Saturday 20th August 2011

Weather consisted of a south westerly wind. There was much cloud early morning. Migrants seen passing through were 9 Teal, 1 Sandwich Tern, 28 Swallow and 2 Sand Martin. A Green Woodpecker was found aswell as a Great Spotted Woodpecker. 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Common Whitethroat and 1 Lesser Whitethroat were recorded. 1 bird ringed today; 1 Willow Warbler.

Friday 19th August 2011

Weather consisted of a light westerly wind. There was very little cloud. Migrants seen passing through were 2 Whimbrel, 1 Sand Martin and 1 Swallow. A young Pied Flycatcher was caught early morning within the Bird Observatory compound. A fine looking male Common Redstart was seen out on the reserve along with 5 Northern Wheatear. A female Sparrowhawk was observed hunting over the site. Warblers found were 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Common Whitethroat and 1 Sedge Warbler. 8 birds ringed today; 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Garden Warbler, 3 Common Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler and 1 Blue Tit. A Migrant Hawker Dragonfly was found. A Muntjac Deer was seen within the Bird Observatory compound.

Thursday 18th August 2011

Weather consisted of a moderate to fresh north easterly wind, there was much cloud. Migrants observed passing through were 2 Teal, 4 Common Scoter, 1 Gannet, 1 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Grey Plover and 1 Common Gull. Warblers seen were 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 6 Common Whitethroat. 2 birds ringed today; 1 Willow Warbler and 1 Woodpigeon.

AUGUST LITTER PICK

Litter Pick this Saturday 20th August 0930hrs start. Usual arrangements. Further info on the events page of http://www.lbo.org.uk/

Wednesday 17th August 2011

Hard work in the migrant department - but then again hard work is becoming the norm over the years. 76 Swallows & 2 Yellow Wags went south. A Sedge Warbler was by the Butts pond & 2 Willow Warblers were on the reserve. Several Whitethroats & Lesser 'throats on the reserve are probably progeny of the breeding stock. Sounds a bit grim & it certainly is for migrants - there are plenty of birds about it's just that they are in the Linnet/Greenie/Spadger/Starling type department ! In the moth traps a Rosy Wave is a good record for us of this nationally scarce species.

Tuesday 16th August 2011

Weather consisted of a gentle south-westerly wind with much cloud. Migrants seen passing through were 16 Teal, 1 Fulmar, 1 Kestrel, 18 Oystercatcher, 8 Ringed Plover, 20 Grey Plover, 6 Dunlin, 1 Redshank, 3 Sandwich Tern, 29 Swift, 21 Sand Martin, 15 Swallow and 4 House Martin. 1 Northern Wheatear was found out on the reserve. Warblers present were 4 Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Common Whitethroat. 9 birds ringed today; 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Common Whitethroat, 1 Linnet, 2 Robin, 3 Goldfinch and 1 Greenfinch. A Migrant Hawker Dragonfly was found.

Monday 15th August 2011

912 Swallows, 20 Sand Martins & 4 House Martins south so far this am. Also on the move 2 Yellow Wags but little else. About 5 Willow Warblers are scattered around the site and the juv Cuckoo is still with us. Just as well the Swallows are moving as if you take them out of the equation then it is a bit deadly this morning. A Small Phoenix in the moth traps is only the second site record of a species that is fairly common and widespread in Suffolk.

Sunday 14th August 2011

A bit of deja vu this morning with yesterdays Cuckoo & Pied Fly still with us. Very little new in but records include a couple of Wheatears & Willow Warblers. A Tree Pipit calling as it went south was the first of the autumn with 2 Yellow Wags contemplating the same thing but dropping in on the reserve for a breather. A handful of Teal & waders went south offshore with 91 Swallows south counted so far. In the moth traps a Pine Leaf Mining Moth was the first of its kind to pay us a visit since 2004 - but as we are short of pine trees its probably regretting it.