Saturday 23rd April 2011

Another fairly pleasant day with little to no wind and clear blue skies. The Shorelark remains on site feeding out on the reserve, showing very well for visiting birders. Migrants moving through were 4 Common Scoter, 4 Whimbrel, 5 Curlew, 8 Swallow, 2 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Goldfinch. 20 Wheatear were found feeding out on the reserve. Warblers present were 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap and 5 Common Whitethroat. The Little Owl was seen in the usual spot. 2 birds ringed today: a male and female Blackcap. The Weasel was seen once again on the hunt, out on the reserve. A Common Red Damselfly was found. Butterflies present were Holly Blue, Red Admiral and Small White. In the moth trap 2 Silver Y were the first of the year.

Friday 22nd April 2011

The splendid Shorelark was present once again, showing very well for birders out on the reserve. A Hobby was seen early morning hunting over the reserve. 3 Black Terns, 4 Little Terns, 2 Sandwich Terns and 77 Common Terns were observed migrating north. Also haeding noth was a Fulmar and a Gannet. 4 Swallows and a Goldfinch went south. There were 15 Wheatear recorded on the reserve. 3 Gadwall were seen offshore. 7 birds ringed today; 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Wheatear and 1 Robin. In the moth traps a Dark Spectacle was unseasonal. A Weasel was seen hunting out on the reserve. Butterflies found were Holly Blue, Large White and Small White.

Thursday 21st April 2011

Only 1 of the 3 Shorelarks remains on site, showing extremely well out on the reserve. 16 Wheatear were also found. Other migrants included 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Common Whitethroats, our first Garden Warbler of the year and 1 Chiffchaff. Migrants moving through were 1 Grey Heron, 2 Gadwall, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Yellow Wagtail and 19 Goldfinch. 5 Birds ringed today; 1 Wheatear, 1 Common Whitethroat, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Collared Dove. Butterflies found were Green-veined White, Small White, Small Tort, Peacock and Red Admiral.

Wednesday 20th April 2011

Another glorious sunny morning. 2 Little Terns equals our earliest ever date. Also moving north offshore 7 Arctic, 2 Sandwich, 1 Common Tern and a solitary Whimbrel. Overhead 4 Yellow Wags going south one of which displayed a few features of one of the other races when it dropped in briefly by the point. Also going south a Redpoll and a handful of hirundines & Goldfinchs. In the bushes several Whitethroats are setting up territories with a single Blackcap and the loitering Redwing still present. Only 1 Shorelark seen this morning with at least 15 Wheatears present on the reserve plus a Skylark that popped in for a visit. 2 adult Med Gulls were the first seen for several days and 9 Turnstones are still with us. Late news - male Serin turned up about an hour after this blog was written.

Tuesday 19th April 2011

The day began with no wind and nearly full cloud cover, later on in the day a light breeze from the east south-east occured. The 3 Shorelark from yesterday were still present feeding out on the reserve. 18 Wheatear were also found. Birds on the move were 3 Avocet moving south, 7 Bar-tailed Godwit moving south, 1 Yellow Wagtail moving south, 5 Sandwich Tern moving north, 5 Common Tern moving north and 12 Arctic Tern also moving north. These were the first Arctic Terns of the year to be recorded at Landguard. Also of interest were 3 adult Little Gulls heading north. Warblers seen were 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Common Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap and 1 Willow Warbler. The Little Owl was seen in the usual spot at the back of the Bird Observatory. Only 1 bird ringed today; 1 Willow Warbler. There were more butterflies present today, with Holly Blue, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Small Tort and Peacock all being present. A Grass Snake was found whilst underataking the morning net checks. The Weasel was found once again. 2 Harbour Porpoise were also recorded.

Monday 18th April 2011

The day was fairly pleasant with little wind early morning. Highlight of the day was 3 Shorelark showing extremely well out on the reserve. Also seen on the reserve were 17 Wheatear. A Fulmar flew south. Only 2 birds ringed today; 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Blackbird. The first Small Copper butterfly for the year was recorded.

Sunday 17th April 2011

3 Shorelarks & a Corn Bunting were notable this am. Also on the reserve 23 Wheatears. Other migrants were a bit thin on the ground with just a couple of Songies, Willow Warblers, Whitethroats & a Blackcap. Vis mig consisted of a handful of Black-headed Gulls, Swallows & Goldfinchs going south. A new Long-tailed Tit turned up with an old stagger from last autumn. In the bug department Corizus hyoscyami is a good looking beastie. A Diamond-backed Moth was the first of its kind for the year.