Wednesday 23rd July 2023

 

Yesterday's Lesser Emperor

Gloomy start but the rain held off and a Hobby soon brightened up the day. It also managed to put up 14 Goldfinch - almost feels like a record this season! A young Black Redstart in the moat with a ring is most likely the bird we ringed 20 days ago. Other migrants 1 Juv Med Gull, 6 Oystercatcher, 7 Sand Martin, 5 Sandwich Tern, 7 Swallow, 4 Turnstone and 2 Willow Warbler.

With a moth list over 1000 species it gets tricky to add new ones but twice this year we have added 2 new ones in a day. These two must of wandered here overnight on the Northwesterly breeze.

Agonopterix ocellana lives on Willows.

Stathmopoda pedella lives on Alder.

Ringing: 1 Robin, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Willow Warbler.

Tuesday 22nd July 2025

Recent turbulent and rainy weather seems to have given the signal to a few a birds its time to make a move. The first couple Willow Warbler for the Autumn dropped in. Also passing through were 1 Blackcap, 28 Black-headed Gull, 45 Sand Martin, 3 Whimbrel, 9 Swallow and 30 Swift. Wandering singles of Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker. Redshank on the point and Lesser Emperor Dragonfly by the mining station.

Agapeta zoegana was formerly non-existent here but has shown up in most of the last 10 years.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Dunnock, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Woodpigeon.

 

Monday 21st July 2025

 

Deluge to mid-am followed by sunshine & showers. Immediately post heavy rain our first Arctic Skua of the year went north with southbound 12 Curlew, 7 Swift, 6 Cormorant, 3 Oyk, 3 Sand Martin, 2 Whimbrel, Common Gull & Great Crested Grebe plus northbound 2 Sandwich & a Common Tern. 2 Sanderling on the beach noted in a quick whiz round between showers.

First Garden Tiger for three years. Ubiquitous last century it is now on the IUCN Red List as "near threatened".

Ringing: nil.

Sunday 20th July 2025

 

Southbound 48 Black-headed Gull, 9 Common Gull, 3 Common Scoter, 2 Curlew, Med Gull, Oyk & Swallow with northbound 3 Common Tern, 3 Sandwich Tern, 2 Gannet & 2 Med Gull. Sandwich & a Common Tern were feeding off the point for a while. Second juv Green Wood of the autumn paid a visit.

Lesser-spotted Pinion has only been noted on a small handful of previous occasions.

Ringing: 1 Linnet, 1 Wren.

Saturday 19th July 2025

 

Mr. & Mrs. Kes have reared at least three young on the Cogent factory building opposite the top of View Point Road that are occasionally on the reserve in recent days. They may have more ?

Deluge overnight & first first thing followed by the odd shower. Southbound 45 Black-headed Gull, 5 Cormorant, 3 Common Gull, 3 Oyk, 2 Sandwich Tern & 2 Whimbrel Single Lapwing on the reserve & Turnstone near the point.

Evergestis limbata first showed up in 2017 & has been annual ever since. On 'moth of the day' we often feature recent arrivals & colonists. Don't be fooled that all is well in the moth department as species that have disappeared don't get featured as we have no recent photos of them - although we do feature species that have paid a visit having been absent for a while.

Ringing: 1 Linnet.

Friday 18th July 2025

 

Difficult to work out how many Muntjac frequent the place.

Southbound 30 Black-headed Gull, 11 Swallow, 6 Sand Martin, 2 Common Gull, 2 Common Tern & Sandwich Tern. First wandering juv Green Woodpecker of the autumn visited.

Our only previous record of an immigrant Scarce Black Arches following a warm sultry night was 21 years ago so good to get another one.

Ringing: 1 Green Woodpecker.

Thursday 17th July 2025

 

Yesterday's Juvenile Cuckoo

The Kestrels are out; 3 juveniles and one father looking a bit flustered at times. Also 2 juvenile Grey Wagtail present at first light. Other migrants 1 singing Chiffchaff,  4 Common Gull, 2 Curlew, 3 Sanderling and 2 Sandwich Tern. A few Jersey Tiger moths spotted in various places around the reserve.

First Tawny Wave for three years. It's a nationally scarce species with its stronghold in the Brecks or along the Suffolk coast.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Linnet, 1 Robin, 2 Wren. 

Wednesday 16th July 2025

When did this vibrant monstrosity spring up? It must of been some rapid growth given how often we walk the route but it wasn't noticed till today. Chicken of the Woods is a well known edible fungus best pan fried with a bit of seasoning but sorry to disappoint, we won't be opening up restaurant any time soon.

Plenty of bits and bobs coming through despite reasonably strong Westerlies. Bird of the day goes to a Juvenile Cuckoo late morning. Offshore some notable early waders 9 Oystercatcher, 8 Redshank, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Turnstone and 13 Whimbrel all heading South. Other migrants 17 Black-headed Gull, 9 Med Gull, 1 Juv Peregrine, 27 Sand Martin, 6 Sandwich Tern, 3 Swallow and 99 Swift.

