Saturday 22nd July 2017

Starfish are not frequently seen on Landguard but it is probably to late to record it when it has been claimed by a Herring Gull.
Strong Southwesterly wind and heavy showers to begin with this morning, the sky then cleared and the wind held. New birds seen around the observatory was a juvenile Chiffchaff and 2 juvenile Greenfinch. There was an increased passage offshore today and noted going South this morning were 112 Black-headed Gull, 39 Curlew, 38 Whimbrel, 16 Cormorant plus 1 North, 15 Common Tern plus 2 North, 12 Oystercatcher, 10 Teal, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Grey Plover, 3 Golden Plover, 3 Dunlin, 3 Sanderling, 3 Common Gull, 2 Great Black Backed Gull, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Gannet, 1 Knot, 1 Redshank, 1 Turnstone. Going East from the point 3 Sandwich Tern plus 1 North and going North 1 Shelduck.

A few common migrants turning up in the moth traps including Bordered Straw

4 birds ringed: Chiffchaff 1, Goldfinch 1, Greenfinch 1, Linnet 1

Friday 21st July 2017

The wind has gathered pace through the morning to quite a strong Southwesterly. Very little passage has been noted today, however this post juvenile moult Willow Warbler is the first dispersing Juvenile Willow Warbler we have seen at Landguard this year.
The Linnet flock on the reserve has increased to 110 individuals and house Sparrow flock to 70 individuals as the summer has progressed. The Starling roost has decreased over the last couple of days with only 50 individuals coming into the Holm Oaks last night, however c.600 have come onto the reserve through the morning.
Passage noted offshore going South, 12 Whimbrel.

Ethmia bipunctella is a rare species living on Viper's Bugloss on vegetated shingle that we record most years, although it failed to appear in 2016.

11 birds ringed: House Sparrow 7, Dunnock 1, Robin 1, Whitethroat 1, Willow Warbler 1

Thursday 20th July 2017

The Woodpigeon get to freshen up following heavy rainfall, a shower is nice but a soak in a puddle bath is better.
Following a breezy night there was a heavy shower mid morning. New birds noted on the reserve this morning were juveniles of Black Redstart, Lesser Whitethroat and Greenfinch.
Passage offshore going South, 19 Black-headed Gull, 8 Whimbrel, 3 Curlew, 3 Sanderling, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Grey Plover, going North 2 Sandwich Tern.

Antler moth is a strange critter as this is only the fourth year it has put in an appearance, in one of those previous years it was fairly common.

7 birds ringed: Lesser Whitethroat 2, House Sparrow 2, Black Redstart 1, Greenfinch 1, Robin 1

Wednesday 19th July 2017

The tremendous thunderstorm early this morning would have grounded anything passing through overnight, had there been anything in the area to pass through, except this juvenile Black Redstart, and that probably came from a nest on the docks nearby. Other than that 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker briefly, and a few Terns feeding in the harbour, comprising of 6 Little and 4 each of Sandwich and Common, whilst offshore just the odd Common Scoter and Gannet are beginning to appear.

The moth traps were not surprisingly quieter than of late, due no doubt to the overnight weather conditions, but this Least Yellow Underwing, although not uncommon is seen far less regularly than its close relatives.

1 bird ringed ; a Greenfinch.

Tuesday 18th July 2017

Common Tern feeding off the point during high tide. During an accumulation leading into high tide at the point there were 30 Black-headed Gull, 6 Sandwich Tern and 3 Common Tern.
On the reserve for a second day there was a Green Woodpecker, 6 Swallow and a Yellow Wagtail were noted moving through South. Offshore going North 6 Cormorant, 4 Sandwich Tern plus 3 East. Going South 16 Common Scoter plus 1 North, 1 Curlew, 1 Oystercatcher.

Buff Arches is today's featured moth for no other reason than it's a good looker. The larvae feed on bramble.

4 birds ringed: Dunnock 1, Greenfinch 1, House Sparrow 1, Linnet 1

Monday 17th July 2017

Plenty of butterflies on the reserve at the moment including this freshly emerged Holly Blue.
New birds noted on the reserve this morning was the first Green Woodpecker for the summer and 1 Yellow Wagtail was mobile around the point.
Passage offshore going South 95 Black-headed Gull plus 50 on the sea, 5 Oystercatcher, 4 Sanderling, 2 Curlew, 3 Sandwich Tern, 1 Common Tern. Going North 18 Gadwall, 9 Gannet, 2 Little Tern and coming in off the sea 1 Ruff.

Slender Brindle is a woodland species that has only been recorded here on a couple of occasions previously.

6 birds ringed: House Sparrow 4, Blackbird 1, Wren 1

Sunday 16th July 2017

The first Yellow Wagtail of the autumn went south as did 15 Black-headed Gull, 6 Swallow & 3 Swift. Brown Argus had an awful first emergence with many of the Landguard regulars failing to connect with one. It looks like the second emergence is going to fair better (hopefully !).

The Festoon is a nationally scarce species that frequents Oak woodlands so why this female decided to pay us a visit is unknown. This species has only occurred here on a handful of previous occasions.

Ringing: 1 House Sparrow