Wednesday 25th February 2026

Glorious sunny, mild day for the time of the year. Good chunk of time spent putting up the nets for the season so observations limited to 2 Barnacle Geese south, usual raft of Common Scoter & the Snow Bunts.

Grey Shoulder-knot is not annual here so always good to get one. It emerges in the autumn, hibernates, then comes out again in the spring.

FELIXSTOWE TOWN COUNCIL GRANT

 

Landguard Bird Observatory is extremely grateful for being awarded an "occasional grant" from Felixstowe Town Council for funding towards replacing our computer which has been running on now outdated Windows 10.

Further information on Occasional Grants, who is eligible & how to apply are on -

https://felixstowe.gov.uk/council-services/grants/

Tuesday 24th February 2026

 

Total of 41 Barnies south including this flock of 36 just offshore. 2 Songies singing this morning with one at the obs as well as one in the Pear tree at the Butts. Today's migrants were single Jackdaw, Redwing & Skylark. Usual raft of 50 Common Scoter offshore & 3 Snow Bunts on back beach - but for how much longer ?

Moth traps have been out for the last four nights with the milder conditions finally encouraging a couple out to play with Common Quaker one of them. Folks inland will be getting a fine assortment whereas it is still bleak at Landguard at this time.

Ringing: 1 Redwing. 

Monday 23rd February 2026

406 Cormorant went out fishing, 50 Common Scoter & 3 Snow Bunting still present. 48 Linnet is the best count of the year so far.

Sunday 22nd February 2026

308 Cormorant went out fishing, 50 Common Scoter offshore, 3 Snow Bunts out the back, Fieldfare & Skylark on the reserve.

Ringing: 1 Fieldfare.

Saturday 21st February 2026

Couple of notable sightings this morning with a croaking Raven paying a visit winding up the local crows, our eighth site record with only three of those this century, all being in the last two years. Also a Yellowhammer landing in the Hawthorn by the observatory before departing north being our first since 22nd February 2024 almost two years ago to the day. Early spring passage of Yellowhammers from late February onwards used to be the norm but, alas, no more. Also this morning southbound 4 Egyptian Geese, Curlew & Oyk with 50 Common Scoter offshore, 3 Snow Bunts on the back beach & a Skylark.

The moth traps were put out last night, as it is getting milder, producing 'nil pois' reminding us that it is still winter & it can take a couple of milder nights to get things going.

Friday 20th February 2026

Predictable morning. Todays migrants are 3 Lapwing & a Skylark. 50 Common Scoter offshore, 6 Sanderling on beach early doors & the usual 3 Snow Bunts on back beach.