Monday 22nd September 2025

 

This furtive and strangely quiet Pheasant gets recorded about every other day over the past fortnight.

Migrants include 20 Mipit, 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 2 Lesser 'throat, 2 Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sedge Warbler, Wheatear, Yellow Wag & the first 2 Redpoll of the autumn. Southbound 40 Mipit (+ 44 in off), 20 Teal, 18 Black-heads, 14 Wigeon, 3 Common Gull, 2 Heron, 2 Rook, Curlew & House Martin with northbound 5 Gannet & 2 Brent. At least 3 Black Red still with us.

First Black Rustic of the autumn which is a colonist from 1993 onwards.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler.

Sunday 21st September 2025

 

Change in the weather curtailed the vis mig to much lower numbers this morning with southbound 72 Swallow, 38 Mipit, 31 House Martin, 2 Rook & Swift. On site 70 Mipit, 25 Chiffchaff, 10 Blackcap, 8 Yellow Wag, 6 Wheatear, 5 Whitethroat, 3 Lesser 'throat, 3 Black Red, 3 Spot Fly, 3 Willow Warbler & 2 Chaffinch.

Very few moths this morning so here's a Great Green Bush-cricket from yesterday on the Butts.

Ringing: 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap.

Saturday 20th September 2025

The resident Peregrine soon appears when we have unexpected guests.

Kudos to our excellent team of counters today as more flocks of hirundines poured through. By late morning 2324 Swallow, 249 House Martin and 7 Sand Martin had passed over. Numbers of Meadow Pipit starting to wane but still tallied 358. An Osprey drifting South likely regretted passing over the docks where the Peregrine gave it some grief. A Great Skua sat on the sea momentarily before continuing Southbound. Other migrants 30 Blackcap, 1 Chaffinch, 12 Chiffchaff, 3 Grey Wagtail, 1 Skylark, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Siskin, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Wheatear and 4 Yellow Wagtail. 

Offshore 15 Dunlin, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Sandwich Tern, 10 Shelduck, 48 Teal and 5 Wigeon.

Nationally scare, Shore Wainscot has been having a small second emergence in recent years.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 21 Blackcap, 13 Chiffchaff, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 34 Meadow Pipit, 4 Robin, 1 Sedge Warbler.

Friday 19th September 2025

A Chiffchaff, Lesser Whitethroat and Spotted Flycatcher fly on to a bar... 

 Another cracking day for Mipit migration - up to 1396. Plenty of hirundines departing too including 82 House Martin, 555 Swallow and 7 late Sand Martin. A fair selection of standard Autumn migrants such as 10 Blackcap, 20 Chiffchaff, 4 Grey Wagtail, 22 Goldfinch, 25 Robin, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Siskin, 7 Wheatear, 5 Whitethroat, 4 Willow Warbler and 2 Yellow Wagtail. Marsh Harrier drifted South and the Wryneck is still cropping up when it feels like it.

The first Feathered Ranunculus of the Autumn slightly late on parade.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 8 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Dunnock, 3 Great Tit, 1 Greenfinch, 3 Grey Wagtail, 25 Meadow Pipit, 2 Robin, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Wren.

Thursday 18th September 2025

 

4 Wheatear on site today.

1283 the final Meadow Pipit count throughout the morning but by midday mipit movement had for the most part, ceased. 2 Spotted Flycatcher still around and a Wood Warbler seen just South of 'Icky Ridge.' Wryneck back in that area too around lunchtime. 2 Merlin heading South which makes 3 this month already - could be a good year for them! Also on the move 6 Blackcap, 10 Chiffchaff, 1 Garden Warbler, 16 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Greenfinch, 94 House Martin, 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 12 Siskin, 44 Swallow and 1 Yellow Wagtail. Offshore 20 Sandwich Tern and 2 Golden Plover.

Lesser Cockroach is a regular in one of our moth traps.

Ringing: 5 Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Garden Warber, 1 House Sparrow, 1 Linnet, 27 Meadow Pipit, 3 Reed Warbler, 6 Robin, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler.

Wednesday 17th September 2025

 

Plenty of Great Tit across the site after a good breeding year.

