Friday 17th June 2011

The day consisted of a moderate south-westerly wind and complete cloud cover. Migrants moving through in a southerly direction were 1 Fulmar, 2 Curlew and the highlight being 1 Little Egret. A Reed Warbler was heard calling early morning within the Bird Observatory compound, it was later trapped and ringed. A 2nd year old female Magpie was trapped and ringed early morning, caught in the Observatory's heligoland trap. This is a species not often ringed at Landguard, probably as they are very clever birds so they know how to avoid mist nets, also being quite large they can wriggle out if they do happen to get caught! 8 birds ringed today; 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Greenfinch, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Magpie, 1 Great Tit, 1 Linnet and 1 Dunnock.

Thursday 16th June 2011

Today's weather consisted of a south-westerly wind and much cloud. There was a moderate breeze early morning before it dropped to a light breeze by mid morning. There was again very little migration, 11 Swift went south as did 2 Swallow. Warblers present included a newly arrived female Blackcap. One of yesterday's Chiffchaffs was present again for a second day. 9 birds ringed today, 1 female Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Common Whitethroat, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit, 1 Golfinch and 3 Greenfinch. Butterflies found included Small Heath.

JUNE LITTER PICK

Litter pick this Saturday 18th June 0930hrs start - usual arrangements. Please see the events page on http://www.lbo.org.uk/ for further info.

Wednesday 15th June 2011

The weather consisted of a very light east south-easterly wind with complete cloud cover. The day became very sunny and warm by mid-day. Migrants moving through were 1 Gannet, 1 Cormorant, 5 Oystercatcher, 3 Curlew and 7 Swift. Grounded migrants found were 2 Chiffchaff and 1 Willow Warbler, these were seen within the Bird Observatory compound. Today there were many more young birds present of various species. 18 birds ringed today; 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Goldfinch, 1 Greenfinch, 3 Dunnock, 1 House Sparrow, 1 Wren, 1 Blackbird, 2 Great Tit, 1 Blue Tit and 1 Common Whitethroat.

Tuesday 14th June 2011

The weather conditions consisted of a very light north north-westerly wind with much cloud. The day become sunny and very pleasant by mid morning. Very few migrants moving through, 2 Sandwich Tern were recorded heading in off the sea. 2 juvenile Coal Tit were found within the Bird Observatory compound, this is a bird that is not quite annual at Landguard so probably the bird highlight of the day! In total 12 birds ringed today; 4 Great Tit, 2 Coal Tit, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Blackbird, 1 Dunnock, 1 Greenfinch, 1 House Sparrow and 1 juvenile Chiffchaff. As we are now into summer more winged insects are emerging; an Emperor Dragonfly, 4 Blue tailed Damselfly and 1 Large Red Damselfy were found by the Butts pond out on the reserve. A Slow Worm was found on the path within the Bird Observatory compound whilst checking the mist nets.

Monday 13th June 2011

Curlews again on the move this am with 70 south offshore. Also on their way 3 Gannets, a male Gadwal & a flock of 25 Common Scoter (just the one female - this is the norm at this time of the year with the males on their way to somewhere like Carmarthan Bay to moult). 4 male Shelducks south offshore could also be contemplating the trip to Helgoland to moult. Also going south 10 Swifts, 2 Crossbills & a House Martin. On shore little of note although entertaining to watch some Herring Gulls smashing open Snails to gain a tasty morsel - although the Ringed Plovers were getting frustrated by this activity and having to undertake the old "broken wing" display act to draw the gulls away from their nest.

Sunday June 12th 2011

A singing Serin was an unexpected surprise this morning but it soon did the old disappearing trick. Also on the move were 2 Crossbills & 5 Curlew south. Autumn passage well underway for Curlews already this year but its difficult to define what the Crossbills are up to - "eruption" is the word most often used for this species. Plenty of terns still offshore & plenty of baby birds - at least three of the four pairs of Whitethroats have churned a brood out as an example.