Saturday 23rd August 2014

A nice selection of migrants on site this morning including 15 Willow Warbler, 6 Whitethroat, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whinchat, single Reed Warbler, Yellow Wagtail, Garden Warbler, Wheatear & Chiffchaff, also a Purple Sandpiper was located at the point, this is our earliest autumn record of this species by about a week. Overhead 179 Swallow, 8 Sand Martin, 3 Swift and 3 additional Yellow Wagtail flew south.

9 Birds ringed; 6 Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler.

Friday 22nd August 2014

Another quiet day with the only migrants being 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Wheatears and a Yellow Wagtail whilst overhead 23 Swallow, 15 House Martin and 6 Sand Martin flew south. Offshore southerly passage included 3 Dunlin, 2 Teal, 2 Redshank, 4 Grey Plover, 2 Ringed Plover and single Shelduck, Sanderling, Turnstone, Little Egret, Fulmar, Curlew & Whimbrel.

Ringing; 2 Willow Warbler & 1 Blackbird.

Thursday 21st August 2014

Following clear skies overnight there were few migrants about this morning with only 10 Willow Warblers, 4 Whitethroat, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff & a Wheatear noted. Overhead 90 Swallows, 9 Sand Martin & 5 Yellow Wagtails flew north.

11 Birds ringed; 6 Willow Warbler, 2 Robin, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Whitethroat.

Wednesday 20th August 2014

At last we have some migrants to report, not huge numbers admittedly, but none the less very welcome indeed. Some 20 Willow Warbler, 8 Common Whitethroat, 5 Lesser Whitethroat 1 Whinchat, 1 Chiffchaff & 1 Redstart were noted on site & 2 Tree Pipit over south. Whilst offshore small numbers of Terns were feeding whilst 2 Fulmar & 1 Whimbrel flew north.

Ringing total today was 15 birds, the biggest day total so far this month so hopefully things are looking up.
Species ringed today were 9 Willow Warbler, 4 Whitethroat, 1 Robin & 1 Wren.

Fence Removal

It is intended to remove the temporary fencing for ground nesting birds this Friday 22nd August. Many hands make light work so if you would like to help please meet at the cottage at 0930hrs & wear appropriate clothing & footwear for the task in hand.

Tuesday 19th August 2014

The strong winds continue. Southerly passage included 2 Tree Pipit (plus on the reserve), 4 Yellow Wagtail, 35 Sand Martins, 25 Swallows & a House Martin. Offshore 30 Oystercatcher, 5 Grey Plover, 11 Redshank, 6 Knot, 3 Turnstone, 13 Teal & a Grey Heron flew south and a Little Gull headed in to the river.

6 Birds ringed; 3 Willow Warbler and single Robin, Chiffchaff & Goldfinch.

Monday 18th August 2014

With the winds still strong and from the south-west few new migrants were about apart from 4 Willow Warblers in the bushes and 3 Wheatear & a Yellow Wagtail on the reserve, whilst overhead 9 Sand Martin, 2 Tree Pipits and a Swallow flew south. Offshore a nice selection of waders and ducks headed south including 51 Teal, 16 Oystercatcher, 5 Shelduck, 5 Redshank, 3 Grey Plover, 2 Knot, 2 Dunlin, 1 Turnstone & a Great Crested Grebe.

Ringing; 1 Blackbird, 1 Willow Warbler.

Ringed Plovers 2014

Three pairs bred:
1) This pair consisted of two older veterans from previous campaigns. The one adult was originally ringed as an adult in May 1997 so is at least 18 years old with it's mate probably of a similar vintage but declining to be trapped this year to allow it's ring number to be read. This pair had two broods rearing three young from the first brood & two young from their second brood.
2) This pair consisted of an old individual originally ringed as a pullus in May 1998 so is known to be 16 years old with it's mate a new individual to the site. This pair had two clutch's rearing one young from the first attempt with the second clutch being predated late on in the incubation period.
3) This pair were both new individuals to the site that arrived after the other two pairs had started nesting. This pair reared one young from their first nesting attempt. From their behaviour it is strongly suspected that they had a second nesting attempt which probably failed before we found the nest.

Seven young reared this year from three pairs is the most successful season for some time. A grand total of only nine young have been reared at Landguard this century and with several adults getting old it is important that youngsters are reared to sustain the population that remains at a low ebb. The population peaked at 17 pairs in 1998 but plummeted after this due to gross neglect by the then site managers who had different priorities for the then available funding.

Sunday 17th August 2014

The strong south-westerly winds again proved little use to passerine migration,and sea watching fared little better. Very little to report on site apart from 2 Sparrowhawk, 28 Common Swift south and a juvenile White Wagtail feeding on the common with 15 Pied Wagtail, whilst offshore only the odd wader and duck species going past, the best being 1 Ruff and 36 Oyster Catcher both south.

Only 3 birds were ringed today, 1 each of Lesser Whitethroat, Dunnock and Sparrowhawk.