Saturday 8th June 2024

A late wheatear was a bit of a surprise today, as was a fledged grey wagtail in the observatory Helgoland. Another reed warbler was singing quietly in the observatory holm oaks, a female blackcap skulked in the tamarisks and a few species passed over, 2 stock dove and 9 swift and 6 swallow south. Another curlew flew south, the end of the breeding year for them presumably. 

First Archer's Dart of the year. Another species that Landguard does well for.

Birds Ringed: Dunnock 1, Grey Wagtail 1, Linnet 2, Woodpigeon 1, Wren 3. 

 

Friday 7th June 2024

An early morning cuckoo and a couple of quietly singing reed warblers were the notable migrant highlights today. Another late chiffchaff was in the observatory compound. The local crows started off with 4 young, and have swiftly dropped to two. Opportunistic scavenger/predators don't have it as easy as we may think. 

Mullein Wave is a coastal species that we do well for in small numbers.

Birds Ringed: Blue Tit 1, Chiffchaff 1, House Sparrow 1, Linnet 4.

Thursday 6th June 2024

A few migrants trickling through today, 2 new chiffchaff and a new whitethroat on site, and a reed warbler singing in the observatory compound. 3 house martins and 6 swallows flew south, along with 4 Canada and 2 barnacle geese. More and more linnets are fledging, and the first juvenile goldfinch of the year was seen.

Bordered Sallow lives on restharrow, so does well with us. 

Birds Ringed: Chiffchaff 2, Linnet 6, Whitethroat 1.

Wednesday 5th June 2024

 

Last knockings for spring migration with singles of Blackcap, Firecrest & Reed Warbler with first knockings of autumn migration as represented by another 2 Curlew south. Difficult to know whether 3 Swallow south at this time of the year are tardy spring birds or individuals who have had enough and are on their way out. The first dispersing juvenile Coal Tit of the season appeared mid-day. Single Peregrine carrying breakfast is worth a mention as very few have been seen this spring.

Lot cooler overnight so moth trap contents were much reduced on the previous night although this did not prevent the first Elephant Hawk-moth of the season paying a visit.

Ringing: 2 Linnet, 2 Starling, 1 Blackcap, 1 Dunnock, 1 Firecrest, 1 Robin.

Tuesday 4th June 2024

A muggy overcast morning didn't produce much on the bird front. First fledgling wrens of the year were out, joining the gang of young robins, linnets, great tits and starlings on the reserve, providing a crop of inexperienced prey for the local kestrels and magpies. A chiffchaff was still present in the observatory compound, along with whitethroat, lesser whitethroat and Cetti's warbler. 

2 curlew south may have been our first 'autumn' birds. Presumably failed breeders or non-breeders that have decided not to bother going to the breeding grounds this year. Not a great sign for a Red listed species. On the wader front, we still have a lingering turnstone and some sanderling in various stages of plumage. 

Only one Beautiful Marbled was noted in 2023 so hopefully this early one signifies a better year for them.

Birds Ringed: Linnet 3, Robin 2, Starling 1, Wren 1. 

Monday 3rd June 2024

Another classic summery morning. A cuckoo was the only migrant of much note today, though kittiwakes continued to pass south and the 2 turnstones remain on the jetty, joined by a sanderling. 

A song thrush on site was the first for a while, we've yet to see any juveniles here this year.  

Plum Fruit Moth has only been noted here in two previous years. It does what it says on its vernacular name and we only have one plum tree.

Birds Ringed: Linnet 2, Starling 2. 

Sunday 2nd June 2024

 

Migrants included single Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Cuckoo & Siskin + southbound 6 Swallow & a House Martin. Offshore southbound 2 Sandwich Tern, Fulmar & Gannet with northbound 25 Little Tern, 3 Kitts & 2 Gannet. A Buzzard was present most of the morning much to the disdain of the local Crows. 2 Egyptian Geese went south then upriver are possibly the same individuals as other recent sightings. A dispersing juvenile Chaffinch popped in with the days of them nesting here now gone. Worth highlighting are the better Little Tern numbers in recent days as sightings seen in recent years have been very poor.

Pale Tussock is one of those common enough species that only very occasionally pays us a visit.

Ringing: 4 Linnet, 2 Starling, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Magpie.