Saturday 25th August 2018

Spotted Flycatcher at the Observatory this morning.

A chilly start with clear sky and a strong Westerly breeze. Four flocks of Redshank went South offshore during the morning otherwise movement was fairly quiet. At the Observatory there was a Reed Warbler, a Spotted Flycatcher was feeding on the sheltered side of the hawthorns behind the Observatory and Wheatear were on the reserve.

Noted on the reserve, 700 Starling, 55 Linnet, 8 Willow Warbler, 6 Common Tern, 5 Wheatear, 4 Whitethroat, 3 Sandwich Tern, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Spotted Flycatcher & 1 Reed Warbler. Going North, 3 Common Tern. Going out to sea East, 14 Cormorant. Going South, 68 Redshank, 9 Goldfinch, 8 Teal, 7 Swallow & 3 Oystercatcher.

5 birds ringed: Willow Warbler 2, House Sparrow 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Reed Warbler 1.

Friday 24th August 2018

The second emergence of Small Heath occurs in August and September, the first of these at Landguard have been seen this week.

A cool start the day with a strong Westerly breeze and clear sky, becoming cloudier towards midday. A Sedge Warbler, which is the second of this autumn at Landguard, was in front of the Observatory during the morning, a Spotted Flycatcher was feeding over the Hawthorn behind the Observatory, Wheatear were seen between the point and the mine station on the reserve and two Grey Wagtail went over the Observatory going South.

Noted on the reserve, 2,200 Starling, 40 Linnet, 10 Willow Warbler, 7 Wheatear, 5 Pied Wagtail, 2 Common Tern, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Spotted Flycatcher & 1 Whitethroat. Coming in off the sea going West, 1 Redshank. Going South, 62 Swallow, 7 Sand Martin, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 House Martin, 1 Med Gull, 1 Oystercatcher & 1 Sandwich Tern. 

5 birds ringed: Willow Warbler 3, Blackcap 1, Sedge Warbler 1.

Thursday 23rd August 2018

 Autumn Avocet flying over the site are not unusual, one on the beach is.

Cool, breezy and overcast this morning. Many of the grounded migrants seen yesterday have moved on, a Pied Flycatcher and Spotted Flycatcher were seen at the Observatory, a Juvenile male Redstart was in front of the Observatory mid morning, a Wheatear was on the reserve near the seawatch hide and Terns gathered on the falling tide late morning.

Noted on the reserve, 1,800 Starling, 16 Willow Warbler, 8 Pied Wagtail, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Redstart, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Spotted Flycatcher & 1 Wheatear. Offshore, 19 Sandwich Tern &15 Common Tern. Going North, 9 Common Tern, 5 Turnstone, 3 Cormorant & 2 Gannet. Going South, 30 Swallow, 29 Teal, 21 Whimbrel, 20 Black-headed Gull, 6 Oystercatcher, 4 Curlew, 2 Common Tern, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Avocet, 1 Dunlin, 1 Fulmar, 1 Hobby, 1 Knot & 1 Redshank.

Bordered Sallow had finished for this year on July 20th, so this one is possibly from a second emergence. It is an inhabitant of sand dunes and shingle areas.

10 birds ringed: Willow Warbler 5, Reed Warbler 2, Redstart 1, Robin 1, Spotted Flycatcher 1.

Wednesday 22nd August 2018

 Wheatear on the reserve this morning.

A warm clear morning with a gentle Westerly breeze. An increase of Wheatear on the reserve seen grouped at the seawatch hide and around the boardwalk, Whinchat were also in the area around the boardwalk. Mid morning Pied Flycatcher and Spotted Flycatcher were at the Observatory and Willow Warbler had arrived overnight, seen feeding throughout the reserve. A juvenile male Redstart was the first Redstart of the autumn at Landguard and was at the Observatory in the afternoon.

Noted on the reserve, 30 Willow Warbler, 12 Common Tern, 9 Wheatear, 8 Pied Wagtail, 4 Little Tern, 3 Sandwich Tern, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Sanderling, 2 Whinchat, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Spotted Flycatcher & 1 Yellow Wagtail. Coming in off the sea going West, 3 Mallard. Going South, 56 Swallow, 23 Redshank, 11 Black-headed Gull, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Cormorant, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Mallard, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Sand Martin & 1 Turnstone.

Agriphilia geniculea is an abundant species that is struggling this year presumably affected by the drought conditions earlier.

25 birds ringed: Willow Warbler 18, Robin 2, Blue Tit 1, Garden Warbler 1, Pied Flycatcher 1, Redstart 1, Whitethroat 1.

Tuesday 21st August 2018

 Whinchat at Landguard.

An overcast start to the day after overnight rain, a strong Southerly breeze from mid morning. The first Whinchat of the autumn for Landguard for this year were on the reserve during the morning, a total of four individuals seen between the front of the Observatory through to the Butts. Single Blackcap and Garden Warbler were also the first of the autumn for Landguard, both seen at the Observatory, three Pied Flycatcher were also at the Observatory and another Pied Flycatcher towards the cottage. Offshore Terns gathered feeding on the falling tide.

Noted on the reserve, 70 House Sparrow, 50 Linnet, 15 Willow Warbler, 8 Pied Wagtail, 7 Whitethroat, 6 Wheatear, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Pied Flycatcher, 4 Whinchat, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Sparrowhawk & 1 Spotted Flycatcher. Offshore, 38 Common Tern, 7 Sandwich Tern & 1 Cormorant. Going North, 6 Common Scoter & 4 Barnacle Goose. Coming in off the sea going West, 2 Grey Heron & 1 Little Egret. Going South, 80 Swallow, 9 Teal, 6 Sand Martin, 3 Cormorant & 2 Common Scoter.

Orange Swift is an Autumnal species now starting to fly.

14 birds ringed: Willow Warbler 4, Pied Flycatcher 3, Whitethroat 3, Blackbird 2, Blackcap 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1.

Monday 20th August 2018

 Spotted Flycatcher at Landguard this morning.

Only a slight breeze, overcast and humid this morning. Terns were feeding at the point on the falling tide. A Spotted Flycatcher was feeding in front of the Observatory during the morning, two Reed Warbler were in the Observatory compound and three Wheatear were on the reserve with two at the point and one near the Butts.
Noted on the reserve, 750 Starling from roost, 70 House Sparrow, 50 Linnet, 30 Black-headed Gull, 14 Common Tern, 11 Goldfinch, 6 Sandwich Tern, 5 Willow Warbler, 3 Wheatear, 2 Little Tern, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Common Gull, 1 Redshank, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Sparrowhawk & 1 Spotted Flycatcher. Going North, 4 Cormorant & 1 Yellow Wagtail. Going out to sea East, 1 Sandwich Tern. Going South, 7 Swallow, 3 Sand Martin, 2 Yellow Wagtail & 1 Bar-tailed Godwit.

Very common in Northern and Western UK the Antler moth is infrequent with us.

8 birds ringed: Willow Warbler 3, Reed Warbler 2, Blue Tit 1, Spotted Flycatcher 1, Whitethroat 1.

Sunday 19th August 2018

Less moving this morning with southbound 11 Dunlin, 7 Grey Plover, 3 Redshank, 2 Yellow Wagtail & Swift with northbound 7 Common Tern, 3 Gannet & Sandwich Tern. On site 6 Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Wheatear & Lesser Whitethroat.

Small Ranunculus was formerly a major rarity but now lives here in small numbers.

Ringing: 5 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackbird.