Friday 26th April 2024

A quiet morning that warmed up nicely as the hours passed. Not a huge amount about but definite signs of spring, a couple of willow warblers were singing lustily around the observatory as were a couple of blackcaps, a few lesser whitethroats and the almost ubiquitous Cetti's warblers and black redstart. A reed warbler sang for a few minutes in the compound and a sedge warbler was singing intermittently up by the Butt's pond. Some individuals of species were clearly moving through, a male greenfinch on the hunt for a mate, single rook, jackdaw and buzzards flew south and a house martin moved north. With the sunny conditions a few butterflies were out, green-veined white, small white and brimstone.

Birds Ringed: Blackbird 1, Blackcap 3, Chiffchaff 1, Goldfinch 1, Reed Warbler 1, Willow Warbler 2. 

 

RINGING RECOVERIES

Chiffchaff ringed LBO on autumn passage 11th September 2023 retrapped 8 km away on spring passage at Walton-on-the-Naze 8th April 2024.

Willow Warbler ringed on autumn passage at Lancing, West Sussex on 16th August 2023 retrapped 165 km away on spring passage at LBO 12th April 2024.

Blackcap ringed on autumn passage at Clanfield, Oxfordshire on 22nd September 2023 retrapped 200 km away on spring passage at LBO on 11th April 2024.

Lesser Redpoll ringed LBO 10th November 2023 retrapped 17 km away at Hollesley 6th March 2024.

Thursday 25th April 2024

A quiet morning, with little in the way of passerine migration, and the main highlight out to sea being 28 gannets heading north. 3 male blackcaps have hung around the last few days singing, probably birds that will eventually move on, but the species has bred here before, and it would be nice if they did so again. Lesser whitethroats and Cetti's warblers were also in full voice and the local linnets are nest building currently. Wheatear numbers are low with just 2 observed in the last few days. The black redstart is still singing from the fort, though he's very elusive.

Birds Ringed: Blackcap 1, Goldfinch 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Wren 1. 

 

Wednesday 24th April 2024

 

Cool conditions not good although it did deliver the first Woodlark of the year. Other migrants were 5 Lesser 'throat, 4 Swallow, 2 Blackcap, 2 Wheatear, 2 Whitethroat & Willow Warbler. Offshore northbound 3 Common Scoter, Curlew, Greenshank, Oyk, Red-throated Diver & Whimbrel with southbound single Common Scoter, Curlew, Fulmar & Oyk. A Teal was sat offshore before heading north.

Ringing: 2 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Robin.

Tuesday 23rd April 2024

A sprinkling of new migrants today, along with a few birds that have been here for a while. Apart from the Cetti's warblers , some of which have been here since October, a second year female firecrest has been undetected here for a week, leaving the local observers doubting their birding skills. 2 Lesser whitethroats, 2 willow warblers and a male blackbird were fresh in. Out to sea the highlights were a pair of fulmars and a handful of waders passing. 3 swallows flew south, still low numbers of this species this year.

Although the larvae get recorded, the Mullein moth is only rarely seen here. 

Birds Ringed: Blackbird 2, Blackcap 1, Lesser Whitethroat 2, Linnet 1, Willow Warbler 2. 

 

Monday 22nd April 2024

 

The breeze abated but is still from a northerly direction. Worth a mention are 6 Wheatear, 6 Willow Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 3 Lesser 'throat, Chiffchaff & Whitethroat. At least 26 Curlew came out then north will be heading back to their breeding grounds. Offshore movements almost non-existent.

Ringing: 4 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap.

Sunday 21st April 2024

 

Considering the northerly breeze slightly better than anticipated on site with 12 Wheatear, 5 Willow Warbler, 4 Lesser 'throat, 2 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, Chiffchaff & Sedge Warbler. Several Cetti's & singing Black Red still here (if they fail to get a daily blog mention then don't worry as their song is part of the ambiance at present). Considering the Gannets yesterday, just the one this morning with a meagre amount moving offshore including northbound 2 Whimbrel & a Fulmar with southbound Black-throated Diver & a Whimbrel.

Ringing: 3 Linnet, 2 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler.

