Saturday 9th July 2016

On the move southwards 28 Swift, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Sand Martin, 1 Mediterranean Gull, Curlew, Ruff, Barwit & Yellow Wagtail. Ruff is a good one to get here as we only get a couple of records annually. Apart from that it's baby birds. Reed Warbler briefly early am.

In the moth department Catoptria pinella (top) that will have wandered down from a coniferous wood somewhere plus a Rosy Footman (above) that we don't see here that often.

Ringing: 19 birds ringed today which include 3 Ringed Plover, 3 Wren, 3 Common Whitethroat, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Dunnock, 1 Linnet. 1 Robin, 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Swallow.

Friday 8th July 2016

It's difficult to get additions to the site list these days so it's pleasing to get the first site record of Peach Twig Borer. It is a recognised pest species of fruit on the continent so farmers won't be happy if it manages to colonise. Very little to report in the migrant bird department with just 11 Goldfinch, 34 Swift & Curlew going past plus a Chiffchaff in the bushes and a Sparrowhawk over. Late news for yesterday is of 2 Knot on the beach in the evening.

Nil birds ringed.

Thursday 7th July 2016

This Small Blood-vein moth turned up in our moth traps this morning.

Migrants came in the form of 48 Swift, 38 Black-headed Gull, 18 Sand Martin, 10 Goldfinch, 9 Swallow, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Siskin.

More interestingly, we had a Yellowhammer over the observatory mid morning which is rather unusual considering we don't really see this species at this time of year.

Also, the first Yellow Wagtail of the autumn flew south and Knot (2). The first fledgling Lesser Whitethroats of the year seen today as well.

Monopis monachella is a red data book species that feeds on old bird nests and on dead animals.

Ringing: 17 birds ringed this morning comprising of 4 Linnet, 3 Dunnock, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Wren, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Robin, 1 Blackbird and 1 Common Whitethroat.

Wednesday 6th July 2016

Slightly quieter day today with fewer birds on the move.

Totals of 14 Cormorant, 5 Goldfinch, 4 Swallow, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Curlew, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Swift and 1 Blackcap were the most notable sightings from today.

Perforate St John's-wort covering the nature reserve, as well generally looking botanically good all over.

Ringing: No birds ringed today.

Tuesday 5th July 2016

Autumn well underway with 100 Curlew south before observers had to resort to other tasks so maybe twice that number went past. Also heading south 39 Black-headed Gull, 27 Swift, 10 Oyks, 10 Whimbrel, 2 Teal, 2 Sand Martin, Tufted Duck, Redshank & Med Gull with 2 Gannet also noted heading north. The first juvenile Black-headed Gull of the year recorded in addition to juvenile dispersal in the form of a couple of Chiffchaff, Blackcap & Whitethroat. Small numbers of Little Terns are regularly seen in small numbers up and down the beach all summer.

9 birds ringed: 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Greenfinch, 1 Linnet, 1 Blackcap, 1 Dunnock, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Blue Tit.

Monday 4th July 2016

Flat calm, clear and hot this morning and throughout the day produced a small movement of birds and a few migrants turning up.

Arrivals came in the form 41 Black-headed Gulls moving south. Totals of 21 Sand Martin, 7 Swift, 5 Swallow, 3 Cormorant, 2 Little Tern, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap and 1 Meadow Pipit were noted.

This Peppered Moth turned up in our moth traps this morning, superbly camouflaged with the concrete wall.

Small Copper on the wing in good numbers at the moment. 

Ringing: 14 birds ringed this morning involving 3 Greenfinch, 2 Robin, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Linnet, 1 Dunnock, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chaffinch, 1 House Sparrow, 1 Blue Tit and 1 Common Whitethroat.

Sunday 3rd July 2016

Another dispersing juvenile Treecreeper this morning, only the 17th ever Landguard record, is hopefully indicative of a good breeding season for them elsewhere. Two groups totalling 16 Little Egrets in off the sea then south is notable with the only other migrants worth a mention being 180 Swifts in off plus 2 Sand Martin south.

10 birds ringed: 3 Robin, 2 Greenfinch, 1 Wren, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Dunnock, 1 Linnet, 1 Blackbird.