Friday 12th September 2025

 Whatever possessed this Mediterranean Stick Insect to wander out of cover on to the observatory office wall? Who knows? But it's interesting to know they are surviving here. This species is capable of parthenogenesis - the ability to produce offspring without actually needing to mate.

The Wryneck has been very popular hanging out seaward side of the observatory. Blackcap aplenty accompanied by more Willow and Chiffchaff this morning. Other migrants 3 Grey Wagtail, 1 Hobby, 12 House Martin, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Meadow Pipit, 10 Robin, 48 Swallow and 1 Yellow Wagtail.

Some technical issues on a couple moth traps over night but given the poor weather it's unlikely we missed much. That didn't stop the one trap catching 11 Dark Sword-grass.

Ringing: 15 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Robin, 6 Willow Warbler, 1 Woodpigeon.

Thursday 11th September 2025

 

Wrynecks have this ability to reappear after a day or two and just when you think they've left - Voila! Of course we won't know for sure if its the same bird unless we ring it. Westerlies have been kind to us as of late at least for ringing totals and sure enough there were warblers in the bushes again. Migrants include 12 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Hobby, 86 House Martin, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Sparrowhawk, 48 Swallow, 4 Wheatear and 8 Willow Warbler. Offshore 2 Common Scoter, 46 Wigeon, 1 Redshank and 6 Shoveler.

Hoopoe was present again down the road. Please note that Adastral Close is a private area with no general access.

 Red-veined Darter - a migrant species nicely showing it's two-tone eye colour.

Ringing: 6 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Robin, 1 Whitethroat, 4 Willow Warbler, 1 Woodpigeon.

Wednesday 10th September 2025

 

Hobby whizzed over the point.

The bulk of yesterday's warblers have all moved on today as the bushes felt seemingly vacant. No Wryneck either however the Hoopoe has remained just outside our recording area in a nearby housing estate play park. A Tree Pipit heard early on behind the kitchen was notable. Other sightings include 3 Black Redstart, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Sparrowhawk, 84 Swallow, 3 Wheatear, 2 Whitethroat and 3 Willow Warbler. 

Light Emerald on its second emergence occurs in low numbers.

Ringing: Nil

Tuesday 9th September 2025

Yellow Wags often just pass over us but the occasional few drop in to join the local Pied Wags for a short while.

Plenty of sunshine, an influx of Blackcap and Chiffchaff now seemingly outnumbering Willow Warbler. A Marsh Harrier drifted South out at sea whilst having to dodge the local gulls and 2 Spotted Flycatcher again put on a bit of a show. A Hobby has been doing the rounds this morning and a Redstart also present. On the Buddleia a Wall Brown butterfly is always promising. Other migrants 20 Chiffchaff, 2 Grey Wagtail, 7 House Martin, 4 Meadow Pipit, 16 Robin, 3 Sand Martin, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Sparrowhawk, 140 Swallow, 6 Wheatear, 3 Whitethroat and 12 Willow Warbler.

Late news - Wryneck seen on reserve in bushes beach side of the Observatory!

Feathered Gothic turns up roughly one year in four despite being recorded regularly inland.

Ringing: 11 Blackcap, 2 Blue Tit, 8 Chiffchaff, 2 Great Tit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Starling, 2 Whitethroat, 4 Willow Warbler.

 

 

Monday 8th September 2025

 

Pleasant morning although a Hoopoe early on was most unfriendly as it did a quick disappearing trick. On the move southbound 672 Swallow, 71 House Martin, 18 Sand Martin, 12 Wigeon, 9 Shelduck, 3 Lapwing & Hobby. Amongst assorted fare on site 9 Wheatear, 8 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, 5 Blackcap, 4 Lesser' throat, 3 Whinchat, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Yellow Wag, 2 Black Red, 2 Mipit, 2 Redstart, Grey Wag, Pied Fly & Reed Warbler. That 'long distant migrant', male Pheasant, first seen yesterday was again present.

First site record of the immigrant micro moth Euchromius ocellea which was a major rarity until a couple of years ago but now occurs more frequently in the UK.

Ringing: 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Blackbird, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Pied Flycatcher.

FENCING REMOVAL

It is planned to take down the temporary fencing for ground nesting birds & botany on the reserve this  Wednesday 10th September at 0930 hrs. Many hands make light work so all welcome. Please wear appropriate clothing & footwear for the job in hand with a pair of gardening type gloves also useful. If anyone wishes to undertake future voluntary tasks on the nature reserve the Ranger will be present to provide further details. 

Sunday 7th September 2025

 

Strong warm onshore wind abating during the afternoon brought some rewards for the effort put in. Southbound 267 Teal, 187 Swallow, 57 Wigeon, 44 Cormorant, 44 Shelduck, 18 Shoveler, 17 Sand Martin, 9 Great Black-backs, 7 House Martin, 6 Gadwal, 5 Oyk, 4 Gannet, 2 Arctic Skua, Barwit, Common Scoter, Manx & Sooty Shearwater with northbound 12 Gannet, 10 Common Tern, 10 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Scoter & Red-throated Diver. A Guillemot was close inshore off the point & a Purp was present in the afternoon. Birding on land difficult due to the wind included 10 Robin, 6 Willow Warbler, 5 Wheatear, 3 Lesser 'throat, 3 Redstart, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 2 Black Red, 2 Whinchat, Pied Fly, Yellow Wag & the first Short-eared Owl of the autumn.

Despite being widespread across Suffolk, Hedge Rustic has always been very infrequent here & is now on the IUCN Red List as "vulnerable" due to declining numbers.

Ringing: 2 Robin, 1 Blackcap, 1 Pied Flycatcher.