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Saturday 26th May 2012

With a slow start to the day and only one bird caught in the first few hours hopes of a good day were initially low. However the Easterly winds paid off with a Greenish Warbler heard singing infront of the obs. It eventually found its way into a net, preceded by a rather nice Marsh Warbler! Both birds were seen by a good few observers and the Greenish at least stuck around until 13:00. Elsewhere it was very quiet with a few swifts moving through, a handful of Little Terns and 3 Avocets.

Marsh Warbler (Bill Mackie)

Greenish Warbler (Bill Mackie)

Friday 25th May 2012

Still quiet on the migrants front with no new warblers in evidence. A 1st summer Rose-coloured Starling was on the reserve briefly (see ropey record shot below) before being flushed by a Kestrel at 07:20ish. Our first brood of Great Tits have fledged with at least 8 young making up the majority of the ringing total, a juvenile Greenfinch and a Linnet being the only other birds caught. Elsewhere a female Marsh Harrier went South and a Turtle Dove decided Essex was a more attractive prospect when flushed. A couple of Harbour Porpoise in the river gave good views.

Rose-coloured Starling

Thursday 24th May 2012

A very warm day today, cooling a bit when the wind turned Easterly and some sea fret covered the point. Brent Geese seem to be on the move with over 300 seen heading out yesterday evening and this morning. Elsewhere a Skylark was on the reserve with still building numbers of Starlings. A few Goldfinch, Swallow, Oyks and a Great Crested Grebe were the only things on the move. 5 Birds ringed: Dunnock 2 (Fledglings) , Spotted Flycatcher, Lesser Whitethroat and a Wood Pigeon.

Wednesday 23rd May 2012

A bit busier today, 12 birds ringed: 3 Blackcap, 2 each of Spotted Flycatcher, Reed Warbler and Chiffchaff, and singles of Willow Warbler, Linnet and Garden Warbler. Elsewhere the bird of the day was a Roseate Tern off the point at 08:20, which was annoyingly moved on when the Peregrine passed through. 34 Brents were seen heading North as well as 4 Sanderling, with a Greenshank moving up river and 2 Mute Swan and a Common Scoter South. The first Dark Sword Grass of the year was in the moth traps along with a good number of other common species, the warm weather appears to be encouraging invertebrates eventually, as a Hairy Dragonfly was also seen on the reserve.

Other exciting news came through today via email, which included a picture of a Little Bunting in the cottage garden. The picture was taken on the 24th of April this year when other observers had a possible Little Bunting which was lost before being positively identified. Many thanks go to Nick Croft for his picture that confirms this sighting.

Little Bunting 24th April 2012 (Nick Croft)

Tuesday 22nd May 2012

A slow day today, 4 birds ringed including another new Spotted flycatcher and a Juvenile Robin. 6 Wheatears and a female Redstart out on the reserve. Highlights out to sea included a Razorbill and 5 Common Tern heading North. A few Swallows and Swifts passed through throughout the morning and the first Orange Tip butterfly of the year was seen.

Monday 21st May 2012

Still a trickle of migrants with new Whitethroat, Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher ringed this morning. 5 Wheatears out and about as well as the Serin and a boosted House Sparrow population, local birds presumably collecting food for young. Moving North were 4 Gannet, 3 Swift, 2 Goldfinch, 5 Common Tern and Swallow. South were 2 Cormorant, 4 Goldfinch, 3 Yellow Wagtail and 4 Swallow. 17 Little Terns were hanging around and juvenile Starling Starling numbers continue to grow.

Sunday 20th May 2012

The dreaded northerlies have stayed with us and predictably resulted in very few new birds in the area. A few Little and Common Terns fed out in the estuary and wheatear numbers remained low at only 4 birds. A Corn Bunting was still hanging around and few Swift and the off Swallow battled through. The show was stolen by the long staying female Serin which finally ventured in to the observatory. This is the first Serin to be ringed at Landguard and the bird was in good shape carrying lots of fat. An Oblique Carpet in the moth traps was only the 2nd site record.