Wednesday 1st October 2025

Large female Sparrowhawk on the lookout.

Calm conditions will continue however a little decrease in the volume of birds coming through this morning. 3 Black Redstart are still with us often seen hopping around the bushes on the reserve. 8 more Redpoll dropped in and a record flock of 12 Egyptian Geese heading North was quite out the ordinary. Also of note 7 Blackcap, 2 Chaffinch, 4 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrest, 2 Grey Wagtail, 60 Meadow Pipit, 1 Reed Bunting, 20 Robin, 2 Skylark, 1 Siskin, 2 Sparrowhawk, 7 Swallow, 5 Song Thrush, 5 Stonechat and 2 Wheatear.

Offshore 33 Black-headed Gull, 2 Brent Goose, 1 Common Tern, 4 Cormorant, 3 Med Gull, 3 Pintail, 11 Sandwich Tern, 2 Teal and 32 Wigeon. 

Ringing: 4 Blackcap, 4 Blue Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 5 Great Tit, 5 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Meadow Pipit, 4 Robin, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Wren.

 

SEPTEMBER RINGING TOTALS 2025

 

It has been the busiest September we've had for quite some time. Just over double the birds last year; 721 over 36 species has kept us far too busy to complain about the lack of recent scarcities. In terms of species it has been a very typical Autumn selection for Landguard but it is hopeful to see many iconic species in reasonably healthier numbers.

Species	No. Ringed
Blackcap	139
Chiffchaff	135
Meadow Pipit	100
Willow Warbler	59
Robin	56
Blue Tit	42
Goldcrest	38
Great Tit	16
Long-tailed Tit	15
Grey Wagtail	15
Reed Warbler	14
Song Thrush	13
Lesser Whitethroat	9
Whitethroat	8
Pied Flycatcher	7
Cetti's Warbler	6
Blackbird	6
Woodpigeon	5
Sedge Warbler	5
Dunnock	5
Redpoll	4
House Sparrow	4
Spotted Flycatcher	3
Wren	2
Sparrowhawk	2
Linnet	2
Goldfinch	2
Wood Warbler	1
Starling	1
Redstart	1
Greenfinch	1
Great Spotted Woodpecker	1
Magpie	1
Garden Warbler	1
Coal Tit	1
Brambling	1
Total	721

Tuesday 30th September 2025

 

Stonechat numbers now up to 5.

The weather doesn't get much calmer than this down here as the morning began with a calling Siskin. 6 recorded in the end and at least 4 Redpoll too. Tit flocks have been passing through - 17 new Blue Tit and 7 Great Tit ringed today but there's always tomorrow to catch the rest... Other migrants 20 Chiffchaff, 15 Blackcap, 5 Goldcrest, 1 Grey Wagtail, 55 Meadow Pipit, 14 Robin, 5 Skylark, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Sparrowhawk, 14 Swallow, 1 Reed Warbler and 1 Wheatear.

Great day to see Clouded Yellow.

Ringing: 8 Blackcap, 17 Blue Tit, 13 Chiffchaff, 1 Dunnock, 7 Great Tit, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Meadow Pipit, 4 Redpoll, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Robin, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Woodpigeon, 1 Wren.

Monday 29th September 2025

 

Slow Worm lives here in small numbers it's just that we don't bump into them very often.

Misty start followed by a reasonable day for standard late September fare including the first 3 Stonechat of the autumn. In today's selection box at least 40 Chiffchaff, 30 Blackcap, 26 House Martin, 25 Goldcrest, 11 Swallow, 5 Songies, 4 Siskin, 2 Wheatear, Chaffinch, Heron, Lesser 'throat, Redstart, Redwing & Willow Warbler. A volery of 15 Long-tailed Tit paid a visit & the usual 3 Black Red were out there. Clouded Yellow got into double figures with a worn Meadow Brown on the Butts very late on parade.

Lunar Underwing is a regular in the traps in small numbers at this season.

Ringing: 20 Goldcrest, 19 Chiffchaff, 15 Long-tailed Tit, 14 Blackcap, 7 Robin, 4 Blue Tit, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Great Tit, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Song Thrush.

Sunday 28th September 2025

 

Three Glossy Ibis south is only the third site record. Also of note is a British race Coal Tit as members of this species in the autumn are usually continental birds (although it may have come from no further away than Langer Park). Southbound 420 Swallow, 43 Teal, 28 Brent, 12 Wigeon, 8 Mipit, 4 Shelduck, 3 Pintail & a juv Peregrine. On site migrants disappointingly few when one considerers the weather conditions that looked promising. Amongst a meagre selection were 22 Mipit, 15 Robin, 5 Goldcrest, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Chaffinch, Blackcap, Coal Tit, Grey Wag, Lesser 'throat & Wheatear plus the usual 3 Black Red & elusive male Pheasant.

Moth traps held a few migrants including the first Golden Twin-spot for five years.

Ringing: 4 Blue Tit, 4 Robin, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Linnet.

Saturday 27th September 2025

 

Getting late for Willow Warbler now.

One of the calmest days autumn has offered us so far with a good dose of sunshine on top. A couple firsts for the season; Rock Pipit on the jetty and 3 Redwing. The Brambling was at least still around in the morning while a single Chaffinch and Redpoll heard also. Two Spoonbill noted flying Northwest however well inland. Also on the move 3 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 House Martin, 20 Meadow Pipit, 1 Reed Bunting, 20 Robin, 2 Skylark, 8 Song Thrush, 35 Swallow, 2 Wheatear and 3 Willow Warbler. 

Beet Moth first turned up five years ago but is now a regular.

Ringing: 2 Blackcap, 3 Blue Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Dunnock, 3 Goldcrest, 1 Meadow Pipit, 4 Robin, 1 Song Thrush.

Friday 26th September 2025

 

One of 3 Arctic Skua this morning.

A male Brambling decided to spend the day in the compound with us favoring the bushes near Darell's Battery. Brent Geese really starting to move now alongside a reasonable list of other waterfowl as follows; 267 Brent Goose, 10 Common Scoter, 1 Pintail, 1 Shoveler, 105 Teal, 72 Wigeon. Our 4th Merlin this autumn moved south along the tideline and a bit of Arctic Skua action never fails to disappoint - one bird spent quite some time flying in the river. Other migrants 6 Chiffchaff, 10 Goldcrest, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 9 Meadow Pipit, 1 Reed Warbler, 18 Robin, 8 Song Thrush, 6 Swallow and 2 Wheatear.

First Brick of the autumn.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 3 Blackcap, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Brambling, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Dunnock, 9 Goldcrest, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 House Sparrow, 1 Reed Warbler, 10 Robin, 5 Song Thrush.