A cold and wet start. Rain didn't let up till around 10am but hunkered down migrants eventually began to emerge. 170 Meadow Pipit went South and a single Tree Pipit announced itself. A Short-eared Owl and 2 Snipe flushed on a walk round. 2 Spotted Flycatcher early afternoon in the compound and Wryneck still seaward side near concrete path. Other migrants 5 Blackcap, 40 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Little Egret, 2 Sand Martin, 4 Swallow, 2 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, 30 Willow Warbler and 1 Yellow Wagtail. Very little on the sea but 3 Gannet, 2 Gadwall, 3 Med Gull, 7 Sandwich Tern and 3 Teal.

Poplar Hawk Caterpillars often get blown out the trees in strong winds.

Ringing: 3 Blackcap, 21 Chiffchaff, 14 Willow Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatcher.

Tuesday 16th September 2025

 

Purple Sandpiper on the point.

 Not as wild as yesterday but still gusty enough to blow your cap off if you're not careful! Today saw a movement of around 94 Meadow Pipit South and a further 72 House Martin. Juvenile Kestrel doing the rounds and a Peregrine flew out the river. Wryneck still in usual place this morning but around lunchtime it moved in to the compound - almost accidentally flushed it into a net! Other migrants 10 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Siskin, 22 Swallow, 2 Wheatear, 5 Willow Warbler and 3 Yellow Wagtail. Offshore 2 Teal and 1 Grey Plover. 

A very recent arrival Radford's Flame Shoulder is likely colonising.

Ringing: 6 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler.

Monday 15th September 2025

 

"Blowing a hooley" makes birding difficult. Paltry selection of birds compared with yesterday including 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, Blackcap, House Martin, Wheatear, Whinchat & Wryneck. Offshore poor but included single Arctic Skua, Razorbill & the first 2 Brent of the autumn.

Square-spot Rustic should be common but is having a very poor year here.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap

Sunday 14th September 2025

 

Decent arrival of migrants including at least  61 Mipit, 35 Chiffchaff, 30 Blackcap, 8 Willow Warbler, 6 Lesser 'throat, 5 Grey Wag, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Wheatear, Goldcrest, Spot Fly, Wood Warbler & Yellow Wag plus loitering 3 Black Red & Wryneck. Southbound 93 Swallow, 8 Sand Martin, 3 House Martin & Marsh Harrier. Hoopoe still present in the children's play area in a nearby housing estate.

Musotima nitidalis is an adventive from the Antipodes that first turned up six years ago & is now well established.

Ringing: 15 Chiffchaff, 13 Blackcap, 3 Meadow Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Robin, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Wood Warbler.

BABINGTON'S BIRDS OF SUFFOLK

 BABINGTON’S BIRDS OF SUFFOLK 

Landguard Bird Observatory has been donated a fine copy of the ‘Catalogue of THE BIRDS OF SUFFOLK’ by CHURCHILL BABINGTON (1884-1886). This original author's presentation copy was given to a H. Parker & despite being nearly 140 years old it remains in very good condition. In an effort to raise funds for LBO, we are pleased to offer the book - an antiquarian masterpiece of its time. The book has a reserve price of £100.00. The highest bid/offer of a donation to LBO that is in excess of £100 and is received no later than 30th September 2025 shall become the proud owner & custodian of this book. Please email offers (in confidentiality) marked Babington to landguardbo@yahoo.co.uk

Saturday 13th September 2025

 

Grey-headed Wagtail thunbergi our star bird today paid us a visit from its breeding grounds in Northern Scandinavia or North West Siberia.

First Merlin this Autumn streaming along the beach Southwards just as the sun was getting up. Not too long after a Razorbill spotted heading South had chummed up with a couple Teal. One of the Yellow Wagtail today was of a more interesting flavour as we see much less Grey-headed Wagtail than we do for example Wryneck. Speaking of which is still present but being very elusive! Other migrants 8 Blackcap, 12 Chiffchaff, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Shoveler, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Wheatear, 6 Willow Warbler and 4 Yellow Wagtail.

Feathered Brindle is a nationally scarce species found in areas of coastal shingle.

Ringing: 4 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Willow Warbler.

