Saturday 22nd April 2017

The occasional sunny spell is encouraging a few more butterflies like this Holly Blue to come out.
The number of Wheatear has increased to 20 birds on the reserve and 7 Whitethroat and 2 Lesser Whitethroat have also been seen. Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler continue to trickle through and a Fieldfare was also present. Over the sea saw an increase in movement with a Long-tailed Duck going South, also going South 17 Common Scoter and 1 Sandwich Tern, going North 12 Common Tern, 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Kittiwake, 16 Whimbrel and 1 Curlew.

Incurvaria masculella is a common enough moth which appeared at Landguard for only the second time ever this morning.

14 birds ringed: 5 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Willow Warbler, ! Whitethroat, 1 Robin

Friday 21st April 2017

This Yellow Wagtail was 1 of 2 seen this morning, the second bird passing over heading South. The first House Martins at Landguard for this year were seen, 1 going East out over the sea and 1 going South, 22 Swallows were also going south along with 2 Sand Martins. 1 Merlin came in off the sea as did a Short Eared Owl.
Noted on the reserve, 12 Wheatear, 7 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap and 1 Woodlark.
Passage over the sea going South, 14 Oystercatcher, 4 Whimbrel and 1 North, 2 Bar Tailed Godwit, 5 Kittiwake and 1 North, 1 Fulmar plus 1 North. 1 Common Scoter going North.

With a milder night a few more moths showed up including a Least Black Arches, which, for the first one, is a tad early in the year.

17 birds ringed: 7 Willow Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 1 Linnet, 1 Robin

April Litter Pick

Spring Litter Pick this Saturday 22nd April 0930hrs start. Usual arrangements on the events page of www.lbo.org.uk

Thursday 20th April 2017

This male Wheatear towards the point was one of 12 Wheatear seen during the morning. Other migrants noted on the reserve include 4 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff and 2 Willow Warbler.
12 Sanderling were on the beach and passing along the shoreline 7 Swallow going South. Movement over the sea going South were 16 Common Gull, 10 Black-headed Gull, 2 Sandwich Tern, 1 Kittiwake, 1 Fulmar and 1 Little Egret. A Curlew came in West off the sea and 2 Shelduck going North.

4 birds ringed: 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler

Wednesday 19th April 2017

A cold night with a brisk north-easterly wind has given us precious little to report on. The only saving grace are the Wheatear numbers have risen today to 40 on site. Also still present is this Yellow Hammer (above), and a new arrival in the shape of a Woodlark, which has been singing on and off this morning. 2 Whitethroat and 1 Lesser Whitethroat are also present along with a White Wagtail. Offshore 7 Whimbrel north was about it.

Insect wise this Pine Beauty moth was a nice surprise in the traps, although there was very little else.

Ringed 6 birds: 3 Wheatear, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Collared Dove

Tuesday 18th April 2017

This Whitethroat was in fine song making its presence known this morning from a bramble vantage point.
A cool, clear and breezy start to the day and this was reflected with fewer migrants present. The Wheatear numbers have increased to 30 but only 2 each of Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Whitethroat were noted. Late morning a Yellowhammer was found feeding on the reserve and a Black Redstart in the same area off the track leading towards the point. Yellowhammer usually fly over without stopping off.
A little movement over the sea with 8 Whimbrel, 6 Common Tern and 1 Common Gull going North and 1 Shag coming into the estuary.

6 birds ringed: 4 Wheatear, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Linnet

Monday 17th April 2017

The local male Kestrel enjoying a fresh young rat taken near the Butts pond.

At first light a Snipe was flushed within the ringing area and flew onto the reserve. Wheatear have increased to 23 along with 11 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Meadow Pipit and 1 White Wagtail seen through the morning. Quiet offshore with 4 Whimbrel going North being the only movement recorded.

Always good to get a chocolate-tip moth which occurs here in low numbers with the larva feeding on the Poplars.

24 birds ringed: 9 Blackcap, 4 Wheatear, 3 Linnet, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Dunnock, 1 Robin, 1 Wood Pigeon

Sunday 16th April 2017

Back to cool north-westerlies again, making life harder for the poor migrants to get here. This Willow Warbler was so pleased to make it that he started singing. About 4 Willow Warblers made it today, along with 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap and 12 Wheatear still on the common. There are 16 Sanderling on the beach, whilst offshore 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sandwich Tern, 2 Fulmar and 2 Whimbrel went south and 37 Curlew went north.
Insect-wise, the first Large White of the year was seen, along with a pristine Red Admiral.

9 birds were ringed: 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Wheatear and 1 each of Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Starling and House Sparrow.