Friday 6th June 2025

 

Having a bad day? Perhaps not as bad as this Red-banded Sand Wasp. Don't you hate it when your parasitised caterpillar keeps getting dug back up by pesky ants! In the bird department 1 Grey Plover still present and a Little Tern spotted by the point. Also 1 Curlew, 2 Med Gull, 14 Sandwich Tern and 1 Whimbrel recorded. It must be June as all birds ringed today were Juveniles. 1 Chiffchaff and 1 Reed Warbler singing also.

Broad-barred White is currently on the Red List as 'Near Threatened' although is widely considered common in the UK

Ringing: 1 Blue tit, 3 Dunnock, 1 House Sparrow, 2 Linnet. 

Thursday 5th June 2025

After yesterday's buzz of activity today felt a bit like waiting for snow in Summer. Instead we just got a lot of drizzle. At least the handsome Grey Plover was seen again, 2 or 3 Reed Warbler singing and 6 Sanderling on beach. A clean out of blanket weed from the pond confirms a very healthy Smooth Newt population.

The Suffolk Coast is ideal habitat for Archer's Dart.

Ringing: Nil.

Wednesday 4th June 2025

We witness a few migration spectacles here but the humble Canada Goose is not usually guaranteed. Today we had 123 birds heading South in various flocks. When it's time to moult they become flightless and vulnerable so presumably they are moving to safer moulting grounds. Male and Female Peregrine also spotted today perched on the Cranes.

 House Martin, Sand Martin, Swift and Swallow all recorded today usually moving South in singles or small flocks. Also 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Meadow Pipit and 2 Reed Warbler. Observed offshore were 1 Curlew, 1 Gannet, 1 Great-crested Grebe, 1 Kittiwake, 2 Sandwich Tern and 4 Turnstone. 6 Sanderling on the beach.

Pale Prominent - The Master of Disguise

Ringing: 2 Blackbird, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Coal Tit, 2 Great Tit, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Robin. 

Tuesday 3rd June 2025

Bird of the day today was a Summer plumage Grey Plover hunkered down in strong winds out on the beach.  Otherwise very little out the ordinary bar 1 Reed Warbler singing and the occasional swift soaring above. 

The first Heart and Club of the year. It was never recorded here in the 20th Century and we can not fathom why it decided to suddenly appear in the year 2000. It's been reasonably common since.

Ringing: 1 Blue tit, 1 Chiffchaff.

Monday 2nd June 2025

 

Baby bird time of the year with plenty of young Great Tits about. Only migrants were 6 Swallow south & a single Reed Warbler. Juvenile dispersing Coal Tit turned up late morning.

Vine Moth is a nationally scarce species that is common at Landguard probably living on the ivy.

Ringing: 1 Dunnock, 1 Reed Warbler.

 

Sunday 1st June 2025

 

Not sure how many previous records we have on file of Great Green Bush-cricket.

Breezy morning. Migrants were typically in short supply but included a Spot Fly. A Grey Wag is likely to be a failed breeder going walkabout. 2 Chaffinch & 2 Coal Tit are probably dispersing juveniles. Southbound 19 Swallow, 5 Swift & a House Martin should really be at their breeding grounds in early June. 32 Med Gull & 27 Black-headed Gull heading south & into the river in dribs & drabs suggests a disaster on a breeding colony somewhere.

We occasionally get Buff-tip which is hard to beat in the camouflage department.

Ringing: 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Linnet, 1 Wren.