Saturday 6th August 2011

Weather consisted of a gentle southerly wind. There was complete cloud cover. Migrants seen moving through were 3 Teal, 2 Cormorant, 52 Oystercatcher, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Grey Plover, 16 Whimbrel, 1 Curlew, 24 Barnacle Geese, 1 Garganey (a very good record for Landguard), 6 Common Tern, 10 Sand Martin and 1 Yellow Wagtail. On the reserve 5 Whetear were found. Warblers present were 1 Reed Warbler and 1 Willow Warbler plus 2 Common Whitethroat. Highlights today also include 2 Crossbill and 1 Green Woodpecker. 5 birds ringed today; 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Linnet and 1 Blackbird.

Friday 5th August 2011

Weather consisted of a gentle to moderate west south-westerly wind. There was very little cloud. Migrants seen on the move were 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Kittiwake, a juvenile Cuckoo, 1 Swift and 8 Swallow. Out on the reserve was a splendid looking male Black Redstart and 6 Northern Wheataer. A total of 4 Willow Warbler and 10 Common Whitethroat were found. 7 birds ringed today; 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackbird, 1 Dunnock, 2 Collared Dove and 1 Linnet.

Thursday 4th August 2011

Weather consisted of a slightly breezy southerly wind, there was complete cloud cover. The morning began with drizzle and light rain before becoming heavy rain by mid-day. Migrants observed passing through were 1 Cormorant, 2 Dunlin, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 27 Swift, 3 Sand Martin and 2 Swallow. Offshore were 5 Common Tern. There were 12 Willow Warbler found and 1 Sedge Warbler. 17 birds ringed today; 10 Willow Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 3 Greenfinch, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Linnet and 1 Robin. In the moth trap Red Twin-spot Carpet and Oncocera semirubella are good for Landguard. 4 Harlequin Ladybird were also found in the moth traps. A Common Seal was seen offshore.

Wednesday 3rd August 2011

A new Nightingale & a Willow Warbler on site this am. 3 Wheatear on the reserve with 22 Swallows & 3 Sand Martins noted going south. Plenty of birds on the reserve, although most of them are the progeny of local breeders. Stinking hot night last night meant that the moth traps were very busy. Migrant moth numbers very poor so it was a surprise to get the first site record of Dark Crimson Underwing and a stunning fresh individual it was to. Another first for the site noted today was a Western Conifer Seed Bug sunning itself on the observatory building - we have been expecting this but it's always good to see the first one.

Tuesday August 2nd 2011

Weater consisted of a gentle south-easterly wind with much cloud. Migrants seen on the move were 9 Cormorant, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Greenshank and 1 Redshank. A Black Redstart was present as was 3 Wheatear and a Yellow Wagtail. 9 birds ringed today; 1 juvenile male Green Woodpecker, 1 Goldfinch, 2 Linnet, 1 Dunnock, 1 Common Whitethroat, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Wren and 1 Blackbird. 2 Migrant Hawker Dragonflies and an Emperor Dragonfly were recorded. A Hummingbird Hawkmoth was seen. There were many species of butterfly recorded, in total 13 species.

Monday August 1st 2011

Weather consisted of a gentle south south-easterly wind becoming slightly more windy as the morning progressed, there was no cloud cover. The Nightingale from yesterday was still present. On the reserve was a juvenile Black Redstaert and 3 Northern Whetear. A juvenile Green Woodpecker was heard and seen. Migrants observed on the move were 11 Oystercatcher, 2 Curlew, 1 Common Tern, 5 Sand Martin and 9 Swallow. Also recorded was a Whimbrel, 1 adult Med Gull and 2 Sandwich Tern. 22 birds ringed today; 1 juvenile Green Woodpecker, 11 Greenfinch, 7 Linnet, 2 Blackbird and 1 House Sparrow. 2 Migrant Hawker Dragonflies were observed.

July Ringing Totals

A total of 212 new birds of 27 species ringed this month:

1st     Greenfinch 61     2nd     Linnet 40     3rd     Dunnock 14

This is a similar figure to the last couple of years and continues the run of poor July ringing totals that we are becoming used to.

Sunday July 31st 2011

More signs of autumn passage getting underway with a couple of Willows, a Reed Warbler & a Nightingale in the bushes plus a Wheatear on the Reserve. A handful of Swallows & a Sand Martin went south. Plenty of birds to look at on the Reserve although the bulk of them are Linnets, Greenies, Spadgers & Starlings. A Painted Lady was good to see as they have been almost non-existent so far this year. The breeze has gone round south-easterly as the morning went on so we live in hope for the next few days.