back in the car park more than 1 Nuthatch was calling loudly from the nearby Oaks just East of the sailing club, perhaps suggesting another pair bred at this end somewhere.

3 more for June

Finally I got out for a earlry'ish walk at 06:30, little to speak of at LFGP, there was 12-14 additional Common Tern spread out on the shingle island, so not sure what is happening there..another issue with Mink elsewhere?

At BSL, I heard Coal Tit for the month, a Little Egret over South, then at Bittern Hide, the first Green Sandpiper of the autumn was a nice sight, Redshank and Lapwing there too. On departure a Barn Owl was sitting asleep in the entrance to the box, which was my first since January!

The month is on 82 so equal 3rd highest, it would be nice to get Ring-necked Parakeet and Sand Martin, plus Lesser Whitethroat are sure to be around. Perhaps a Common Sandpiper might drop in over the next 3 days?

bits n pieces

A lunchtime visit to get Hobby on the June list, failed again, so I am not sure we have any summering nearby.

From Bittern hide, 1 Little Egret, which chased off a second towards Sandford, a Little Ringed Plover dropped onto the scrape as I left. A Nuthatch was among the tit flock and on the feeders and a Grey Wagtail went over the car park.

There were 6-10 Buzzard up as the sun came out, one with a pale upper tail covert area, plus Kestrel and Red Kite of course.

We only need 4 species to match third place for all June's.

Oystercatchers hatch again

A brief visit on Sunday to Sandford revealed the Oystercatchers have successfully hatched at least 1 chick. One parent was sitting on the old tern island, when the other flew in and when the sitting parent stood, at least one wandered out, eventually taking a small food item after some encouragement.

We can only hope this one is fledged after all breeding attempts since 2012 have either been washed out, or predated.

On this day....raising enthusiasm

I haven't been highly motivated to patch for the last few days, but I knew there was a big anniversary coming up, that I've mentioned recently.

9 Little Tern 18th June 1983, seen over WSL, heading ENE towards Sandford (FJC), mobbed by Common Tern, they turned headed off East 07:00 (FJC & Mike Russell).

With a lot less foliage back in 83' it was easier to keep them just in view the whole time, I actually only clinched what they were when I got them in the scope over the Sandford corner nearest to the sailing club, it was then I saw Mike Russell stood on the beach looking up at them.

Without mobiles, we were reduced to arm waving and pointing up frantically until I met him at the beach. I think utterly blown away was our feeling, but I have a sneaky feeling I wouldn't have been believed had I been the only observer.

Exactly one month later on the 18th July, I was checking Sandford at 07:20, when I got onto a single Little Tern, it lingered just 10 minutes and I didn't see it leave.

So back to now and like 2014, I am stuck on 116 and have been since May, I aim to do a few more early mornings again very soon and from now to the end of July my focus will be to try and find, or pickup from others the following;

Garganey, Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull & Black Tern

I'll be keeping my ears out for chance Curlew, fly over Whimbrel, or an unblocker, ideally a Little Stint happily feeding in the SW corner, preferably with a Curlew Sandpiper, but not mandatory.

A very brief car park visit

I haven't seen a Hobby for weeks, a male Kestrel hovered over the landfill, I was distracted into advising the grass cutters not to go into the nettle, bramble and long grass to save the Whitethroats.

Richard stopped briefly to say 2 Common Tern chicks Sandford Lake.

A text came in about work and I had to leave.