Saturday 4th June 2011

The wind was north north-easterly. There was some cloud early morning. The day began with a gentle breeze becoming more moderate to fresh later on in the morning. Again a very quiet day with little of interest seen. Migrants moving through were 3 Bar-tailed Godwit and 1 Razorbill. There were 2 Lesser Whitethroat and 5 Common Whitethroat found. 1 first summer Mediterranean Gull was found. Only 1 bird was ringed today, 1 Lesser Whitethroat. A male Rannoch Looper & a Bordered Gothic were notable migrant moths this am.

Friday 3rd June 2011

The wind was from the north-east, there was a gentle to moderate breeze. Migrants seen were 3 Gannet, 7 Cormorant, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Sandwich Tern and 2 Common Tern. 18 Little Tern were blogging offshore. 4 Common Whitethroat and 1 Lesser Whitethroat were recorded. 2 birds ringed today; 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Chaffinch. The first Meadow Brown butterfly of the year was found within the Bird Observatory compound. 3 Summer Chafer beetles were found within the moth traps.

Thursday 2nd June 2011

Today's migrant is a Reed Warbler. Apart from this its the usual birds in the usual places plus a few terns offshore. Plenty of babes about with our only pair of Wrens having churned a brood out (unless some of the bachelors on site have found mates that i am unaware off). A micro moth trapped last week has turned out to be a new species for Landguard - Large Clover Case-bearer Coleophora trifolii. Not many "dots on maps" for this species in Suffolk or even nationally.

Wednesday June 1st 2011

Migrants today were a Spot Fly, new Whitethroat & a Jackdaw on site briefly. Offshore at least 24 Little Terns loitering, 7 Sandwich Terns out of the river and north plus 2 Avocets south. The Muntjac was seen again early on. Apart from this it's baby bird time of the year with the first young Whitethroats noted out by the pond on the Butts.

May Ringing Totals

In May 208 new birds of 27 species ringed. Top three:

1st     Linnet 35     2nd     Whitethroat 23     3rd     Dunnock 16

This continues the recent ongoing run of poor May ringing totals. The best ringing day was a mere 14 birds with only six days scrapping into double figures. When you consider that this includes baby birds it helps you appreciate just how sparse migrants were this month. The May totals have been equally poor in the last few years. The May average since the observatory began is over twice this figure with the average figure being dragged downwards by lower May totals in recent years.

Tuesday 31st May 2011

The wind direction was west north-westerly, one of the worst winds possible for anything of interest to reach us at Landguard! Not surprisingly a very quiet day with little of real interest found! The highlight was 10 Crossbill migrating south, they dropped into the front trees of the Bird Observatory compound briefly, but not for long! Landguard has had quite a lot of Crossbill throughout May this year, most unusual for here! Also passing through were 1 Fulmar, 2 Gadwall, 2 Sandwich Tern, 9 Swallow and 3 House Martin. 2 birds ringed today; 1 young Wren and 1 young Dunnock. The Grey Squirrel was sighted out on the reserve.

Monday 30th May 2011

The wind direction was south south-westerly. There was complete cloud cover. There was a gentle breeze becoming slightly stronger throughout the morning. Migrants moving through were 1 Gannet, 1 Knot, 2 Curlew, 3 Sandwich Tern, 5 Common Tern, 3 Swift, 4 Swallow and 2 House Martin. Warblers present were 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 3 Lesser Whitethroat and 4 Common Whitethroat. 8 birds ringed today; 1 female Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Common Whitethroat, 1 young Woodpigeon, 1 Linnet, 1 young Great Tit and 1 young Blackbird. Small Copper butterflies were present. A Summer Chafer was found in one of the moth traps.

Sunday 29th May 2011

The south-westerlies continue to blow, occasionally at quite a strong speed. There was complete cloud cover early morning, becoming brighter by mid day. Migrants observed passing through were 1 Gannet, 1 Cormorant, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Swallow and 5 House Martin. 26 Little Tern and 16 Common Tern were seen fishing close offshore. A Spotted Flycatcher and a Willow Warbler were found within the Bird Observatory compound. 2 Lesser Whitethroat and 3 Common Whitethroat were also recorded. 7 birds ringed today; 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Linnet, 1 Dunnock, 1 Robin and 1 House Sparrow. A Summer Chafer was found in one of the moth traps.