Monday 18th June 2018

One of two Sanderling on the beach yesterday afternoon. Its difficult to determine at this time of the year whether they are still heading north to breed or are turning around and heading south. It is quite possible that laggards are still going up to the far north to nest when failed breeders are starting to head back towards Africa.

Migrants this morning typically in short supply but included a Hobby plus southbound 87 Swift, 15 Black-headed Gull, 3 Swallow, 2 House Martin & a Curlew. A female Green Woodpecker is quite probably the same bird as noted here a couple of days back and when trapped showed an extensive brood patch. This is indicative of a breeding attempt somewhere but she has been compelled to move at an unexpected time quite likely as a result of some trauma in her life (like the bulldozers have destroyed her home ?).

Treble-bar is another species (like yesterdays featured moth) that used to be abundant here but now occurs in much reduced numbers despite its food plant, St John's-wort's, being common here.

Ringing: 1 Dunnock, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Wren.

Sunday 17th June 2018

You never know what you will get on this blog - Painted Lady egg on Cotton Thistle.

On the move southbound 34 Swift, 18 Black-headed Gull, 7 Curlew, 5 Swallow & 2 Oyks. Migrants in the bushes consist of 2 Chiffchaff and 2 singing male Blackcap which will be failed breeders trying their luck somewhere else before it is time to go back south again.

Lathronympha strigana used to be abundant here but is now in much lower numbers despite its food plant (St.John's-wort's) being common here.

9 birds ringed: 4 Great Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 House Sparrow, 1 Goldfinch.

Saturday 16th June 2018

 Young rabbits on the reserve are wary but those at the Observatory are a little more confiding.

Overcast and a Westerly breeze to start the day which moved around to a Southerly wind from late morning. Swift were feeding over the reserve while it was calm, a male Blackcap was singing at the far end of the Butts and Juvenile Coal Tit were at the observatory.

Noted on the reserve, 300 Starling, 30 Swift, 7 Shelduck, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat & 1 Blackcap. Going North, 8 Med Gull, 2 Sandwich Tern, 1 Cormorant & 1 Little Tern. Going South, 28 Black-headed Gull, 6 Curlew, 3 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 House Martin, 1 Med Gull & 1 Swallow.

Pine Hawk Moth in the light traps last night.

13 birds ringed: Coal Tit 2, Dunnock 2, Lesser Whitethroat 2, Linnet 2, Blackbird 1, Blackcap 1, Great Tit 1, Whitethroat 1, Woodpigeon 1.

Recent Recoveries

Blackbird ringed Lauwersoog, De marne, Groningen, The Netherlands 28th October 2017 retrapped 367 km away at Landguard 3rd November 2017. Chiffchaff ringed Alderney, Channel Islands 31st March 2018 retrapped 347 Km away at Landguard 5th April 2018. Garden Warbler trapped Hollesley 25th August 2017 retrapped 15 Km away at Landguard 28th May 2018.

Friday 15th June 2018

 Green Woodpecker behind the Observatory this morning.

A clear calm morning with a Northwesterly breeze. Only the 4th record of Green Woodpecker at Landguard in June, why an adult should turn up at this time of year is open to speculation. The first dispersing Blue Tit and Coal Tit juveniles were seen at Landguard this morning. 

Noted on the reserve, 250 Starling, 40 Linnet, 10 Pied Wagtail, 5 Swift, 2 Coal Tit, 2 Greenfinch, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Shelduck, 2 Swallow & 1 Green Woodpecker. Going North, 4 Oystercatcher, 1 Common Tern & 1 Cormorant. Going South, 1 Fulmar & 1 Shelduck.

After the first site record of Evergestis limbata last year another turned up today. It was first seen in the UK in 1994 so maybe one that is planning colonisation.

14 bird ringed: Linnet 6, Coal Tit 2, Wren 2, Blue Tit 1, Dunnock 1, House Sparrow , Woodpigeon 1.

Thursday 14th June 2018

 Carrion Crow ruffled in strong wind while looking for insects.

Overcast and strong Southwesterly wind this morning. The number of Starling roosting in the Holm Oaks at the Observatory is increasing, a Reed Warbler was at the Observatory and a Knot went South offshore along with small numbers of Curlew and Whimbrel.

Noted on the reserve, 280 Starling, 10 Shelduck, 8 Pied Wagtail, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat & 1 Reed Warbler. Going North, 3 Gannet, 2 Common Tern & 1 Cormorant. Going South, 41 Swift, 14 Curlew, 7 Whimbrel, 4 Gadwall, 4 Swallow, 2 Little Tern & 1 Knot.

The Flame flies mid-summer coming to light traps in small numbers.

In the afternoon the first Humming-bird Hawk-moth of the year was noted.

2 birds ringed: Pied Wagtail 1, Reed Warbler 1.

June litter pick

Litter Pick this Saturday 16th June 0930 hrs start. Usual arrangements on the Events page of www.lbo.org.uk