Saturday 19th July 2014

After a great lightning show overnight and in the early hours the sun came out mid morning. A very quiet day with a Spotted Redshank heading south offshore the only bird of note.

In the moth traps was our second Bedstraw Hawk-moth (top) of the year was a nice surprise.

Late news from this morning is that of a High Brown Fritillary that was photographed by a couple of lucky observers. This is the first in Suffolk since 1959.

Friday 18th July 2014

Not quite so hot today with an onshore breeze. Bird wise a handful of waders moved through & a Little Egret went north. Odd Sanderling have been on the beach in recent days as they head down from the arctic heading for West Africa. No passerines appear to have started moving just yet. Insect wise the moth traps were less hectic this morning (but still busy) with plenty of butterflies on the reserve. Migrant Hawker dragonflies have started to appear in recent days & worth a mention is the first Porpoise for a while.

6 birds ringed: 4 greenfinch, 1 wren, 1 great tit.

July Litter Pick

Litter Pick this Saturday 19th July 0930hrs start. Usual arrangements - please see the events page on www.lbo.org.uk for further info.

Thursday 17th July 2014

A hot and humid day with a shower early on. Very quiet bird wise with the only ones of note being 2 Lapwing west and 4 Curlew & 2 Whimbrel south.

The moth traps were highly productive with 160 species caught including 2 new species for the site, a Peach Blossom and a Horse Chestnut Leaf-miner (above).

Ringing; 2 Linnet

Wednesday 16th July 2014

A lovely warm day today with a light breeze, initially easterly but turning southerly as the morning wore on. This allowed a movement south of early migrant passerines which included 9 Swift, 27 Swallow, 4 Sand Martin , at least 2 Yellow Wagtail and a Nightingale. Also on site today was a dispersing young Green Woodpecker and Jay. Offshore a few Sandwich Terns are still around and waders are beginning to move in better numbers with southerly passage of a few Curlew and Golden Plover.
Insect wise butterfly numbers are in good supply with some 14 species seen today, whilst the moth traps were again crowded overnight. Also in the moth traps was this female Lesser Cockroach, a species normally found only in this coastal habitat.

Ringing total of 7 birds included 2 Great Tit, 1 Blackbird, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Jay and 1 Green Woodpecker.

Tuesday 15th July 2014

Few birds about on the deck although there was a slight southerly passage with 23 Sand Martin, 13 Swift, 8 Swallow and a Yellow Wagtail noted. A Great Crested Grebe headed up the river and offshore 17 Sandwich Tern and 7 Whimbrel headed south were the only other birds of note.

11 Birds ringed; 5 Greenfinch, 2 Linnet and single Great Tit, Starling, Lesser Whitethroat & Chiffchaff.

Monday 14th July 2014

A quiet day. A Mistle Thrush was the highlight of the morning, other birds of note were a Great Spotted Woodpecker and 20 Sand Martin & 9 Swallows south. Offshore 24 Common Scoter headed south.

A nice selection of butterflies this morning including the Painted Lady above, this species seems to be having a poor year so far.

9 Birds ringed; 4 Greenfinch, 2 Great Tit, 2 House Sparrow, 1 Pied Wagtail.

Sunday 13th July 2014

After last nights thunderstorms had subsided, first light brought calm, humid and misty conditions. This however did not last long before the heavy rain showers moved in, continuing throughout the morning. Visibility was poor and as a consequence very little of note was recorded. Just 33 Sand Martin & 6 Swallow south along with 8 Sandwich Tern south and 2 Brent Geese heading out of the river then north.

Large numbers of moths were in the moth traps, especially micros( those very small, hard to identify species ) kept us entertained whilst sheltering from the rain. A fresh, unusual form of Heart and Dart was noteworthy.

Ringing: 2 Blackbird, 1 Great Tit, 1 Wood Pigeon.