Considering the wind direction it's a tad disappointing although the first Whinchat of the autumn is plum on cue. Few other migrants although 10 Whitethroat & 5 Lesser Whitethroat are worth a mention. Offshore southbound 17 Redshank, 6 Oyk, 4 Teal, 2 Common Gull with northbound 6 Gannet.
Moth trapping: 95 Moth species recorded between our 3 traps last night. Moth of the morning is Star-wort, a nationally scarce species that we last saw here five years ago. The larvae feed on the edges of saltmarsh sites on Sea-aster. - Suffolk Moths.
Bird ringing: 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Willow Warbler.
Young Starlings are in various stage of post-juvenile moult.
First Pied Fly & Tree Pipit of the autumn although few other migrants on site included 5 Whitethroat, Lesser 'throat, Wheatear & Willow Warbler. 2 Black Red's were in the vicinity of the tank traps. Offshore movements non-existent apart from feeding Sandwich Terns coming & going.
Moth trapping: 98 moth species recorded between our 3 traps last night. Moth of the morning is the Gypsy Moth, with single records in 2003 and 2014 but then becoming an annual occurrence since 2020. This species was accidentally introduced into London area in the 1990s, a government eradication program failed to wipe out this 'pest' species. The species gained this pest branding due to the caterpillars ferocious appetite taking foliage off a variety of trees and shrubs, causing reduced growth and reduced fruit, also caterpillars have bristly hairs that can cause skin irritation in humans and may become airborne, affecting respiratory systems.
Bird ringing: 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Robin, 1 Willow Warbler.
A sunny and bright morning with a strong wind from the west. A Nightingale was a nice surprise on the first net round but on the whole mostly quiet within the compound, bar anouther visit from a Great Spotted Woodpecker and shouty Cetti's Warbler. Out on the beach a juvenile Dunlin and briefly on the grass in front of the observatory our Ring Plover family with both chicks remaining. A Peregrine was also seen on the crane again at the port.
Seawatching produced: 12 Black-headed gull, 3 Sandwich Tern, a Dunlin, a Gadwall and a Whimbrel, all south. 18 Oystercatcher south west towards the port. A Cormorant West. Feeding offshore: 18 Sandwich Tern.
Hirundine movement included 14 Swallow, 4 Swift and a Sand Martin south. Later in the evening 84 Swift were seen in one large groups over the nature reserve and observatory.
Moth trapping: 56 moth species present between our 3 traps. Bulrush Wainscot is the moth of the morning, with it being a wetland wanderer. Occurring infrequently here.
Bird ringing: 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nightingale.
Migrants include 2 Swallow, Lesser 'throat. Redstart, Whitethroat & Willow Warbler. 2 Skylark south must be dispersing juvs as autumn passage in this species doesn't get going until the end of September. Offshore southbound 9 Teal, Golden Plover & Oyk. At least 29 Sandwich Tern & a Common Tern feeding offshore & in the river. Black Redstart in front of the Fort early morning.
A bright but quiet morning once again in the compound with Willow Warbler and Reed Warbler song briefly. Out on the reserve we have a Wheatear which does look like a juvenile from the freshness of the wing feathers in the picture above. 2 Lapwing were present early morning near the point. 4 Adult Ring Plover were present with 2 chicks. A Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel were both also seen from the compound.
Seawatching produced a handful of movements with 15 Teal, 2 Black-headed Gull, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Grey Heron and an Oystercatcher, all south. Feeding offshore: 14 Sandwich Tern, 5 Mediterranean Gull and a Cormorant.
Moth trapping: 79 Moth species recorded last night between our 3 moth traps. Moth of the morning is the Oak Processionary Moth, first noted on site in 1995 and in six subsequent years. The caterpillars of this moth species cause severe damage to oak trees by stripping leaves and can pose a risk to human and animal health with small irritational hairs they shed. The moth is Native to Europe but not to the UK and although internet sources say the moth was introduced accidentally to the uk in the 2000s and only causing damage to oak tree when in large populations in 2006, our early records are evidence of them naturally crossing into the UK.
Bird ringing: 1 Linnet.
A sunny morning with a gentle breeze. A variety of warblers inside the compound. A Turnstone and a Wheatear out on the reserve. It appears one pair of Ringed Plover have lost their final offspring leaving one pair with 2 chicks that are approaching a week old.
Hirundine movement consisted of 3 Swallow and 2 Sandmartin both south.
Moth Trapping: 82 species of moths recorded this morning between our 3 traps. Tawny Wave is the moth of the morning, a rare species, with its UK stronghold being the Suffolk Brecks and Sandlings, it is far from annual here at Landguard in recent years.
Bird Ringing: 6 Linnet, 5 Goldfinch, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Starling.
Ringing: 3 Linnet, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Robin, 1 Willow Warbler.
Moth trapping: 30 Moth species last night - very quiet for this time of year potentially due to the drought conditions. Moth of the morning is the Marbled Clover, a nationally scarce species, far from annual here, that is having a good year with 10 of these recorded at this location this month. This moth can be seen during the daytime feeding on Viper's-bugloss, common across the reserve.
Bird ringing: 11 Linnet, 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Nightingale, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Great Tit, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Wren, 1 Whitethroat.
A bright morning. Once again quiet within the compound with juvenile birds and the odd migrant starting to filter through with juvenile Reed and Sedge Warblers. A juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker also briefly visited the compound again. A family group of Kestrels were out on the reserve with between 2 and 3 young that have moved down from Felixstowe factory units. One juvenile Ringed Plover still surviving.
Seawatching produced; north: 4 Common Scoter, 4 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Sandwich Tern. South: 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Sandwich Tern. 3 Sandwich Tern remaining feeding offshore.
Moth trapping: Only 33 moth species last night. Pima boisduvaliella is moth of the day, a nationally scarce species living along the coast on flowering coastal plants such as Bird's-foot Trefoil.
Some movement with southbound 20 Sandwich Tern, 9 Oyks, 2 Curlew & Sand Martin with northbound 5 Little Egret, 5 Sandwich Tern, 2 Med Gull & Gannet. Only obvious migrant on site a Reed Warbler. Several young Kestrel have appeared.
