Saturday 19th March 2011

The day began with much frost early morning. The temperature then slowly rised and the day become very pleasant. Highlights were a Woodcock that was flushed within the observatory compound, a Jackdaw migrating south and a Firecrest. The 2 resident Little Owls showed very well for birders to see at the far back end of the observatory within the compound. Birds ringed today were 10 Chaffinch, 5 Blackbird, 1 Dunnock, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 1 male Goldcrest and 1 Redwing.

Friday 18th March 2011

The morning was mostly very damp and wet with on and off showers. Highlights today included a Peregrine seen flying overhead towards the Felixstowe docks; also of note were 24 Brent Geese migrating north, a Red-throated Diver also heading north and 1 Rock Pipit seen on the jetty. The ringed male Firecrest that overwintered here at the observatory was retrapped and still in good condition. 10 birds were ringed today, 5 Blackbird, 3 Chaffinch, 1 Robin and 1 Starling. Also of interest was a Common Seal offshore.

Thursday 17th March 2011

A very poor day; there was very little of interest seen passing through with hardly any visible migration. 2 Red-throasted Divers were seen migrating north and 9 Cormorants were also passing through. The male Goldcrest continues to linger. There was also of note 1 Common Seal offshore. Only 8 birds ringed, 3 Song Thrush, 2 Blackbird, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Blue Tit and 1 Woodpigeon.

March Litter Pick

This months litter pick along the beaches will be held this Saturday 19th 0930hrs start. If you have a couple of hours to spare help is always appreciated. Further details under the Events section on LBO Home Page.

Wednesday 16th March 2011

Conditions still poor but at least the fog was not as thick as yesterday. Very few migrants here so it was a bit of a surprise to have a Serin mid-morning. This is the first one of its kind to appear in March with our previous earliest record being April 8th. Apart from this the best offerings are 3 Rooks south and 2 Greylag Geese north.

Tuesday 15th March 2011

The first two Chiffchaff to be ringed this year was the main highlight of the day. The poor visibility made birding very difficult with thick fog occuring all morning, because of this seawatching from the obs was impossible! Unfortunately there was no sign of the male Black Redstart today. On the common 4 Ringed Plovers were found along with the usual 2 Oystercatchers. Also of note were 8 Meadow Pipits, 3 Song Thrush and 3 Robin. Only 5 birds ringed today, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush and 1 Wren.

Monday 14th March 2011

A small arrival of new Blackies today plus a couple of new Long-tailed Tits, Great Tits, Chaffinch, single Redwing & Reed Bunting. A White Wagtail was the first of the year. Also on the reserve a Lapwing again present early on with the male Black Red moving onto the Left Battery. Offshore a couple of Red-throated Divers plus a female Eider south. Of note in the moth department our first Twin-spotted Quaker since 2005.

Sunday 13th March 2011

3 Chiffchaffs and a fine male Black Redstart were the first of the spring. Great Tits are still on the move with at least 25 passing through. Other migrants today include a few new Robins, Dunnocks & Blackies. The rarest record of the morning was a Lapland Bunting that came in from over the docks then flew in a southerly direction out over the shingle - this may be the first one ever of its kind to be noted here in the spring. Also noted were a Siskin flying south and a Jackdaw put in a brief appearance. Further signs of spring are displaying Ringed Plovers and 8 Shelduck on the reserve early morning plus the daffs are finally coming into flower. In the moth traps Agonopterix curvipunctosa - this is an extremly rare moth in the UK but one which has a small population here.