Saturday 17th May 2025

In many respects a similar day to yesterday but a singing Greenfinch is a novelty these days. Also Female Sparrowhawk circling above the observatory early AM. The Ring Ouzel has made it to day 20 making it a Landguard record breaker. Also to report 2 Reed Warbler and 11 Swallow. In the evening 168 Brent Geese North and Common Sandpiper heard on the river.

Fledging Robins have been hopping around the undergrowth. We have ringed four of the young reared here but today we ringed a dispersing juvenile from elsewhere.

Pine Knot-horn Dioryctria abietella is a pine wood specialist. It last graced us with its presence in 2021.

Ringing: 1 Magpie, 1 Robin.

Friday 16th May 2025

There's a bit of a chill to these Northerlies but some birds are coming through nonetheless. The long staying Ring Ouzel is on the brink of breaking a record. Other migrants include 1 Black Redstart, singing Chiffchaff and Reed warbler, 2 Chaffinch, 1 House Martin, 5 Sand Martin, 1 Skylark, 5 Swallow and 2 Swift. 

Stock Dove has appeared more than usual this year even occasionally showing up as a pair.

The Delicate is a well known coastal migrant which is now suspected to have colonised.

Ringing: 2 Goldfinch, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Linnet, 2 Reed Warbler.

Thursday 15th May 2025

 

Young Starlings should be out of the cottage nest box imminently.

Handful of migrants included 2 Chiffchaff, new Lesser 'throat & Whitethroat, procrastinating Ring Ouzel plus the first Spot Fly of the year. Single Whimbrel flew north.

Clouded-bordered Brindle pays us a visit roughly one year in three.

Ringing: 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Linnet, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Whitethroat.

Wednesday 14th May 2025

 

Northerly winds in high pressure looks stuck at the moment. Lesser 'throats still turning up including one originally ringed here three years ago, Other new migrants very few in number included 6 Swallow & a Sand Martin. Ring Ouzel still here for it's 17th day. Grey Heron flying north is, presumably, a non-breeder.

We do well here for Mullein Wave, which is largely a coastal species.

Ringing: 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Linnet.

Tuesday 13th May 2025

The high pressure continues but a much breezier day today. A calling Redshank over early AM was a first for the year here. Also to report 1 Chaffinch, 1 House Martin, 8 Swallow and another Little Tern over the beach. Offshore still some Kittiwakes moving North, 4 Med Gull, 12 Sanderling and 2 Sandwich Tern. 

The Harbour Porpoise has reappeared first spotted on Friday.

White Ermine Moth would do well in a fashion show. A common species but we don't catch too many here.

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Robin.

Monday 12th May 2025

A few quirky sightings today as at least a few birds seemed to be moving. Highlight was probably 2 Little Terns over the beach being mobbed by the resident Ringed Plover pair. Also 1 lone Barnacle Goose South, 1 Black Redstart, 1 singing Blackcap, 2 Chaffinch and 2 Song Thrush (1 this years young). Female Ring Ouzel still present. In the afternoon a female Whinchat was located just out the front of the Observatory.

Offshore 8 Little Egret flew East and were lost to view, 6 Common Scoter, 3 Common Tern, 5 Dunlin, 20 Kittiwake and a Sandwich Tern.

7 pairs of Shelduck today but no ducklings yet - there's still time.

The moth of the day is this micro Ancylus laetana. Being only the second site record it has potential to colonise on the poplars here.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Robin, 1 Song Thrush.

Sunday 11th May 2025

A hot sleepy Sunday and despite warm Easterlies there was little movement in the bird department. Feeding Common Terns and some Kittiwake offshore whilst 2 Chaffinch, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Sand Martin and some Swallows about the reserve. 1 Female Ring Ouzel still present. Also 2 Common Seals swimming off the beach. There were plenty of 'year ticks' for our invertebrates today. 

Four-spotted Chaser sunning itself on the ridge.

All in all, 8 Butterfly species recorded today including the first Holly Blue of the year. Large Red Damselfly also a notable find. 

Figure of Eighty gets its name from the '80' mark on the wing. Although it's much clearer in some individuals compared to others!

Ringing: Nil.