Brief early morning visit produced 12 Sanderling & 2 Snow Bunting on the beach with 2 Turnstone & Rock Pipit on the point.
Thursday 11th December 2025
Pink sky in the morning - must be time to go out fishing.
A total of 8 Skylark & a Mipit south are getting a bit late for autumn passage considering no cold weather to force movement. 2 Ringos on the beach suggest that the mild conditions is giving them time to come back to the nesting sites to check that it is still here. Otherwise it's the mid-December doldrums.
Wednesday 10th December 2025
Pleasant day. Rock Pipit was the first for over a fortnight, 2 Ringed Plover & 2 Snow Bunting on the reserve.
Tuesday 9th December 2025
Monday 8th December 2025
160 Cormorant went out fishing early doors, 6 Common Scoter on the sea, 2 Snow Bunting on the reserve & Firecrest in the back hedge which will be a left over from the autumn.
Sunday 7th December 2025
Saturday 6th December 2025
Rain up to mid morning. Paltry selection of sightings with southbound 6 Wigeon, 2 Brent & Shelduck. 9 Kitts offshore.
Friday 5th December 2025
Thursday 4th December 2025
Strengthening gale & rain from mid-morning so not pleasant. 2 Sanderling on the beach early on, 2 Snow Bunt by the point, southbound 24 Teal & Common Scoter with northbound 26 Common Scoter & Red-throated Diver. That's your lot !
Wednesday 3rd December 2025
Ringing: 1 Wood Pigeon.
Ringing Recoveries
Firecrest ringed LBO 19th October 2025 was retrapped 110 km away at London Zoo on 18th November 2025. Autumn migrant with us there is no reason why it can't winter in London.
Grey Wagtail ringed LBO 5th October 2024 was photographed 89 km away at Rainham Marshes, Greater London on 1st November 2024 was again photographed at the same location on 29th November 2025 suggesting that is where it will winter for the second year running.
Six Long-tailed Tits ringed Trimley Marshes 9th November were retrapped LBO 21st November 2025 on there autumnal wanderings.
Also several Blue & Great Tit ringed Trimley this autumn have paid us a visit & several Blue & Great Tit ringed at LBO have paid Trimley Marshes a visit this autumn.
Tuesday 2nd December 2025
Glorious winters morning. 43 Ringos, 3 Dunlin & Sanderling at high tide early doors were soon shifted by dog walkers. Southbound 11 Goldfinch, 4 Brent, 3 Pintail & a Mipit were the only movers & shakers. Otherwise it's the stuff that will be wintering with us.
Monday 1st December 2025
Wet n' windy dampened enthusiasm & coverage. 151 Cormorant headed out fishing in the half light. Next to nothing moving offshore although a Razorbill did fly in from the north, pitched in, then continued past. Chiffchaff still loitering.
Ringing: 1 Blackbird.
November Ringing Totals
368 birds of 20 species is the highest November total for seven years. 17 Mipits are worth highlighting as very few have been ringed in this month over the years.
Sunday 30th November 2025
Ringing: nil.
Saturday 29th November 2025
Ringing: nil.
Friday 28th November 2025
Ringing: 1 Blackbird.
Thursday 27th November 2025
This Grey Seal pup has probably left it's colony a tad early in its weaning cycle.
A small arrival of 30 Blackies, 6 Songies, 5 Redwing & Woodcock exemplifies the fact that autumn migration hasn't quite finished for these species. Otherwise 6 Mipit are getting a bit tardy, Chiffchaff & several crests loiter on site & Snow Bunting was heard calling pre-dawn.
Ringing: 6 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush.
Wednesday 26th November 2025
Misty, damp start followed by glorious winter sunshine. Handful of new Blackies, Redwing, Skylark & Woodcock new in. Several Goldcrest & Firecrest lingering & 3 Snow Bunting on the beach. 3 Mallard flying inland is worth a mention as we don't see many.
Ringing: 4 Blackbird.
Tuesday 25th November 2025
Ringing: 1 Lesser Redpoll.
Monday 24th November 2025
Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush.
Sunday 23rd November 2025
Ringing: 1 Chaffinch.
JACK SNIPE MOTUS DETECTION
More information about Motus is on www.motus.org
Saturday 22nd November 2025
Ringing: nil.
Friday 21st November 2025
Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Goldfinch.
Thursday 20th November 2025
Ringing: 2 Blackbird, 1 Goldcrest.
Wednesday 19th November 2025
Ringing: nil.
Tuesday 18th November 2025
Ringing: nil.
