Saturday 12th April 2025

More glorious sunshine accompanied with a light breeze. The wind has shifted round to the North East but that didn't stop the birds. Sightings today include 15 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, 2 Black redstart, 1 Eider on the river later joined by a Canada Goose, 2 Kestrel, 2 Meadow Pipit, 13 Shelduck, 5 Song Thrush (Continental), 5 Swallow, 4 Wheatear and 1 White Wagtail. The Cetti's invasion continues as another new bird was ringed today (Not that anyone is complaining).

Enjoying his stay, the Eider has been fine dining on local crab and Suffolk mussels

 The mist nets often pick up interesting insects such as this Dock Bug. A fitting name given our location but it actually refers to the foodplant. 

Ringing: 4 Blackcap, 11 Chiffchaff 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Song Thrush.

Friday 11th April 2025

 

As the wind finally shifted South West we were greeted by a reasonable fall of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps amongst a few others. An early record of Reed Warbler turned out to be the earliest in LBO history by 1 day. We also had the first Willow Warbler of the year. 

The Drake Eider was still floating on the river all morning. Also of note 3 Black Redstart, 2 Meadow Pipit, 4 Ringed Plover, 10 Swallow, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Sanderling and still 2 White Wagtail.

Ringing:  1 Blackbird, 11 Blackcap, 18 Chiffchaff, 1 Linnet, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler

Thursday 10th April 2024

 

Dull start, brightening up late morning. Fewer migrants today with 4 Mipit, 3 Black Red, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 White Wag, Fieldfare, Redwing, Swallow, Wheatear plus this fine drake Eider on the river side.

Only the second Early Thorn of the season so far.

Ringing: 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Wood Pigeon.

Wednesday 9th April 2025

 

Black Red on the skip at the cottage.

Overcast for a change but still a nagging cold northerly airflow with the high pressure. Battling through on migration, despite the weather conditions were 12 Chiffchaff, 7 Mipit, 3 Black Red, 2 Blackcap, Fieldfare, Redwing, Song Thrush (continental type) plus the first Sedge Warbler of the spring (our 4th earliest on record). Single Sanderling on the beach. Offshore movements are currently pathetic with this mornings offerings being southbound 7 Oyk, 2 Meds with northbound 3 Brent & a Red-throated Diver. A pair of secretive Song Thrush's at the north end of the reserve are doing a sneaky on us & are now collecting food.

The number & variety of moths so far this month is lamentable. Only two moths this morning did include the first Muslin moth of the year, a male with females only seen very occasionally.

Ringing: 7 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 2 Linnet, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Song Thrush.

Tuesday 8th April 2025

Fine weather and a few birds to accompany it. More Chiffchaffs have been coming through keeping the ringing room busy. Species of note around the reserve include 1 Black Redstart, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Kestrel, 1 Redwing, 5 Ringed Plover, 1 Sanderling, 4 Turnstone, 1 Wheatear, 1 White Wagtail and 1 Woodlark. 

On the sea 27 Brents North, 2 Med Gulls, 2 Oystercatcher and 1 Red-breasted Merganser up the estuary

A wandering Rook today showing off a very flashy white primary feather on his right wing.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 10 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Woodpigeon

 

Monday 7th April 2025

A calmer and all round pleasant day for birding in Suffolk today. Plenty of Chiffchaffs and some Blackcaps showing face; one Blackcap with a short burst of song! 1 Black Redstart has reappeared around the practice guns and 1 male Wheatear still in the fenced area by the point. A new Song Thrush showing 'greyer' tones suggesting continental origin. Other migrants include 2 Sanderling, 2 Med Gull North, 2 White Wagtail and another new Cetti's warbler!

 5 Turnstone today in Winter plumage can usually be spotted on the beach.

Today also saw the first Shuttle-shaped Dart of the year. This is about when we expect to start seeing them and will potentially become our most numerous moth.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 3 Linnet, 1 Song Thrush 

Sunday 6th April 2025

A gusty yet sunny day at Landguard. While migration is feeling slightly underwhelming we are still seeing familiar faces pass through. Among those 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Fulmar North, 1 Swallow, 1 Wheatear, 1 White Wagtail, 2 Shoveler, 1 Siskin and 4 Turnstone. 

We have been recording up to 8 pairs of Shelduck back on the reserve but we should expect to start seeing less as females find suitable nesting holes to incubate their eggs. 

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff