Saturday 6th July 2019

Just one pair of Shelduck still loitering on the reserve with the others having moved off (hopefully with broods of ducklings).

Juvenile Redstart was an unexpected bonus which presumably hasn't come far with the nearest known pairs 15 - 20 miles away. We have four previous July birds with the earliest on the 3rd with most of these early autumn birds staying on site for several days before moving on. Also on site 2 Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, Lapwing & lots of baby birds.

Yet another addition to the site list of a species that is common inland of here, Epagoge grotiana. Not sure why we haven't seen it before as it likes bramble, hawthorns & oaks in sandy areas.

Ringing: 6 Linnet, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Goldfinch, 2 House Sparrow, 1 Blackbird, 1 Great Tit, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Redstart, 1 Wood Pigeon.

Friday 5th July 2019

Ringlet is having a good year. This species was first recorded here in 1991 then again in 2006 & 2009 before becoming annual from 2012 onward. Considering the cataclysmic decline in the numbers and variety of insects its always good to have some pleasant news to report

Migrants limited to a single Skylark. Sounds grim but 130+ Linnet on site with a supporting cast of good numbers of juvenile Goldfinch, House Sparrow & Sylvia warblers there are plenty of birds on the reserve.

Agonopterix curvipunctosa is one of the sites resident rarities that appears in March & early April then again at this time of the year. Strangely enough the July emergence is slightly darker than the spring ones caught (or are the spring ones the same individuals that have overwintered ?).

Ringing: 2 House Sparrow, 1 Pied Wagtail.

Thursday 4th July 2019

New Reed Warbler is presumably a late spring migrant whereas 2 new Chiffchaff are dispersing juveniles. 2 Grey Heron southbound will be fledged juveniles drifting in search of new sites. Yet another Coal Tit passed through suggesting that this species has had a bumper season. Finally a Kestrel is only our fifth sighting this year of a species that we were seeing daily up until last autumn when the resident male died.

Cinnabar is just as likely to be seen during the day as in the moth traps.

Ringing: 10 Linnet, 5 Goldfinch, 4 Dunnock, 3 Blue Tit, 3 House Sparrow, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Starling, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Robin.

WARDEN VACANCY

SEASONAL WARDEN LANDGUARD BIRD OBSERVATORY

Applicants need to be competent birdwatchers and have a BTO bird ringing ‘C’ permit with a mist net endorsement as a minimum requirement. An interest in other aspects of natural history and biological recording is also needed.

The position runs from now until mid-November 2019. A job description is available on request. If you require any specifics, please don’t hesitate to ask. Please e-mail landguardbo@yahoo.co.uk

Wednesday 3rd July 2019

Two Pyramidal Orchid are on the reserve both in different positions to where they have been noted in the past.

On site 4 Lapwing, Yellow Wagtail & a new adult female Blackcap that is presumably a failed breeder from elsewhere wandering. Heading south 20 Common Scoter, 9 Greylag, 4 Curlew & Oyk with northbound 8 Common Scoter. Juvenile Greenfinch is worth a mention (although they have bred just north of the recording area).

This Elephant Hawk-moth is our first of the year.

Ringing: 6 Linnet, 4 Great Tit, 3 Goldfinch, 3 House Sparrow, 3 Robin, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Blackbird, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Blackcap, 1 Dunnock, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Wood Pigeon, 1 Wren.

Tuesday 2nd July 2019

Migrants included 16 Swift, Chiffchaff, Great-spotted Woodpecker & Reed Warbler although both Chaffinch & Greenfinch are worth a mention.

Common Wave is apparently a common and widespread species but one that we struggle to record on an annual basis.

Ringing: 1 House Sparrow.

Monday 1st July 2019

Southbound 195 Swift, 16 Black-headed Gull, 11 Little Egret, 10 Swallow, 2 Sand Martin, 1 House Martin & 1 Mallard. On site 4 dispersing juvenile Blackcap plus a Black Redstart that may be the same one as has been seen a couple of times recently.

Langmaid's Yellow Underwing has been turning up in the traps since Saturday. It has gone from vagrant to migrant to suspected breeder over the short course of this century.

Ringing: 4 Blackcap, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Dunnock, 2 House Sparrow, 2 Wren, 1 Great Tit, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Robin.

June Ringing Totals.

363 birds of 21 species. This is well up on last year and twice the 2017 total and is largely down to a welcome improvement in juvenile productivity in several species. 5 Coal Tit is a high figure with the juvenile Goldcrest exceptional.

Linnet	156
House Sparrow	40
Goldfinch	33
Dunnock	26
Great Tit	18
Blue Tit	16
Robin	9
Starling	8
Whitethroat	8
Wren	8
Blackcap	7
Lesser Whitethroat	7
Wood Pigeon	7
Coal Tit	5
Blackbird	3
Chiffchaff	3
Reed Warbler	3
Black Redstart	1
Chaffinch	1
Goldcrest	1
Pied Wagtail	1

Sunday 30th June 2019

First push of Sand Martin of the autumn with 32 south plus the first Yellow Wagtail of the autumn. Also moving southbound 52 Black-headed Gull, 14 Curlew, 7 Common Tern, 7 Swift, 4 Med Gull & Swallow with northbound 3 Med Gull. Also on site a dispersing juvenile Blackcap with Greenfinch worth a mention.

Dichrorampha vancouverana is yet another addition to the site list. What is interesting in all these additions over the last couple of weeks is that they are all species that can be common just inland from us.

Ringing: 3 House Sparrow, 2 Dunnock, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Linnet, 1 Blackcap, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Wren.