Saturday 12th July 2025

Fox has been laying low lately with less scats being observed around the compound but if you are willing to get up early enough you can still spot them. 1 Sedge Warbler serves as another little reminder Autumn is just around the corner. Also of note 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Common Scoter, 3 Greenfinch, 2 Med Gull, 2 Song Thrush and 3 Swallow.  

Least Yellow Underwing missed the invite to last years moth list but one made up for it this year.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Dunnock, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Woodpigeon.

 

Friday 11th July 2025

 Just less than a month since our last Sanderling departed for breeding grounds in the high Arctic, the first of the Autumn cropped up on its way back today. Other notable sightings today 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Peregrine, 3 Sand Martin, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Swallow and 2 Swift. Offshore 14 Common Scoter North and 14 South - if they hadn't been seen at the same time we would of assumed it was the same flock!

Ground Lackey is nationally scarce found in Salt Marsh habitat. Occasionally one pays us a visit.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Cetti's, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Dunnock, 1 Great Tit, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Wren.

Thursday 10th July 2025

It has been a good year for the old hummers.

A bit slow today on the birding front. A couple young dispersing Song Thrush in the compound. Other new arrivals 3 Greenfinch, 2 Lapwing, 3 Med Gull, 5 Sand Martin and 3 Swallow.

The first site record of this micro Moth Isophrictis anthemidella was only 10 days ago but today another one turned up. Only first recorded in the UK five years ago this is a very recent visitor and likely coloniser.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Dunnock, 2 Linnet, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Woodpigeon, 2 Wren.

 

Wednesday 9th July 2025

Hot sunny weather forecast for the rest of the week but it seems to be raining 7 Spot Ladybirds at the moment rather than the usual precipitation we receive. We are still seeing the odd juvenile Black-headed Gull moving South alongside adults. Also on the move 1 Blackcap, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Little Egret, 10 Med Gull, 6 Swallow and 2 Swift. Another Southern Migrant Hawker spotted in the compound today.

Poplar Lutestring has only been noted here on a handful of occasions.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Starling, 1 Wren.

Tuesday 8th July 2025

Starling counts fluctuate here but a decent 350 birds today; many exercising their right to bathe communally in the puddles. Lots of the youngsters fledging now are the result of second broods. Other migrants 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Curlew, 2 Med Gull, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Sandwich Tern, 1 Sand Martin, 4 Swallow and 2 Swift. A rogue Tufted Duck flew South and Peregrine present in the dock.

Least Carpet has colonised over the last 30 years. It is still slowly increasing its range North and West.

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Linnet, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Wren.

Monday 7th July 2025

 

Northerly breezy felt quite autumnal. Southbound 25 Black-headed Gull & 4 Meds. Nowt else to report. Good to see a juvenile Greenfinch.

Bulrush Wainscot is an autumnal species just starting to come out of the bulrush's in the pond.

Ringing: nil.

Sunday 6th July 2025

 

Southbound 19 Black-headed Gull, 3 Swallow, Curlew & Oyk. Reed Warbler on the Butts, juv Black Red & juv Stock Dove on the reserve + a young Sedge Warbler which is roughly a fortnight before autumn passage should be getting underway in this species (not that we get many anyway).

Fen Wainscot is a reed bed species that turns up occasionally in very low numbers.

Ringing: 3 Robin, 2 Wren, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Dunnock, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Whitethroat.