Saturday 20th April 2024

 

The local Blackies are working hard foraging for their young.

In a chilly northerly airflow offshore were northbound 58 Gannet, 10 Cormorant, 9 Common Scoter, 2 Fulmar, 2 Sandwich Tern, Shelduck & Whimbrel with southbound 3 Gannet, Oyk plus a Red-throated Diver that pitched in. On site migrants were 16 Wheatear, 4 Lesser 'throat, Ring Ouzel, Whitethroat & Willow Warbler.

Ringing: 1 Linnet, 1 Willow Warbler.

Friday 19th April 2024

An April shower or two throughout the morning didn't hamper the handful of migrants passing the obs today. Offshore the highlight was two black-throated divers flying south, with a supporting cast of 5 whimbrel and 4 sandwich tern. Wheatear numbers had dropped a little from yesterday, but lesser whitethroats seem to be increasing by the day. A few willow warblers and a blackcap sang intermittently before moving through late morning. The black redstart was once again singing his heart out from various parts of the fort, usually wherever a birder with a camera wasn't. 

No moths at all the previous 3 days, so it was good to get the first Shuttle-shaped Dart of the year.

Birds Ringed: Blackcap 4, Chiffchaff 1, Linnet 1.  

Thursday 18th April 2024

A relatively quiet day, with more waders passing through, whimbrel, sanderling and turnstone. An odd movement was 8 rook south, as most breeding birds would be well into the nesting season now. Wheatear numbers increased to 14 and shelduck numbers to 19. A scattering of migrant warblers included 2 blackcap, 2 willow warbler and a lesser whitethroat, though the latter could well breed here this year. The black redstart was singing again on the fort, for most of the morning, finally giving reasonable views. A sandwich tern north was the first seen this year, previous records were call only. 

Birds Ringed: Blackcap 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Wheatear 4, Willow Warbler 2. 

Wednesday 17th April 2024

Despite strong wind, there were still a handful of migrants around. 2 singing blackcap, 5 chiffchaff, 8 willow warbler, 3 lesser and one common whitethroat were a mixture of local birds and those passing through. 10 wheatear remained on the reserve and a marsh harrier flew north. 

Birds Ringed: Willow Warbler 2. 

 

Tuesday 16th April 2024

A cold north-westerly wind is not good for migrants or observer enthusiasm. Southbound 41 Black-headed Gull, 14 Med Gull, 4 Common Gull, 2 Sandwich Tern, Oyk & Little Gull with northbound 5 Gannet, 2 Med Gull, 2 Teal, Fulmar & Whimbrel. On site 13 Sanderling, 3 Turnstone, a couple of Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroats, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff & Willow Warbler. 8 Siskin & 6 Goldfinch went south.

Ringing: 2 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler.

Monday 15th April 2024

A tough morning for observations today, with winds gusting almost 40mph, and intermittent and heavy rain and hail showers. Highlight of the morning was 9 whimbrel heading south. 3 wheatears toughed the conditions out on the reserve, and 1 swallow flew south against the wind. 26 common scoter headed north, whilst 2 Brent geese decided today was not the day to head back to their breeding grounds and headed south into the wind.

 

Sunday 14th April 2024

 

A pleasant morning mix of migrants included 10 Willow Warbler, 9 Wheatear, 6 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, Grey Wagtail & Whitethroat. Southbound 45 Black-headed Gull, 22 Goldfinch, 19 Med Gull, 13 Oyk, 9 Crows, 7 Swallow, 2 Buzzard, 2 Curlew, 2 Stock Dove, Barnacle Goose & Sand Martin. First Painted lady of the season is worth a mention.

Esperia sulphurella are day flyers coming out in the sunny spots.

Ringing: 8 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Wood Pigeon.

Saturday 13th April 2024

A quieter day, with many of the warblers having moved through, especially the blackcaps. Still a few willow warblers and chiffchaffs around, though they were less vocal and active. Wheatear numbers rose to 14 however, and 3 yellow wagtail headed south along with 4 meadow pipits. Med gulls are still on the move, though more seemed to be heading south today than north. A redpoll singing from the observatory compound was an unexpected encounter, though it didn't stay long enough for a photo. 

