Saturday 8th March 2025

 

Hard work, again, on a glorious sunny day. Difficult to know whether a Rock Pipit, at this time of the year, is one of the wintering birds or a spring migrant in this species which notoriously migrates early in the season. Otherwise migrants were a Rook south plus single new Dunnock & Great Tit passing through. Offshore a Red-throated Diver flew north. Comma butterfly in the mid-day sunshine worth mentioning as a first of the year.

Ringing: 1 Dunnock, 1 Great Tit.

Friday 7th March 2025

 

130 Cormorant went out fishing. Despite a very light southerly & pleasant conditions migrants non-existent except for 4 Jackdaw south. Single Gannet north offshore is about it apart from a couple of Oyks & Shelduck wandering about. Early indications are that less Great Tit are singing so far this spring.

Ringing: 1 Goldfinch.

Thursday 6th March 2025

 

Pleasant sunny morning. Southbound 3 Oyk, 2 Brent, 2 Rook, 2 Wood Pigeon & a Mipit with on site migrants 2 Chaffinch, 2 Skylark, Chiffchaff & Jackdaw. Worth highlighting are 2 Greenfinch ringed considering that only two were ringed in the whole of 2024 (back in both 1986 & 1987 LBO ringed 2,250 a year - how times have changed for this once ubiquitous species).

The second site record of Early Moth with the previous one being in February last year.

Ringing: 2 Greenfinch, 1 Blackbird, 1 Dunnock, 1 Linnet.
 

Wednesday 5th March 2025

 

More welcome signs of the impending spring with migrants including the first 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Woodcock, Skylark & Woodlark of the year plus 4 Jackdaw, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Stonechat & a Buzzard flying south offshore. 6 Long-tailed Tit & Rock Pipit still here. Stock Dove was present in the afternoon.

Ringing: 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Stock Dove.

Tuesday 4th March 2025

 

Frost but NO fog to start the day. 550 Cormorant went out fishing. Today's migrants were 24 Starling south, single Chaffinch, Redwing, Siskin & Song Thrush. 6 Egyptian Geese visited sitting on the sea for a while with 5 Long-tailed Tit being birds from recent days or revisiting from last November. 4 Turnstone & Rock Pipit in the usual places.

Ringing: 2 Goldfinch, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush.

2025 AGM Reminder

 This years AGM will be held on Saturday 8th March 2025. Members should have received an agenda plus minutes of last years meeting. If not please email landguardbomembership@gmail.com for details.

Monday 3rd March 2025

 

Sharp frost & fog up to 9am after which glorious sunshine. Migrants were 4 Redwing, Chaffinch, migrant Robin and, bang on cue, the first wandering Great Tit of the spring. 2 Long-tailed Tit & Rock Pipit still with us.

Ringing: 2 Redwing, 1 Great Tit, 1 Robin.

Sunday 2nd March 2025

 

Glorious sunny day once the scourge of the early morning thick mist had burnt off. Early spring migrants hard to come by were single new Blackbird, Chaffinch & Redwing. 4 Cetti's singing & Rock Pipit still on the point. 6 Long-tailed Tit passed through.

Ringing:1 Blackbird.

Saturday 1st March 2025

 

Frosty start followed buy glorious sunshine. Migrants were single Chaffinch & Redwing. 3 Long-tailed Tit (one of which is a returning individual from last November) & Rock Pipit still here. Just 7 Common Scoter offshore.

Ringing: 2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Redwing, 1 Robin.

Friday 28th February 2025

 

This time last year there were 10 Red-legs - now down to just three.

Misty start followed by a fine sunny late winters morning. 295 Cormorant went out fishing. Today's migrants were single Chaffinch & Redwing. 3 Long-tailed Tit visited & 4 Cetti's were singing.

First Hebrew Character of the spring. This can be the commonest moth species early in the season.

Thursday 27th February 2025

 

Bit of a migrant free zone today. 9 Barnacle Geese flew south, 5 Mallard were whizzing around presumably looking for nest sites, 3 Turnstone on the beach, Rock Pipit on the point & roughly 1,000 seagulls offshore behind shipping. 

