Chilly, breezy morning with very few migrants to "upset the apple cart" included 2 Goldcrest, Black Red, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff plus the second Swallow of the spring. Southbound 89 Black-headed Gull, 8 Common Gull, 5 Med Gull, 2 Rook, 2 Shelduck & Little Egret. Singing Skylark still with us.
Ringing: 1 Goldfinch.
A bright but blustery morning, with wind coming from the NW. Provided us with a somewhat notable visitor in the shape of a Reed bunting, the first this year, with one not seen since November 9th last year. A not so common visitor due to only a few sparse areas of reedbed on site.
Cold westerly gale not ideal. This didn't prevent a Swallow quickly flying through which equals our third earliest date with the first ever on the 14th March 2017. Starling numbers built up to 150 as they gather up before contemplating crossing the North Sea back to mainland Europe. Other spring migrants limited to 7 Chiffchaff, 5 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing single Fire & Goldcrest. Offshore southbound 16 Common Gull, 14 Black-headed Gull, 3 Common Scoter, Great Crested Grebe, Little Egret, Med Gull, Red-breasted Merganser & Red-throated Diver with the gulls mostly on their way back to the continent having wintered in Britain.
Ringing: 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest.
Lesser Redpoll ringed Hockai, Liege, Belgium 28th January 2024 was retrapped 363 km away at LBO 22nd October 2025 is probably a bird from Northern Britain that was wintering in Belgium then caught on migration heading towards the continent the following year.
Blackbird ringed LBO 27th October 2023 was retrapped 20 km away at Witnesham 4th March 2026. This would have been on autumn passage here although difficult to know whether it has settled in Suffolk or is a wintering bird from the continent heading back out this spring.
CHANGE OF DATE FROM WEDNESDAY TO THURSDAY THIS WEEK
It is now planned to erect the temporary fencing to help protect ground nesting birds & the sensitive shingle flora on Thursday 26th March 0930 hrs start. Please meet at the old seawatch hide and wear sensible footwear, gardening type gloves & clothing for the task in hand. Many hands make light work so the more people who can turn up the better.
It is planned to erect temporary fencing to help protect ground nesting birds & the sensitive shingle flora on Wednesday 25th March 0930 hrs start. Please meet at the old seawatch hide and wear sensible footwear, gardening type gloves & clothing for the task in hand. Many hands make light work so the more people who can turn up the better.
Ringing: 1 House Sparrow, 1 Redwing.
Springstar Ipheion uniflorum is native to Argentina & Uruguay & this may be the first site record. Not sure of the beastie on it so if anyone out there knows please drop us an email.
With the winds changing to South Easterly greater prospects of migration were somewhat realised with a Black Redstart arriving. Other migrants include 6 Chiffchaffs, Fieldfare & Goldcrest.
Another slow day for migrants, 1 Redwing, 2 Chiffchaff, with the highlight being 4 Pintail flying south — an unusual sight for this time of year here.
Other southbound movement included 11 Brent Geese, 3 Red-throated Divers and a Gannet. A raft of 25 scoter remains present offshore. 2 Turnstone present at shoreline.
Ringing: 2 Chiffchaff
Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Great Tit.
First Blackcap this spring with other migrants including 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Chaffinch, 3 Goldcrest, 3 Mipit & Woodcock. Southbound 28 Red-throated Diver, 9 Wood Pigeon, 7 Common Gull, 2 Gannet, 2 Oyk, 2 Knot, Heron & Rook with northbound 54 Red-throats. First Comma butterfly of the year was seen.
Ringing: 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Woodcock, 1 Wood Pigeon.
Chilly morning. 472 Cormorant went north a fair way out. Very few migrants included single Redwing, Skylark, new Blacky & the first White Wagtail of the spring. 4 Rook flew south.
Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Redwing.
Overnight gale subsided but very little to report. On site 2 Goldcrest, 2 Stock Dove, Chiffchaff & Skylark plus 3 Chaffinch flying south. Offshore southbound 13 Dunlin, 6 Brent & a Shelduck with northbound 3 Gannet.
Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Wren.
Ringing: 2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Chiffchaff.
21 Skylark is the highest spring count since the mid 1990's & only the second double figure March count this century. Decent selection of early/mid-March fare with 15 Blackies, 11 Mipit, 8 Goldcrest, 7 Redwing, 6 Chiffchaff, 5 Song Thrush, 3 Chaffinch, 3 Jackdaw, 2 Siskin, Greenfinch & Yellowhammer. Single overwintering Fire & Goldcrest from last autumn noted as was the Snow Bunting from early January & the male Stonechat from recent days. Southbound 39 Brent, 17 Barnacles & 4 Oyks. A marauding "murder of 35 Crows" was less welcome as a large gang of juvenile delinquents last spring had a deleterious effect on ground nesting birds.
