Saturday 15th April 2017

The Greylag Geese, above, are seen passing on most days at this time of year.
There is an increase of Wheatear on the reserve with 15 individuals seen this morning, other migrants seen were 7 Blackcap, 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat and 1 Sedge Warbler. Over the sea there was a little movement with 28 Black-headed Gull, 6 Carrion Crow, 5 Swallow and 2 Greylag Geese all going south.

Only the second site record of Mottled Grey, the previous one being 20 years ago.

11 birds ringed: 5 Blackcap, 3 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff.

Friday 14th April 2017

A White Wagtail, pictured above, is showing well on the reserve today, the Wheatear have increased to 11 individuals and 1 Little Ringed Plover is present again with 7 Ringed Plover. 3 Fieldfare had roosted here overnight and 12 Chiffchaff were seen during the morning. Visible migration all going South included 8 Goldfinch and 2 Meadow Pipit along the coast and offshore 5 Black-headed Gull, 4 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Gannet, 2 Oystercatcher and 2 Brent Geese.

Powdered Quaker is a relatively common moth but one that only turns up here occasionally.

14 birds ringed: 10 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Wood Pigeon.

Thursday 13th April 2017

Woodlark is seen passing Landguard relatively frequent and only very occasionally, like this individual, they stop off. Most of the migrants seen yesterday have dispersed this morning but 3 Lesser Whitethroat arriving are the first seen here this year. Other birds of note seen on the reserve: 7 Wheatear, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Whitethroat and 1 Chiffchaff. 5 Goldfinch and 1 Siskin were seen going South. Offshore passage was quiet with 2 Cormorant and 1 Med Gull going South.

2 Birds ringed: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Robin

Wednesday 12th April 2017

The odd summer migrants are still pushing through despite the brisk westerlies. The first Common Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler of the year are both singing on the butts, though generally elusive, and both the Black Redstart and White Wagtail are still about. Other new birds passing through included 1 Firecrest, 5 Wheatear, about 6 each of Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff, a couple of Blackcap 4 Siskin and a Swallow south, whilst offshore 3 Whimbrel, 1 Curlew and 1 Turnstone also going south.

It should be noted that Brown-tail moth larvae are now emerging from their winter tents on the Bramble bushes (above). The hairs on these moths can cause severe irritation and can be carried on the wind some distance.

Ringed 14 birds: 6 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap and 1 each of Firecrest and Blue Tit.

Tuesday 11th April 2017

A Black Redstart continues to show well this morning and a Common Redstart was seen in the same area. The Little Ringed Plover was present on the reserve early morning and up to 6 Wheatears were also seen. A single Sand Martin heading North was the first recorded for this year at Landguard but with clear skies most of yesterdays arrivals have moved on. Little movement over the sea with 2 Swallow heading south and a Mute Swan coming into the estuary.

6 birds ringed: 1 Blackbird, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Collared Dove, 1 Wood Pigeon, 1 Redstart and 1 Kestrel

Monday 10th April 2017

Back to a North Westerly Breeze today but the southerly wind yesterday did deliver a few migrant birds for today, which include this male, along with another male, Redstart on the reserve. The Little Ringed Plover was present for a second day with 1 Black Redstart and 2 Wheatear continuing to show well during the morning. Also seen this morning 7 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap and 1 White Wagtail. Visible migration with 23 Swallow and 3 Goldfinch moving South.

Only 3 moths this morning after a chilly night from the North Westerly breeze but included the first Shuttle-Shaped Dart of the year.

12 birds ringed; 4 Chiffchaff, 4 Blackcap, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Wood Pigeon

Sunday 9th April 2017

A southerly breeze coming up from North Africa gave plenty of promise, but little reward due to a full moon and clear overnight skies. Having said that, it was not all bad, as this Little Ringed Plover shows. Unusually, feeding on the common, it normally occurs infrequently as a fly over, mostly in Autumn. Apart from that 7 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 3 Wheatear, a sprinkling of Swallows past, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Fieldfare and 1 Whimbrel north.

10 birds ringed:  6 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap and 2 Robin.