Wednesday 26th February 2025

 

Today's migrants were 4 Redwing & a Chaffinch. On the beach early doors 10 Ringo, 5 Sanderling & Turnstone. 2 Long-tailed Tit & a Stock Dove paid a visit.

Tuesday 25th February 2025

 

690 Cormorant went out fishing, 22 Starling flew south early on & 2 Chaffinch were the first of their kind this year. 28 Common Scoter remain offshore & 2 Stonechat in fine fettle still at the north end. On the beach early on 11 Ringos, 9 Sanderling, 5 Turnstone plus a Rock Pipit on the point.

Monday 24th February 2025

 

Wet & windy up to late morning. 680 Cormorant went out fishing. A quick Billy Whizz around the reserve as the rain abated revealed a couple of female Stonechat new in plus the usual birds in the usual places. Late news - 2 male Stonechat at north end early pm.

Ringing: 1 Wood Pigeon.

Sunday 23rd February 2025

 

Ringed Plover C50 back on the beach having been originally ringed in Poland September 2023, seen at Landguard January 2024, back in Poland June 2024 then again at Landguard November 2024 & early morning today.

Visitors this morning were 2 Greenfinch, single Long-tailed Tit & Jackdaw with a Song Thrush singing in the observatory compound, for the first time this year, pleasing to hear. On the beach first thing, before dog walkers, 13 Ringed Plover, 2 Turnstone & Sanderling. 28 Common Scoter offshore & 2 Rock Pipit still with us.

Moth traps have been on the past four nights with the first moth of the season this Dotted Border.

Saturday 22nd February 2025

Thoroughly miserable wet & misty morning finally improving late morning onwards. A Mistle Thrush is today's migrant with the male Stonechat still at the north end. When the next best sighting is 21 Wood Pigeon it exemplifies the current state of play. 

Friday 21st February 2025

600 Cormorant went out fishing, 28 Common Scoter offshore, Lapwing on the beach first thing, Jackdaw visited & yesterday's Stonechat still at the north end. 4 Cetti's Warbler calling this morning - there has probably been this number present all winter and only with a milder sojourn have they all been rounded up on a morning's walk.

Moth traps have been out for the last two nights & recorded the dreaded "nil pois" although this Green Shieldbug, in winter plumage, did pop in.

Thursday 20th February 2025

 

Milder. Signs of the impending spring were 2 Lapwing, Stonechat foraging for morsels where the Ranger was strimming at the North end & the first wandering Greylag of the year. Lapwing are early nesters so will be keen to get back to their natal area & Stonechat are a characteristically early migrant at the end of February in low numbers. 2 Cetti's & 2 Rock Pipit still with us.

Wednesday 19th February 2025

 

Red Kite drifted along the ridge then back north-east mid-morning. LBO only has 17 previous site records which is surprising considering the number now wandering around just inland of us. 620 Cormorant went out fishing with 2 Gannet & Kitt noted offshore.

Tuesday 18th February 2025

 

I could just "copy & paste" yesterdays blog. Glorious sunny, frosty morning. 740 Cormorant went out fishing & Rock Pipit still with us.

Monday 17th February 2025

 

750 Cormorant headed out fishing. Bit same old, same old at present. 6 Turnstone, 3 Ringos & Rock Pipit on/near the point.

Sunday 16th February 2025

 

625 Cormorant went out fishing early. Single Rock Pipit & Turnstone in the usual spots. Cetti's on the Butts heard briefly when the sun came out as they have been inconspicuous in the dull cool conditions we have been putting up with for what seems like eons.

Saturday 15th February 2025

Back to overcast conditions with a cool onshore breeze. 660 Cormorant went out fishing, Rock Pipit on the point & Turnstone on the riverbank. Great Tit's are investigating potential nest sites - only a couple of months to early for that!