Ringing: 6 Goldcrest, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackbird, 2 Redwing, 1 Linnet, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Song Thrush.
Fog, unpleasant for both birds & human observers, doesn't stop those disorientated individuals from turning up. Newbies in today include 12 Mipit, 3 Chaffinch, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Golden Plover, 2 Skylark, Curlew, Redwing, a couple of new Blackies & the first Black Redstart of the spring around by the Museum. Leftovers from recent days include 3 Goldcrest, Fieldfare & Stonechat. Lingering Snow Bunt still here. Wing lengths on Chaffinch's up to 95 mm indicating that they originate well to the north-east of here.
Ringing: 3 Chaffinch, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackbird.
This years AGM will be held on Saturday 14th March 2026. Members should have received an agenda plus minutes of last years meeting. If not please email landguardbomembership@gmail.com for details.
2 probably 3 Woodcock in the compound late morning will be heading back to the continent & the first Stonechat of the year was on the reserve. Few other migrants noted with a new Goldcrest joining a couple remaining from yesterday with an overwintering Firecrest still with us. 7 Common Scoter offshore & a Skylark in song maybe one hanging around. Offshore 9 Red-throated Diver went north & one south but otherwise deadly quiet.
Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Wren.
The trickle of early March migration continues with the first 3 Goldcrest of the spring plus 5 Jackdaw, 4 Chaffinch, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Siskin, Fieldfare & Red Kite. In the days before the mass introduction of Red Kites in England March was the month when genuine wild Red Kites would occur as rare visitors to our shores so its impossible to know whether this one is a genuine migrant or offspring from the release scheme. Murky offshore although 4 Pintail south worth a mention & only 7 Common Scoter noted. Single Snow Bunting still here.
Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, 1 Robin, 1 Wren.
Ringing: 4 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackbird.
First Chiffchaff of the spring is bang on cue although other migrants were limited to a Skylark heard & a new Dunnock which may, or may not, be on the move. Raft of Common Scoter still offshore & one of the wintering Firecrest was noted.
Pleasant sunny morning with a southerly breeze produced very few migrants to bother us with a new Robin & a Skylark overhead about it. A single male Shelduck was walking around the reserve early on looking for luv, which will cause disruption when the locally paired breeders turn up any day now. 2 Snow Bunting still here.
Meteorological spring supposedly begins today but it still feels like winter down here. 105 Cormorant went out fishing early doors. Raft of Common Scoter offshore & 2 Snow Bunting present & accounted for. 2 Song Thrush singing in the compound which explains the new one ringed.
Ringing: 1 Song Thrush.
Dull very predictable end to the month. 2 Snow Bunting still here. Roll on spring !
Drizzly start to the morning. Offshore sightings have been largely non-existent with an hours effort producing southbound 9 Gannet, 5 Brent & 2 Red-throated Diver with northbound 6 Brent & Great Crested Grebe. 50 Common Scoter offshore, 2 Snow Bunting on back beach & an elusive wintering Firecrest on the reserve. Peregrine sightings have been very infrequent so far this year so good to see one this morning.
First Siskin of the year went past with other migrants single Fieldfare, Mipit & Skylark. Only 20 Common Scoter this morning, 3 Snow Bunting still here plus a new Long-tailed Tit visited with some locals.
Glorious sunny, mild day for the time of the year. Good chunk of time spent putting up the nets for the season so observations limited to 2 Barnacle Geese south, usual raft of Common Scoter & the Snow Bunts.
Further information on Occasional Grants, who is eligible & how to apply are on -
https://felixstowe.gov.uk/council-services/grants/
406 Cormorant went out fishing, 50 Common Scoter & 3 Snow Bunting still present. 48 Linnet is the best count of the year so far.
308 Cormorant went out fishing, 50 Common Scoter offshore, 3 Snow Bunts out the back, Fieldfare & Skylark on the reserve.
Ringing: 1 Fieldfare.
Couple of notable sightings this morning with a croaking Raven paying a visit winding up the local crows, our eighth site record with only three of those this century, all being in the last two years. Also a Yellowhammer landing in the Hawthorn by the observatory before departing north being our first since 22nd February 2024 almost two years ago to the day. Early spring passage of Yellowhammers from late February onwards used to be the norm but, alas, no more. Also this morning southbound 4 Egyptian Geese, Curlew & Oyk with 50 Common Scoter offshore, 3 Snow Bunts on the back beach & a Skylark.
The moth traps were put out last night, as it is getting milder, producing 'nil pois' reminding us that it is still winter & it can take a couple of milder nights to get things going.
Predictable morning. Todays migrants are 3 Lapwing & a Skylark. 50 Common Scoter offshore, 6 Sanderling on beach early doors & the usual 3 Snow Bunts on back beach.
