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Saturday 26th January 2013

A Marsh Harrier came in then north over the town - we seem to be getting an increasing number of Marsh Harrier records over the years despite the colder winters lately. Also noted this morning: 2 Wigeon, 2 Tufteds, Shelduck, Grey Heron & Skylark south, Red-throated Diver & Great-crested Grebe north. 10 Lapwing on the reserve departed inland in the milder conditions with a single Skylark also on the reserve plus a Sanderling on the beach.

Friday 25th January 2013

Cold overcast morning. On the move Common Scoter 6N49S + 1 offshore, Red-throated Diver 2N3S, Tufted Duck 6S, Turnstone 4S, Mallard 2S, Goldeneye 1S & Pochard 1S. Always good to get a Pochard as this is a scarce species here. 7 Lapwing on the reserve, Sanderling along the back beach & Woodcock in the bushes concludes the voting.

January Litter Pick

Litter Pick this Saturday 26th January 0930hrs start. Further info on the events page of www.lbo.org.uk Following the theft of some of the equipment at the last litter pick sticks/bags/hoop/glove's will not be left out for late arrivals so please try & arrive on time.

2013 WARDEN

Landguard Bird Observatory have a vacancy for a Warden from mid-March to mid-November 2013. A minimum requirement is a BTO "C" permit for bird ringing. For further information please access the "ringers forum" or e.mail landguardbo@yahoo.co.uk

Thursday 24th January 2013

Apart from a handful of Red-throated Divers going back & forth offshore the only other movement was 2 Brents out of the river & north. Snow cover here is down to c.10% compared with almost total snow cover not far inland from us which explains the presence of 9 Lapwings on the reserve. Also noted single Sanderling, Woodcock, Fieldfare, Redwing & a couple of new Songies trapped. The pair of Peregrines are on the nearest old dock crane & 2 different Sparrowhawks put in an appearance. Finally the elusive Water Rail acquired a ring having wandered into the partially collapsed helgoland trap.

Wednesday 23rd January 2013

A fine Great-northern Diver went south just offshore then turned up river at 0900hrs. A notable arrival of at least 46 Fieldfares, 4 Redwing plus a few new Blackies on site this morning with the snow cover now down to c.30% with the thaw. 2 Woodcock were along View Point Road first thing with another in the observatory compound. Offshore movements were Brent 16N, Red-throated Diver 1N2S, Goldeneye 3S, Lapwing 3N, Great crested Grebe 1S plus 4 Teal siting on the sea. A Sanderling was along the river with a Ringed Plover on the beach probably a local just checking his territory is ok. Still cold despite the thawing conditions.

Tuesday 22nd January 2013

Fresh dusting of snow overnight but a constant thaw has set in all day despite the cold. On the move going south 77 Brents, 24 Skylark, 12 Shellies, 11 Wigeon, 8 Pintail, 4 Lapwing, 2 Grey Plover, Great-crested Grebe, Teal, Curlew, Dunlin & Mistle thrush. 7 Red-throated Divers, 5 Brent & 3 Dunlin also out of the river then north. 1 Lapwing on the reserve with at least 2 Woodcock also on site. Finally a dead Guillemot was on the beach.

Monday 21st January 2013

A considerable amount of snow yesterday pm & eve. More damage to the helli but this did not prevent a Woodcock being caught & ringed (1 of 2 on site). A decent number of ducks, waders & land birds forced to move southwards by the conditions including 242 Wigeon, 108 Pintail, 87 Skylarks, 43 Brents, 30 Shelduck, 19 Dunlin, 13 Mallard, 10 Barwits, 7 Lapwing, 7 Redshank, 5 Mipits, 2 Curlew, Teal, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Scoter & Reed Bunting. Noted on site were 2 Redwing, Fieldfare & an unseasonal Linnet. Footprints in the snow look like they are from a Water Rail.

Sunday 20th January 2013

A bit more interesting this morning in a biting ENE wind. Its actually got warm enough to defrost the welfare facilities but with this wind, boy oh boy, does it feel cold. Going south 226 Brents, 69 Wigeon, 48 Shelduck, 39 Pintail, 17 Lapwing, 5 Teal, 3 Common Scoter plus 10 Pintail going north. 13 Fieldfares are on site plus a Lapwing on the defrosted greener bits of the reserve. A Redshank was along the riverbank. New refugees from the cold caught in the Helli were an adult male Blacky & another British race Songie - both of whom need to put on some weight if they are going to survive this cold spell.