Saturday 24th May 2025

 Even though it was expected, rain first thing was still a bit of a shock to the senses. No doubt the flora appreciated it but the snails were out in full force. Unfortunately the wind and rain had little effect on changing up the bird life although 1 Singing Chiffchaff was not fazed. 2 Swallow have been seen regularly for the past week and one wonders if they might be scoping for a potential nesting site. 9 Brent Geese went South for some odd reason but otherwise very little else to report.

The first fledgling Great tit probably picked the worst day so far this Spring to brave the world. We have 4 pairs on site.

Sand Dart is a nationally scarce species and since more sand is being deposited on the shingle we are seeing more of them.

Ringing: Nil.

Friday 23rd May 2025

Seemingly indecisive weather today as a we had a bit of sun, cloud and fluctuating winds but the rain is due tomorrow. Highlights today include a Common Buzzard who was soon chased off by the local Crows, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 House Martin, 5 Med Gull, 1 Stock Dove, 12 Swallow and 2 Swift. Offshore 8 Common Tern and 10 Kittiwake South. 

Finally a  recently fledged Dunnock!

We present you today the first Nut-tree Tussock for three years.

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Linnet.

Thursday 22nd May 2025

A couple of Swallow have been loitering around the site this week.

Dull with a couple of spots of rain am (but again blink & you would have missed it). Migrants were 2 Chiffchaff & 2 Reed Warbler. 10 Brent flew out & north & 11 Swallow flew south. Offshore southbound 17 Kitts, 5 Oyk & Whimbrel with northbound 9 Sandwich Tern, 4 Kitts & a Common Scoter plus another Common Scoter flying into the river.

Rustic Shoulder-knot has become more infrequent over the years.

Ringing: 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Linnet.

Wednesday 21st May 2025

 

229 Brent headed out then north. A couple of spots of rain (blink & you missed it) dropped in a Chiffchaff & a Spot Fly mid morning that had not been noted earlier. Other migrants included southbound 10 Oyks, 7 Kitts, 3 Swallows, Mallard & a Kestrel offshore. A Little Egret came in off & a Hobby visited.

Peppered Moth is well camouflaged on the wall.

Ringing: 2 Linnet, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Wren.

Tuesday 20th May 2025

 Definitely a day to be by the seaside. A further 135 Brent Geese Tundra bound this morning. The best time to catch flocks going over seems to be either early morning or late evening. Still some Swallow around, 1 Swift and offshore 1 Common and 1 Sandwich Tern. 

Obviously this Jackdaw thought it was be a good day to visit the beach too. We don't record them too often given how common they are down the road.

Cream-spot Tiger in Suffolk is predominantly found either in the Brecks or along the coastline. 

Ringing: 1 Willow Warbler.

Monday 19th May 2025

A calm morning with a little cloud and today we were greeted by a little fall of Chiffchaff. A further 138 Brent Geese flying downriver and moving North too. Still quite a few Swallow buzzing around and a few new Goldfinch have arrived - their numbers have been slowly climbing as late even though the young aren't out yet. 

It is nice to see Herring Gull with colour ring ZXX out on the reserve. This bird survived a sticky situation with some netting but was rescued and released and we know all this thanks to the ringing scheme.

We are not short of singing Dunnock here at Landguard.

It might not be the most vibrant moth we record here but Cydia microgramana is nationally rare. It lives here on Restharrow.

Ringing: 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldfinch.

Sunday 18th May 2025

 A very chilly start to the day given the time of year. A Fulmar going North was notable and a few hours later another one was spotted on the river. Also very unseasonal was a lone Redwing which seems to have replaced the Ring Ouzel which wasn't seen today. A further 40 Brent Geese North today. Other migrants include 2 Barnacle Geese, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Greenfinch, 5 Common Scoter and 7 Swallow.

Lesser Whitethroats have gone a bit quieter recently as they pair up but a few late arrivals today so we will see...

Scarce Bugloss Ermine Ethmia terminella is Nationally Scarce. The species was first noted here 20 years ago.

Ringing: 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Lesser Whitethroat.