Ringing Recoveries
Blackbird ringed LBO 9th October 2023 was a road casualty 429 kim away at St.Germans, Cornwall on 1st November 2025. First Blacky recovery we have had to Cornwall will be a contintal bird on passage when caught here.
Lesser Redpoll ringed LBO 25th October 2025 was retrapped 123 km away at Icklesham, Sussex on 6th November 2025 will be on autumn passage at both sites.
Blue Tit ringed Alderton 13th October 2025 was retrapped 12 km away at LBO 22nd October 2025.
Glodcrest ringed Alderton 19th October 2025 was retrapped 12km away at LBO 22nd October 2025 will be on autumn migration at both sites.
Chiffchaff ringed Trimley on 9th August 2025 was retrapped LBO 11th November 2025 was a juvenile when ringed & will be on autumn passage here a couple of months after being ringed.
Monday 17th November 2025
High tides are making Purps more difficult to find as they come and go at the point.
Small arrival of classic mid-November fare plus some leftovers from recent days including 25 Blackbird, 8 Mipit, 6 Redpoll, 5 Goldcrest, 2 Redwing, Chaffinch, Firecrest, Greenfinch & Grey Wag. 220 Cormorant headed out plus an additional 342 came in from the north to the fishing grounds. High tide early on so 18 Ringos + a Turnstone attempted to roost near the point.
Ringing: 5 Blackbird, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Sparrowhawk.
Sunday 16th November 2025
Annoying mizzle early doors for a couple of hours dropped in 50 Blackies, 25 Mipit, 10 Redwing, 5 Songies, 4 Goldcrest, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Short-eared Owl, Skylark, Woodcock & Woodlark. 2 Firecrest & Pallas's Warbler continue to loiter. 40 Starling came in off & inland & 2 Purps were on the point. Offshore southbound 28 Brent, 12 Black-headed Gull, 6 Teal, 4 Wigeon, 2 Shelduck, Goldeneye & Red-throated Diver with northbound 28 Brent, 2 Gannet & Curlew.
Ringing: 16 Blackbird, 2 Robin, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Song Thrush.
Saturday 15th November 2025
Not what one expects to find on the beach in the morning.
North easterlies have delivered a decent influx of thrushes from the continent. Large flocks of Fieldfare passing over ended in a tally of 880 whilst 165 Redwing also amongst them. A steady trickle of new Blackbirds coming through also including a Dutch ringed bird. Pallas's Warbler still present early morning at least and a Firecrest in the afternoon. A Common Tern very unusual for this time of year; our last November record was back in 1983 and that was on the 2nd! Other migrants 1 Blackcap, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 12 Goldcrest, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Mistle Thrush, 15 Meadow Pipit, 15 Robin, 1 Skylark, 5 Song Thrush. 1 Purple Sandpiper on the point.
Offshore 460 Brent Goose Southbound. Also 1 Common Scoter, 5 Gadwall, 4 Goldeneye, 3 Golden Plover, 5 Pochard, 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Shelduck, 19 Teal and 20 Wigeon.
Only the third Red-green Carpet this autumn.
Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 12 Blackbird, 1 Chiffchaff, 10 Goldcrest, 4 Goldfinch, 1 Redwing, 4 Robin, 4 Song Thrush, 2 Wren.
Friday 14th November 2025
This grassland mushroom has sprung up all over the nature reserve. Silky Pinkgill Entoloma sericeum comes from a family of very poisonous mushrooms.
Greeted this morning by 11 Fieldfare and a few Redwing calling after rain right through the night. Peregrine was flying along the beach before heading out to sea - probably looking for tired, grounded migrants! Both Pallas's Warbler and Barred Warbler are still present but can't blame them for not wanting to leave in this weather. A single Rock Pipit feeding out on the point and a Firecrest on site. Today we were down to just 18 Linnet. Other migrants 1 Brambling, 2 Chaffinch, 7 Goldcrest, 34 Meadow Pipit, 1 Redpoll, 2 Song Thrush, 3 Starling.
Offshore late morning 4 Little Gull went South. Also 1 Goldeneye, 3 Oystercatcher and 1 Red-throated diver.
Dark Chestnut is a Winter flyer with us.
Ringing: 1 Blue Tit.
Thursday 13th November 2025
With the weather set to turn, will we get any more Clouded Yellow after today?