First Muslin moth of the season..

Birds Ringed: Blackbird 1, Blackcap 1, Cetti's Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 2, Wheatear 5, Willow Warbler 8, Wren 1. 

Friday 12th April 2024

Another mild day saw quite a fall of phylloscopus warblers. At least 25 willow warblers were around the site, with several singing intermittently. Amongst these were at least 10 chiffchaffs, 15 blackcap and a firecrest with 3 lesser whitethroat and the regular 4 Cetti's warblers. A nightingale was singing on the reserve and at least 11 wheatears had dropped in overnight. 

Only the third site record of Frosted Green. 

Birds Ringed: Blackbird 1, Blackcap 9, Chiffchaff 6, Goldfinch 3, Great Tit 1, Wheatear 2, Willow Warbler 16.

Thursday 11th April 2024

Noticeable increase in passerine migrants today, willow warblers singing all over the place, blackcaps everywhere and one of our earliest lesser whitethroat records. A young male redstart was also found, 4 Cetti's warblers were singing and the black redstart was singing in the morning dark again. A marsh harrier flew south, and med gulls continue to move north in small groups with 14 passing throughout the morning. A second year coal tit was the first seen here this year. 

The first site record of the nationally scarce Pammene giganteana was found today. The second part of its scientific name seems a little ironic as its less than a centimetre in length. 

Birds Ringed: Blackcap 13, Blue Tit 1, Chiffchaff 1, Coal Tit 1, Firecrest 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Linnet 3, Redstart 1, Willow Warbler 7. 
 

Wednesday 10th April 2024

 

The wind abated to allow a few migrants to appear with today's eclectic mix including southbound 123 Black-headed Gull, 13 Common Gull, 10 Goldfinch, 8 Med Gull, 4 Chaffinch, 4 Shelduck, 2 Swallow, Buzzard, Curlew, Oyk, Rook & Siskin. On site migrants were 10 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Wheatear, 2 Whitethroat, Firecrest, Grey Wag, Jackdaw, Nightingale & Snipe. 3 Cetti's & Black Red still here and 18 Sanderling were on the beach early morning.

Ringing: 6 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler.

Tuesday 9th April 2024

Near gale/gale force south westerlies made observations an indoor job today. Perhaps because of this we saw our first common and sandwich terns of the year, and in the shelter of the Heligoland we actually had some passerine migrants, two willow warblers. The black redstart was feeding in the lea of the fort as the sun rose. 

Brown-tail larval nests are in profusion as the caterpillars start to emerge.

Birds Ringed: Willow Warbler 2. 

 

Monday 8th April 2024

A few firsts for the year this morning. First sedge warbler singing, and the observatories earliest record of whitethroat. More exciting was the fifth record of raven with two over the observatory and landing on the reserve and riling up the other corvids. It's also the first record of the species here this century. The black redstart was singing from the fort early doors, with a nightingale singing at the Icky Ridge. 2 goldeneye flew south and there was a bit of med gull movement with 16 north and 3 south during the morning, along with 82 black-headed gulls. 

Swallow Prominent lives on poplars and does fairly well here. 

Birds Ringed: Blackcap 6, Chiffchaff 1, Song Thrush 2, Willow Warbler 1.

Sunday 7th April 2024

 

Another day another gale although on the plus side it is warm for the time of year. Firsts for the year were Nightingale & Yellow Wagtail. A small handful of other migrants included 3 Blackcap, 3 Wheatear, 3 Willow Warbler plus at least 13 Swallow heading south. 2 Black Red were around the Fort & 2 Cetti's remain singing on the reserve. Offshore movements pathetic with 2 Curlew south the best of a meagre list of sightings. A new young female Sparrowhawk could be wandering from literally anywhere as they don't breed until two years old.

A few more moths, like Double-striped Pug are starting to appear, although encounters are few & far between in the winds of recent days despite the mild conditions.
  

Ringing: 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Linnet, 1 Sparrowhawk.

