17/08/2026

One of at least 7 Ruff at the old sandpit

An early morning visit to The Midrips looking for the American Golden Plover drew a blank on that, but still many Yellow Wagtails still present and c150 Golden Plovers. At the old sand pit, 7 Ruff, 11 Dunlin, 10 Common Sandpipers, a Wood and Green Sandpiper, a Kingfisher and 2 Juvenile Marsh Harriers, Hobby and Peregrine were all noted, along with lots of common warblers in the bushes there.

Ruff at the old sandpit

                                                      Common Snipe at the old sandpit

Common Snipe at the old sandpit

Dunlin at the old sandpit

Ruff at the old sandpit

Sedge Warbler at the old sandpit

Common Whitethroat at the old sandpit

Juvenile Caspian Gull Dengemarsh

Juvenile Caspian Gull, Dengemarsh

Greenshank at Dengemarsh

Reported from the ARC today per JY, BW et al 3 Wood Sandpipers, 2 Green Sandpipers, 4+ Common Sandpipers, 5 Garganey, juvenile Little Gull, the Pintard along with many eclipse wildfowl.

Juvenile White-winged Black Tern viewed from Firth

Juvenile White-winged Black Tern and a juvenile Black Tern viewed from Firth

Juvenile White-winged Black Tern a Little Stint and a Ringed Plover viewed from Firth early evening

Greenshank viewed from Firth early evening

Little Stint viewed from Firth early evening

Juvenile White-winged Black tern viewed from Makepiece

16/08/2026

Golden Plover at The Midrips early this morning

Despite intensive scanning of the Golden Plover flock I was unable to find the American Golden Plover, though only half the flock from yesterday was present this morning.

The Hobby giving me the side eye as it hunted Yellow Wagtails along the Green Wall

Large numbers of Yellow Wagtails were present all along the Green Wall

Yellow Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail

Good numbers of Meadow Pipits were also present

At least a dozen Wheatears along the Green Wall

The main excitement on the reserve was the discovery of a juvenile White Winged Tern on Burrowes, a delightful bird that unfortunately refused to come near me, a juvenile Black Tern was also present. A few Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Ruff, 2 Greenshank were about the best of the waders.

A late afternoon visit to the ARC saw 2 Garganey, a juvenile Little Gull, Wood, Common and Green Sandpipers among the Gulls and wildfowl.

Juvenile White Winged Tern

Juvenile White Winged Tern

Juvenile White Winged Tern

15/08/2026

Stick insect in the scrub around the Observatory

There are numerous Wasp Spiders around the observatory

It was a great surprise to flush a Red Kite off the beach at The Midrips, whetherit was already feeding on carrion or had arrived from the sea and was resting I don't know, they are definely not resident on the shingle at the moment

Red Kite over The Midrips

American Golden Plover on the shingle by the village at The Midrips appalling heat haze

Zoomed in image of the American Golden Plover 

A very scarce Marsh Mallow MothMarsh Mallow Moth  

A Pale Shoulder a very scarce immigrant moth

13/08/2026

There were several Pied Flycatchers around again today, this one was at at Southview courtesy of Dave and Sheila Bunney.

Spotted Redshank with a Common Redshank at Firth yesterday

Spotted Redshank and Common Terns at Firth yesterday

Greenshank at Firth yesterday

7 of 11 Common Redshank at Firth this afternoon

Also around Burrows today 3 Greenshank, 8+ Common Sandpipers

One of two Ruff at Firth this afternoon

 

2 Garganey at the ARC this afternoon

Also at the ARC 4 Common Sandpipers 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 5 Little Ringed Plovers

2 Wasp Spiders at the ARC this afternoon

This hybrid duck has been at the ARC for a couple of weeks at least but is very elusive, it looks to have Pintail in it and possibly Pochard, it does spend much time diving.

Hybrid Duck with Coot