The morning started with another Swallow south and a couple Brambling heard calling. Another cloudy start but as the sun emerged so did the Barred Warbler along the back hedge. The Pallas's Warbler still around popping up always when you least expect it! Other migrants 15 Chaffinch, 90 Goldfinch, 43 Meadow Pipit, 8 Redpoll, 3 Redwing and 10 Starling.
Offshore 77 Great Black-backed Gull and 2 Lapwing.
A common species, the Large Yellow Underwings still hanging on start to look quite worn this time of year.
Wednesday 12th November 2025
6 Pied Wagtail today.
With the wind still in the South the birding is slowly drying up here. That said a Merlin was observed heading South late morning. No sign of the Barred Warbler but the Pallas's Warbler still remains. One very late Swallow heading South - last of the year? Migrants include 6 Goldcrest, 4 Goldfinch, 33 Meadow Pipit, 1 Siskin, 1 Skylark, 1 Sparrowhawk and 3 Song Thrush.
Offshore 280 Cormorants seen coming in from the North a long way out while the usual group of 177 went out fishing early morning. Also 4 Brent Goose, 68 Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Pintail, 2 Shelduck and 8 Wigeon.
Ringing: 1 Goldcrest, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Wren.
Tuesday 11th November 2025
Oystercatcher usually gets a bit scarcer here after September but 2 on the beach today.
Slim pickings this morning in comparison to the strong start we received this November. Our saving grace, the Barred Warbler reappeared in a brief window of sunshine along the hedge on the South side of the compound. Pallas' Warbler has been doing the rounds too as it reaches its 7th day with us. Other migrants 4 Chaffinch, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, 6 Goldcrest, 34 Goldfinch, 22 Meadow Pipit, 5 Song Thrush and 4 Skylark. Next to no movement offshore save for 2 Tufted Duck.
Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush.
Monday 10th November 2025
Weather has deteriorated with wind & rain limiting this mornings activities. Southbound 43 Brent, 21 Teal, 11 Shelduck, 7 Gannet, 5 Wigeon, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Dunlin, Common Scoter, Goldeneye, Great Crested Grebe & Grey Plover plus 2 Little Gull offshore briefly. Difficult to know what's in the bushes but it would appear to hold very few migrants although single Firecrest, Redwing & Pallas's Warbler still with us. A Woodcock dived into bushes by the beach having, presumably, been flushed from elsewhere.
Ringing: nil.
Sunday 9th November 2025
Ringing: 9 Long-tailed Tit, 8 Lesser Redpoll, 4 Blackbird, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Firecrest, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Wren.
Saturday 8th November 2025
A Merlin back on the scene again today as more and more people connect with our 2nd Pallas's Warbler this autumn. A Ringtail Hen Harrier heading South in the early hours enough to wake up even the sleepiest birder! Late morning a Dartford Warbler was found out on the reserve. Other migrants 30 Blackbird, 1 Brambling, 30 Chaffinch, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, 72 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch, 29 Meadow Pipit, 5 Redpoll, 15 Redwing, 22 Siskin, 1 Skylark, 55 Starling and 233 Woodpigeon.
Offshore 48 Brent Goose, 51 Black-headed Gull, 14 Common Gull, 1 Curlew, 1 Red-breasted Merganser and 4 Wigeon.
It must be warm given the appearance of some late butterflies - 3 Common Blue, 2 Clouded Yellow, 3 Red Admiral, 4 Small Copper, 1 Small White.
Both male and female Common Blue recorded today. These are Landguard's latest ever.
Friday 7th November 2025
Pallas's decided to pull the old disapearing act this afternoon.
A plethora of autumnal migrants passing through on this fine November morning. A Merlin spent a short while sitting on the beach before heading to Essex. The first Woodcock this year flushed from inside the observatory - considerably late this autumn. A steady stream of new Blackbirds appearing throughout the day alongside 12 Redwing, 15 Song Thrush and 3 Fieldfare. Other migrants 5 Blackcap, 1 Brambling, 14 Chaffinch, 2 Chiffchaff, 12 Goldcrest, 51 Goldfinch, 29 Meadow Pipit, 1 Redpoll, 15 Robin, 2 Rock Pipit, 30 Siskin, 28 Skylark, 92 Starling and 1 Woodlark.
Pomarine Skua heading North the clear winner of today's sea watch. Plenty more on the big blue including 825 Brent Goose, 16 Common Gull, 126 Cormorant, 2 Curlew, 15 Dunlin, 1 Gannet, 10 Golden Plover, 2 Grey Plover, 4 Knot, 73 Pintail, 95 Lapwing, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Red-throated Diver, 68 Shelduck, 26 Shoveler, 201 Teal, 134 Wigeon.
