Recent Ringing Recoveries

Blackbird ringed Helgoland, Germany on 10th October 2017 retrapped 506 km away at Landguard on 31st October 2017. Lesser Redpoll ringed Landguard 10th October 2017 retrapped 473 km away on the Calf of Man, Isle of Man on 28th April 2018.

Thursday 10th May 2018

 Little Tern on the beach.

A strong Westerly wind and overcast this morning. The first Whinchat of the spring for Landguard was seen on the bramble in front of the Observatory this morning, having only had singles of Little Tern so far this spring a group were feeding offshore then roosted on the beach and a couple of Wheatear are still on the reserve.

Noted on the reserve, 16 Shelduck, 12 Little Tern, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Common Tern, 2 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, 1 White Wagtail & 1 Yellow Wagtail. Going North, 2 Grey Plover, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Common Tern & 1 Cormorant. Coming in off the sea, 6 Common Tern, 6 House Martin, 2 Dunlin, 1 Swift & 1 Yellow Wagtail. Going South, 38 Swallow, 20 Goldfinch, 10 Common Tern, 2 Cormorant, 1 Buzzard & 1 Curlew.

Always good to get a Chamomile Shark.

2 birds ringed: Chiffchaff 1, Woodpigeon 1.

Wednesday 9th May 2018

A handful of new Phylloscopus warblers passing through including half a dozen Willows and 4 Chiffs. Other migrants included 5 Wheatear 3 Jackdaw, Blackcap & a new Robin.On the move southbound 11 Swallow, 6 Goldfinch & 2 Sand Martin. Apart from this it is largely down to the regulars many of whom are into their breeding cycle although the way some of the Whitethroats are singing it suggests that some of the females are still to arrive.

Moth trapping getting more interesting by the day including Pebble Prominent.

12 birds ringed: 5 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Linnet, 1 Robin.

Tuesday 8th May 2018

 Shelduck congregate on the reserve in the morning during spring.

There was an offshore haze that cleared by mid morning, otherwise clear sky and very light breeze this morning. With the continued good weather there are very few grounded migrants at the moment, the Wheatear that had stopped off have fed and continued North. Breeding season underway for the resident birds at Landguard, they have been busy collecting nesting material and are now incubating eggs.

Noted on the reserve, 70 Linnet, 20 Starling, 13 Shelduck, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Wheatear, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff & 1 Willow Warbler. Going North, 3 Sandwich Tern & 1 Swallow. Going out to sea East, 2 Cormorant. Going South, 8 Swallow.

One of the frustrating things with micro moths are the species that you cannot be 100% sure of, several individuals of the Paronix family have been trapped over the years, this mornings example probably being Paronix anglicella but one can not be quite sure.

3 birds ringed: Chiffchaff 1, Willow Warbler 1, Woodpigeon 1.

Monday 7th May 2018

The colours of the Starling show up well in this image.

A still and clear morning, as it warmed Green Hairstreak and Holly Blue Butterflies were seen on the Lilac near the Observatory, the first for this year at Landguard, a Hairy Hawker was also a first for this year here too.

Noted on the reserve, 5 Wheatear, 3 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Bunting & 1 Sparrowhawk. Going North, 14 Black-headed Gull, 7 Swallow, 4 Cormorant & 2 Sandwich Tern. Going South, 5 Shelduck, 3 Goldfinch, 3 Jackdaw, 2 Swallow, 1 Cormorant & 1 Redpoll.

First Silver Y of the year, Early ones are presumed to be migrants although this one does look freshly emerged.

9 birds ringed: Linnet 3, Blackcap 2, Blackbird 1, Chiffchaff 1, Whitethroat 1, Wren 1.

Sunday 6th May 2018

Its hard to believe that we only had two records of Speckled Wood last century as they now occupy all the sunny glades around the site.

Far to nice for much to drop in on the coast on migration. Migrants included 9 Wheatear, 3 Blackcap & the second Jay record of the spring. Offshore a dozen Black-heads went north with overhead movements southbound 3 Swallow, 3 Goldfinch & 2 Jackdaw. Many of the other summer migrants are settling in to breed with the suggestions so far, is that we will get 5 pair of Whitethroat & 3 pairs of Lesser's.

A few more moths starting to put in an appearance including Epiblema scutlana.

Ringing: 2 Blackcap.

Saturday 5th May 2018

 Oystercatcher going North over the Observatory this morning.

Clear blue sky and a light Easterly breeze today. A couple of Redpoll had roosted in the Holm Oak, emerging and going North when it came light, a flock of Arctic Tern came out of the harbour and went North and a group of Oystercatcher also went North.

Noted on the reserve, 14 Wheatear, 5 Whitethroat, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Common Gull & 1 Willow Warbler. Going North, 11 Oystercatcher, 8 Arctic Tern, 2 Cormorant, 2 Redpoll, 2 Swallow & 1 Yellow Wagtail. Coming in off the sea going West, 2 Cormorant. Going South, 11 Swallow, 2 Brent Goose, 1 Goldfinch & 1 Yellow Wagtail.

Female Emperor moth in the traps last night.

1 bird ringed: Blackcap 1.