Wednesday 23rd September 2026

 

The first site record of Fox was a one off sighting in 1994 & since 2001 they have colonised & are now ubiquitous across Felixstowe despite culling in the countryside nearby.

Garganey flying south was only the tenth site record & our first for ten years. Entertaining southerly movement including 502 Teal, 242 Wigeon, 64 Swallow, 35 Brent, 25 House Martin,18 Common Tern, 13 Shoveler, 12 Pintail, 7 Avocet, 6 Turnstone, 5 Common Gull, 5 Common Scoter, 5 Shelduck, 4 Red-throated Diver, 3 Gadwal, 3 Gannet, 2 Heron, 2 Knot, 2 Oyk, Arctic Skua & Sanderling with northbound Black Tern, Gannet & Red-throat + a Skylark in off. Measly numbers of grounded migrants with 10 Chiffchaff, 2 Wheatear, Songie & Whinchat best of a grim selection.

Barred Sallow wanders down here in the autumn from areas with Beech & Maple.

Ringing: 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Robin, 1 Song Thrush.

Tuesday 22nd September 2026

Sanderling (Calidris alba). 

An overcast morning with little wind, clearing by late morning. Our first Song Thrush of the autumn ringed and an influx of on site Blue Tits. In the moat of the fort, 3 Black Redstarts. 16 Pied Wagtail on the grass in front of the observatory. 2 Sanderling along the beach and an Oystercatcher. Hirundine movement dropping to just 6 Swallow south. Meadow Pipit visible migration dropping to just 5 South and 6 feeding on site. 

Seawatching: South: 116 Teal, 15 Cormorant, 14 Black-headed Gull, 11 Sandwich Tern, 11 Wigeon, 8 Shelduck and a Red-throated Diver.  

 South West: 8 Grey Heron. 

West: 1 Gadwall. 

Feeding offshore: 10 Great Black-backed Gull, 9 Common Tern, 7 Mediterranean Gull, 5 Sandwich Tern, 1 Juvenile Yellow-legged Gull. 

Moth trapping: 45 moth species between our 3 traps. Moth of the morning is the Brick, it lives here in low numbers on the poplars. 

Brick (Sunira circellaris). 

Bird ringing: 9 Blue Tit, 6 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Great Tit, 1 House Sparrow, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Woodpigeon. 
 

Monday 21st September 2026

Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus).

A sunny morning with wind dropping significantly to a light NW. A Chaffinch, Reed Bunting and Great Spotted Woodpecker within the compound and a Skylark overhead. Out on the reserve 2 Wheatear and 2 Whimbrel. 2 Mute Swan at the entrance to the port. Hirundine movement: 250 Swallow, 116 House Martin and 17 Sand Martin all south. 

Seawatching: South: a Cormorant and an Oystercatcher.

North: 4 Gannet, 4 Cormorant and a Common Scoter. 

East: a Cormorant.

Feeding offshore: 5 Mediterranean Gull, 5 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Tern.

Moth trapping: 52 species between our 3 traps recorded this morning. Moth of the morning falls to the Beaded Chestnut is a declining autumnal species now on the IUCN Red list as Near Threatened.  

Beaded Chestnut (Agrochola lychnidis). 

Bird ringing: 9 Meadow Pipit, 4 Blue Tit, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Great Tit, 2 Robin, 1 Goldfinch.      

Sunday 20th September 2026

 

Ivy Bee arrived in the UK in 2001 & has spread north fairly quickly.

Despite the wind a few bits n' bobs of note including a Merlin hunting a passerine offshore, 2 Cattle Egret south & our first Chaffinch since mid-June. The supporting cast included southbound 263 Swallow, 190 Mipit, 9 House Martin, 2 Grey Wag & Sand Martin with offshore southbound 14 Med Gull, 10 Shelduck, 7 Black-headed Gull, 3 Greylag Goose, 3 Teal, 2 Red-throated Diver & Oyk with northbound 4 Common Scoter, 2 Oyk & Red-throat plus a Marsh Harrier in off. On site 6 Chiffchaff, 4 Wheatear, 2 Blackcap, 2 Lesser 'throat, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler & Whitethroat. 2 Black Red were around Darrell's Battery. A Wall Brown butterfly was again by the Butts pond & at least 10 Clouded Yellow were noted.

Black Rustic is an autumnal species was first noted in 1993 & has since colonised.

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Robin.

