Saturday 25th April 2025

 

Once again a selection of late April migrants in small numbers including 8 Wheatear, 6 Lesser 'throat, 4 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Swallow, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler, Chaffinch, Mipit, Whimbrel plus the first Hobby & Swift of the year. Offshore southbound 10 Shelduck, 3 Black-headed Gull, 2 Fulmar & Oyk with northbound 12 Sandwich Tern, 2 Brent, Kitt, Red-breasted Merganser & Whimbrel. The Sanderling & a couple of Turnstone on the beach.

First Chamomile Shark for three years, although moth numbers & variety are still pathetic.

Ringing: 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler.

Friday 25th April 2025

 

With up to 5 males singing at times, who often have more than one wife each, then exactly how many Cetti's are actually frequenting the place ?

This mornings migrants were 8 Wheatear, 5 Swallow, 5 Lesser 'throat, 2 Chiffchaff & Firecrest. Offshore southbound 4 Fulmar, 3 Kitts, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Oyk, Curlew & Red-throated Diver with northbound 10 Barwit, 6 Sandwich Tern, 4 Whimbrel, 3 Common Tern, 3 Mute Swan, 2 Fulmar, 2 Oyk, Gannet & Kitt.

Pine Beauty very occasionally wanders down here, probably from no further away than the Custom's House grounds at the top of View Point Road.

Ringing: 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Firecrest.

Thursday 24th April 2025

 

Northerly airflow not ideal with this morning's migrants including 13 Wheatear, 3 Lesser 'throat, 3 Mipit, 2 Blackcap, 2 Swallow, Chiffchaff, White Wag & Yellow Wag. Another new Cetti's & a couple of Wrens turned up. Offshore movements again paltry with 2 Whimbrel & a Kitt the highlights.

Yesterday's Brown Argus, with compatriots out in the sunshine in the Fort moat again late morning.

Ringing: 2 Wren, 1 Blackcap, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff.

Wednesday 23rd April 2025

 

One of the three pairs of Robin on site are busy gathering food for chicks.

Migrants include 14 Wheatear, 4 Chiffchaff, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Swallow & White Wagtail. Offshore southbound 20 Black-headed Gull, 13 Common Gull, 6 Oyk, 5 Fulmar, 4 Med Gull, 2 Kitts & Curlew with northbound 5 Gannet, 3 Common Scoter, 2 Sandwich Tern & Fulmar. Best Fulmar day for quite some while. Late afternoon - Brown Argus in Fort moat 17 days earlier than last year's first.

A few more species, like Cabbage Moth, are finally starting to put in an appearance although numbers & variety still abysmal.

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

Tuesday 22nd April 2025

Light showers over night seem to have resulted in a selection of migrants around Landguard point today. A Firecrest first thing boded well for an interesting day. Also 2 Blackcap, 1 Chaffinch, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Jay, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Sand Martin, 1 Skylark, 2 Sparrowhawk, 3 Song Thrush, 9 Swallow, 11 Wheatear, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, 3 White Wagtail and 1 Yellow Wagtail.

Also at sea 2 Common Tern, 5 Med Gull, 8 Sandwich Tern, and 1 Whimbrel.

Common Whitethroats also making themselves heard but don't seem to be quite as abundant as the Lesser Whitethroats.

Esperia sulphurella is a day flying moth whose numbers seem to have erupted today!

Ringing: 2 Blackcap, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Wren

Monday 21st April 2025

 A bit more variety today as we found ourselves in overcast weather with some light rain overnight. There seemed to be quite a few new, calling Lesser Whitethroats arrived. It's not always easy to judge how many or if it's the same male just singing from bush to bush as he goes! Other migrants through, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 White Wagtail, 8 Wheatear and 2 Yellow Wagtail. 

A bit more to look at on the sea also; 5 Common Tern, 1 Curlew, 3 Kittiwake and 50 Whimbrel. 

Likely the last Fieldfare of the Spring but you never truly know.

In the trap this beautiful Lime Hawk-moth. Quite the rarity here but not surprising as we don't have any lime trees!

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

Sunday 20th April 2025

Not ideal wind conditions today for bird watchers or bird ringers alike but we persevere with a few notable sightings. A Yellow Wagtail in-off the reserve and 1 Whimbrel flew North. Also 1 Black Redstart, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Song Thrush, 5 Wheatear, 1 Whitethroat and 1 White wagtail still.

We have around 20 House Sparrows who like to hang out around the Ranger's cottage. They are actually very canny and hardly ever end up in the ringing room despite living here year round.

Doing well for early butterflies though this week! A Common Blue almost three weeks earlier than last year.

Ringing: 1 Willow Warbler.