Saturday 2nd November 2024

Nice easterlies with some annoying drizzle that lasted longer than it was predicted to made for some interesting observations, as we might expect. A short-eared owl was briefly on the reserve, along with an influx of thrushes, 25 redwing, 25 song thrush and 2 fieldfare in from the sea. An arctic skua went north and 2 pomarine skuas went south, our best skua day of the year, sadly. 1471 Brent geese south was a massive increase on the trickles we have been having, these were accompanied by 110 wigeon, 87 teal, 5 shoveler, a gadwall, 2 red-breasted merganser and 22 shelduck. 2 purple sandpipers were still on the jetty with 3 turnstone and a rock pipit, and a woodcock was in the observatory compound. 

Getting late in the year for Double-striped Pug to still be on the wing. 

 

Friday 1st November 2024

A slightly quieter morning today, with mostly the usual suspects present or moving past. A brambling joined 42 goldfinch, 13 chaffinch and a single greenfinch heading south, a goosander flew up river and a black-throated diver flew east over the observatory out to sea. 5 turnstone on the jetty were joined by 2 purple sandpipers and a rock pipit. A Dartford warbler was out on the reserve along with a black redstart, both species we haven't seen here for some weeks. 

First noted in 2019, Oak Rustic has now colonised the Holm oaks. 

Birds Ringed: Blackbird 4, Chaffinch 1, Goldcrest 1, House Sparrow 1, Redwing 1. 

 

OCTOBER RINGING TOTALS 2024

A much poorer October than last year with only 330 individuals of 27 species ringed compared to 533 of 33 species in 2023. Some of this can be attributed to a poor redpoll autumn, with only 7 ringed this year as opposed to 2023 where at 109 individuals it was the most numerous species ringed. Meadow pipit numbers have also been dire this autumn, and not a single one was ringed this month, and barely any in September. Chiffchaff numbers are less than half of last years 73 and blackcap numbers are just over a third of what they were. 

On the opposite side of the scale, 15 grey wagtail is a massive improvement on 5 last year, though they have been in good numbers here all year. 51 robin is a good number considering the awful breeding season they seem to have had, at least locally, and the same goes for blackbirds, though both species are well boosted by immigrants at this time of year. 

On the scarcity front, a water rail was the first we've ringed here for four years, and a first year quail was the first ringed at Landguard in its history.

Two tristis type chiffchaffs (Siberian) were nice, though expected, as was our only yellow-browed warbler so far this year.  

Robin	51
Goldcrest	42
Song Thrush	37
Blackbird	30
Chiffchaff	27
Wren	20
Blackcap	18
Grey wagtail	16
Great Tit	15
Dunnock	13
Redwing	10
Chaffinch	10
Lesser Redpoll	7
Blue tit	7
Firecrest	5
Cetti's warbler	2
Tristis Chiffchaff	2
Goldfinch	2
Woodpigeon	2
Siskin	2
Willow Warbler	1
Jay	1
Garden warbler	1
Quail	1
Water Rail	1
Yellow-browed Warbler	1
Sedge warbler	1
Linnet	1
Total	330

Thursday 31st October 2024

A nice calm morning brought in a few thrushes, song thrush and blackbird as well as the two winter thrushes, with 19 fieldfare on the reserve, whilst redwing seeped in the trees around the observatory. A few chaffinches had roosted overnight and moved off throughout the morning. 2 golden plover were on the beach and 2 lapwing on the reserve proper, with another rock pipit on the jetty. 3 goose species were a little surprising, with 2 Egyptian geese flying south, a single greylag north and 3 white-fronted geese moved south. 

Bird of the day however was a 1st year quail that paid the observatory a visit. Only the 3rd on site record and the first to be ringed here. An educational bird for all, it was healthy and fat and moved off towards the docks upon release. 

Feathered Thorn appears here in low numbers in late autumn. 

Birds Ringed: Blackbird 10, Chaffinch 5, Goldcrest 6, Quail 1, Robin 2, Song Thrush 1, Wren 2. 

Wednesday 30th October 2024

Local Cetti's are fairly vocal but don't pose long enough for any photos.

More interesting migrant wise than yesterday with 48 Redwing, 23 Fieldfare, 21 Song Thrush, 20 Blackbird, 13 Chaffinch, 4 Goldcrest, 2 Woodlark, Blackcap, Little Egret Redpoll & Short-eared Owl. Purp & Rock Pipit were on the point & an adult female Peregrine was sat on the nearest dock crane.

Spoladea recurvalis is a half decent migrant migrant only noted previously in 2011 & 2018.

Ringing: 3 Song Thrush, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Blackbird, 1 Blackcap.

Tuesday 29th October 2024

What felt like an interminably long and quiet morning had a few vague highlights. A single redpoll and stonechat were on the reserve, along with a rock pipit and 7 turnstones on the jetty. A rook was a slightly notable observation, loudly yet slowly making its way across the reserve. Still some meadow pipits around, with 7 on the reserve and 4 heading south, with one confused individual going back north. A couple of swallows south were the first for several days and grey wagtails continue to trickle past, with a single individual today. A mute swan south was another less than daily occurrence.

A single chiffchaff was at the Icky Ridge, 2 med gull were observed and a red-throated diver and 2 skylark headed south.

Common Marbled Carpet is not living up to its forename as the only previous record this autumn was 6 weeks ago. 

Birds Ringed: Grey Wagtail 1. 

 

Monday 28th October 2024

A brisk morning, with some movement, though not a huge amount. 2 stonechat remain out on the reserve as does a turnstone on the jetty. A peregrine was being harassed by crows as the sun rose and a sparrowhawk was out terrorising the local passerines along with two kestrels. Out to sea a sandwich turn was our equal latest autumn record, though an Arctic tern was more expected, with several previous records into early November. A single siskin moved west inland, whilst 36 goldfinch, 7 chaffinch, 4 meadow pipit and 2 skylark moved south. Back out to sea a couple of red-throated diver moved south, along with 3 dunlin, 19 wigeon, 32 Brent goose and a great crested grebe. 

The Satellite is an autumnal moth that hibernates in the winter, reappearing in the spring.

Birds Ringed: Blackbird 1, Chaffinch 1, Grey Wagtail 1, Song Thrush 1. 

 

Sunday 27th October 2024

 

Glorious sunny session. Worth a mention in the migrant depatment are 10 Chaffinch, 4 Song Thrush, 3 Stonechat, 2 Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, loitering Firecrest, Redwing + a handful of new Blackies. Vis mig very poor considering the clear conditions with southbound 96 Starling, 9 Goldfinch, 6 Mipit, 6 Woodies & 5 Skylark. Offshore action almost non-existent although a Sandwich Tern is worth a mention as getting late in the year for them. Rock Pipit & Turnstone were on the point with an immature Peregrine putting in an appearance (which it has done on several days recently).

Ypsolopha ustella is a common enough moth in Suffolk but only very rarely pays us a visit.

Ringing: 4 Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Redwing.