Tuesday 19th August 2025

 

Up to 3 Wheatear now.

A couple of mobile Whinchat out on the reserve giving people the run-around in this blustery weather. In the more sheltered areas of the compound a Pied Fly was noted. Purple Sandpiper still on the point. Other migrants 2 Reed Warbler and 7 Swallow whilst offshore 1 Red-throated Diver, 9 Sandwich Tern and 5 Teal. A decent amount of c400 Starling out feeding today.

In the evening at least 3 Pied Flycatcher in the tamarisk alongside the moat.

The first Flounced Rustic of the Autumn is late on parade this year.

Ringing: 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Starling, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Wren.

Monday 18th August 2025

 

3 Blackcap will signify autumn passage getting underway in this species which normally commences around about the third week of August. Other migrants today include 5 Lesser 'throat, 5 Wheatear, 2 Whitethroat & Reed Warbler. Heading south 46 Teal & a Common Scoter. Purp again on the jetty at high tide early on plus a handful of Common & Sandwich Tern offshore.

Catoptria falsella was very common last century but now we get very few in comparison.

Ringing: 2 Blackcap.

Sunday 17th August 2025

 

Purp on the point signifies autumn is now well underway although slightly earlier than expected - we only have earlier autumn records than this in two previous years. Otherwise fairly predictable mid-August fare with 10 Whitethroat, 10 Willow Warbler, 3 Wheatear, 2 Lesser 'throat, 2 Yellow Wag, Black Red & Reed Warbler. Handful of Common & Sandwich Tern offshore with nothing else on the move.

Lesser Swallow Prominent is a wanderer from areas with Birch so is an infrequent visitor.

Ringing: 3 Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Robin.

Saturday 16th August 2025

Still some late broods of Cetti's Warbler emerging.

Overcast with North Easterlies one might expect more migrants but quality over quantity is fine with us - another two Pied Flycatcher on site. Also a Nightingale spotted was later captured and found to be sporting a British ring from somewhere else! Other migrants the first Meadow Pipit of Autumn, 2 Reed Warbler and 1 Willow Warbler. Offshore saw 7 Common Tern, 1 Little Tern, 17 Sandwich Tern and 12 Teal.

 

White-point is having an excellent year having become established over the last 50 years.

Ringing: 1 Dunnock, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler.

RINGING RECOVERIES

Chiffchaff ringed Kenneth Bank, Glencaple, Dumfries & Galloway on 15th September 2024 was retrapped 468km away at LBO 9th April 2025 would have been on migration when passing through both localities.

Blackcap ringed Drove Orchard, Norfolk on 10th July 2023 was retrapped 124km away at LBO 13th April 2025 on spring passage with the Norfolk locality probably near where it was born.

Wren ringed LBO 11th July 2025 was found dead below a window 4km away in Harwich seven days later. Never before have we had a Wren recovery over the estuary in Essex with this species reluctant to fly over water. Why this brave youngster decided to do so at a young age is unknown (unless it got on the foot ferry!).

Starling ringed LBO 7th August 2022 was retrapped 19km away at Melton 17th June 2025 having been retrapped at this location in the past so presumably is now living in the Woodbridge area.

Reed Bunting ringed LBO 15th September 2024 was retrapped 4km away at Trimley Marshes 6th April 2025 is worth a mention as we very rarely ring any Reed Bunting here.

Finally Blackbird colour ringed as a youngster LBO 13th August 2024 has been seen several times this year at Walton-on-the-Naze having emigrated & breeding at this locale.

Friday 15th August 2025

One of two Yellow Wagtail today.

Little sign of Autumn migration easing up. A Whinchat at first light was a fine addition to the day list. Dwindling numbers of Willow Warbler have suddenly received reinforcements and another couple Pied Flycatcher at least flitting around the obs. Also of note 1 Blackcap, 3 Black Redstart, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Sand Martin, 25 Swallow, 3 Wheatear and 2 Yellow Wagtail.

 

Small Emerald is by no means a rare species but it's only been noted here in five previous years.

Ringing: 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Whinchat, 3 Whitethroat, 14 Willow Warbler. 

Thursday 14th August 2025

Still the odd Willow Warbler lurking around. 

Well zero complaints about today's cast of Autumn migrants. Two Pied Flycatchers ringed at first light and 2 Crossbill South were a promising start. Another new, young Male Sparrowhawk also kept the feeders empty for some of the morning but eventually ended up in a mist net himself. Late morning a female Redstart seen by the wooden boardwalk and another male popped up in the compound.

Other migrants 1 Black Redstart, 1 Chiffchaff, 11 Goldfinch, 14 Swallow, 4 Wheatear, 2 Whitethroat, 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Yellow Wagtail. A bit of variety moving offshore too with 1 Barwit, 1 Common Sandpiper, 5 Grey Plover, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Little Tern, 1 Sanderling, 18 Sandwich Tern, 6, Teal, 1 Turnstone and 1 Whimbrel.

Second site record of Notocelia incarnatana. It's a migrant but there's always potential for it to colonise on wild rose.

Ringing: 1 Blue Tit, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Dunnock, 1 Linnet, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Wren.