Last century, White-line Dart was one of our commonest moths but it has since declined and is now on the red list as 'vulnerable.'

Ringing: 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Dunnock, 2 House Sparrow, 2 Linnet, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Whitethroat.

Tuesday 15th July 2025

The first Migrant Hawker this year photographed on Sunday.

A relatively calm start to the day but that was soon to change. 2 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow and 14 Swift battling the winds as they headed South. Offshore 2 Curlew, 7 Whimbrel and 2 Sandwich Tern. One new Juvenile Chiffchaff on site.

First recorded in the county here at Landguard 22 years ago, Tree Lichen Beauty quickly colonised and we now take them for granted in late Summer.

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Linnet, 1 Robin.

 

Monday 14th July 2025

 

Southbound 38 Black-heads, 6 Swift, 5 Common Gull, 3 Sand Martin, 2 Curlew, 2 Sandwich Tern, Med Gull, Swallow & Whimbrel plus a Gannet north.. Single Lapwing on site.

Third site record of Sciota rhenella with the only previous records on two consecutive days at the end of June 2022. It is an immigrant with the potential to colonise as it lives on Poplars.

Ringing: 1 Great Tit.

Sunday 13th July 2025

 

Migrants this morning, as autumn slowly grinds on, were 2 Sedge Warbler, Lapwing & Reed Warbler. Southbound 23 Black-headed Gull, 2 Grey Heron, Common Tern, Med Gull & Oyk with northbound 18 Swift, 2 Med Gull & Common Scoter. Are Sedgies starting to leave earlier in the autumn if they are arriving & breeding earlier in the spring - who knows ?

Black Arches are, apparently, common inland with this one our first for four years & only the ninth year we have ever noted it in. Some species just don't wander much.

Ringing: 2 Dunnock, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Linnet, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Whitethroat. 

Saturday 12th July 2025

Fox has been laying low lately with less scats being observed around the compound but if you are willing to get up early enough you can still spot them. 1 Sedge Warbler serves as another little reminder Autumn is just around the corner. Also of note 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Common Scoter, 3 Greenfinch, 2 Med Gull, 2 Song Thrush and 3 Swallow.  

Least Yellow Underwing missed the invite to last years moth list but one made up for it this year.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Dunnock, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Woodpigeon.

 

Friday 11th July 2025

 Just less than a month since our last Sanderling departed for breeding grounds in the high Arctic, the first of the Autumn cropped up on its way back today. Other notable sightings today 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Peregrine, 3 Sand Martin, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Swallow and 2 Swift. Offshore 14 Common Scoter North and 14 South - if they hadn't been seen at the same time we would of assumed it was the same flock!

Ground Lackey is nationally scarce found in Salt Marsh habitat. Occasionally one pays us a visit.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Cetti's, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Dunnock, 1 Great Tit, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Wren.

Thursday 10th July 2025

It has been a good year for the old hummers.

A bit slow today on the birding front. A couple young dispersing Song Thrush in the compound. Other new arrivals 3 Greenfinch, 2 Lapwing, 3 Med Gull, 5 Sand Martin and 3 Swallow.

The first site record of this micro Moth Isophrictis anthemidella was only 10 days ago but today another one turned up. Only first recorded in the UK five years ago this is a very recent visitor and likely coloniser.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Dunnock, 2 Linnet, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Woodpigeon, 2 Wren.

 

Wednesday 9th July 2025

Hot sunny weather forecast for the rest of the week but it seems to be raining 7 Spot Ladybirds at the moment rather than the usual precipitation we receive. We are still seeing the odd juvenile Black-headed Gull moving South alongside adults. Also on the move 1 Blackcap, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Little Egret, 10 Med Gull, 6 Swallow and 2 Swift. Another Southern Migrant Hawker spotted in the compound today.

Poplar Lutestring has only been noted here on a handful of occasions.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Starling, 1 Wren.

Tuesday 8th July 2025

Starling counts fluctuate here but a decent 350 birds today; many exercising their right to bathe communally in the puddles. Lots of the youngsters fledging now are the result of second broods. Other migrants 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Curlew, 2 Med Gull, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Sandwich Tern, 1 Sand Martin, 4 Swallow and 2 Swift. A rogue Tufted Duck flew South and Peregrine present in the dock.

Least Carpet has colonised over the last 30 years. It is still slowly increasing its range North and West.

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Linnet, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Wren.

Monday 7th July 2025

 

Northerly breezy felt quite autumnal. Southbound 25 Black-headed Gull & 4 Meds. Nowt else to report. Good to see a juvenile Greenfinch.

Bulrush Wainscot is an autumnal species just starting to come out of the bulrush's in the pond.

Ringing: nil.

Sunday 6th July 2025

 

Southbound 19 Black-headed Gull, 3 Swallow, Curlew & Oyk. Reed Warbler on the Butts, juv Black Red & juv Stock Dove on the reserve + a young Sedge Warbler which is roughly a fortnight before autumn passage should be getting underway in this species (not that we get many anyway).

Fen Wainscot is a reed bed species that turns up occasionally in very low numbers.

