Saturday 11th May 2024

Another quiet day, though much less warm than previous days. A corn bunting on the reserve was the first we've had here since May 2021. The white wagtail was still present, as was a single wheatear. More excitement was generated by the waders passing through with a single bar-tailed godwit north and 2 avocets flying upriver.

First Heart and Dart of the year, which will soon become very common in later months.

Birds Ringed: Lesser Whitethroat 1, Whitethroat 1.

 

Friday 10th May 2024

Another quiet morning, though in glorious sunshine. A few migrants had come in overnight, some chiffchaffs and new robins. A blackcap and a couple of chiffchaffs were singing in the compound, and there were some new whitethroats passing through. A 2nd year female grey wagtail was unexpected, as it had a brood patch, presumably a failed breeder on its way to try again elsewhere. A white wagtail out on the reserve was a different individual from the one recorded a few days ago. 

10 mute swans sailing south was not a sight any of the observers had seen here before, though its not the first double figure record of the species, they eventually flew off upriver. Insects are making the most of the warmth with a hairy dragonfly sitting on lilac in the observatory grounds, 9 large red damselflies at the Butt's pond and green hairstreak butterflies now being seen daily.

Common Pug is one of those species that despite its name, we only get infrequently here. It's also the sort of moth that can make pug identification difficult. 

Birds Ringed: Chiffchaff 1, Grey Wagtail 1, Robin 1, Whitethroat 1.

 

Thursday 9th May 2024

Another warm and sunny day, with a promising wind direction, but little cloud. Good day for insects, with a good variety of butterflies on the wing including green hairstreak, common blue and brown Argus and 3 species of dragonfly, large red and azure damselfly and a broad-bodied chaser. A reed warbler was in the observatory compound and two wheatear were on the reserve. The local fox family was enjoying the sun in the obs compound with both adults playing with a single cub. 

Angle-barred Pug is a site specialty living on Tamarisk.

Birds Ringed: Reed Warbler 1. 

 

Wednesday 8th May 2024

 

More migrants than yesterday's pretty paltry supply making it much more enjoyable in comparison with 5 Lesser 'throat, 5 Swallow, 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Wheatear, 2 Whitethroat, Blackcap, Hobby, Nightingale, Tree Pipit, Whinchat, Willow Warbler plus the previous day's White Wag still with us. A flock of 12 Arctic Tern went north with a single Curlew south. 2 Egyptian Geese joined the Shelduck on the reserve early on for a jolly.

First recorded in the UK in 2009 & in Suffolk ten years later, Musotima nititidalis has been accidentally imported from the Antipodes, quite probably by horticulturists. With increasing numbers over the last five years it is thought to be established at Landguard & will be coming to your moth trap soon, if it hasn't already done so.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Nightingale.

Tuesday 7th May 2024

Another lovely sunny and warm morning. Unlike yesterday however, there were a few migrants around. The observatories first white wagtail of the year was out on the reserve, along with a female reed bunting, 2 wheatear, and 2 blackcap. Offshore there were 10 common scoter heading south, and 4 sandwich tern. Mammal highlight was a vixen with 2 cubs in the observatory grounds, seen by one lucky observer and not seen again throughout the morning. 

Yellow Belle can be found during the day as well as coming to light. 

Monday 6th May 2024

A light north easterly wind was enough to stop the migration today. Deathly quiet observation wise, with the few highlights being out to sea, the first Egyptian goose of the year, a few kittiwakes moving in both directions, a gannet and a fulmar north. The black redstart has been silent for two days now, has he given up and moved on? A single wheatear was on the reserve, though 15 turnstone on the jetty was notable. A sedge warbler sang out by the Butt's.

First Treble-bar of the year, a species that lives on St John's Wort.

Birds Ringed: Lesser Whitethroat 1. 

 

Sunday 5th May 2024

 

Large Red Damselflies are finally starting to appear.

Classic early May selection of migrants in very low numbers including 6 Swallow, 5 lesser 'throat, 3 Wheatear, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Common Tern & Skylark plus the loitering Jackdaw & a visit from a wandering Buzzard. The Skylark is probably the most interesting as long gone are the days when several pairs bred.

Vine Moth is a Nationally Scarce species that we can do very well for.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler.