Saturday 7th April 2018

A male Blackcap at Landguard this morning.

The wind had eased during the night to a light Southerly breeze and became increasingly overcast during the morning. Although the reserve was fairly quiet there was some vismig and offshore movement.

On the reserve, 10 Shelduck, 5 Chiffchaff, 5 Ring Plover, 2 Blackcap & 1 Purple Sandpiper. Cormorant this morning were 20 coming in off the sea going West, 3 going out to sea East, 2 went South and 1 North. Also noted going North, 4 Oystercatcher plus 3 going South, 2 Common Gull, 2 Med Gull, 1 Kittiwake, 1 Red-throated Diver & 1 Rook. Coming in off the sea going East, 1 Grey Heron. Going South, 24 Black-headed Gull plus 2 going North, 9 Siskin, 7 Woodpigeon, 5 Brent Goose, 4 Meadow Pipit, 1 Greylag Goose & 1 Whimbrel.

12 birds ringed: Chiffchaff 3, Great Tit 3, Blackcap 2, Chaffinch 1, Song Thrush 1, Woodpigeon 1, Wren 1.

Friday 6th April 2018

Strong South East winds coming off the sea today. A hint of spring with a few leaves unfolding on the bushes and Violets are in bloom. Migrants from yesterday had mostly moved on. Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Firecrest were seen today and movement offshore was quiet.

Noted on the reserve, 10 Shelduck, 7 Goldfinch, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Firecrest & 1 Sparrowhawk. Going North, 3 Common Gull. Coming in off the sea going West, 3 Barnacle Goose. Going South, 8 Black-headed Gull, 7 Chaffinch, 3 Med Gull & 1 Brent Goose.

6 birds ringed: Blackcap 1, Chaffinch 1, Chiffchaff 1, Goldfinch 1, Robin 1, Wren 1.

Thursday 5th April 2018

 A few more butterflies are coming out of hibernation and look a bit worn following a long winter.

Strong North Westerly winds during the first part of the day and then brightening up into the late morning. There was an increase of new migrants on the reserve and in offshore activity during the seawatch.
Noted on the reserve, 6 Blackcap, 4 Goldcrest, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Firecrest, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Brambling & 1 Meadow Pipit. Going North, 7 Brent Goose, 1 Greylag Goose & 1 Red-throated Diver. Coming in off the sea going West, 1 Woodcock. Going South, 309 Black-headed Gull, 81 Common Gull, 27 Linnet, 18 Common Scoter, 10 Med Gull, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Shelduck, 1 Buzzard, 1 Carrion Crow, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Rook & 1 Sparrowhawk.

Agonopterix curvipunctosa is a red data book species, Landguard is one of the few sites in the UK that it is regularly recorded at.

10 birds ringed: Blackcap 6, Chiffchaff 1, Firecrest 1, Goldcrest 1, Wren 1.

Wednesday 4th April 2018

A Common Tern north, one south & one north over a period of three hours is either one or three birds and beats our earliest ever spring arrival date for this species by four days. A Blackcap was also the first of the spring. Also on site 40 Starling, 3 Firecrest, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Jackdaw & Rock Pipit but little else. On the move southbound 5 Oyks, 3 Mute Swan, 2 Brent, 2 Barnacles, Red-throated Diver & Curlew with northbound 15 Red-throats, 2 Common Scoter & Fulmar.

6 birds ringed: 2 Firecrest, 1 Blackcap, 1 Dunnock, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Robin.

Tuesday 3rd April 2018

Wheatear are arriving with three seen at Landguard this morning.

A drier and brighter morning with a strong, but steady, breeze coming off the sea. Offshore movement was quiet but a few new migrants have arrived. 

Noted on the reserve, 14 Shelduck, 4 Goldcrest, 3 Black Redstart, 3 Firecrest, 3 Meadow Pipit & 3 Wheatear. Going North, 3 Red-throated Diver, 2 Curlew, 1 Fulmar & 2 Jackdaw. Going out to sea East, 2 Greylag Goose. Going South, 6 Brent Goose, 1 Grey Wagtail & 1 Oystercatcher.

4 birds ringed: Chiffchaff 1, Goldcrest 1, Great Tit 1, Woodpigeon 1.

Monday 2nd April 2018

Rock Pipit at the point, passage at Landguard typically lasts until mid April.

Heavy rain overnight which continued through to late morning. Movement offshore was quiet, going South 16 Brent Goose, coming in off the sea 2 Cormorant. There were c.700 Great Black-back Gull and c.300 Herring Gull offshore, an adult Yellow-legged Gull was amongst them.

Grounded migrants include, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Meadow Pipit & 1 Rock Pipit. Also noted on the reserve, 5 Goldfinch, 4 Shelduck, 3 Ring Plover & 1 Oystercatcher.

1 bird ringed: Firecrest 1.

Sunday 1st April 2018

On site 2 Purple Sandpiper, 2 Firecrest, male Wheatear, Mipit, Goldcrest & Brambling although the Wheatear didn't put in an appearance until mid-morning. Overhead 8 Rook south. Offshore southbound 43 Black-headed Gull, 11 Red-throated Diver, 9 Common Gull, 4 Sanderling & 3 Brent with northbound 28 Black-headed Gull, 14 Red-throats, 10 Common Scoter, 8 Common Gull, 2 Turnstone & Gannet.

3 birds ringed: Blue Tit, Dunnock, Firecrest.