PSPO

The Landguard Partnership are looking for volunteers to undergo a training session to help with the enforcement of the Public Space Protection Order on Landguard Nature Reserve. You will not necessarily be expected to be out there laying down the law just because you have been trained. It's mainly about dissemination of information and confidence-building. That doesn't stop keen individuals pursing matters more vigorously, if they wanted to, provided they stick to a few basic rules. Anyone out there willing to come forward to receive a training session are asked in the first instance to contact the Landguard Ranger on Chris.Ryde@eastsuffolk.gov.uk

February Ringing Total

Just 2 birds - 1 Blackbird & 1 Chaffinch. Believe it or not but lower February ringing totals do exist.

Wednesday 28th February 2018

Overnight low of minus - 4.6 Celsius and still only minus - 2.4 Celsius now but the wind chill on top of that in an increasing SE gale is positively evil. More snow overnight has blown onto sheltered areas and caused some damage to the roof of the Helgoland trap but hopefully the increasing wind will stop any more accumulations on the roof of the trap despite blizzard conditions now in force as the wind picks up the fine dusty snow from exposed parts and blows it around. Bird wise no offshore movements of waterfowl although its far to cold to observe into the onshore gale for to long (40 mins starring out produced a highlight of just 2 Kitts). 3 Mipits flew south over the Fort & a Woodcock is new in. No doubt if these sub-zero conditions prevail for to long then vulnerable species like Robins & Wrens will basically die as a result of the lack of feeding opportunities caused by snow cover. Finally 5 Turnstone along the riverbank is the highest count for some time.

Tuesday 27th February 2018

Roughly 3 to 4 inches of snow overnight & this morning. Overnight low of minus - 4.8 Celsius at 0810 hrs this morning and a daytime high of minus - 0.2 Celsius late afternoon its not what we, or the small birds here, are used to in recent years. Some seawatching brought a handful of Red-throated Divers, Shelduck & Common Scoter plus 6 Skylark south but with the weather conditions not on site early enough for a proper Cormorant count. The only refugees from the cold are single Fieldfare & Mipit plus the Lapwing from the past couple of days still with us. Along the riverbank 3 Turnstone, Purple Sand & Rock Pipit are not really affected by the conditions. Attempts to prevent water pipes freezing up have been successful so far but attempts to lure gulls from the View Point car park to some old sandwiches in the compound for ringing have failed.

Annual General Meeting

The AGM of Landguard Conservation Trust is due to be held 7.30 pm on Tuesday 20th March 2018 at Felixstowe Guide Headquarters, Garrison Lane, Felixstowe. If any members have not received via e-mail a copy of the Agenda & the minutes of the 2017 AGM and would like them please contact landguardbo@yahoo.co.uk and copies will be sent out.

Monday 26th February 2018

Barely above freezing with flurries of snow. Offshore between snow showers a couple of Red-throated Diver, single Shelduck & Kitt noted but no obvious cold weather movements. Lapwing still with us but its bleak down here.

Sunday 25th February 2018

228 Cormorants went out fishing. An hours sea watching was little more than purgatory with, apart from Cormorants & seagulls, producing literally"diddly squat". On the plus side no cold weather movements means that the "beast from the east" is not forcing birds to move in response to the cold weather - well not yet anyway ! On the reserve a single Lapwing is the only sign of any refugee from the freezing conditions. Finally the Rock Pipit was along the riverbank.