MAY RINGING TOTALS 2025

 

161 birds of 23 species is an increase on last year mainly helped by the number of Chiffchaff who are having a good year and our breeding Long-tailed Tits. No Redstart ringed and 2 less Spotted Flycatcher with very few sightings of both species doesn't bode well.

Saturday 31st May 2025

The air had a bit of a Mediterranean feel this morning - very hot, humid and calm. There was however, enough Reed Warblers around to make you feel like you were at Minsmere. Also 2 Juvenile Coal tit, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Grey Wagtail and a new Whitethroat. 

In the trap a real beauty! Striped Hawk-moth is a migrant experiencing a good Spring across the South of the UK. We have only had half a dozen previous records. 

Ringing: 2 Coal tit, 1 Blackcap, 6 Reed Warbler, 1 Robin, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Wood Pigeon.

 

Friday 30th May 2025

South Westerlies continue and appear to have brought in some Reed Warbler - a few singing around the reserve. A couple Chiffchaff singing too whilst 2 House Martin, 9 Swallow and 7 Swift all going South! The Rabbits have produced plenty of kits now so can't see the fox going hungry any time soon.

The first Eudonia mercurella of the year which can be really common some years. The larvae feed on mosses.

Ringing: 1 Great Tit, 1 Reed Warbler. 

Thursday 29th May 2025

A bit of a struggle today to find any new arrivals apart from a couple of Chiffchaff. 12 Swallow heading South as per usual and a Swift. The first Meadow Brown of the year also noted. A lone, unattended, young Jackdaw was a bit of a concern as they tend to hang around the parents for quite a while once leaving the nest.

One of the UK's most common migratory moths, Silver Y, is low on numbers here so far this year. 

Ringing: 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Linnet, 1 Robin, 1 Woodpigeon. 

Wednesday 28th May 2025

 Some of us had given up hope for our breeding Long-tailed Tits but as if from nowhere we ringed 9 juveniles today. The first successful breeders for us here at LBO. Over night rain also blessed us with a few migrants (we will take what we can get right now). These include 1 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 4 Reed Warbler, a smattering of Swifts and Swallows and a House Martin South. Observed offshore were 2 Avocet, 6 Barnacle Geese and 10 Med Gull. A final Starling count reached 230 feeding out on the reserve and back up to 9 Shelduck. Still waiting for that end of May extra special bird though...

The adult was much easier to photograph than the youngsters.

Lunar Yellow Underwing is a UK Biodiversity Action Plan species due to its scarcity but Suffolk is a stronghold for the species. It occurs here in low numbers.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Dunnock, 9 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Robin. 

 

Tuesday 27th May 2025

Cattle Egret was circling over the reserve heading South first thing this morning against the rather strong winds. It would later appear we had peaked early but 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Sand Martin and 18 Swallow about. Offshore 5 Common Tern, 2 Fulmar, 6 Med Gull, 2 Sandwich Tern, 3 Swift and 2 Egyptian Geese on the beach. Great to see a juvenile Pied Wagtail on the office building. Harbour Porpoise also spotted.

Small Elephant Hawk-moth is usually a regular around this time.

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Great Tit.

 

Monday 26th May 2025

It was nice to end on a high with yesterdays Turtle Dove although it didn't stay longer than 20 minutes which tends to be the trend with these fellas. 

Today was also an enjoyable days birding as it kicked off with 25 Barnacle Geese North. Wild or feral still great to watch. 1 rogue Siskin was in with the Goldfinches today. Other migrants 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Greenfinch, 4 House Martin, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Sandwich Tern, 15 Swallow and 1 Swift. Offshore produced 10 Common Scoter, 15 Kittiwake and 8 Med Gull.

Waved Umber is becoming scarcer in Northern Counties but has also become annual here in recent years.

Ringing: 1 Great tit, 1 Linnet, 1 Reed warbler, 1 Robin.

Sunday 25th May 2025

Stronger winds seemed to stir up some half decent birds throughout the morning. 1 Hobby in off the sea decided to take a dive at the Starlings before heading North. Also in the raptor department 1 Male Sparrowhawk North and a Marsh Harrier South. 9 House Martin South also a good count for us as they have been so scarce this year here. Other migrants 2 Avocet, 87 Brent Geese, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Sand Martin, 7 Swallow, 2 Swift and 1 Whimbrel. 

Later news: A Turtle Dove dropped in the compound early afternoon!

Greenfinch back in the compound is welcome any day of the week

Our moth today is Small Square Spot Diarsia Rubi aptly named for the marks on his back but is sometimes easily confused with Square Spot Rustic Xestia Xanthographa.

Ringing: 5 Great tit, 1 Woodpigeon.