Saturday 23rd August 2025

 

The first autumnal Grey Wagtail kick started the day as we should expect to see a few more of those over the next few weeks. Reed bunting another first for Autumn. A good selection of the usual suspect warblers trickling through. Migrants as follows 2 Blackcap, 7 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Swallow, 2 Wheatear, 2 Whitethroat and 4 Willow Warbler. A welcome visit from a couple Garden Warbler rounded off the morning nicely.

Eucosma lacteana is usually only found on salt marsh in Suffolk. We have only previously recorded this species in 2014.

Ringing: 2 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler.

Friday 22nd August 2025

 

Goldfinch numbers nothing to brag about lately. Struggled to get more than 4 today. 

 A reasonably solid day for Autumn migration at Landguard. Willow Warblers galore today which seems to be a recurring theme. Pied Flycatcher is still lurking around the compound and 4 Black Redstart hanging out around the fort moat. Doubles of Yellow Wagtail and Whinchat today while a distant flock of 15 mystery egrets seen heading North - Possibly Cattle? A Guillemot floating in to the river is notable as Auks are rare here! Other migrants 1 Garden Warbler, 7 Greenfinch, 1 Meadow Pipit, 4 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 4 Wheatear and 15+ Willow Warbler.

Orange Swift now coming out to play.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 3 Blue Tit, 1 House Sparrow, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Robin, 1 Whitethroat, 9 Willow Warbler

Thursday 21st August 2025

A couple Pied Flys still today - a new bird and a lingering one. Also a small dose of Willow Warbler who came as quickly as they left. On the jetty Purple Sandpiper numbers saw a 100% increase as we are now up to 2 birds. Other migrants 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Swallow and a Yellow Wagtail heard. Offshore 9 Common Scoter, 7 Gannet, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Grey Plover and 15 Teal.

Oncocera semirubella is a nationally scarce moth. Often referred to as the 'Rhubarb and Custard moth' its putting on a good showing this year feeding on the Bird's-foot-trefoil.

Ringing: 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Linnet, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Robin, 6 Willow Warbler.

 

Wednesday 20th August 2025

Black Redstarts - can only be a juvenile with its yellow gape flange and all that fluff!

The bushes felt all too empty for migrants today but that didn't stop a Hobby whizzing through the reserve. Also a Little Tern in the river feeding among the Sandwich Terns. Purple Sandpiper on the point looks like he's going to be settled in for a little while. Other migrants 2 Dunlin, 1 Redshank, 1 Sanderling, 1 Sparrowhawk, 9 Teal, 4 Turnstone, 2 Wheatear and 1 Yellow Wagtail. 3 Black Redstart still today.

The first Wormwood Pug for six years. Once a regular visitor there's no obvious reason why it suddenly disappeared.

Ringing: 1 Linnet.

 

Tuesday 19th August 2025

 

Up to 3 Wheatear now.

A couple of mobile Whinchat out on the reserve giving people the run-around in this blustery weather. In the more sheltered areas of the compound a Pied Fly was noted. Purple Sandpiper still on the point. Other migrants 2 Reed Warbler and 7 Swallow whilst offshore 1 Red-throated Diver, 9 Sandwich Tern and 5 Teal. A decent amount of c400 Starling out feeding today.

In the evening at least 3 Pied Flycatcher in the tamarisk alongside the moat.

The first Flounced Rustic of the Autumn is late on parade this year.

Ringing: 2 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Starling, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Wren.

Monday 18th August 2025

 

3 Blackcap will signify autumn passage getting underway in this species which normally commences around about the third week of August. Other migrants today include 5 Lesser 'throat, 5 Wheatear, 2 Whitethroat & Reed Warbler. Heading south 46 Teal & a Common Scoter. Purp again on the jetty at high tide early on plus a handful of Common & Sandwich Tern offshore.

Catoptria falsella was very common last century but now we get very few in comparison.

Ringing: 2 Blackcap.

Sunday 17th August 2025

 

Purp on the point signifies autumn is now well underway although slightly earlier than expected - we only have earlier autumn records than this in two previous years. Otherwise fairly predictable mid-August fare with 10 Whitethroat, 10 Willow Warbler, 3 Wheatear, 2 Lesser 'throat, 2 Yellow Wag, Black Red & Reed Warbler. Handful of Common & Sandwich Tern offshore with nothing else on the move.

Lesser Swallow Prominent is a wanderer from areas with Birch so is an infrequent visitor.

Ringing: 3 Whitethroat, 3 Willow Warbler, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Robin.