Juvenile Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), note the lack of any head markings with black and red seen on adults.
A sunny morning with a moderate NW wind. We had another 3 Ringed Plover chicks hatch over the weekend. 2 Reed Warblers calling from around the compound. A Black Redstart remains calling from the fort. Essex Skipper present near the car park end of the reserve at Manor Road. A Mistle Thrush was seen down on the reserve and then ringed later on in the morning.
Seawatching produced 3 Black-headed Gull and a Whimbrel south only.
Moth Trapping: 77 moth species caught in our 3 traps. Today's moth of the day is the Light Crimson, with the second site record of this underwing today, following on from one in 2025. One of the moth's strongholds is in the New Forest, the caterpillar feeds on Oak and the species is considered as Near Threatened on the IUCN red list.
Light Crimson underwing (Catocala promissa).
Bird Ringing: 5 Dunnock, 2 Blackcap, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Wren.
Mistle thrushes have been elusive at Landguard and on the most part are recorded as wondering Juveniles, so today's bird, a moulting adult female was quite a surprise when ringed.