Saturday 19th September 2026

A cloudy and breezy morning with only a small amount of visible migration including 32 Swallow and 3 Meadow Pipit south. Quiet within the compound with mainly Blackcap and Chiffchaff. Out on the reserve a single Wheatear. 

Seawatching: 

South: 8 Sandwich Tern, 7 Great Black-backed Gull, a Brent Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Shelduck and a Whimbrel. 

North: 1 Great Black-backed Gull

Feeding offshore: 11 Sandwich Tern and a Common Tern. 

Moth trapping: 18 moth species between our 3 moth traps. Lunar underwing has started coming out in recent days. 

Lunar Underwing (Anchoscelis lunosa). 

Bird ringing: 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 1 Robin.  

Friday 18th September 2026

 Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra), seen near the cottage. 

A sunny but blustery morning with wind from the west. A Redstart was seen on the roof of the fort as well as 2 Black Redstarts in the moat late afternoon. A Whinchat near the cottage mid morning. Hirundine movement: 109 Swallow and 6 Sand Martin.

Seawatching produced: South: 5 Cormorant and 4 Teal. North: 1 Red-throated Diver and a Gannet. Feeding offshore: 35 Sandwich Tern and 2 Common Tern. 

Moth trapping: 23 Species recorded between our 3 traps - low species count due to the high winds overnight.   

However another Wall Brown was spotted today, potentially two...  the Wall is a declining species in Suffolk that has been noted here for the past five autumns in low numbers.

Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), sighted today near the pond near the butts and on wednesday in the moat of the fort. 

Bird ringing: 11 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 2 Blue Tit. 

  

Thursday 17th September 2026

An overcast morning with rain starting mid morning. Inside the compound a small mix of warblers including Lesser Whitethroat. Out on the reserve 2 Jackdaw, a Kestrel and a Snipe that was flushed. 13 Meadow Pipit south over the reserve. Hirundine movement: 34 Swallow, 6 House Martin and a Sand Martin south. 2 Knot out on the beach.   

Seawatching produced: South: 94 Wigeon, 42 Teal, 9 Pintail, 5 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 4 Scoter, 3 Grey Plover, 3 Sanderling, 2 Snipe, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Hobby and 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Shoveler, 

West: a Merlin. 

North: Arctic Skua and a Gannet. 

Moth Trapping: 27 moth species between our 3 traps. Moth of the morning is the Dusky Lemon Sallow, an IUCN Red List species, classified as Near Threatened. It turns up most years wandering from areas with Wych elms. 

Dusky Lemon Sallow (Cirrhia gilvago).

Bird ringing: 8 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 2 Robin, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Meadow Pipit. 

Wednesday 16th September 2026

 

First site record of Queen of Spain Fritillary which is a rare immigrant to our shores.

Quieter morning with southbound 170 Swallow, 72 Mipit, Grey Wag & Sand Martin. Offshore southbound first 8 Brent of the autumn, 7 Wigeon, 6 Teal, Marsh Harrier (+ another one in off) & the first Red-throated Diver of the autumn with northbound an Arctic Skua. On site 8 Chiffchaff, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Spot Fly, Lesser 'throat & Reed Warbler. Also a Wall Brown in the moat (13:00). 

The Delicate is a fairly regular immigrant species that maybe established at times in recent years.

Ringing: 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler.

Tuesday 15th September 2026

Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe).

An overcast morning with stronger winds from the SW. A few warblers moving through the compound with 3 Garden Warblers ringed. Out on the reserve: 7 Wheatear, a Black Redstart and a Whinchat at noon. Also of note is our first Black Tern, first since August 2023.  

Hirundine migration picking up once again to 2,950 Swallow counted moving through up to mid day, with 64 House Martin and 12 Sand Martin mixed in, all moving south. 

A Hobby flew south along the beach and a Peregrine and Kestrel were seen in flight.

Seawatching:

South: 26 Teal, 13 Wigeon, 9 Cormorant, 6 Oystercatcher, 3 Dunlin, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Pintail, 2 Turnstone, a Black-headed Gull, a Common Scoter, a Greenshank, a Grey Plover and a Shelduck. 

North: a Black Tern and a Gannet.  

Feeding offshore: 13 Sandwich Tern and an Oystercatcher.  

Moth trapping: 41 Species recorded last night between our 3 traps, with 262 Large Yellow Underwing now filling our traps, a slight decrease from yesterday's 319. Moth of the morning, however is the Feathered Brindle, a nationally scarce species that does well on vegetated shingle areas on the coast. 