Saturday 6th April 2024

A few migrants in today, though yesterdays ring ouzel was nowhere to be seen. A male stonechat was out on the beach, a willow warbler was the first we've seen in days and a lovely adult shag was in the river behind the Obs. A couple of blackcaps were in the compound along with a chiffchaff and the female siskin that has been enjoying our feeders the last two days. Despite the strong wind, it was warm enough for 4 species of butterfly to be on the wing; Peacock, Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell and Green-veined White. 

Caloptilia cuculipinella was first seen in Suffolk ten years ago and at LBO only 3 years ago. Living on privet there's a chance it's colonised.

Birds Ringed: Blackcap 2, Chiffchaff 1, Linnet 1.

Friday 5th April 2024

Windy and wet conditions didn't prevent the first ring ouzel of the year turning up on the reserve, but may have had something to do with it being very elusive! A handful of other migrants were observed, a couple of swallows, 2 chiffchaffs and yesterdays siskin was still hanging around. A fulmar heading south was the first in some weeks.

Birds Ringed: Chaffinch 1.

Thursday 4th April 2024

A very slow day with strong winds and rain showers intermittently seemed to really halt the migration here, at least to the observers. Not a single migrant warbler was seen, though 7 siskin flew south, along with 5 Mediterranean gulls, and 17 common gulls . 2 Cetti's warblers were singing around the reserve, and the starling flock gradually built up through the morning, but made no effort to cross the water.

 

Northern Drab is a nondescript species that appears to be declining in Suffolk judging by the paucity of records in recent years.

Birds Ringed: Siskin 1.

Wednesday 3rd April 2024

 

Windy with them April perennial favorites that we all love - showers !. Migrants were a couple of Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, single Black Red & Mipit. A Long-tailed Tit paid a visit, 4 Sanderling were on the beach & 2 Turnstone on the point. Offshore 15 Black-heads, 2 Meds, 2 Oyks plus single Curlew & Peregrine flew south. Hardly riveting stuff.

Ringing: 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Long-tailed Tit.

Tuesday 2nd April 2024

A much slower day than yesterday, strong south westerlies and intermittent rain weren't as productive as they could have been. A chiffchaff and a fresh robin and a wren were the only signs of migrants in the Obs compound. Seawatching was about as productive, with a couple of gannets and some red-throated divers passing. The crows in the picture are eating a washed up small shark, a dogfish of some variety. Another dogfish was found by the Observatory pond, presumably carried in by the very active fox we have here. 

Birds Ringed: Robin 1, Wren 1.

 

Monday 1st April 2024

A busier morning than the last week was a nice start to April. Finally seeing some willow warbler movement with at least 4 around the reserve amongst 15 chiffchaff and a couple of blackcap. 2 black redstarts were new in, including a fairly cracking male. The other bird was a young male singing from the fort throughout the morning. A few finches were moving, with 17 siskin being the first for days, with some briefly alighting in the Obs trees, though not long enough for photos. 

Clouded Drab is a variable species noted here in small numbers at this time of the year.

Birds Ringed: Blackcap 3, Chiffchaff 8, Linnet 3, Willow Warbler 3. 

MARCH RINGING TOTALS

142 birds of 21 species ringed is slightly up on the last three springs although paltry when compared with March ringing totals last century. Three Grey Wagtail are notable because we catch very few in spring. In addition to a new Cetti's Warbler were two individuals retrapped that were ringed last October.

Sunday 31st March 2024

 

Bleach Cup fungus Disciotis venosa in the moat.

Cool Easterly wind resulted in a migration hiatus on land with nothing more than a single new Chiffchaff to show for the efforts. Up to 350 Starling on the reserve are waiting for a more favorable day to migrate to the continent. Not a lot offshore with northbound 3 Little Gull, 2 Common Scoter, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, Greylag & Red-throated Diver with southbound 3 Canada Geese. 

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff.

Saturday 30th March 2024

A calm and eventually sunny day seemed promising, with a light southerly wind. Alas, perhaps the conditions were too calm as despite much effort from local observers, migration was almost non existent. A blackcap, 2 chiffchaffs and 2 grey wagtails in the compound were the best passerine migrants. Offshore, a handful of oystercatchers and a turnstone went south along with a handful of Brent geese. On the river behind the Obs, a lovely summer plumaged great crested grebe was fishing late morning. 

