Wednesday 4th June 2025

We witness a few migration spectacles here but the humble Canada Goose is not usually guaranteed. Today we had 123 birds heading South in various flocks. When it's time to moult they become flightless and vulnerable so presumably they are moving to safer moulting grounds. Male and Female Peregrine also spotted today perched on the Cranes.

 House Martin, Sand Martin, Swift and Swallow all recorded today usually moving South in singles or small flocks. Also 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Meadow Pipit and 2 Reed Warbler. Observed offshore were 1 Curlew, 1 Gannet, 1 Great-crested Grebe, 1 Kittiwake, 2 Sandwich Tern and 4 Turnstone. 6 Sanderling on the beach.

Pale Prominent - The Master of Disguise

Ringing: 2 Blackbird, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Coal Tit, 2 Great Tit, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Robin. 

Tuesday 3rd June 2025

Bird of the day today was a Summer plumage Grey Plover hunkered down in strong winds out on the beach.  Otherwise very little out the ordinary bar 1 Reed Warbler singing and the occasional swift soaring above. 

The first Heart and Club of the year. It was never recorded here in the 20th Century and we can not fathom why it decided to suddenly appear in the year 2000. It's been reasonably common since.

Ringing: 1 Blue tit, 1 Chiffchaff.

Monday 2nd June 2025

 

Baby bird time of the year with plenty of young Great Tits about. Only migrants were 6 Swallow south & a single Reed Warbler. Juvenile dispersing Coal Tit turned up late morning.

Vine Moth is a nationally scarce species that is common at Landguard probably living on the ivy.

Ringing: 1 Dunnock, 1 Reed Warbler.

 

Sunday 1st June 2025

 

Not sure how many previous records we have on file of Great Green Bush-cricket.

Breezy morning. Migrants were typically in short supply but included a Spot Fly. A Grey Wag is likely to be a failed breeder going walkabout. 2 Chaffinch & 2 Coal Tit are probably dispersing juveniles. Southbound 19 Swallow, 5 Swift & a House Martin should really be at their breeding grounds in early June. 32 Med Gull & 27 Black-headed Gull heading south & into the river in dribs & drabs suggests a disaster on a breeding colony somewhere.

We occasionally get Buff-tip which is hard to beat in the camouflage department.

Ringing: 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Linnet, 1 Wren.

MAY RINGING TOTALS 2025

 

161 birds of 23 species is an increase on last year mainly helped by the number of Chiffchaff who are having a good year and our breeding Long-tailed Tits. No Redstart ringed and 2 less Spotted Flycatcher with very few sightings of both species doesn't bode well.

Saturday 31st May 2025

The air had a bit of a Mediterranean feel this morning - very hot, humid and calm. There was however, enough Reed Warblers around to make you feel like you were at Minsmere. Also 2 Juvenile Coal tit, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Grey Wagtail and a new Whitethroat. 

In the trap a real beauty! Striped Hawk-moth is a migrant experiencing a good Spring across the South of the UK. We have only had half a dozen previous records. 

Ringing: 2 Coal tit, 1 Blackcap, 6 Reed Warbler, 1 Robin, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Wood Pigeon.

 

Friday 30th May 2025

South Westerlies continue and appear to have brought in some Reed Warbler - a few singing around the reserve. A couple Chiffchaff singing too whilst 2 House Martin, 9 Swallow and 7 Swift all going South! The Rabbits have produced plenty of kits now so can't see the fox going hungry any time soon.

The first Eudonia mercurella of the year which can be really common some years. The larvae feed on mosses.

Ringing: 1 Great Tit, 1 Reed Warbler.