Saturday 12th July 2014

A misty morning with a south-west breeze. A Juv Cuckoo that spent the morning flying around the reserve and the Obs and a Juv Med Gull at the point were only birds of note onshore. Offshore Movements included 26 Sandwich Terns, 7 Oystercatcher, 5 Whimbrel, 8 Dunlin, 2 Kittiwake, Little Egret, Gannet, Redshank & a Bar-tailed Godwit south, 5 Sandwich Terns, a Whimbrel & 2 Med Gulls north and 3 Lapwing and 3 Greenshank up the river.

The moth traps were busy this morning with the highlight being a Reed Dagger, which is a nationally scarce species with most records being in East Anglia. Also of note was our first Grayling of the year.

8 Birds ringed ; 3 Blackbird, 2 Great Tit, 1 Wren, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Cuckoo.

Friday 11th July 2014

Another wet start to the day. As with yesterday bird activity was mainly off shore with southerly passage including 66 Gannet, 8 Common Tern, 3 Curlew, 46 Common Scoter, 10 Teal & 3 Whimbrel, whilst northerly passage included 64 Gannet, 28 Sandwich Tern, 21 Common Scoter, 2 Common Gull and single Little Gull, Kittiwake, Whimbrel & Dunlin. Other birds of note were 5 Lapwing & a Redshank that had probably been grounded in the heavy rain.

Ringing; Single Blackbird & Greenfinch.

Thursday 10th July 2014

A strong north-westerly this morning. Most of the bird activity was off shore today, so seawatching was the order of the day, resulting in 114 Gannet, 6 Curlew, 154 Common Scoter, 12 Sandwich Tern, 3 Teal and 6 Whimbrel heading south, whilst 31 Gannet, 6 Whimbrel, and single Kittiwake & Mallard headed north. Also of note were 103 Black-headed Gull arriving in off the sea from the continent and 38 Swift heading north.

Ringing; 3 House Sparrow, 1 Great Tit.

Wednesday 9th July 2014

Two new plants were added to the landguard list this week in the form of this Gooseberry(above), and a specimen of Wild Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea), found on the icky ridge.
On the bird front, the strong north-westerly wind meant most birds were keeping a low profile, with the exception of 62 Common Swift north, along with a southerly passage of Gulls that included 3 Mediterranean, 1 first summer Yellow-legged and around 50 Black-headed Gulls, also 4 Gannet and 4 Brent geese both south. On site the Black Redstart was seen again.

Birds ringed 9. 5 Greenfinch, 3 House Sparrow and 1 Great tit.

Tuesday 8th July 2014

A young Black Redstart was the highlight today and was possibly reared in the docks somewhere. Other birds of note were a Grey Wagtail and a Swift south. Offshore southerly passage included 85 Black-headed Gulls, 11 Sandwich Terns, 3 Med Gulls and a Curlew.

5 Birds ringed; 2 Greenfinch, 1 Wren, 1 Chiffchaff & 1 Black Redstart.

Monday 7th July 2014

Very little of note bird-wise today with minimal migration going on, the exceptions being 28 Sand Martin south and a juvenile Black Redstart around the fort.

Insect-wise there is a lot more starting to appear as Gatekeepers are now beginning to emerge. (above) and at least one Ringlet is still about. 

Birds Ringed 12.   1 Wood Pigeon,1 Blackbird, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 1 Linnet, 2 Greenfinch and 4 House Sparrow.

Sunday 6th July 2014

Another wet morning with the showers becoming heavier and longer as the day progressed. The only bird of note was a Kittiwake heading slowly south off shore.

Ringing; 3 Great Tit and single Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Greenfinch, Dunnock & Lesser Whitethroat.