Saturday 11th July 2020

Cerceris rybyensis is a digger wasp that predates mining-bees on the top path at the Observatory.

A cool start to the morning but warming pleasantly once the sun came up.

Again quieter than the past few days and there was limited movement on the sea which consisted of 78 Black-headed Gulls,  3 Curlew and 3 Sandwich Terns heading south and a Little Egret and a Lapwing heading into the Orwell.

On the land, there were 2 Black Redstarts in front of the obs this morning, a blackcap in the bushes and 6 Sand Martin, 2 Siskin, a Swift and a Swallow heading south.

Conveniently sat on the same egg carton were two species that don't visit us all that often, a Pine Hawkmoth and a Buff Ermine.

Ringing: 2 Dunnock, 1 Blackcap, 1 House Sparrow, 1 Linnet, 1 Robin.

Friday 10th July 2020

Heavy rain over night but the sun just about managed to peek through the clouds this morning on what felt like a very autumnal day (...it's only July?!).

The sea was much quieter today, with only 7 Curlew and 49 Black-headed recorded today. There were a few more Common Terns and a single Sandwich Tern heading south.

On the reserve the Black Redstart was again in front of the Observatory. 15 Swifts, 3 Sand Martins and a Swallow were the best of the vis-mig.

The sun brought out a few butterflies, once the weather had warmed up, including Gatekeeper, Peacock, Red Admiral and a Holly Blue.

In the moth trap this morning was something that took a little head scratching to work out. In the end we came to the conclusion that it was an aberrant Common Carpet, although we quite happy to be corrected!

Ringing: 1 Dunnock

Thursday 9th July 2020

A wet start to the morning but it didn't stop a good number of waders and a few duck heading south on the sea.
Curlew were the most numerous with 178 recorded this morning along with, 17 Dunlin, 7 Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Turnstone, 5 Greenshank, 3 Redshank, 3 Golden Plover, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Knot and a Whimbrel.

In the duck department 15 Common Scoter, 6 Tufted Duck, 5 Teal, 1 Gadwal and a Pochard headed south.There was also a good movement of Black-headed Gulls with 156 recorded, 4 Common Gulls and a Fulmar.

Swifts were also on the move with 102 passing the obs this morning. The Black Redstart had also found its way into the Fort and the Serin was heard by a coupe of observers early this morning but it hasn't been heard again.

The 'Daggers' are hard to separate, with only the Grey Dagger definitely recorded here although nationally Dark Dagger is also apparently common.

Ringing: Nil

Wednesday 8th July 2020

Yesterdays Norfolk Hawker.

Rain up to 0900 hrs then a dull old morning. Southbound 14 Black-headed Gull, 8 Curlew 2 Heron, Sandwich Tern & Turnstone with northbound 3 Common Scoter 2 Kitts & Common Tern.

Lesser Cockroach is a regular in the moth traps but don't sit still for long.

Ringing: 2 Lesser Whitethroat.

Tuesday 7th July 2020

A reasonably still day compared with the past few days, although the vis mig was much quieter as well with only 10 Sand Martins, 8 Crossbill and a Swallow recorded.

The Black Redstart was again in its favoured spot on the reserve. A Reed Warbler was chuntering south of the Butts Pond and a summer plumaged Dunlin was asleep on the beach by the Jetty.

On the Sea, a Grey Heron, 15 Curlew and and a Sandwich Tern headed south and a Fulmar headed north.

The warmth has brought out a few more insects, included what seems to be the second record of Norfolk Hawker for the Observatory, with the first individual being reported back in 1991! This species has spread locally and is regularly reported in the wider Felixstowe Area so it was only a matter of time.

In the Moth Trap this morning was one of the 'Ear' Moths which can be difficult to separate between a couple of species although this one showed all the relevant features of Saltern Ear.

Ringing: 7 Linnet, 3 Great Tit, 3 House Sparrow, 2 Dunnock, 2 Wren, 1 Blackcap, 1 Blackbird, 1 Chiffchaff

Monday 6th July 2020

Windy again as expected but what wasn't expected was for the Serin to make an appearance again! After not being seen since the 2nd July, it was a bit of a surprise to hear the Serin calling in between the flocks of finches, before alighting on one of the dead Elders. After about an hour, it again disappeared, will it be back tomorrow?

There was a good Swift passage from first light to around 0800 when the rush became a dribble but by then 991 had been recorded. There was also a good movement of finches with 76 Crossbill, 204 Siskin. A few Hirundines has started

on their way south, with 89 Sand Martins, 13 House Martins and 6 Swallows recorded throughout the morning.

The Black Redstart was again feeding in front of the Observatory and a juvenile Yellow Wagtail was out the back.

There was a bit of movement on the sea with 5 Little Egrets heading into the river, 9 Curlew a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Turnstone and 5 Common Terns headed south.

Moth numbers are still low due to the ongoing windy conditions. The Shore Wainscot is a Nationally Scarce species that has increased in number over recent years, as the amount of Marram Grass on the beach has spread.

Ringing: 3 Linnet, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Lesser Whitethroat

Sunday 5th July 2020

Unseasonable gale gusting force 7 - 8 not ideal. Southbound 35 Swift 15 Crossbill, 15 Sand Martin, 3 Common Tern, 2 Dunlin, 2 Grey Plover, Curlew, Gadwal & Grey Heron with northbound 2 Gannet. With this wind little else noted.

The Lackey is having a reasonable year so far with a liking for our actinic trap.

Ringing: 2 Dunnock, 1 Whitethroat.