Saturday 10th May 2025

More sunshine and it looks like the high pressure will continue well in to next week. All sorts of nesting activity being observed at the moment. Some of the first Linnet fledglings are making an appearance while the Pied Wagtail can be seen regularly taking food somewhere towards the docks. A Harbour Porpoise seen also for a second day not too far offshore.

Also of note 1 Ring Ouzel still on the reserve feeding around the bushes, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Song Thrush and 5 Swallow. 2 Common and 4 Sandwich Terns feeding offshore with the gulls. 

Light Brocade today which usually just about makes it on to the year list in small numbers. It favours rough ground and heathland.

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Linnet, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Wren.

Friday 9th May 2025

  Zero complaints about the weather today and sure enough there was a bit more insect activity in the sunshine. In the pond fresh Broad-bodied Chasers were emerging and judging by the amount of nymphs seen as we cleared out the blanket weed it should be a bumper year for them here.

Other sightings today singing Blackcap, 8 Swallow and 1 Ring Ouzel. Offshore 4 Gannet, 5 Sandwich Tern and 2 Kittiwake. 

The first Vine's Rustic of the year today. 

Ringing: 1 Robin

Thursday 8th May 2025

 

Migration has stalled with this mornings meagre offerings including Blackcap, Black Red, Ring Ouzel & Wheatear all have which have been here for several days. A new Robin did turn up and it was also pleasing to get the first couple of baby Robins taking their first flights. A couple of Turnstone are looking smart as they get ready to depart to the breeding grounds in the far north. 4 Sanderling on the beach.

The first Bordered Sallow of the year is a tad early out on parade when one considers the chilly nights recently. They live on Restharrow so Landguard is very much to their liking.

Ringing: 3 Robin, 2 Linnet, 1 Blackbird.

Wednesday 7th May 2025

 

Despite the chilly conditions a few Large Red Damselflies are appearing.

Today's paltry selection of migrants include Blackcap, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Ring Ouzel for her 10th day, Wheatear & some new Lesser 'throats continuing to arrive. Offshore northbound 20 Whimbrel, 12 Barwit, 7 Gannet, 3 Oyk & 2 Sandwich Tern.

Moth trap interest was picking up but with cooler northerly conditions prevailing it's resorted to low numbers & variety. Living on St. John's Wort Treble-bar is starting to come out.

Ringing: 4 Starling (pulli), 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldfinch.

Tuesday 6th May 2025

 Who put Summer on hold? At least today didn't stop this Wall Brown from coming out. Once a common sight it is now rare but would be excellent to see it return to the Landguard. Second record this month. 

On the bird front still 1 Ring Ouzel, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Song Thrush and 1 Wheatear. Offshore 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Whimbrel, 4 Sandwich Tern and 8 Common Tern. 

Our first Large Yellow Underwing of the season - sometimes our most common macro moth.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Linnet, 1 Chiffchaff.

Also colour ringed two more Blackbirds - please keep an eye out.

Monday 5th May 2025

Gusty Northerly winds brought an all round much colder feel today. The Gulls were still doing their thing close offshore and seemed to have spread the word as more has joined the feeding mob. Herring Gull now numbering over 600. Also offshore 1 Fulmar, 2 Gannet, 1 Kittiwake, 1 Med Gull, 3 Common Tern, 6 Sandwich Tern and 8 Common Scoter. 

Despite a lull in passerine movement migrants include 1 Chaffinch, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Willow Warbler and 1 Ring Ouzel still. Also 1 Hobby North.

Colder temperatures so no surprise; only two species of moth. The usual Shuttle-shaped Darts and this Tawny Shears.

Ringing: 1 Chaffinch, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Linnet, 1 Willow Warbler.

Sunday 4th May 2025

A few decent birds today. Highlight being an adult male Red-Footed Falcon in the morning flying North offshore. Large amounts of gulls also on the sea today provided an opportunity for a little count. 340 Herring, 43 Black-headed, 2 Great Black-back, 8 Lesser Black-back and 13 Common. Also joined by a 12 feeding Common Tern - perhaps something was spawning? Also at sea 28 Dunlin North, 4 Sanderling and 3 Whimbrel. 

The female Ring Ouzel has been with us for a week now. Also of note today 1 Tree pipit along with Blackcap, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and 1 Hobby. 

Chocolate-Tip today is a resident in small numbers here on the poplar trees.

Ringing: 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Linnet