Gem is an immigrant that usually arrives very late in the season. As a sexually dimorphic moth one can tell this is a female by the maroon-brown colour and white spot on each wing. Males are lighter tawny-brown.
Ringing: 37 Blackbird, 3 Blackcap, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Chaffinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, 5 Goldcrest, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Meadow Pipit, 2 Redwing, 6 Robin, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Wren.
Thursday 6th November 2025
Red sky in morning... alas no rain today!
A calm, warm autumn day with plenty of birds deciding today is the day to move. 780+ Brent Goose South but with the mist nets so busy there's a good chance we missed a few! Flocks of Woodpigeon also passing over Southbound. A rather unexpected fall of Blackbird late morning coupled with wandering Long-tailed Tit flocks bumped up the ringing total. The Pallas's Warbler is still with us behind the kitchen. Migrants include 50 Blackbird, 1 Brambling, 6 Chaffinch, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Fieldfare, 65 Goldfinch, 20 Goldcrest, 17 Redpoll, 14 Redwing, 25 Robin, 1 Rock Pipit, 18 Siskin, 6 Song Thrush, 125 Starling, 1 Stonechat and 220 Woodpigeon.
Offshore 38 Black-headed Gull, 41 Cormorant, 1 Curlew, 45 Dunlin, 36 Knot, 1 Red-throated Diver, 43 Shelduck, 4 Turnstone and 47 Wigeon.
Still a few species for example Setaceous Hebrew Character lingering in the mild conditions.
Ringing: 23 Blackbird, 1 Black Redstart, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 12 Goldcrest, 17 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Meadow Pipit, 9 Robin, 1 Redpoll, 1 Redwing, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Wren.
Wednesday 5th November 2025
After October's Pallas's Warbler stayed a whole week without entering a mist net it was quite a shock to find another one on today's first net round. It has been showing intermittently behind the kitchen hanging out with the Goldcrests. Still the odd Firecrest cropping up around the site and another 3 Swallow South. Definitely some turdus movement noted over night. Migrants include 25 Blackbird, 9 Chaffinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Fieldfare, 12 Goldcrest, 203 Goldfinch, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 34 Meadow Pipit, 18 Redwing, 15 Siskin, 15 Song Thrush, 18 Stock Dove and 100 Woodpigeon. 3 Turnstone on the point.
Offshore 17 Brent Goose, 2 Common Scoter, 35 Cormorant, 13 Dunlin, 4 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Guillemot, 12 Knot, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Red-throated Diver, 3 Teal and 26 Wigeon.
Ringing: 8 Blackbird, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrest, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Pallas's Warbler, 1 Robin, 5 Song Thrush, 1 Woodpigeon.
Tuesday 4th November 2025
Southerly winds taking the chill out the air as we are presented with more autumnal migrants. A 1st Winter Little Gull was seen slowly making its way out the river mouth along the beach. 4 late Swallows noted heading South throughout the morning and another Merlin for the year. A couple Firecrest are still loitering around the compound. Other migrants 25 Chaffinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, 150 Goldfinch, 28 Meadow Pipit, 3 Redpoll, 3 Redwing, 46 Siskin, 2 Sparrowhawk, 11 Stock Dove and 40 Woodpigeon.
Offshore 6 Brent Goose, 1 Redshank, 1 Ringed Plover and 12 Wigeon.
Firebug Pyrrhocoris apterus is a species slowly spreading North in the UK.
Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Woodpigeon.
Monday 3rd November 2025
Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush.
Sunday 2nd November 2025
Still waiting for a big Brent push this autumn.
Annoying belt of rain for a couple of hours this morning stiffled activities. Southbound 167 Goldfinch, 132 Starling, 54 Brent, 43 Shelduck, 25 Mipit, 22 Siskin, 17 Redpoll, 14 Dunlin, 13 Black-headed Gull, 8 Common Gull, 7 Skylark, 5 Chaffinch, 3 Knot, 2 Gannet, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Sanderling, Crossbill, Red-throated Diver, Snow Bunting & Woodlark with northbound 3 Common Scoter & a Red-throat (+ 2 more fishing offshore). From mid/late morning to mid-day at least 1,220 Starling & 9 Chaffinch came in off the sea. On site very few grounded migrants but included 25 Mipit, 5 Stock Dove, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Med Gull, 2 Redwing, Chiffchaff, Firecrest & Woodlark.
Ringing: 1 Chaffinch, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Wood Pigeon, 1 Wren.
