Monday 24th February 2025

 

Wet & windy up to late morning. 680 Cormorant went out fishing. A quick Billy Whizz around the reserve as the rain abated revealed a couple of female Stonechat new in plus the usual birds in the usual places. Late news - 2 male Stonechat at north end early pm.

Ringing: 1 Wood Pigeon.

Sunday 23rd February 2025

 

Ringed Plover C50 back on the beach having been originally ringed in Poland September 2023, seen at Landguard January 2024, back in Poland June 2024 then again at Landguard November 2024 & early morning today.

Visitors this morning were 2 Greenfinch, single Long-tailed Tit & Jackdaw with a Song Thrush singing in the observatory compound, for the first time this year, pleasing to hear. On the beach first thing, before dog walkers, 13 Ringed Plover, 2 Turnstone & Sanderling. 28 Common Scoter offshore & 2 Rock Pipit still with us.

Moth traps have been on the past four nights with the first moth of the season this Dotted Border.

Saturday 22nd February 2025

Thoroughly miserable wet & misty morning finally improving late morning onwards. A Mistle Thrush is today's migrant with the male Stonechat still at the north end. When the next best sighting is 21 Wood Pigeon it exemplifies the current state of play. 

Friday 21st February 2025

600 Cormorant went out fishing, 28 Common Scoter offshore, Lapwing on the beach first thing, Jackdaw visited & yesterday's Stonechat still at the north end. 4 Cetti's Warbler calling this morning - there has probably been this number present all winter and only with a milder sojourn have they all been rounded up on a morning's walk.

Moth traps have been out for the last two nights & recorded the dreaded "nil pois" although this Green Shieldbug, in winter plumage, did pop in.

Thursday 20th February 2025

 

Milder. Signs of the impending spring were 2 Lapwing, Stonechat foraging for morsels where the Ranger was strimming at the North end & the first wandering Greylag of the year. Lapwing are early nesters so will be keen to get back to their natal area & Stonechat are a characteristically early migrant at the end of February in low numbers. 2 Cetti's & 2 Rock Pipit still with us.

Wednesday 19th February 2025

 

Red Kite drifted along the ridge then back north-east mid-morning. LBO only has 17 previous site records which is surprising considering the number now wandering around just inland of us. 620 Cormorant went out fishing with 2 Gannet & Kitt noted offshore.

Tuesday 18th February 2025

 

I could just "copy & paste" yesterdays blog. Glorious sunny, frosty morning. 740 Cormorant went out fishing & Rock Pipit still with us.