Its quite early in the season for a Waved Umber to appear. It is a species that has only become annual in the last 7 years. 

Birds Ringed: Blackcap 1, Chiffchaff 2, Grey Wagtail 2, Linnet 3. 

 

Friday 29th March 2024

Slightly more evidence of migration today, despite the blustery weather. The first blackcap, wheatear and swallow for a few days were noted. Cetti's warblers were still around the site, with at least four heard. Starling numbers are still building, with at least 500 feeding on the reserve, in anticipation of heading back to the breeding grounds. Another transitory great tit was noted, another pale adult holding some fat, heading up the coast or to the near continent? It remains to be seen.

Birds Ringed: Blackcap 1, Great Tit 1

Thursday 28th March 2024

A blustery day with intermittent rain showers made for a quiet day. 3 Cetti's warblers were singing around the site, some Brent geese flew north and the highlight of the morning was a marsh harrier moving west. 2 stock dove briefly landed on the reserve before heading south. 

Wednesday 27th March 2024

 

Our second earliest ever Willow Warbler followed on from our earliest ever a couple of days ago. Other migrants hard to come by with just singles of Blackcap & Chiffchaff on the log sheet. A new Great Tit was a "pale male" allowing us to fantasize that it was of eastern origin although their are odd freaky pale males in the UK breeding population. Offshore a handful of Red-throated Divers going back & forth plus a dozen Brent going out then north is the best we can muster.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Great Tit, 1 Willow Warbler.

Ringing Recoveries

Blackbird ringed Wibrin, Luxembourg (province not country), Belgium 24th August 2022 retrapped 365 km away at LBO on 26th September 2023. Bit difficult to explain this one as Wibrin will be its natal area and the recapture date at LBO is right at the start of when autumn migration used to commence last century and several weeks earlier than it does now. No real reason for it to be moving north-west at this juncture. 

Lesser Redpoll ringed LBO 29th October 2020 retrapped 74 km away at Brandon, Norfolk 16th March 2024.

Lesser Redpoll ringed LBO 16th October 2023 retrapped 158 km away at Bracknell, Berkshire 23rd March 2024. This is our first Redpoll to Berkshire.

Lesser Redpoll ringed 10th November 2023 retrapped 17 km away at Hollesley, Suffolk 7th February 2024.

Blue Tit ringed Thorndon, Suffolk 28th February 2022 retrapped 41 km away at LBO 2nd March 2024. Slightly odd as most wandering Blue Tits are juveniles and this was an adult.

Tuesday 26th March 2024

With similar conditions to yesterday, observations were low. 3 Cetti's warblers singing from various parts of the reserve was promising, though it remains to be seen whether they breed here or not. A male reed bunting singing very briefly on the reserve was unusual as most British birds are back on their breeding grounds, suggesting (along with easterly wind) that its perhaps a continental bird. A couple of buzzards got observers pulses racing as they upset the local gulls, in the hopes that it would be the first osprey of the year, though buzzard is notable in general for its absence here. The wheatear and black redstart were not seen today, presumably having moved on overnight.

Birds Ringed: Blackcap 1, Chiffchaff 2.  

Monday 25th March 2023

A clear night and stronger wind than expected turned promising conditions into a bit of a challenge. A new Cetti's warbler ringed was the highlight, furthering hopes they may breed on site this year. It joins two others that were singing on the reserve, the highest total for the species so far this year, though we did equal that on many days last autumn. One black redstart remained out on the reserve, along with one wheatear. A swallow flew north during the morning. 

Twin-spotted Quaker turns up here roughly one year in three.

Birds Ringed: Blackcap 2, Cetti's Warbler 1, Chiffchaff 1. 

GROUND NESTING BIRDS FENCING

 

It is planned to erect temporary fencing to help protect ground nesting birds & the sensitive shingle flora on Wednesday 27th March 0930 hrs start. Please meet at the old seawatch hide and wear sensible footwear, gardening type gloves & clothing for the task in hand. Many hands make light work so the more people who can turn up the better.