Friday 14th February 2025

 

The sun actually showed up late morning for a rare change! 566 Cormorant went out fishing. Southbound the first 4 Barnacles of the year, 2 Brent & Oyk with northbound 6 Brent & a Red-throated Diver in an hour staring out at Gulls. Maybe 1,000 gulls offshore but the vast bulk of these are way to far out which is frustrating. 28 Common Scoter offshore, 9 Turnstone on the riverbank & Rock Pipit on the point.

Thursday 13th February 2025

 

Chilly overcast benign weather continues. 730 Cormorant went out fishing, 28 Common Scoter offshore, 11 Turnstone on riverbank, 2 Rock Pipit on the point, Greenfinch visited & adult female Peregrine on nearest dock crane.

Wednesday 12th February 2025

 570 Cormorant went out fishing, 34 Common Scoter offshore, 10 Turnstone on the shore, 2 Rock Pipit on the point & 3 Fieldfare paid a visit on a cool calm morning.

Ringing Recovery

Finally got the Red-breasted Flycatcher details through which was ringed on the easternmost part of Denmark at Blavand Fugelstation, Ribe on 5th September 2024 & retrapped 599 km away at LBO on 16th September 2024. Photos of this bird in Denmark are on -

https://www.xn--blvandfuglestation-5tb.dk/blog?aar=2024&maaned=9&page=3

Tuesday 11th February 2025

 

Dull, murky cold & damp morning although the wind has abated. 1,160 Cormorant went out fishing. 12 Turnstone on the riverbank & 8 Ringos on the beach.

Monday 10th February 2025

 

Raw weather conditions with a chilly ENE wind with occasional drizzle reminding one that the East coast can be bleak in the winter. Offshore & in the river 1,500 seagulls following shipping with 11 Kitts the best one could muster with a distinct lack of Greater Black-backs amongst the melee. Whilst gull watching northbound 2 Common Scoter & 2 Gannet. Not sure why a Redwing turned up today & even less sure why a Buzzard was not only here but went into the Helgoland trap. Buzzard has only been annual at LBO in the last ten years, as the species has increased across East Anglia, & we only have four previous February records (with one of them a tideline corpse 30 years ago).

Ringing: 1 Buzzard, 1 Redwing.

2024 Annual Reports & Updated Species Lists

 

2024 annual reports for Birds, Butterflies, Dragonflies, Mammals, Moths & Miscellaneous records, several updated Species Lists, Ringing totals & updated Ringing Recoveries report are now available on https://www.lbo.org.uk/ or via the LBO Home Page at the top of the blog.

Sunday 9th February 2025

 

870 Cormorant went out fishing plus another 230 flew in from the south. Southbound 2 Shelduck & Brent with northbound 17 Brent, 5 Common Scoter & Red-throated Diver plus 28 Common Scoter offshore. The first Meadow Pipit of the year flew north and a volery of 7 Long-tailed Tit visited. 9 Turnstone & Rock Pipit at the point.

2025 Annual General Meeting

This years AGM will be held on Saturday 8th March 2025. Members should have received an agenda plus minutes of last years meeting. If not please email landguardbomembership@gmail.com for details.

Saturday 8th February 2025

 

Literally thousands of dead and dyeing Brittle Stars on the strandline following yesterdays on-shore gale.

1,245 Cormorant went out fishing early on. Southbound 3 Brent, Red-throated Diver & Shelduck with northbound Common Scoter & Goldeneye plus 17 Common Scoter offshore. 2 Rock Pipit & 2 Turnstone on the point plus a Fieldfare in the obs compound.

Friday 7th February 2025

 Northbound 24 Gannet, 2 Brent & Common Scoter. 132 Common Gull offshore & in the river.

Thursday 6th February 2025

 

Another glorious frosty morning. 515 Cormorant went out fishing. Very predictable & stagnant birding at the moment. Rock Pipit back on the point & 2 Ringos on the beach.

Wednesday 5th February 2025

 

Another glorious sunny winters morning. 650 Cormorant went out fishing. c.30 Linnet on the reserve with not a lot else to offer you.

