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Saturday 23rd June 2018

 Ringlet Butterfly have started to emerge, Privet and Bramble are its favourite nectar sources, the Privet is currently in full bloom.

Clear sky and a Westerly breeze this morning. A couple of Chiffchaff that were here this morning are most probably wandering following an unsuccessful attempt at nesting rather than migrating, the female had a decreasing brood patch. Spotted Flycatcher is not typically here at this point in June but no physical indication with this individual if it was wandering following a breeding attempt or still on migration. There was a Black Redstart singing on the fort late morning and the first Small Skipper at Landguard for this year was seen on the Butts.

Noted on the reserve, 380 Starling, 80 Linnet, 15 Whitethroat, 8 Shelduck, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Swift, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Swallow & 1 Black Redstart. Offshore, 220 Herring Gull, 30 Black-headed Gull, 14 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 7 Common Tern, 6 Little Tern, 6 Med Gull, 1 Cormorant & 1 Great Black-backed Gull. Going South, 7 Curlew & 2 Swift, coming in off the sea going West, 6 Cormorant.

Eyed Hawk-moth, this species is widely distributed through England and Wales, the black and Blue eyes on the hind wing are flashed when it feels threatened.

33 birds ringed: House Sparrow 15, Linnet 13, Chiffchaff 2, Goldfinch 1, Great Tit 1, Spotted Flycatcher 1.