Friday 12th September 2025

 Whatever possessed this Mediterranean Stick Insect to wander out of cover on to the observatory office wall? Who knows? But it's interesting to know they are surviving here. This species is capable of parthenogenesis - the ability to produce offspring without actually needing to mate.

The Wryneck has been very popular hanging out seaward side of the observatory. Blackcap aplenty accompanied by more Willow and Chiffchaff this morning. Other migrants 3 Grey Wagtail, 1 Hobby, 12 House Martin, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Meadow Pipit, 10 Robin, 48 Swallow and 1 Yellow Wagtail.

Some technical issues on a couple moth traps over night but given the poor weather it's unlikely we missed much. That didn't stop the one trap catching 11 Dark Sword-grass.

Ringing: 15 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Robin, 6 Willow Warbler, 1 Woodpigeon.

Thursday 11th September 2025

 

Wrynecks have this ability to reappear after a day or two and just when you think they've left - Voila! Of course we won't know for sure if its the same bird unless we ring it. Westerlies have been kind to us as of late at least for ringing totals and sure enough there were warblers in the bushes again. Migrants include 12 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Hobby, 86 House Martin, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Sparrowhawk, 48 Swallow, 4 Wheatear and 8 Willow Warbler. Offshore 2 Common Scoter, 46 Wigeon, 1 Redshank and 6 Shoveler.

Hoopoe was present again down the road. Please note that Adastral Close is a private area with no general access.

 Red-veined Darter - a migrant species nicely showing it's two-tone eye colour.

Ringing: 6 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Robin, 1 Whitethroat, 4 Willow Warbler, 1 Woodpigeon.

Wednesday 10th September 2025

 

Hobby whizzed over the point.

The bulk of yesterday's warblers have all moved on today as the bushes felt seemingly vacant. No Wryneck either however the Hoopoe has remained just outside our recording area in a nearby housing estate play park. A Tree Pipit heard early on behind the kitchen was notable. Other sightings include 3 Black Redstart, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Sparrowhawk, 84 Swallow, 3 Wheatear, 2 Whitethroat and 3 Willow Warbler. 

Light Emerald on its second emergence occurs in low numbers.

Ringing: Nil

Tuesday 9th September 2025

Yellow Wags often just pass over us but the occasional few drop in to join the local Pied Wags for a short while.

Plenty of sunshine, an influx of Blackcap and Chiffchaff now seemingly outnumbering Willow Warbler. A Marsh Harrier drifted South out at sea whilst having to dodge the local gulls and 2 Spotted Flycatcher again put on a bit of a show. A Hobby has been doing the rounds this morning and a Redstart also present. On the Buddleia a Wall Brown butterfly is always promising. Other migrants 20 Chiffchaff, 2 Grey Wagtail, 7 House Martin, 4 Meadow Pipit, 16 Robin, 3 Sand Martin, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Sparrowhawk, 140 Swallow, 6 Wheatear, 3 Whitethroat and 12 Willow Warbler.

Late news - Wryneck seen on reserve in bushes beach side of the Observatory!

Feathered Gothic turns up roughly one year in four despite being recorded regularly inland.

Ringing: 11 Blackcap, 2 Blue Tit, 8 Chiffchaff, 2 Great Tit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Starling, 2 Whitethroat, 4 Willow Warbler.

 

 

Monday 8th September 2025

 

Pleasant morning although a Hoopoe early on was most unfriendly as it did a quick disappearing trick. On the move southbound 672 Swallow, 71 House Martin, 18 Sand Martin, 12 Wigeon, 9 Shelduck, 3 Lapwing & Hobby. Amongst assorted fare on site 9 Wheatear, 8 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, 4 Lesser' throat, 3 Whinchat, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Yellow Wag, 2 Black Red, 2 Mipit, 2 Redstart, Grey Wag, Pied Fly & Reed Warbler. That 'long distant migrant', male Pheasant, first seen yesterday was again present.

First site record of the immigrant micro moth Euchromius ocellea which was a major rarity until a couple of years ago but now occurs more frequently in the UK.

Ringing: 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Blackbird, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Pied Flycatcher.

FENCING REMOVAL

It is planned to take down the temporary fencing for ground nesting birds & botany on the reserve this  Wednesday 10th September at 0930 hrs. Many hands make light work so all welcome. Please wear appropriate clothing & footwear for the job in hand with a pair of gardening type gloves also useful. If anyone wishes to undertake future voluntary tasks on the nature reserve the Ranger will be present to provide further details. 