Vicious easterly gale overnight gusting to Force 9. Rain, then drizzle with wind abating this morning. 700 Cormorant went out fishing early doors, 3 Snow Bunts on back beach, 2 Turnstone with 2 Lapwing the mornings migrants obviously keen to head back to breeding grounds.
Bit windy although a tight raft of Common Scoter is visible bobbing up & down in the waves with an additional flock of 20 flying north distantly. 3 Snow Bunts still with us.
430 Cormorant went out fishing early, 4 Stock Dove & a Canada Goose flew south, Common Scoter flock distantly offshore & 3 Snow Bunts still here. 2 Peregrine were having a tête-à -tête offshore before one saw the other off. A Goldcrest, in the Holm Oaks, is probably the same bird as seen a month ago that will be attempting to overwinter here.
Pleasant morning after yesterday's windy deluge. 11 Starling flew south. Also noted 70 Common Scoter, Cetti's, Mipit, Skylark & the first 2 Greenfinch since this species was last noted on 17th November 2025. Long gone are the days when Greenies were a daily feature here regardless of the time of year.
Wet n' windy. Please cut & paste any recent blogs to find out what may, or may not, be here !
This years AGM will be held on Saturday 14th March 2026. Members should have received an agenda plus minutes of last years meeting. If not please email landguardbomembership@gmail.com for details.
Some pleasant sunshine for a change after a dull chilly start. 415 Cormorant went out fishing plus another 450 came in from the north. Very little moving offshore. 3 Skylark & a Curlew northbound are today's migrants. 70 Common Scoter offshore, 2 Sanderling & 2 Turnstone on the beach with 3 Snow Bunts still with us.
70 Common Scoter offshore, 3 Snow Bunts back beach, Fieldfare on the reserve & Woodcock in compound. 31 Starling is worth a mention considering how scarce they have been recently.
Another damp dull morning. 483 Cormorant went out fishing, Common Scoter flock has increased to 90, 27 Brent went north & 3 Snow bunting again on back beach.
880 Cormorant headed out fishing. Southbound 37 Knot, 6 Oyk, 6 Red-throated Diver, 5 Brent, 2 Pintail, 2 Shelduck, 2 Teal, 2 Wigeon & Curlew with northbound 72 Brent, 13 Red-throats & Common Scoter plus the regular 50 Scoter sat offshore. 3 Snow Bunting still here.
A slightly dryer morning.
3 Snow Bunting still here, singing Song Thrush on the Butts & Woodcock in the compound.
5 Ringed Plover and 4 Pied Wagtails on the reserve and beach.
2 Kittiwakes following a boat
30 Starlings north was the first sizeable flock of the year.
Ringing - nil.
The unpleasant inclement wet conditions with poor visibility persists. 1,440 Cormorant went out fishing early, 3 Snow Bunting still here, single Redwing, Song Thrush & Woodcock in the compound.
Chiffchaff ringed LBO 7th October 2025 was retrapped 692 km away at Plaisance, Saint-froult, Charente-maritime, France 6th November 2025 on its way south for the winter.
Goldcrest ringed LBO 8th October 2025 was retrapped 126 km away at Holme, Norfolk on 13th October 2025 will have been on migration at both sites.
Goldcrest ringed LBO 19th October 2025 killed itself flying into a glass window 248 km away in Sheffield, South Yorkshire on 3rd February 2026 will have been on migration here before, surprisingly, moving north to spend the winter.
Wet 'n windy with poor visibility. 3 Snow Bunting still here.
Ringing: 1 Blackbird.
Updated Systematic lists of rare birds, escapes, butterfly, dragonfly, mammal & moths on https://www.lbo.org.uk/systematic-lists/
SEASONAL WARDEN LANDGUARD BIRD OBSERVATORY
Applicants need to be competent birdwatchers and have a BTO bird ringing ‘C’ permit with a mist net endorsement as a minimum requirement. An interest in other aspects of natural history and biological recording is also needed.
The position runs from Mid-March until mid-November 2026. A job description is available on request. If you require any specifics, please don’t hesitate to ask. Please e-mail landguardbo@yahoo.co.uk
Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Robin.
Thank you to existing members for the support you gave to Landguard Bird Observatory over the last 12 months. It is through your continued membership and donations that the Observatory is able to continue the important work it does.
550 Cormorant went out fishing early, 50 Common Scoter offshore, good to see Mr. & Mrs. Kestrel cavorting together, 26 Linnet shows signs of upcoming spring, 3 Snow Bunts on back beach and, as it's a pleasant calm morning, the 2 elusive overwintering Firecrest were rounded up.
Wet n' windy morning. 595 Cormorant went out fishing, 35 Common Scoter & 34 Kitts offshore, southbound 6 Shelduck, 5 Common Scoter & 3 Brent plus 3 Snow Bunts in favourite spot.
