On 1st a single Barnacle Goose went northwest over Carr Naze, with six Shelduck, f Mandarin, m Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Bullfinch and a Barn Owl were at East Lea, and a Water Rail in reeds by the meadow. A Red Kite flew south over the golf course from Muston Sands on 2nd with 3-5 Common Dolphins present off Brigg. On 4th 12 Bottle-nosed Dolphin went north past Hunmanby Gap mid shore, with probably the same group on 5th off the Brigg. A Golden Oriole was reported on Birdguides as singing briefly at Hunmanby Gap on 6th, but with no observer details it must remain unconfirmed. 12 Canada Geese north, and 45 Canada Geese off Carr Naze may have been on the regular moult migration to the Beauly Firth Scotland. A Painted Lady was at Muston Sands on 9th. The first Large Skipper of the season was also seen. A Water Rail was frequently calling from the Dams reedbed. On 11th a Marsh Harrier left the Dams to east, with a male Garganey also present. A Cuckoo flew south at Muston Sands the same day. 2 juv. Stonechats were near Carr Naze steps. 2 Knot, a Turnstone, a Curlew and a summer plumage Sanderling were on the Brigg. A steady movement of 200+ Swifts south at Muston Sands in the morning, plus a few flocks of Starling. 72 Manx Shearwaters north and 9 Common Scoter north were seen on 13th. A sub-adult pale morph Arctic Skua went NW along North Cliff on 14th. An adult summer Mediterranean Gull flew south over the Brigg on 15th. On 17th 3 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Common Sandpiper, and a male Garganey were at the Dams. A Common Buzzard went south over Dams on 17th. On 18th a Hummingbird Hawkmoth was in a garden by the Dams. On 21st the month’s highlight (not a bird) was the discovery of two Lesser Emperor dragonflies, a rare continental vagrant, at Primrose Valley pond, the first record for FBOG. On 23rd Snipe, Green Sandpiper and Marsh Harrier were all at the Dams. A Red Kite on 25th was tracked going south. A Yellow-legged Gull, Mediterranean Gull, and two Red-breasted Merganser were seen on 25th at the Brigg.
