Wheatear with a large grub, good for migration refueling.
A warm Southwesterly breeze, starting overcast but clear by mid morning. The first Jackdaw, of this autumn at Landguard, went over the reserve going South. A Spotted Flycatcher was at the Observatory and a Wryneck was moving between the reserve and the Ickie Ridge. Vismig was steady with Swallow and House Martin going South, with a small number of Goldfinch, Meadow Pipit and Sand Martin also going South. A Wall Butterfly was seen briefly at the Observatory during the morning, last recorded at Landguard in September 2016 and not since 2005 prior to that.
Noted on the reserve, 1,300 Starling, 9 Pied Wagtail, 5 Wheatear, 4 Chiffchaff,, 3 Blackcap, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler & 1 Wryneck. Going North, 1 Sandwich Tern. Going out to sea East, 1 Cormorant. Going South, 183 Swallow, 102 House Martin, 9 Black-headed Gull, 9 Meadow Pipit, 9 Teal, 8 Shelduck, 6 Wigeon, 3 Goldfinch, 3 Sand Martin, 2 Jackdaw, 2 Med Gull, 1 Common Gull, 1 Grey Wagtail & 1 Sandwich Tern.
Feathered Ranunculus is a coastal species that is late this autumn, they normally fly from the end of August onward and this is the first seen at Landguard for this year.
8 birds ringed: Blackcap 4, Chiffchaff 2, Robin 1, Song Thrush 1.