Saturday 16th August 2025

Still some late broods of Cetti's Warbler emerging.

Overcast with North Easterlies one might expect more migrants but quality over quantity is fine with us - another two Pied Flycatcher on site. Also a Nightingale spotted was later captured and found to be sporting a British ring from somewhere else! Other migrants the first Meadow Pipit of Autumn, 2 Reed Warbler and 1 Willow Warbler. Offshore saw 7 Common Tern, 1 Little Tern, 17 Sandwich Tern and 12 Teal.

 

White-point is having an excellent year having become established over the last 50 years.

Ringing: 1 Dunnock, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler.

RINGING RECOVERIES

Chiffchaff ringed Kenneth Bank, Glencaple, Dumfries & Galloway on 15th September 2024 was retrapped 468km away at LBO 9th April 2025 would have been on migration when passing through both localities.

Blackcap ringed Drove Orchard, Norfolk on 10th July 2023 was retrapped 124km away at LBO 13th April 2025 on spring passage with the Norfolk locality probably near where it was born.

Wren ringed LBO 11th July 2025 was found dead below a window 4km away in Harwich seven days later. Never before have we had a Wren recovery over the estuary in Essex with this species reluctant to fly over water. Why this brave youngster decided to do so at a young age is unknown (unless it got on the foot ferry!).

Starling ringed LBO 7th August 2022 was retrapped 19km away at Melton 17th June 2025 having been retrapped at this location in the past so presumably is now living in the Woodbridge area.

Reed Bunting ringed LBO 15th September 2024 was retrapped 4km away at Trimley Marshes 6th April 2025 is worth a mention as we very rarely ring any Reed Bunting here.

Finally Blackbird colour ringed as a youngster LBO 13th August 2024 has been seen several times this year at Walton-on-the-Naze having emigrated & breeding at this locale.

Friday 15th August 2025

One of two Yellow Wagtail today.

Little sign of Autumn migration easing up. A Whinchat at first light was a fine addition to the day list. Dwindling numbers of Willow Warbler have suddenly received reinforcements and another couple Pied Flycatcher at least flitting around the obs. Also of note 1 Blackcap, 3 Black Redstart, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Sand Martin, 25 Swallow, 3 Wheatear and 2 Yellow Wagtail.

 

Small Emerald is by no means a rare species but it's only been noted here in five previous years.

Ringing: 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Whinchat, 3 Whitethroat, 14 Willow Warbler. 

Thursday 14th August 2025

Still the odd Willow Warbler lurking around. 

Well zero complaints about today's cast of Autumn migrants. Two Pied Flycatchers ringed at first light and 2 Crossbill South were a promising start. Another new, young Male Sparrowhawk also kept the feeders empty for some of the morning but eventually ended up in a mist net himself. Late morning a female Redstart seen by the wooden boardwalk and another male popped up in the compound.

Other migrants 1 Black Redstart, 1 Chiffchaff, 11 Goldfinch, 14 Swallow, 4 Wheatear, 2 Whitethroat, 5 Willow Warbler, 2 Yellow Wagtail. A bit of variety moving offshore too with 1 Barwit, 1 Common Sandpiper, 5 Grey Plover, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Little Tern, 1 Sanderling, 18 Sandwich Tern, 6, Teal, 1 Turnstone and 1 Whimbrel.

Second site record of Notocelia incarnatana. It's a migrant but there's always potential for it to colonise on wild rose.

Ringing: 1 Blue Tit, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Dunnock, 1 Linnet, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Wren.

Wednesday 13th August 2025

Hot and muggy! Not the best visibility but an interesting selection of migrants present. A Corn Bunting seemed to make its way South before finally being seen near the point. Another visit from a Pied Flycatcher late morning. Clouded Yellow Butterflies gradually seem to be building in abundance. Other migrants 1 Blackcap, 2 Black Redstart, 17 Goldfinch, 1 Greenshank, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Song Thrush, 9 Swallow, 2 Wheatear, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Willow Warbler and up to 4 Yellow Wagtail. Offshore 1 Common Gull, 1 Common Scoter, 28 Teal and 13 Sandwich Tern.

It dull and drab but it's a scarce migrant! Porter's Rustic only recorded in 5 previous years here although it's earlier than usual this Autumn.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Great Tit, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Robin, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Willow Warbler.

Tuesday 12th August 2025

Sandwich Tern have been finding fish off the point of late.

High hopes given the Easterlies and spots of rain but a touch underwhelming as very few migrants on the ground. 2 Black Redstart, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Lapwing, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Whitethroat and still the odd Willow Warbler to be heard peeping. A new Juv Green Woodpecker brings the total ringed up to 5 so far this year. Offshore 1 Common Tern, 15 Oystercatcher, 3 Sanderling and 13 Sandwich Tern.  

Bactra furfurana has been recorded in 11 years from 2008 onwards in its wanderings from wetland areas.

Ringing: 1 Great Tit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Linnet, 1 Robin, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Woodpigeon.

 

Monday 11th August 2025

Grayling still in the obs today.

First Garden Warbler of the Autumn present today despite the sunny Summer weather showing no signs of letting up. A new juvenile male Sparrowhawk has been skulking around seen today with a female. Other migrants 1 Chiffchaff, 14 Goldfinch, 3 Greenfinch, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Swallow and 3 Willow Warbler. Offshore 10 Common Scoter, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Redshank and 7 Sandwich Tern. A Black Redstart in the moat.

Palpita vitrealis or Jasmine Moth is a migrant that has become gradually more regular over this course of the last century.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler. 

 

Sunday 10th August 2025

 

Autumn passage migrants included 10 Willow Warbler, 6 Whitethroat, 4 Lesser 'throat, 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Pied Fly, Blackcap & Wheatear. Southbound 9 Swallow & 5 Sand Martin with almost nothing moving offshore. Juv Green Woodpecker & a Stock Dove visited. At least 2, possibly 3, young Black Reds on site. A Grayling was the first of its kind for six years.

Etainia decentella is a nationally scarce tiny tot that was first noted here only a couple of years ago that has now, presumably, found our few Sycamores to its likening.

Ringing: 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Green Woodpecker.