Sunday 7th September 2025

 

Strong warm onshore wind abating during the afternoon brought some rewards for the effort put in. Southbound 267 Teal, 187 Swallow, 57 Wigeon, 44 Cormorant, 44 Shelduck, 18 Shoveler, 17 Sand Martin, 9 Great Black-backs, 7 House Martin, 6 Gadwal, 5 Oyk, 4 Gannet, 2 Arctic Skua, Barwit, Common Scoter, Manx & Sooty Shearwater with northbound 12 Gannet, 10 Common Tern, 10 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Scoter & Red-throated Diver. A Guillemot was close inshore off the point & a Purp was present in the afternoon. Birding on land difficult due to the wind included 10 Robin, 6 Willow Warbler, 5 Wheatear, 3 Lesser 'throat, 3 Redstart, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 2 Black Red, 2 Whinchat, Pied Fly, Yellow Wag & the first Short-eared Owl of the autumn.

Despite being widespread across Suffolk, Hedge Rustic has always been very infrequent here & is now on the IUCN Red List as "vulnerable" due to declining numbers.

Ringing: 2 Robin, 1 Blackcap, 1 Pied Flycatcher.

Saturday 6th September 2025

 

Sparrowhawk - not the best point of view if you are a Linnet.

Light Southerlies and a decent amount of cloud cover; what more could you ask for? At least 3 Pied Flycatcher present around the compound and a young Male Redstart out the front of the observatory in the bushes. 1 Spotted Flycatcher making it's way around the tops of the trees and a Nightingale also seen in the scrub. Still catching Willow Warbler but we have began to transition towards Chiffchaff season with around 7 cropping up today and a notable influx of Robin. Offshore turned up a Long-tailed Skua heading South but was lost when it decided to have a little rest on the sea. Other characters worth noting 2 Blackcap, 2 Black Redstart, 6 Grey Wagtail, 5 Meadow Pipit, 29 Pied Wagtail, 15 Robin, 2 Sand Martin, 3 Sparrowhawk, 73 Swallow, 4 Wheatear, 18 Willow Warbler and 6 Yellow Wagtail.

Also movement out at sea 25 Cormorant, 15 Common Tern, 1 Curlew, 4 Gadwall, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Mallard, 5 Med Gull, 2 Redshank, 23 Shelduck, 23 Teal and 7 Turnstone.

966 Agriphila geniculea in the traps this morning with probably twice that number in the bushes nearby!

Ringing: 4 Blackcap, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Great Tit, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Magpie, 3 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Redstart, 2 Reed Warbler, 3 Robin, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Willow Warbler. 

Friday 5th September 2025

 

Spotted Flycatcher out front of the observatory quite the crowd pleaser at one point.

After a turbulent start to September, calmer conditions finally got the ball rolling for a bit of migration. At least 2 Spotted Flycatcher were a bit easier to spot than an elusive Redstart seen behind the observatory. Whinchat numbers have doubled to 2 birds usually seen North of the boardwalk. 11 Sand Martin and 144 Swallow fancied this morning a good time to head South. Otherwise an array of migrants including 3 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Grey Wagtail, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 9 Meadow Pipit, 3 Reed Warbler, 10 Robin, 1 Sedge Warbler, 5 Wheatear, 6 Whitethroat, 12 Willow Warbler, 2 Yellow Wagtail. Other notable birds the first Goldcrest of Autumn and a Snipe.

1 Pied Flycatcher late afternoon.

Plumed Fan-foot is a recent colonist having first turned up six years ago.

Ringing: 3 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Robin, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Whitethroat, 5 Willow Warbler.

Thursday 4th September 2025

 

Willows still coming through.

Bright and blustery yet enough to encourage a few passerines out. Another showing of Willow Warbler for the most part but a singing Chiffchaff added an odd feel to the morning. Also 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Swift, 3 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat and 2 Yellow Wagtail. Offshore 1 Common Scoter, 1 Common Tern, 2 Gannet, 1 Grey Plover, 10 Sandwich Tern and the first 3 Wigeon this Autumn.

