Monday 7th April 2025

A calmer and all round pleasant day for birding in Suffolk today. Plenty of Chiffchaffs and some Blackcaps showing face; one Blackcap with a short burst of song! 1 Black Redstart has reappeared around the practice guns and 1 male Wheatear still in the fenced area by the point. A new Song Thrush showing 'greyer' tones suggesting continental origin. Other migrants include 2 Sanderling, 2 Med Gull North, 2 White Wagtail and another new Cetti's warbler!

 5 Turnstone today in Winter plumage can usually be spotted on the beach.

Today also saw the first Shuttle-shaped Dart of the year. This is about when we expect to start seeing them and will potentially become our most numerous moth.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 3 Linnet, 1 Song Thrush 

Sunday 6th April 2025

A gusty yet sunny day at Landguard. While migration is feeling slightly underwhelming we are still seeing familiar faces pass through. Among those 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Fulmar North, 1 Swallow, 1 Wheatear, 1 White Wagtail, 2 Shoveler, 1 Siskin and 4 Turnstone. 

We have been recording up to 8 pairs of Shelduck back on the reserve but we should expect to start seeing less as females find suitable nesting holes to incubate their eggs. 

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff

Saturday 5th April 2025

 Migrants are very slowly filtering through as we continue with similar weather systems throughout the week. North Easterlies! A noisy Ring-necked Parakeet raised a few eyebrows early in the day. The Linnets seemed to move in to the observatory today which kept the ringing room busy. They are now prospecting new nesting sites with some seen carrying material already. 

A Rock Pipit spotted on the Reserve today. Other migrants today include 1 Chaffinch, 3 Chiffchaff, 5 Turnstone, 1 Sanderling, 5 Meadow Pipit, 1 Wheatear, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Oystercatcher, 8 Cormorant and 6 Brent Geese North.

Ringing: 2 Chiffchaff, 8 Linnet, 1 Long-tailed tit.

Friday 4th April 2025

 While there was little change in the winds birds have to move eventually and today saw a small fall of Chiffchaffs amongst a few other visitors. A Snipe flew around the obs a couple times before disappearing early morning. 2 Goldcrest also present. 

We estimate 3 pairs of Great Tit here now whose favorite game is forever 'mimic the rare bird.'

Out on the Reserve 1 Male Wheatear still out by the point, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Sanderling, 4 Turnstone, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Kestrel, 7 Ringed Plover and 1 Swallow North. 

The Herald Moth is a species we record hibernating in the buildings every Winter but we don't usually expect to find them in the Moth Traps.

Ringing: 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Dunnock, 2 Goldcrest

RINGING RECOVERIES

 Blackbird ringed LBO 22nd November 2023 found freshly dead 89 km away at West Thurrock, Essex 12th March 2025. Presumably a migrant at both locations.

Lesser Redpoll ringed LBO 6th November 2023 was retrapped 11 km away at Newbourne 16th March 2025.

Chiffchaff ringed Charlston, Sussex 12th September 2024 retrapped 151 km away at LBO 20th March 2025. Presumably a migrant at both locations.

Blackbird ringed LBO 13th August 2024 & retrapped here a week later was photographed 8 km away at Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex on 20th March 2025. This is quite possibly a dispersing juvenile when at LBO that has emigrated to Essex.

Thursday 3rd April 2025

 

Weather not conducive to grounded migrants with today's paltry selection including 3 Mipit, single Chiffchaff & Wheatear all of which are probably the same individuals that have been here for days. 3 Rook flew south. On the beach a Grey Plover early morning, 2 Turnstone + the Sanderling with a dodgy leg that has been around for a while that maybe destined to remain here as its feeding ability is compromised by its disability.

Moth numbers & variety are currently pathetic although the first Angle Shades of the year is always good to get.

Ringing: nil.

Wednesday 2nd April 2025

 

Crab for breakfast anyone ?

Clear high pressure with a chilly wind not ideal. Migrants were 4 Mipit, 3 Song Thrush, 2 White Wagtail, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting, Rook & Wheatear. Offshore movements almost non-existent except for a single Fulmar.

Ringing: nil.