Saturday 21st March 2026

 

Shelduck, (Tadorna tadorna) on the peninsular, the scientific name originating from Celtic and French roots for "pied waterfowl".

A surprisingly clear morning producing a frost, with a bank of fog looming near the port. Few migrants, with a Siskin and Redwing present. Northbound where 4 Brent geese and 2 Gannet. Rare for this site a Red kite was seen heading south. A Grey wagtail was also seen which is the fist for spring.  

Ringing: 2 Redwing, 1 Blue tit, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Linnet, 1 Song thrush. 

Friday 20th March 2026

 

Deer Vomit Fungus (Fusicolla merismoides) - perhaps a first record for Landguard.

Starting misty and murky with a gentle NE breeze again, however feeling more northerly than easterly! With Redwings filtering high above first light. Once the fog cleared a group of 10 siskin where seen going south with 2 later seen heading north. The White Wagtail is still present around the tip of the peninsula.

 Pine Beauty (Panolis flammea), an occasional occurrence for Landguard, drifting down from a clump of Pine trees off-site.

Ringing: 2 Goldfinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Linnet

Thursday 19th March 2026

Left Linnet, Right Skylark

Sunny with a gentle NE breeze, producing a steady day, with a Curlew flying north. The Black Redstart remaining present near the sea watching hide and joined by a White Wagtail. Other movements north included a Greylag Goose and a Grey Heron. A Chiffchaff and 2 Siskin also drifting through the site. It also looks promising for a pair of Skylark breeding on the nature reserve this year!  

Two Porpoise where also observed port side of the peninsula. 

The Herald moth hibernates in the buildings, coming into traps very occasionally. 

Ringing: 1 Blue Tit, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Starling, 1 Woodpigeon.

Wednesday 18th March 2026

 

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.

Male Diurnea fagella is a classic mid-March flyer, the females are almost flightless.

Ringing: 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest.

Tuesday 17th March 2026

 

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

Monday 16th March 2026

 

Hard work with few migrants included 4 Meadow Pipit, 2 Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Siskin plus a Firecrest that has over wintered here. Southbound 17 Black-headed Gull, 6 Red-throated Diver, 5 Brent, 5 Common Gull, 2 Common Scoter & Shelduck with northbound 39 Red-throats plus a raft of 25 Common Scoter on the sea.

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Great Tit.

Sunday 15th March 2026

 

Time to check out a suitable Des Res for this year.

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.