Scarce Bordered Straw is a regular autumn immigrant and varies a lot in numbers year on year. Also known as Cotton Bollworm it is regarded as a pest species across the world.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 7 Willow Warbler.

Wednesday 3rd September 2025

 A morning mostly dedicated to looking out at the big blue. Six species of wader managed with 152 Bar-tailed Godwit South a clear winner. Also 1 Greenshank, 17 Grey Plover, 20 Knot, 4 Oystercatcher and one 1 Whimbrel. Also over the water 14 Common Tern, 1 Cormorant, 4 Sandwich Tern, 5 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler and 13 Teal. Out in the scrub difficult to find any migrants in these conditions but Whinchat still North of the boardwalk.

Despite the gale always pleasing to see a Burnished Brass finding the moth trap.

Ringing: Nil.

Tuesday 2nd September 2025

22 Sarnies feeding around the river and beach.

September evidently just needed an extra day to get going as today wasn't quite as punishing. Two Sparrowhawk chasing each other at first light almost ended in fisticuffs. Also a Whinchat out in the reserve and a solid count of 6 Grey Wags passing over. Also of note 1 Blackcap, 2 Black Redstart, 10 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 8 Swallow, 4 Whitethroat, 3 Wheatear and 10 Willow Warbler. Offshore 5 Cormorant and 5 Teal whilst 9 Common Tern in the river.

Cochylimorpha straminea has only appeared 4 times in the past 20 years but more frequently in the past.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler.

 

Monday 1st September 2025

 

Bumper year for Small Heath.

Bright n' breezy. Birding hard work included 6 Willow Warbler, 4 Lesser 'throat, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Whimbrel, Wheatear & Whitethroat. Southbound 18 Swallow, 4 Sand Martin, 3 Grey Wag & Turnstone.

The fourth site record of Dewick's Plusia with individuals here probably primary migrants coming in.

Ringing: 1 Robin.

August Ringing Totals

 

322 birds of 29 species is over 50% up on last August's paltry total although roughly in par with several previous recent years. Willow's have had a better autumn than in many recent year's presumably aided by a better breeding season & several mornings with light north-westerlies drifting them our way.

Willow Warbler	120
Reed Warbler	29
Whitethroat	20
Lesser Whitethroat	14
Linnet	14
Pied Flycatcher	13
Blue Tit	12
Robin	11
Dunnock	10
Goldfinch	10
Sedge Warbler	10
Grey Wagtail	8
Blackcap	7
Cetti's Warbler	5
Wood Pigeon	5
Garden Warbler	4
Great Tit	4
Blackbird	3
Chiffchaff	3
Green Woodpecker	3
Sparrowhawk	3
Wren	3
Black Redstart	2
Great Spotted Woodpecker	2
Greenfinch	2
Song Thrush	2
House Sparrow	1
Starling	1
Whinchat	1

Sunday 31st August 2025

 

Fewer migrants & variety this morning although included 14 Willow Warbler, 7 Lesser 'throat, 4 Wheatear, 4 Yellow Wag, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, Chiffchaff & Whinchat. Overhead southbound 23 Swallow & 2 Grey Wag. Apart from 8 Teal south offshore other movements out to sea = nil.

First noted 20 years ago, Clancy's Rustic has colonised over the last ten years.

Ringing: 7 Willow Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Robin.

Saturday 30th August 2025

 

Three Wheatear still present.

Brilliant selection of Autumn migrants however most species arriving in small numbers. The party was at the mining station near the cottage this morning where one could find 2 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Redstart and 1 Whinchat. Tree Sparrow arrived fashionably late. Up in the compound a Spotted Flycatcher briefly seen - few and far sightings of those this year. Passage of Swallow continues with a further 61 birds South. Other VIB guests include 2 Black Redstart, 4 Grey Wagtail, 4 Reed Warbler, 4 Sand Martin, 2 Sedge Warbler, 3 Sparrowhawk, 6 Whitethroat, 10 Willow Warbler and 2 Yellow Wags.

Awesome Mothstrocity in the trap today, Convolvulus Hawkmoth is a migrant from North Africa.

Ringing: 2 Blue Tit, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Great Tit, 4 Grey Wagtail, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Robin, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler.