Tuesday 25th March 2025

 

60+ Redwing at dawn with today's other migrants 7 Mipit, 3 White Wagtail, 2 Black Red, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Firecrest, 2 Goldcrest, Brambling, Fieldfare, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Robin, Wheatear, Woodcock & a couple of new Blackies. Collared Dove are becoming more infrequent in recent years despite being just up the road.

Small Quaker is common in Suffolk but barely makes it onto the LBO year list.

Ringing: 3 Blackbird, 1 Firecrest, 1 Magpie, 1 Redwing, 1 Robin.

Monday 24th March 2025

A Northerly shift in the wind left us feeling just a few degrees chillier today however that didn't stop a few Chiffchaffs and Robins from dropping in. Over night the Redwings seemed to be buzzing with activity with many heard calling but soon moved off as the day brightened up. 

A Knot was photographed today hanging out with 25 Sanderlings. Still 3 Black Redstarts hopping around the bramble bushes occasionally joined by 3 White Wagtails and 1 Woodlark present. Up to 9 returning Shelduck now. 1 Red Kite drifted South (surprisingly only the 19th record for the observatory). 

Other migrants featured 1 Song Thrush, 1 Chaffinch, 6 Meadow Pipits, 7 Turnstone, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 Sparrowhawk.

In the trap first Diurnia fagella of the season which in some years can fairly common.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Robin, 1 Redwing

 

Sunday 23rd March 2025

Plenty of Spring migrants to keep us on our toes today such as this stunning adult male Black Redstart. By the end of the day we had counted 4. Still around 15 Redwing heard calling early morning but they move off pretty quickly. Another 1st year Grey Wagtail bodes well as a good year for them. A little fall of Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs around the observatory and 1 new Firecrest appeared. These closely followed by 1 Sparrowhawk in the area. Up high in the docks the Peregrine still casting a watchful eye. 

On the reserve plenty of migrants aside from the Black Redstarts. 2 Egyptian Geese and 1 Barnacle Goose made an appearance very early on. 3 White Wagtail picked out amongst several Pied Wagtail, 10 Meadow Pipit, 3 Song Thrush and a Sanderling. 

Ringing:  2 Blackbird, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, 3 Great tit, 6 Goldcrest, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Robin, 1 Wren.

SEASONAL FENCING ON NATURE RESERVE

It is planned to erect temporary fencing to help protect ground nesting birds & the sensitive shingle flora on Wednesday 26th 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.