Ringing: 3 Robin, 2 Wren, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Dunnock, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Whitethroat.

Saturday 5th July 2025

 

Jewel Wasp Hedychrum sp. photographed yesterday afternoon in the sun. 

Overnight showers and plenty of cloud cover made for a much cooler day. At least 19 Swift on the move and another Juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker paid us a visit. Also 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow and 3 Whimbrel. A juvenile Med Gull too heading south with some adult birds on the sea - evidence of breeding likely not too far away.

The Sycamore failed to appear last year so it's good to get a couple today.

Ringing: 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Wren.  

Friday 4th July 2025

Yesterday's Southern Migrant Hawker - the first record here was only in 2021.

Still a steady trickle of Black-headed Gulls moving South this morning. Other notable sightings include 2 Black Redstart, 1 Curlew, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Peregrine (taking out a starling), 3 Med Gull, 4 Swallow and 1 Whimbrel. An unseasonal Brent Goose hanging around too.

Pempelia genistella is Nationally Scarce but does well on the Suffolk coast. They feed on gorse.

Ringing: 1 Blue Tit, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Robin.

 

Thursday 3rd July 2025

 

A much cooler start today but with no cloud cover Summer was quick to get back on form. 2 Black Redstart present as one ventured in the compound and another was located out on the point. Also of note 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Peregrine, 1 Reed Warbler and 2 Swift. 

A small influx of Emperor Dragonflies today brought with them 1 Southern Migrant Hawker. A quest to look for Spurge Hawk-moth Caterpillars was unsuccessful but it did turn up an Adonis Ladybird. 

First recorded here in 2020 Plumed Fan-foot has probably colonised.

Ringing: 1 Black Redstart, 1 Dunnock, 1 Great Tit, 1 Linnet.

Wednesday 2nd July 2025

The daily bird tally seemed a little lacking today primarily due to the three moth traps filled to the brim, stealing the spotlight. However a new Juvenile Song Thrush and Blackbird present this morning and 27 Black-headed and 6 Med Gull observed moving South. New Cetti's still being ringed.

It took 6 hours to sort through today's moth mania ultimately identifying 166 different species. The soaring temperatures of yesterday coupled with high humidity saw many species erupt in numbers for example Chrysoteuchia culmella of which only 8 were trapped yesterday now totaled 678. But here are a few stars of the show:

First site record of Light Crimson Underwing. A rare moth in the UK but known to breed in New Forest National Park.

Another first for Landguard Epiblema turbidana and second Suffolk record. Very striking green eye!

Perhaps the wildest yet - Israeli Tiger Moth. This is the second UK record with the first being trapped here 6 years ago. Given this species is extremely rare in its native range it really is a wonder how it ended up here at LBO.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Song Thrush.  

 

Tuesday 1st July 2025

One for sorrow, two for joy and three for directions to the local ferry terminal.

Calm conditions with a bit of cloud cover ensured July's ringing total got off to a flying start. A young Kestrel appeared today and spent the day being mobbed by Linnets as it explored its new surroundings. 1 Black Redstart also present. Other migrants include 1 Curlew, 1 Lapwing, 6 Sandwich Tern, 2 Swift and 1 Whimbrel. 

Juvenile Siskin ringed in the evening.

Six-belted Clearwing moths are out on the Birds-foot-trefoil. Much easier to find and count when you have a pheromone lure.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 2 Blackcap, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Dunnock, 1 House Sparrow, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Linnet, 1 Magpie, 1 Robin, 1 Siskin, 1 Woodpigeon, 4 Wren.

JUNE RINGING TOTALS

 

155 birds of 20 species is in many respects a similar year to 2024 albeit 11 birds less. Cetti's Warbler have bred again for a second year running and have seen success on at least 2 broods so far. The Tits both Blue and Great have managed to carry the ringing total this month as we ringed less than half our usual Linnets. Not so many young House Sparrows around either which was expected with less adults being observed. Blackbird is another species which seems to have had an abysmal breeding year but there is still time. 

Species	No. Ringed
Blackbird	4
Blackcap	4
Blue Tit	22
Cetti's Warbler	5
Chiffchaff	9
Coal Tit	2
Dunnock	14
Goldfinch	2
Great Spotted Woodpecker	1
Great Tit	33
Grey Wagtail	2
House Sparrow	3
Lesser Whitethroat	6
Linnet	15
Reed Warbler	6
Robin	6
Starling	2
Whitethroat	5
Woodpigeon	2
Wren	12
Total	155

Monday 30th June 2025

Hot & humid start. A dispersing juvenile Wheatear near the point will have been bred not far away so good to know a pair has churned a brood out somewhere up the coast. An adult Lapwing on the reserve will be a post-breeder coming into the country to moult, probably from the Low Countries. Finally another Great Spot visited. 

In the evening around 250 Starling were feeding not far from the point and a single Shelduck possibly the last of the year yet to depart. 

Gypsonoma minutana is a nationally scarce species living here on the Poplars.

Ringing: 1 Woodpigeon.