Thursday 17th July 2025

 

Yesterday's Juvenile Cuckoo

The Kestrels are out; 3 juveniles and one father looking a bit flustered at times. Also 2 juvenile Grey Wagtail present at first light. Other migrants 1 singing Chiffchaff,  4 Common Gull, 2 Curlew, 3 Sanderling and 2 Sandwich Tern. A few Jersey Tiger moths spotted in various places around the reserve.

First Tawny Wave for three years. It's a nationally scarce species with its stronghold in the Brecks or along the Suffolk coast.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Linnet, 1 Robin, 2 Wren. 

Wednesday 16th July 2025

When did this vibrant monstrosity spring up? It must of been some rapid growth given how often we walk the route but it wasn't noticed till today. Chicken of the Woods is a well known edible fungus best pan fried with a bit of seasoning but sorry to disappoint, we won't be opening up restaurant any time soon.

Plenty of bits and bobs coming through despite reasonably strong Westerlies. Bird of the day goes to a Juvenile Cuckoo late morning. Offshore some notable early waders 9 Oystercatcher, 8 Redshank, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Turnstone and 13 Whimbrel all heading South. Other migrants 17 Black-headed Gull, 9 Med Gull, 1 Juv Peregrine, 27 Sand Martin, 6 Sandwich Tern, 3 Swallow and 99 Swift.

Last century, White-line Dart was one of our commonest moths but it has since declined and is now on the red list as 'vulnerable.'

Ringing: 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Dunnock, 2 House Sparrow, 2 Linnet, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Whitethroat.

Tuesday 15th July 2025

The first Migrant Hawker this year photographed on Sunday.

A relatively calm start to the day but that was soon to change. 2 Sand Martin, 2 Swallow and 14 Swift battling the winds as they headed South. Offshore 2 Curlew, 7 Whimbrel and 2 Sandwich Tern. One new Juvenile Chiffchaff on site.

First recorded in the county here at Landguard 22 years ago, Tree Lichen Beauty quickly colonised and we now take them for granted in late Summer.

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Linnet, 1 Robin.

 

Monday 14th July 2025

 

Southbound 38 Black-heads, 6 Swift, 5 Common Gull, 3 Sand Martin, 2 Curlew, 2 Sandwich Tern, Med Gull, Swallow & Whimbrel plus a Gannet north.. Single Lapwing on site.

Third site record of Sciota rhenella with the only previous records on two consecutive days at the end of June 2022. It is an immigrant with the potential to colonise as it lives on Poplars.

Ringing: 1 Great Tit.

Sunday 13th July 2025

 

Migrants this morning, as autumn slowly grinds on, were 2 Sedge Warbler, Lapwing & Reed Warbler. Southbound 23 Black-headed Gull, 2 Grey Heron, Common Tern, Med Gull & Oyk with northbound 18 Swift, 2 Med Gull & Common Scoter. Are Sedgies starting to leave earlier in the autumn if they are arriving & breeding earlier in the spring - who knows ?

Black Arches are, apparently, common inland with this one our first for four years & only the ninth year we have ever noted it in. Some species just don't wander much.

Ringing: 2 Dunnock, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Linnet, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Whitethroat.