Tuesday 4th February 2025

 

Song Thrush singing & pleasing to see it has a mate. 567 Cormorant went out fishing. Stock Dove paid a visit & 7 Common Scoter were offshore.

Monday 3rd February 2025

 

Glorious frosty, calm morning. 426 Cormorant went out fishing with prior to that two flocks totaling 90 Black-headed Gull went south just off the beach although it's difficult to know whether they are on the move or just roosted on the calm sea off Cobbolds Point. The highlight of the day was 38 Linnet with several of them singing & displaying first thing. 

Sunday 2nd February 2025

 Glorious frosty, sunny day. 10 Linnet & a Cetti's the best from a paltry selection of sightings.

Saturday 1st February 2025

 No coverage. 

2025 LBO MEMBERSHIP

Thank you to existing members who have already renewed your membership for 2025 for the support you gave to Landguard Bird Observatory over the last 12 months. It is through your continued membership and donations that the Observatory is able to continue the important work it does.

Membership for 2025 is now due. Members should have received an email reminding them - if not we may have an incorrect email on file & if this is you please email the membership secretary on landguardbomembership@gmail.com so details can be updated.

Please can I ask you to continue to support the important work and renew your membership at your earliest convenience. The preferred payment method is by BACS transfer as the banks charge us a fee for each cheque processed.

New members who wish to support the observatory and its work are always welcome with further details on www.lbo.org.uk

Friday 31st January 2025

Wet morning. Southbound 3 Shelduck, Brent & the first Curlew of the year. 10 Kitts with gulls behind ships & 9 Common Scoter sat offshore.

Thursday 30th January 2025

 

Glorious sunny winters day. 2 Rock Pipit on the point only thing worth a mention.

Wednesday 29th January 2025

Glorious winters morning. The first Rook of the year went south. Otherwise c.1,500 gulls offshore & in the river the best of the rest.

Tuesday 28th January 2025

 Wet 'n windy. 1,020 Cormorant went out fishing. Gannet with c.1,000 gulls behind shipping. Southbound 4 Wigeon & a Shelduck on a fairly grim morning.

Monday 27th January 2025

 

935 Cormorant went out fishing. Offshore 200 Common Gull is a reasonable number for this winter & 26 Kitts were following shipping. Mrs. Peregrine put in another appearance & 8 Ringos were roosting at high tide.

Sunday 26th January 2025

 

960 Cormorants went out fishing early on a clear frosty start to the day. 9 Ringos near the point & 19 Linnet only other records of note.

Saturday 25th January 2025

726 Cormorant went out plus another 160 in from the north. Good to get some more Red-throated Divers offshore with 23 north 102 south. Nothing else moving. Adult female Peregrine siting on the nearest dock crane & a Stock Dove were both firsts of the year. 2 Ringos on the beach & 9 Linnet were indicators of some locals returning to check out breeding sites. Finally usual Rock Pipit on the point.

Friday 24th January 2025

 886 Cormorant went out fishing on a windy morning & the first Gannet of the year was seen. 

Thursday 23rd January 2025

610 Cormorant went out fishing 3/4 hour earlier than yesterday in clearer conditions. Over 1,000 gulls behind shipping but nothing more exciting than 17 Kitts & 3 Meds amongst them. Whilst gull watching single Common Scoter & Teal went south plus a Red-throated Diver north. 2 Cetti's still here plus the usual Rock Pipit on the point.

Wednesday 22nd January 2025

Cold/misty/foggy/drizzly morning. 600 Cormorant headed out fishing late on parade due to bad visibility. 2 Mallard flew south & Rock Pipit on the point although enthusiasm levels low in this weather.

Tuesday 21st January 2025

Damp, cold, misty/foggy morning. 23 Brent flew south, 4 Golden Plover on the beach & Rock Pipit on the point are the only offerings.

2025 SEASONAL WARDEN VACANCY

 SEASONAL WARDEN LANDGUARD BIRD OBSERVATORY

 Applicants need to be competent birdwatchers and have a BTO bird ringing ‘C’ permit with a mist net endorsement as a minimum requirement. An interest in other aspects of natural history and biological recording is also needed.

