Saturday 3rd December 2016

A Great White Egret flying north offshore at 0833hrs was the fifth site record of this species that was a national rarity up until a few years ago but is now occurring in ever increasing numbers. The first winter Glaucous Gull also showed up again offshore just before mid-day. A few birds were noted going past before and after the litter pick including south bound 14 Common Scoter, 11 Brent, 3 Red-throated Diver, 2 Shelduck & Goldeneye plus northbound 2 Red-throated Diver, Gannet & Kittiwake. Rock Pipit was the only sighting of note on the reserve.

Friday 2nd December 2016

Dull early December morning. Starring out to sea for 40 minutes produced nothing but seagulls and then when walking around the reserve 11 Common Scoter went north. No migrants noted this morning with the site even lacking in what you would even term as common birds.

Ringing: 1 Wood Pigeon.

December Litter Pick

Litter Pick this Saturday 3rd December 0930hrs start. Usual arrangements on the events page of www.lbo.org.uk

Thursday 1st December 2016

It's very much feeling like winter with no migrants noted except for those that are probably going to try and be with us until the spring. This could be one of those blogs whereby no birds get mentioned !

November Ringing Totals

250 birds of 17 species ringed. Slightly more Blackies than last year but a very poor Redpoll autumn. A couple of Bullfinch are good for us.

Blackbird	176		Mealy Redpoll	2
Robin	14		Wood Pigeon	2
Long-tailed Tit	12		Bullfinch	2
Song Thrush	12		Sparrowhawk	1
Goldfinch	10		Firecrest	1
Chaffinch	8
Blackcap	4
Goldcrest	3
Wren	3
Redwing	2
Greenfinch	2
Lesser Redpoll	2

Wednesday 30th November 2016

Having packed up the moth traps until the new year, this little beauty then appeared when the sun came out. It's name is Phyllonorycter messaniella and it continuously mines the leaves of our Holm Oaks.

Another cold and frosty night, that turned into a bright, sunny morning. However, with autumn over and winter fast approaching there is little on site to set the pulses racing. The only birds worth a mention were 1 Fieldfare, 1 Lapwing, one of the Peregrines over the docks and 1 Skylark that went south. 

1 bird ringed: a Song Thrush. 

Tuesday 29th November 2016

It's getting colder somewhere if there's a Lapwing wandering around the reserve. Offshore sightings limited by the bright sunshine (and lack of birds !) but did include 4 Shelduck & a Red-breasted Merganser heading south.  A Grey Wagtail flying over is the first of it's kind for several weeks. Despite the fact there is still frost on the ground in the shade at mid-day a Peacock butterfly was enjoying the glorious sunshine by the back gate.

No birds ringed.

Monday 28th November 2016

Southbound 44 Brent, 25 Wigeon, 6 Common Scoter, 6 Red-throated Diver, 2 Teal, Shelduck & Red-breasted Merganser with northbound 74 Common Scoter, 9 Gannet, 5 Brents, 3 Red-throats, 2 Velvet Scoter & Bonxie. A couple of new Blackies & a new Chaffinch still passing through as autumn gives way to winter. Despite the wintry feel not to many gulls are loitering around the car parks just yet.

Sunday 27th November 2016

Offshore southbound 148 Common Scoter, 8 Brent, 6 Red-throated Diver, 1 Gannet plus northbound 153 Common Scoter, 9 Eider, 2 Gannet, 1 Brent, Curlew & Knot, On the shore 5 Turnstone, 2 Sanderling & a Ringed Plover. The odd Blacky & a couple of  late new Robins still passing through although, let's be honest, passerine migration this autumn should really be done and dusted by now.

3 birds ringed: 2 Robin, 1 Blackbird.