Saturday 1st November 2025
Still the odd Red Admiral on the wing.
Winter thrushes two a penny at first light likely grounded by the over night rain. Migrants on this breezy day included 1 Blackcap, 30 Blackbird, 10 Chaffinch, 2 Fieldfare, 1 Merlin, 50 Redwing, 12 Song Thrush, 6 Siskin, 2 Sparrowhawk, 28 Skylark, 209 Starling and a single Swallow.
It's been a while since we've had any substantial wader passage but offshore 193 Dunlin headed South alongside 74 Knot. Also 3 Avocet, 3 Curlew, 24 Brent Goose, 163 Cormorant, 11 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Guillemot, 2 Pintail, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Red-throated Diver, 69 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler and 120 Wigeon.
Ringing: 9 Blackbird, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Robin, 5 Song Thrush, 1 Sparrowhawk.
OCTOBER RINGING TOTALS 2025
The 4th Jack Snipe ringed at LBO since 1983.
Well September was a tough act to follow but we've had a good stab at it and hopefully generated a few recoveries! Last time we hit over 1000 birds in October was in 2020. Of all 29 species ringed this month numbers seem to be up across the board in comparison to the last three years. Good movement of Redpoll yielded a Brussels ringed control. 24 Firecrest ringed appears to be a monthly record with the last highest count being 18 in October 2004. Chiffchaff numbers have been exceptional! This month also saw Landguard's 47th Yellow-browed Warbler ringed.
| Oct-25 | |
| Species | No. Ringed |
| Goldcrest | 153 |
| Redpoll | 119 |
| Chiffchaff | 110 |
| Blackbird | 109 |
| Blackcap | 93 |
| Long-tailed Tit | 73 |
| Blue Tit | 64 |
| Song Thrush | 62 |
| Robin | 57 |
| Great Tit | 42 |
| Meadow Pipit | 41 |
| Firecrest | 24 |
| Redwing | 21 |
| Chaffinch | 21 |
| Wren | 16 |
| Grey Wagtail | 6 |
| Dunnock | 6 |
| Cetti's Warbler | 6 |
| Linnet | 4 |
| Goldfinch | 4 |
| Woodpigeon | 3 |
| Sparrowhawk | 2 |
| House Sparrow | 2 |
| Whitethroat | 1 |
| Magpie | 1 |
| Jack Snipe | 1 |
| Greenfinch | 1 |
| Yellow-browed Warbler | 1 |
| Pied Wagtail | 1 |
| Total | 1044 |
Friday 31th October 2025
Arctic Terns have been quite frequent this October.
Newly arrived crests tinkling in the bushes this morning accompanied by at least 4 Firecrest. Starlings have began to move despite the Southerly winds resulting in an end of morning count of 1244. Less finches moving today but other migrants include 2 Blackcap, 41 Chaffinch, 19 Goldfinch, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Fieldfare, 8 Redwing, 5 Robin, 6 Skylark, 36 Song Thrush and a Coal Tit spotted on the feeder.
Offshore 66 Shelduck South a reasonable count for this year. A pair of pioneering Mute Swan seen heading out towards Holland. Also 24 Brent Goose, 16 Common Scoter, 196 Cormorant, 3 Curlew, 27 Dunlin, 1 Gannet, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Kittiwake, 4 Knot, 2 Pintail, 5 Red-throated Diver, 13 Wigeon.
Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Firecrest, 15 Goldcrest, 1 House Sparrow, 2 Robin, 2 Song Thrush.
Thursday 30th October 2025
Just one Little Auk today - but at least this stopped briefly to say hello.
A bit breezier than forecast but new birds coming through nonetheless. A Snow Bunting south over the reserve set the day off. There was clearly a small arrival of new Blackbird over night while later in the day more new Firecrest began to spring up. 11 Woodlark is quite notable only being topped once with 17 birds back in 2021. Other migrants 2 Blackcap, 35 Chaffinch, 6 Chiffchaff, 6 Fieldfare, 167 Goldfinch, 36 Meadow Pipit, 21 Redpoll, 1 Reed Bunting, 3 Redwing, 7 Siskin and 3 Song Thrush. 1 Purple Sandpiper on the point.
Offshore 3 Arctic Tern, 1 Brent Goose, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Red-throated Diver, 4 Shelduck and 2 Wigeon.
Quite surprised we managed to catch a Pied Wagtail today! For a species that is recorded daily we don't ring many.
Ringing: 4 Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Firecrest, 1 Great Tit, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 7 Redpoll.
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