Feathered Brindle (Aporophyla australis). 

Bird ringing: 7 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Garden Warbler, 3 Robin, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Dunnock. 

FENCING REMOVAL

 

It is planned to take down the temporary fencing for ground nesting birds & botany on the reserve this  Thursday 17th September at 0930 hrs. Many hands make light work so all welcome. Please wear appropriate clothing & footwear for the job in hand with a pair of gardening type gloves also useful. If anyone wishes to undertake future voluntary tasks on the nature reserve the Ranger will be present to provide further details.

Monday 14th September 2026

 Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata). 

Migration picking up with a bright but mostly overcast morning with a small amount of rain before sunrise. A decent amount of visible migration, with 415 Meadow Pipit south. Hirundine migration really picking up with 1806 Swallows, 4 House Martin and 3 Sand Martin south. 

Inside the compound: A Grey Wagtail over early, a Redstart and a Sedge Warbler, both caught in a mist net late morning as well as multiple Chiffchaff and Willow Warblers.

Out on the reserve: 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Black Redstart near the point, 4 Wheatear and 15 Pied Wagtail mobile, on the beach a Ring Plover and a Turnstone. 3 Clouded Yellow Butterflies.  

Seawatching:

South: 113 Teal, 56 Common Tern, 52 Sandwich Tern, 32 Wigeon, 22 Black-headed Gull, 17 Cormorant, 17 Shelduck, 4 Common Gull, 4 Mallard, 4 Redshank, 3 Oystercatcher, a Common Scoter, a Curlew, a Grey Plover, a Hobby, a Pintail and a Shoveler.  

North: 5 Common Scoter. 

South West (towards river): 9 Shelduck,

Feeding offshore: 11 Great Black-backed Gull, 6 Sandwich Tern and a Black-headed Gull. 

Moth trapping: 54 Moth species between our 3 traps. Yellow-tail is the moth of the morning, slightly bit later in the year than expected. 

Yellow-Tail (Sphrageidus similis). 

Bird ringing: 7 Willow Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Meadow Pipit, 3 Robin, 2 Great Tit, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Redstart, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Sparrowhawk. 

Sunday 13th September 2026

 

Rain to mid-morning then some annoying showers later on that appear to have dropped very few migrants in. On site 6 Blackcap, 3 Wheatear, 2 Lesser 'throat, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat & Willow Warbler. Southbound 40 Sand Martin, 17 Swallow, 2 Teal & Whimbrel. Purp on the point & Sanderling nearby.

Vestal is a migrant that we only see on rare occasions despite it being noted more frequently by others in Suffolk. This fresh "red-striped" individual doesn't look like it's migrated far to reach us.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap.

Saturday 12th September 2026

 

Small selection of typical mid-September fare on an increasingly breezy morning. Southbound 433 Swallow, 12 Sand Martin, 11 Mipit, 8 House Martin, Hobby & Yellow Wagtail. On site migrants, 6 Chiffchaff, 4 Lesser 'throat, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Wheatear, Blackcap & Sedge Warbler. Single Sanderling on the beach & a Great Spot visited.

Beautiful Hook-tip first appeared ten years ago, colonised, and now appears to be having a second emergence in the autumn in addition to it's main one in the summer months. Always comforting that some species are doing well in these troubled times.

Ringing: 5 Meadow Pipit, 5 Robin, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Dunnock, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler. 

Friday 11th September 2026

2 Turnstone (Arenaria interpres). 

Rain overnight, clearing early morning. A small mix of warblers inside the compound including Lesser Whitethroat and Blackcaps. 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers also visited the compound. Out on the reserve a Whinchat, a male Redstart, a Skylark and 2 Wheatear. Out on the beach 2 Turnstone and a Purple Sandpiper. Hirundine movement: 276 Swallow and 4 House Martin south. 18 Meadow Pipit south.

Seawatching: South: 2 Cormorant, 2 Teal,  North: 3 Common Tern, 3 Shelduck and a Cormorant. Feeding offshore: 6 Sandwich Tern. 

Moth trapping: 21 moth species present between our 3 traps - a decrease due to the overnight rain. Moth of the morning is the Carnation Tortrix, appearing in the UK in the early 1900's and has undertaken a slow northwards colonisation across England over time.   

 Carnation Tortrix (Cacoecimorpha pronubana).
 

Bird ringing: 8 Blackcap, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Robin. 

