Saturday 11th February 2023

 

2 Lapwing on the reserve is a sign of birds returning towards natal areas (whereas in the good old days birds at this time of the year used to be cold weather movements). 894 Cormorant went out fishing. Offshore southbound 96 Red-throated Diver, 15 Wigeon & Gannet with northbound 7 Red-throats. 3 Great Crested Grebe were on the sea in the calm conditions including two displaying to each other. On the reserve 25 Wood Pigeon is the highest count for a while, 5 Pied Wag the best count of the year so far plus a Chaffinch paid a visit. Finally a Song Thrush was singing pre-dawn on the Butts.

Ringing: 1 Sparrowhawk

Friday 10th February 2023

 

Very few first-winter Meds about this winter with this one a regular on the back beach recently.

630 Cormorant headed out to sea early on. Otherwise "same old, same old" although the Stock Dove paid another visit. Male Peregrine was up the top of the nearest crane boom surveying his domain.

Thursday 9th February 2023

 

A Rook heading south is the first of the spring of this species that typically starts wandering from mid-February onwards. 1,140 Cormorant headed out fishing. A Great Northern Diver flying south just offshore then up river will be one wintering locally that had been out to sea fishing in the flat calm conditions. Offshore 5 Shelduck & 2 Common Scoter went south plus a couple of Red-throated Diver were coming & going or pitched in fishing. Finally Rock Pipit was again on the point.

Wednesday 8th February 2023

Another cold frosty foggy day only clearing mid-afternoon. A volery of 15 Long-tailed Tits visited mid/late morning which is, presumably, made up of more than one family party. A vocal Chaffinch was present first thing but, to be honest, if birds were not calling today then it is quite likely we wouldn't know what was here in the fog.

Tuesday 7th February 2023

 

Danger Mouse taking a risk foraging in the open during the day.

Fog then sunshine then fog then sunshine frustratingly on & off all morning following a frosty start. 3 Collared Dove, Rock Pipit & Stock Dove probably only sightings worth a mention.

BIRD OBSERVATORIES COUNCIL NEWSLETTER

The annual newsletter of the Bird Observatories council is now available on:

https://anyflip.com/lmyq/duwa/

You may need to cut & paste this into your search engine.

Monday 6th February 2023

 

Glorious, almost spring like, sunny morning with at least 23 Linnets whizzing around twittering away to each other. A couple of local Ringos also on the beach checking their spot is still here for them. 880 Cormorant headed out fishing just after 7am as dawn gets earlier. Presumably the same Stock Dove noted recently paid a visit again, Rock Pipit was on the point & 5 Shelduck flew north.

2023 MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

Many thanks to all those who have renewed their memberships for this year. Existing members should have received an email reminding them in early January - if not please email landguardbomembership@gmail.com as we may not have your current email address on file. If you are amongst the handful of outstanding renewals yet to be completed hopefully this blog posting will jog your memory.

If you wish to support the work of the bird observatory and wish to join please see details on www.lbo.org.uk New members are always welcome.

If you wish to support the observatory but membership is not for you financial donations to support the work are always welcome. The observatory is a registered charity and like all small charities it is under financial pressure due to ever increasing running costs. To make a bank transfer please see the bank details on the membership form or email landguardbo@yahoo.co.uk for more information.

Many thanks & best wishes to all the blog readers for 2023.

Sunday 5th February 2023

112 Cormorant headed out plus 948 in from the north. Offshore southbound 5 Shelduck & 2 Red-throated Diver plus 2 Brent heading into the river.

Very much the winter doldrums so had a quick root around the Brambles & Holm Oak for moth leaf mines so they don't get forgotten about. Stigmella aurella is very common on Branble and one of the easier ones to identify and can be found almost all year round. Only rarely see the adult moth which doesn't come to our light traps.

Saturday 4th February 2023

Offshore southbound 3 Red-throated Diver with northbound 2 Red-breasted Merganser. 5 Ringos were on the beach plus a Great-crested Grebe offshore.