Friday 12th July 2024

A cooler morning as the wind had switched to a northerly. One of yesterdays great spotted woodpeckers, or perhaps a new one, was flying about the reserve before finally heading back towards Felixstowe. A marsh harrier flying south was the first of the 'autumn', but not the only raptor present today, with a sparrowhawk playing havoc with the ever increasing starling flock. A Cetti's warbler sang briefly from the observatory compound, after having gone very quiet since the two juveniles were encountered last month. A single greenfinch may or may not be the one we've been recording almost daily for a few weeks. A new wren brood was active in the Obs compound, and the first juvenile blackbird seen in weeks was balancing precariously on the telegraph lines. 

Pempelia genistella is a nationally scarce species living on gorse.

Birds Ringed: Wren 2. 

Thursday 11th July 2024

A cool overcast morning with hints of sun, another reminder that autumn is nearly here. For several bird species, it has been for weeks. 2 more great spotted woodpecker juveniles visited the observatory today, along with yet another young grey wagtail, we've yet to go a month this year without the latter species recorded. Starling numbers are building, with 650 on the reserve this evening. 2 tufted ducks flew south, and Mediterranean gulls are becoming more regular as the breeding season draws to a close.  

 

Morophaga choragella has only been noted here on a handful of previous occassions.

Birds Ringed: Chiffchaff 1, Dunnock 3, Goldfinch 3, Great Spotted Woodpecker 2, Grey Wagtail 1, Robin 1, Woodpigeon 1.

Wednesday 10th July 2024

 

One of two young Herring Gulls on the museum roof whose parents take a dislike to some human visitors in the car park dive bombing them & making a right old kerfuffle. Should be fledged soon. 

Southbound migrants included 68 Swift, 45 Black-headed Gull, 27 Curlew, 12 Teal, 7 Sand Martin, 4 Whimbrel, 2 Swallow, Common Gull (adult), Oyk, Sandwich Tern & Tufted Duck. A Hobby whizzed through (very few seen so far this summer suggesting none nesting nearby).

First Rush Veneer of the year of this migrant that appears in hugely variable numbers one year to the next.

Ringing: 3 Wren, 1 Robin.

Tuesday 9th July 2024

Another foul wet day was at last productive on the migration front, with a very autumnal feel to the observations. Some notable species past that we don't record every week, 8 teal, 1 shoveler and a common scoter past. Wader numbers have picked up with 55 curlew, 5 whimbrel, a greenshank and 3 oystercatchers heading south. Even the heron family decided to have a fly about in the rain, with a single little egret and 2 grey herons joining the southward movement. The kestrel family from the town are becoming more adventurous, with at least 2 of the juveniles joining the adult male and female on the reserve. 

The second site record of Acleris hastiana which is a variable species living on small-leaved willows, which means its going go hungry here.

Birds Ringed: House Sparrow 1. 

Monday 8th July 2024

 

We failed to see any Six-spot Burnet moths last year so it's pleasing to note them again in the last couple of days.

Heading south 9 Swallow, 2 Curlew, 2 Sand Martin, Oyk & Swift. Dispersing juvs included 4 Chiffchaff, Blackcap & Great-spot.

Second site record of Epagoge grotiana that flew off after this quick shot ! It's another moth that probably had no intention of coming here but got caught up in the inclement weather conditions.

Ringing: 3 Wren, 2 Dunnock, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff.

Sunday 7th July 2024

 

Bright n' breezy start but increasing wind & cloud by midday invited a few butterflies, like Brown Argus, to come out to play. Butterfly numbers have been very low so far this "summer". Migrants heading south were 8 Curlew, 4 Sand Martin, Common Tern, Oyk & Sandwich Tern. Dispersing juveniles paying a visit include Chiffchaff, Grey Wagtail & Meadow Pipit.

Moth numbers also very poor. Small Fan-footed Wave rarely visits us with this one looking a bit worn & wind blown suggesting it had no intention of coming here from inland.

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Dunnock, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Great Tit, 1 Grey Wagtail.

Saturday 6th July 2024

Another unsettled days saw an obvious reduction in bird and other wildlife observations. Despite this, 4 more curlew flew south, along with a single swift and swallow. The turnstones were still on the jetty and most of the regular species were about but keeping their heads down. A very brief sunny interlude saw a few butterflies added to the day total, and a notable bird sighting was a male sparrowhawk carrying a small rodent as prey, not a common sighting, though in Landguard's past, a female was known to have caught an adult rat, showing they're not just restricted to avian prey. 

With the awful moth weather of the last few days, Common Footman are one of the few species coming to the trap. 

Birds Ringed: House Sparrow 1.