Thursday 10th August 2026

Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus).

A sunny and still morning with slightly more visible migration, compared to yesterday, with 400 Swallow and 30 Meadow Pipit both south. Other hirundine migration: 15 House Martin and 6 House Martin south. Out on the reserve 1 Wheatear and a Redstart. A Great Spotted Woodpecker inside the compound. 1 Yellow Wagtail also south.   

Seawatching: South: 30 Teal, 6 Cormorant and a Curlew. South West: 5 Shelduck. Feeding offshore: 4 Black-headed Gull, 2 Great Black-headed Gull, 2 Common Tern and a Common Gull.  

Moth trapping: 54 moth species between our 3 traps last night. Frosted Orange pays a visit on infrequently occasions and not every year.

Frosted Orange (Gortyna flavago).

Bird ringing: 9 Meadow Pipit, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Dunnock, 1 Robin, 1 Whitethroat. 

 

Wednesday 9th August 2026

Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca) - not a regular sight from Landguard. 

A cold but sunny morning with strong W winds. Hirundine movement starting to pick up again from the bad weather yesterday with 175 Swallow, 1 House Martin both South. Meadow Pipit migration is starting with 10 Seen over the duration of the day, 2 Spotted Flycatchers seen with one inside the compound and anouther near Manor Road. 1 Wheatear out on the reserve, 2 Reed Warblers and a Whinchat. Late night one Ringed Plover, a Dunlin and a Common Sandpiper over the observatory. 

Seawatching produced: South: 4 Wigeon, 3 Cormorant, 2 Great Black Backed Gull, 1 Dunlin. Towards the port: 5 Cormorant and 5 Egyptian Goose. Feeding offshore: 2 Common Tern and a Common Gull.    

Moth trapping: 19 Species last night between our 3 traps. Moth of the morning, Bright-Line Brown-Eye is a regular in the moth traps in low numbers. 

Bright-Line Brown-Eye (Lacanobia oleracea).

Bird ringing: 4 Willow Warbler, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Robin, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher. 

Tuesday 8th September 2026

Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) chasing each other in the late evening sunshine.   

A wet morning, continuing to late evening before clearing up. The rain set in from around 5am with sightings from the observatory peaking on an Arctic Skua chasing Sandwich Terns offshore and 2 Grey-headed Yellow Wagtails feeding on the nature reserve, 1 Wheatear also observed within the conservation cordons. Hirundine migration hit hard with only 5 Swallow South. 

Seawatching produced: South: 28 Teal, 14 Greater Black-backed Gulls, 9 Common Tern, 7 Sandwich Tern, 3 Cormorant, 3 Shelduck, 3 Shoveler, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit and a Grey Plover. Feeding offshore: 7 Sandwich Tern and an Arctic Skua. 

Moth trapping: 37 species between our 3 traps last night. Moth of the morning, the Scarce Bordered Straw is an immigrant species that turns up in variable numbers one year to the next.

 Scarce Bordered Straw (Helicoverpa armigera).

Bird ringing: na 

Monday 7th September 2026

Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) seen on the left, Dunlin (Calidris alpina) on the right. 

A warm and bright morning with most notable migration coming in the form of Hirundines: some 821 Swallows, 22 House Martin and 6 Sand Martin. Over the compound 6 Grey Wagtail and a Chiffchaff singing in front of the observatory. 2 Wheatear out on the nature reserve, a Tree Sparrow out on the Butts and along the beach early morning: a Redshank, 2 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover and 2 Sanderling.  

Seawatching produced: South: 53 Cormorant, 6 Teal, 3 Oystercatcher, 3 Wigeon, 2 Shelduck.  North: 14 Sandwich Tern. Towards the port: an Oystercatcher. Feeding offshore: 3 Sandwich Tern, a Common Tern, a Great Black-backed Gull.

Moth trapping: 57 moth species between our 3 traps. Moth of the morning, Small Brindled Tortrix is a nationally scarce species on poplars still appearing this late in its flight period.  

Small Brindled Tortrix (Gypsonoma minutana) 

Bird ringing: 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Robin, 1 Whitethroat.

Sunday 6th September 2026

 

Hard work. Southbound 28 Swallow, 7 Shelduck, 7 Wigeon, 5 Oyk & Teal plus a Gannet north. On site more birds appeared to have left us than arrived with meagre offerings including 5 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser 'throat & 2 Wheatear. Good to see a couple of juvenile Common Tern with adults off the point. Yet another Great Spot turned up - they must have had a bumper breeding season judging by the newbies turning up.