The position runs from Mid-March until mid-November 2025. A job description is available on request. If you require any specifics, please don’t hesitate to ask. Please e-mail landguardbo@yahoo.co.uk

Monday 20th January 2025

 

680 Cormorant headed out fishing on another dull grey cold day. 2 Rock Pipits were having a vocal territorial dispute on the point. More gulls offshore but nowt odd with a handful of Red-throated Divers going back & forth for the first time in days. Finally 2 Collared Doves was the first appearance of the year for their kind.

Sunday 19th January 2025

 

Another dull cold day. 562 Cormorant went out fishing. 2 Cetti's on the reserve by the Butts pond & in obs compound so they are tolerating the cold. Managed to read the ring on this Crow in the View Point car park that was originally ringed in March 2019 that is infamous for taking a chunk out of my hand when it was caught. Also managed to get the ring number on the Crow on the Butts that was ringed back in May 2014, but both have a way to go to beat the UK longevity record that stands at over 20 years.

Saturday 18th January 2025

 

Dull & cold. 303 Cormorant went out fishing. Over an hour staring out produced a flock of 10 Brent flying north but nothing else sums up how little is on the move presently. A Song Thrush was singing along View Point Road for the first time this year & a Fieldfare was in the compound.

Friday 17th January 2025

 

One of those morning's whereby if we hadn't turned up it wouldn't have made much difference to the cause. 296 Cormorant went out fishing, with the rest very much 'same old same old' - and not a lot of that presently ! Increase to 4 adult Meds from the usual 3, although that doesn't necessarily mean there's not more around it's just that 3 pulling behind Stenna going out is all that we can manage at a time in recent days.

Thursday 16th January 2025

 

Only the 12th LBO record of Coot on the river behind Darrell's Battery & the first here since 2011. Nine of the eleven previous records were from 1980 - 1994 so not an easy species to catch up with here. Far to much excitement for a January morning so it's back to the usual's. 381 Cormorant went fishing, 16 Common Scoter sat offshore, southbound 4 Brent, 2 Teal & Shelduck, Fieldfare on site plus the first Lesser Black-backed Gull of the year.

Wednesday 15th January 2025

Chiffchaff was a bit unexpected - we only have three previous January records all of which loitered for several days so it may get seen again. Milder conditions enticed a Cetti's into a couple of bursts of song just to let us know it's still here. 19 Linnet & 9 Goldfinch visited which suggests that they are wintering close nearby & popped down to check everything's ok.

Tuesday 14th January 2025

432 Cormorant went out fishing. Nowt on the move. 16 Common Scoter sat on the sea. The highlight of a walk around the reserve was 2 Goldfinch so all deadly quiet presently.

Monday 13th January 2025

 

Plenty of spare juvenile delinquents ready to move in if any of the resident adult crows pop their clogs.

415 Cormorant went out fishing. Southbound 18 Black-headed Gull, 12 Shelduck & a Tufted Duck. Increase in gulls with 146 Common Gull the best count for a while plus 25 Kitts following a boat coming in. A Fieldfare dropped in late morning & the Rock Pipit reappeared on the point. A singing Linnet exemplifies an increase in temperature although no others were seen so seems a pointless exercise this early in the year.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird

Sunday 12th January 2025

 

Blood red moon low in the sky over Trinity terminal pre dawn.

132 Cormorant went out fishing early. A Little Egret flying south only sighting worth a mention on a glorious sunny day with the sharp frost & rock hard ground not going all day in the shady areas.

Saturday 11th January 2025

 

Ice spike in the Heligoland pond that hasn't defrosted in the shade for days.

Glorious sunny frosty morning until cold fog arrived from inland late morning. Single Fieldfare & Woodcock on site plus 2 Jackdaw came in from the north then departed inland over the docks. 3 Greenfinch were notable as winter records have been very few & far between in recent years.