COVID-19

COVID – 19      EARLY JUNE UPDATE

To update arrangements members requiring access are asked to -

·      Follow government advice, rules & regulations as posted & updated on www.gov.uk. Relevant points are:

·      Maintain social distancing (individuals to keep a minimum of two metres apart)

·      Maintain a high-level of hygiene through handwashing

·      Only gather in groups of six people from different household outdoors – following social distancing guidelines.
·      Stay Alert and minimise contact with others.

A Risk Assessment is available on accessing the site. Many locals are taking their constitutional on the nature reserve & if that includes you please give us a wave and e-mail any of your sightings to landguardbo@yahoo.co.uk Measures are taken to help prevent the unintentional transmission of Covid-19 in line with government recommendations. Please stay well and as and when government changes restrictions then “normal” service will be resumed.

Sunday 12th July 2020

Young fox drinking at the pond.

Very little visible movements with southbound 22 Swift, 10 Black-headed Gull, 2 Sand Martin, Curlew, Heron & Whimbrel plus 10 Shelduck out then north quite possibly off to their moulting grounds in the Waddenzee. On site dispersing juveniles including 2 Great-spotted Woodpecker, Blackcap & Black Redstart.

The Magpie is apparently a common and widespread species but barely noted once a year here.

Ringing: 2 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 1 Blackcap, 1 House Sparrow, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Wood Pigeon.

Saturday 11th July 2020

Cerceris rybyensis is a digger wasp that predates mining-bees on the top path at the Observatory.

A cool start to the morning but warming pleasantly once the sun came up.

Again quieter than the past few days and there was limited movement on the sea which consisted of 78 Black-headed Gulls,  3 Curlew and 3 Sandwich Terns heading south and a Little Egret and a Lapwing heading into the Orwell.

On the land, there were 2 Black Redstarts in front of the obs this morning, a blackcap in the bushes and 6 Sand Martin, 2 Siskin, a Swift and a Swallow heading south.

Conveniently sat on the same egg carton were two species that don't visit us all that often, a Pine Hawkmoth and a Buff Ermine.

Ringing: 2 Dunnock, 1 Blackcap, 1 House Sparrow, 1 Linnet, 1 Robin.

Friday 10th July 2020

Heavy rain over night but the sun just about managed to peek through the clouds this morning on what felt like a very autumnal day (...it's only July?!).

The sea was much quieter today, with only 7 Curlew and 49 Black-headed recorded today. There were a few more Common Terns and a single Sandwich Tern heading south.

On the reserve the Black Redstart was again in front of the Observatory. 15 Swifts, 3 Sand Martins and a Swallow were the best of the vis-mig.

The sun brought out a few butterflies, once the weather had warmed up, including Gatekeeper, Peacock, Red Admiral and a Holly Blue.

In the moth trap this morning was something that took a little head scratching to work out. In the end we came to the conclusion that it was an aberrant Common Carpet, although we quite happy to be corrected!

Ringing: 1 Dunnock

Thursday 9th July 2020

A wet start to the morning but it didn't stop a good number of waders and a few duck heading south on the sea.
Curlew were the most numerous with 178 recorded this morning along with, 17 Dunlin, 7 Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Turnstone, 5 Greenshank, 3 Redshank, 3 Golden Plover, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Knot and a Whimbrel.

In the duck department 15 Common Scoter, 6 Tufted Duck, 5 Teal, 1 Gadwal and a Pochard headed south.There was also a good movement of Black-headed Gulls with 156 recorded, 4 Common Gulls and a Fulmar.

Swifts were also on the move with 102 passing the obs this morning. The Black Redstart had also found its way into the Fort and the Serin was heard by a coupe of observers early this morning but it hasn't been heard again.

The 'Daggers' are hard to separate, with only the Grey Dagger definitely recorded here although nationally Dark Dagger is also apparently common.

Ringing: Nil

Wednesday 8th July 2020

Yesterdays Norfolk Hawker.

Rain up to 0900 hrs then a dull old morning. Southbound 14 Black-headed Gull, 8 Curlew 2 Heron, Sandwich Tern & Turnstone with northbound 3 Common Scoter 2 Kitts & Common Tern.

Lesser Cockroach is a regular in the moth traps but don't sit still for long.

Ringing: 2 Lesser Whitethroat.

Tuesday 7th July 2020

A reasonably still day compared with the past few days, although the vis mig was much quieter as well with only 10 Sand Martins, 8 Crossbill and a Swallow recorded.

The Black Redstart was again in its favoured spot on the reserve. A Reed Warbler was chuntering south of the Butts Pond and a summer plumaged Dunlin was asleep on the beach by the Jetty.

On the Sea, a Grey Heron, 15 Curlew and and a Sandwich Tern headed south and a Fulmar headed north.

The warmth has brought out a few more insects, included what seems to be the second record of Norfolk Hawker for the Observatory, with the first individual being reported back in 1991! This species has spread locally and is regularly reported in the wider Felixstowe Area so it was only a matter of time.

In the Moth Trap this morning was one of the 'Ear' Moths which can be difficult to separate between a couple of species although this one showed all the relevant features of Saltern Ear.

Ringing: 7 Linnet, 3 Great Tit, 3 House Sparrow, 2 Dunnock, 2 Wren, 1 Blackcap, 1 Blackbird, 1 Chiffchaff