Good to get a Clifden Nonpareil which have been turning up in recent years. The one's here are possibly primary immigrants as opposed to the recent colonists.

Ringing: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Willow Warbler.

Saturday 5th September 2026

Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra).

A sunny and bright morning but a slightly chilly wind from the W. Quiet within the compound. 211 Swallow south over the nature reserve, 4 Meadow Pipit and a Grey Wagtail. Out on the reserve: a Whinchat, 5 Wheatear, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 17 Pied Wagtail. 3 Ringed Plover on the beach. A Clouded Yellow butterfly also seen near the cottage. 

Seawatching produced: South: 3 Common Scoter, an Oystercatcher. Feeding offshore: 8 Black-headed Gull, 2 Sandwich Tern, a Common Gull and a Common Tern. 

Moth trapping: 27 moths between our 3 Traps. Pick of the bunch is the Old Lady, it wanders into the buildings in the Autumn. 

Old Lady moth (Mormo maura). 

Bird ringing: 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Robin, 1 Sedge Warbler.  

Friday 4th September 2026

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba).

Windy from the get-go with rain forecast late morning producing a quick downpour after 8am. Quiet within the compound with a Garden Warbler mist netted. Hirundine migration slowing with 182 Swallows and 4 House Martin, viewed flying south. Out on the reserve 3 Wheatear. A Peregrine flying along the shore line and a Kestrel.

Seawatching produced: South: 6 Teal, 3 Oystercatcher, an Arctic Skua, a Cormorant, a Common Scoter, a Curlew, a Sandwich Tern, a Whimbrel and a Wigeon. North: 4 Common Scoter. Feeding offshore: 6 Black-headed Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gull. 

Moth trapping: 38 moth species recorded between our 3 traps. Straw Underwing is appearing in double figures most mornings recently. 

Straw Underwing (Thalpophila matura).

Bird ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler,  1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler.    

Thursday 3rd September 2026

One of our juvenile Carrion Crows (Corvus corone) reared on site developing well.

A cloudy morning with wind building over the duration of the morning. Migration slow, with around 115 Swallow passing through south. A small mix of warblers within the compound represented by the ringing totals. 5 Wheatear out on the reserve and some 16 Pied Wagtail.  

Seawatching produced: South: 3 Oystercatcher. North: 8 Sandwich Tern, a Common Scoter. Feeding offshore: 15 Black-headed Gull, 8 Great Black-backed Gull, 4 Sandwich Tern, 2 Juvenile Common Tern and a Common Gull

Moth trapping: 41 Species between our 3 traps. Moth of the morning is our second Passenger this Autumn, it is an immigrant species that looks set to colonise over time - with one of the caterpillar food plants being bramble - it will certainly do well at Landguard!. 

Passenger (Dysgonia algira).

Bird ringing: 4 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Robin, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler. 

Wednesday 2nd September 2026

 

Southbound 382 Swallow, 41 House Martin, 2 Swift, Little Egret, Sand Martin & Whimbrel. Migrants on site include 6 Wheatear, 6 Willow Warbler, 5 Whitethroat, 4 Lesser 'throat, 2 Reed Warbler, Mipit, Pied Fly & Whinchat. Regular trickle of new Robins in recent days as youngsters get kicked out by their parents to find their own way in the world. Yet another Great Spot visited & a Black Red was noted.

With only a couple of records in the past 12 years good to get a Tawny Speckled Pug although prior to that it turned up a bit more often. It is on the IUCN Red List as Near Threatened. Yet another declining species !

Ringing: 4 Robin, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Reed Warbler.

Tuesday 1st September 2026

Linnets (Linaria cannabina) warming up on the fort roof early morning.

A sunny bright morning with wind dropping late morning. Inside the compound a good mix of migrants with a Garden Warbler, Greenfinch, Grey Wagtail and a Tree Pipit over early morning. On the reserve: Pied Flycatcher, 23 Pied Wagtail, 6 Wheatear and a Redstart near the Butts. Lesser Emperor dragonfly seen near the mine station compound. 

Seawatching: South: 11 Golden Plover, 3 Teal, 1 Whimbrel and a Little Egret. Towards the port: A Mediterranean Gull. Feeding offshore: 5 Black-headed Gull 3 Sandwich Tern.

Hirundine migration: 636 Swallow, 10 Sand Martin, 1 House Martin.  

