Saturday 12th September 2020

A much breezier day than expected with only a little bit of vis-mig and movement on the sea.

A total of 38 Swallows, 16 House Martins, 14 Meadow Pipits, 13 Siskins and a Rook made up the rather limited selection from this mornings vis-mig. 

There was a little more movement on the sea with 2 Kestrels coming in off, 20 Teal, 3 Wigeon, 19 Dunlin and a Fulmar headed south.

In the bushes was a selection of the normal warblers with 5 Chiffchaffs and 4 Blackcaps. A single Wheatear was out by the Tank Blocks.

Tinea semifulvella inhabits old birds nests and only occasionally ends up in the traps.

Ringing: 3 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff

Friday 11th September 2020

Why not immerse yourself in pollen?

A quieter day than yesterday with light winds picking up later in the morning.

Vis-mig was quieter than the previous few days, only105 Meadow Pipits, 31 Swallows, 4 Siskin, 2 Grey Wagtails and a Jackdaw were noted. There was a little more movement on the sea, with 32 Teal, 2 Gannets and a Ringed Plover heading south.

The bushes were a little busier with 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers dropping in, after being spotted on the Icky Ridge. A Pied Flycatcher, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 3 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, 3 Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler and a Reed Warbler. A single Wheatear was out on the Reserve.

Only noted here about one year in three, the Brindled Green is an Oak wood specialist.

Ringing: 3 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Magpie, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Robin, 1 Willow Warbler

Thursday 10th September 2020

A pleasant day with a light north westerly breeze, producing a good late morning movement of Buzzards but surprisingly little other vis-mig.

A total of 16 Common Buzzards were up over the Dock, with 12 individuals up at once and at least 9 folding up and heading out over the river and south. Also on the move were 38 Meadow Pipits, 37 Siskin, 6 Grey Wagtails, 3 Yellow Wagtails and after yesterdays count surprisingly only 6 Swallows.

There were a number of migrants in the bushes this morning. At least 5 Chiffchaff, 5 Willow Warbler, 5 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 2 Redstart and 2 Spotted Flycatchers, one of which was performing well just in front of the observatory. Out on the reserve a Whinchat was in the bushes and 2 Yellow Wagtails were out on the lawn with 3 Wheatears.

On the sea 5 Shelduck headed south and a Canada Goose headed into the River.

Barred Sallow is an autumnal flyer in areas of Beech and Field Maple, consequently its not a very frequent visitor here.

Ringing: 12 Meadow Pipit, 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Robin, 2 Blackcap, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler

Wednesday 9th September 2020

Half decent vis mig in the shape of southbound 1,428 Swallow, 257 Mipit, 202 Siskin, 21 Goldfinch, 19 House Martin, 14 Crossbill, 11 Grey wag, 7 Med Gull,  6 Common Tern, 6 Dunlin, 2 Sand Martin, 2 Yellow Wag, Hobby, Pintail & Turnstone. Grounded migrants included 20 Mipit, 9 Wheatear, 8 Blackcap, 8 Chiffchaff, 5 Lesser 'throat, 4 Chaffinch, 4 Whitethroat, 4 Willow Warbler, Pied Fly & Spot Fly.

Square-spot Rustic is one of the commoner species at this time of the year.

Ringing: 4 Grey Wagtail, 3 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Meadow Pipit, 3 Wheatear, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit.

Tuesday 8th September 2020

A light south westerly breeze this morning with only a little vis-mig.

In comparison with the previous few days, Vis-mig was pretty quiet, with only a few birds passing over. 91 Swallows, 27 Meadow Pipits, 15 Siskin, 3 Grey Wagtails, 2 Goldfinch and a Grey Heron headed south this morning while there were a few birds in the bushes including a Garden Warbler, a Reed Warbler, a Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Whitethroats and 6 Blackcaps.

On the reserve there were 8 Wheatears out by the Tank Blocks, while on the sea 6 Turnstone headed south and a Gannet headed north.

The L-album Wainscot colonised 20 years ago and is slowly spreading northwards along the coast. It is a nationally scarce species with Marram Grass as its food plant here.

Ringing: 4 Blackcap, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Whitethroat

Monday 7th September 2020

 A reasonably still day, with some light showers later in the morning. 

Again there was some good vis-mig with 522 Swallows heading south this morning, along with 13 House Martins, 91 Meadow Pipits, 14 Siskin, 9 Grey Wagtails, a juvenile Marsh Harrier and a Swift.

There was also good numbers of birds in the bushes with 10 Blackcap, 10 Willow Warbler, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, a Reed Warbler, a Pied Flycatcher and a Spotted Flycatcher. Out on the reserve 6 Wheatears were by the Tank Blocks. 

There was a little movement on the sea, 8 Shelduck, 3 Teal and 5 Knot heading south and a Dunlin and a Turnstone going into the river.

Yellow Belle does well here and can be disturbed during the day as well as at night.

Ringing: 7 Blackcap, 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Grey Wagtail, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Robin, 2 Wheatear, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Song Thrush

Sunday 6th September 2020

Migrants present this morning included 5 Blackcap, 5 Mipit, 5 Whitethroat, 4 Chiffchaff, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Wheatear, 2 Grey Wag, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Spot Fly & Willow Warbler. On the move southbound 67 Swallow, 47 Mipit, 21 Siskin, 3 Crows, 3 Oyk, 2 Great-crested Grebe, Chaffinch, Heron, Swift & Turnstone with northbound 3 Sandwich Tern.

Another Landguard speciality is the nationally scarce Feathered Brindle that comes out at this time of the year on sand & shingle coastal ares.

Ringing: 3 Blackcap, 3 Dunnock, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Starling, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Robin, 1 Spotted Flycatcher.