Swifts and Sand Martins!

 Redshanks over the ARC

At the ARC from Hanson this morning 69 Redshanks, 33 Whimbrel that departed before I arrived (SO) a Black-tailed Godwit, a Common Sandpiper, 4 Dunlin, 2 Greenshank, 2 Golden Plover, 7 Little Ringed Plovers and at least 3 chicks surviving running around among the Lapwings and usual wildfowl.

On Burrowes a Curlew Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Greenshank, 2 Redshank, 5 Ringed Plovers, 2 Little Ringed Plovers all from Firth. Earlier a Wood and Green Sandpiper there per PB.

At Dengemarsh 17 Greenshank, 2 Wood sandpipers and 3 Ruff per MH. 

 Ringed Plover at The Midrips

As the reserve was busy and the ranges were open I decided to have a look at The Midrips. As usual it looked superb for migrant waders and as usual it disappointed, just 2 Avocets, 2 Redshank, 2 Oystercatchers and 7 Ringed Plovers including a colour ringed individual.

At Scotney 21 Avocet on the back lake though there could well have been many more as the Maize is now so tall it almost completely obscures the lakes from the path, several juvenile Yellow Wagtails and a Corn Bunting were seen along with a juvenile Marsh Harrier and many Swifts and Sand Martins.

An afternoon sea watch from the fishing boats 15.00-16.00:
Common Scoter: 3 up
Great-crested grebe: 1 around
Gannet: 17 down    3 up
Cormorant: 7 around
Oystercatcher: 1 up
Arctic Skua: 2 down
Black-headed Gull: present N/C
Herring Gull:  present N/C
Great Black-backed Gull: present N/C
Sandwich Tern: 26 down    3 up
Common Tern: 2 down
Swift: 331 out
Harbour Porpoise: 5+

 Swift

Early evening on the reserve 100s of Sand Martins and 100s of Swifts most which were stratospheric.

 Sand Martin