Moth trapping: 59 moth species recorded between our 3 traps this morning. Todays pick of the bunch is Agriphila latistria. Every year at this time, a handful of Agriphila latistria turn up in our traps.  

Agriphila latistria. 
 

Bird ringing: 6 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 3 Robin, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Swallow, 1 Whitethroat.   

August 2026 Ringing Total

Female Juvenile Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus).

175 bird ringed of 30 Species in August is our worst ringing total for August on record since 1983, with 2024 being closest with 194 birds ringed. The numbers of each species are surprisingly similar with 2024 matching 67 Willow Warblers ringed and slightly more Robins (19 in 2024), but fewer Blackbirds than 2024 with just 2 compared to 14... likely linked to the Usutu virus and extreme drought. Interesting from a weather sense as 2024 was not particularly an extreme year for drought with no amber or red warnings issued. 

On the positive side after tallying our Great Spotted Woodpeckers, the number of Juveniles dispersing is the highest on record for our yearly ringed total. 

Willow Warbler	67
Robin	21
Linnet	14
Reed Warbler	10
Lesser Whitethroat	7
Whitethroat	6
Pied Flycatcher	5
Redstart	4
Great Spotted Woodpecker	4
Blackcap	3
Blue Tit	3
Grey Wagtail	3
House Sparrow	3
Woodpigeon	3
Black Redstart	2
Blackbird	2
Dunnock	2
Garden Warbler	2
Sedge Warbler	2
Sparrowhawk	2
Chiffchaff	1
Great Tit	1
Green Woodpecker	1
Goldfinch	1
Meadow Pipit	1
Nightingale	1
Song Thrush	1
Starling	1
Wren	1
Wheatear	1
Total	175

 

Monday 31st August 2026

Wet overnight but bright and breezy all morning dodging all showers. Inside the compound 2 Grey Wagtail. Out on the reserve: 9 Wheatear, a male Redstart and a Tree Pipit. 2 Turnstone out on the beach. Raptors: 1 male Kestrel, 1 Peregrine and 1 Sparrowhawk.

Seawatching produced: South: 25 Redshank, 4 Teal, 4 Turnstone, 3 Black-headed Gull, 3 Sandwich Tern, 2 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Marsh Harrier. Feeding offshore: 8 Black-headed Gull and 4 Great Black-backed Gull.      

Hirundine migration included some 542 Swallows, 39 House Martin, 1 Swift all south.     

Moth trapping: 31 moth species recorded between our 3 moth traps this morning. Moth of the morning is Eucosma tripoliana, it is a variable species living on Salt-Marsh, the moth wanders down here late August and September.  

(Eucosma tripoliana) 

Bird ringing: 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Robin, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler.  

Sunday 30th August 2026

Southbound 62 Swallow, 11 Turnstone, 9 Teal, 3 Oyk, 2 Sand Martin, Gannet & Great Crested Grebe. Grounded migrants include 15 Wheatear, 15 Willow Warbler, 7 Whitethroat, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler, Garden Warbler, Redstart, Whinchat & the first Spotted Fly of the autumn. Another Great Spotted Woodpecker visited.

Hedge Rustic rarely visits. It's now on the IUCN Red List as Vulnerable.

Ringing: 7 Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Wheatear.

Saturday 29th August 2026

WFY and WFZ are the Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) youngsters from the museum roof that fledged 12 days ago and are doing fine so far. 

A mostly dull morning with moderate wind. 40 Willow Warbler passing through before rain setting in and 3 Redstart. 8 Wheatear and 14 Pied Wagtail and a Great Spotted Woodpecker, out on the reserve. A Turnstone out on the beach.  

Seawatching produced: south: 20 Teal, 4 Dunlin, 4 Shelduck, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Cormorant, 2 Sandwich Tern, a Cattle Egret, a Grey Plover, a Little Egret and a Mediterranean Gull . North: 5 Sandwich Tern, a Common Tern and a Gannet. Feeding offshore: 14 Black-headed Gull, 9 Sandwich Tern, a Common Gull and a Guillemot.   

Hirundine movement included 222 Swallow and 6 Sand Martin. 

Moth trapping: 36 Moth species recorded between our 3 traps. Moth of the morning is the Antler Moth. A moth very occasionally seen here.  

Antler Moth (Cerapteryx graminis).

Bird ringing: 26 Willow Warbler, 2 Redstart, 1 Chiffchaff.