Friday 24th June 2011

Another adult Cuckoo on its way south paid us a visit this morning. Also on the move were 13 Swallows & 6 Turnstone south. Bit early for autumn migration of Turnstones to start as its normally mid-July before they get going. A Bordered Straw in the moth department was notable considering the lack of migrant moths around recently.

Recent Recoveries

Amongst the recent batch received is an adult Wood Pigeon ringed on 28th July 2010 that was shot 510km away in Ille-et-Vilaine, France on 23rd December 2010. Very few British ringed Woodies are found abroad with this bird presumably leaving our shores as a result of the cold weather last December. One of our Blackbirds ringed on 1st November 2011 was taken by a cat 216km away at Ogbourne St. George, Wiltshire on 24th Feburary 2011. Amongst the many tit movements was one ringed at Biggleswade, Bedfordshire on 5th December 2010 that passed through here on 12th March 2011 a notable movement of 110km for this species. A Goldcrest caught here on spring migration on 27th March 2011 had been originally ringed 149km away at Warnham, West Sussex on 13th November 2010. A Chiffchaff caught here on 7th April 2011 had been originally ringed 310km away in Somerset on 22nd September 2009. Also worth a mention is an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull that was fitted with a geolocater at Orfordness on 15th June 2010 that was trapped in Mauritana on 17th May 2011 - the finder tried to extract a fee of $3,000 in order to return the geolocater but failed (he must of thought we are made of money).

Thursday 23rd June 2011

The day consisted of a moderately breezy west south-westerly wind with much cloud cover. Migrants seen moving through were 2 Cormorant, 29 Swift, 24 Curlew, 4 Common Scoter, 3 Little Egret, 1 Common Tern, 2 Swallow, 1 House Martin and 18 Sand Martin. There were groups of Crossbill heading south, in total 27 were seen passing through. 2 juvenile Coal Tits were found. There were 3 Common Whitethroat and 2 Lesser Whitethroat recorded. 3 Little Tern were seen feeding offshore. 5 birds ringed today, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Wren, 1 Linnet and 1 Great Tit. A Grey Seal was seen offshore.

Wednesday 22nd June 2011

Weather consisted of a fresh south-westerly wind. There was very little cloud cover early morning before becoming very cloudy by mid day. Migrants passing through heading south were 1 Cormorant, 6 Curlew, 1 Swift, 6 Sand Martin and 2 Swallow. Also seen on the move heading south were 5 Crossbill. This year it has been exceptionally good for seeing this species at Landguard, with there being many sightings of birds heading through. A young Treecreeper born this year was found within the Bird Observatory compound, it is unusual to see this species here. 3 Lesser Whitethroat and 3 Common Whitethroat were recorded. 4 birds ringed today, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Great Tit, 1 Greenfinch and 1 Linnet.

Tuesday 21st June 2011

Another new male Blackcap this am. Difficult to know why we get new adult Blackcaps in mid-June: late arrivals ?, failed breeders going walkabout ?, birds that have failed to find mates elsewhere ?, birds being forced to wander following "development" (ie the bulldozers) at their chosen nesting sites ?, - take your pick. Another 66 Curlews, a Barwit & an Oyk south offshore with 4 Swifts, 8 House Martins, 3 Swallows & 2 Sand Martins south over the reserve. Once the hirundines start moving then autumn is definitely on the way. Late news concerns a Cuckoo seen early afternoon presumably departing our shores for Africa.

Monday June 20th 2011

Tardy spring migrants were 2 male Reed Warblers & a male Blackcap - if they don't get a move on soon they won't be breeding this summer. Dispersing juveniles include 3 Coal Tits & a Blackcap - neither species nests here with the nearest breeding sites no further away from us than Langer Park. Autumn passage consisted of 14 Curlew south. Its that odd time of the year when all three phenomena are occurring at the same time.

Sunday 19th June 2011

It was a strong westerly wind with complete cloud cover. Very quiet with the only birds seen migrating through being 1 Gannet, 4 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Curlew, 1 Little Egret, 19 Swift and 1 House Martin. 5 Common Whitethroat and 2 Lesser Whitethroat were recorded and one of the recently ringed Chiffchaffs was re found. 2 birds ringed today; 1 Linnet and 1 Woodpigeon.

Saturday 18th June 2011

The weather consisted of a fairly strong west south-westerly wind, it was cloudy. There was some rain very early in the morning. There were more migrants on the move than in recent days, 4 male Common Scoter went north, everything else seen passing through went south; other birds recorded on migration were 1 Cormorant, 4 Dunlin, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Whimbrel, an impressive count of 65 Curlew and finally 36 Swift. A male Reed Warbler was heard singing throughout the morning within the Bird Observatory compound. Only 1 bird ringed today; 1 Common Whitethroat.