Saturday 27th September 2025

 

Getting late for Willow Warbler now.

One of the calmest days autumn has offered us so far with a good dose of sunshine on top. A couple firsts for the season; Rock Pipit on the jetty and 3 Redwing. The Brambling was at least still around in the morning while a single Chaffinch and Redpoll heard also. Two Spoonbill noted flying Northwest however well inland. Also on the move 3 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 House Martin, 20 Meadow Pipit, 1 Reed Bunting, 20 Robin, 2 Skylark, 8 Song Thrush, 35 Swallow, 2 Wheatear and 3 Willow Warbler. 

Beet Moth first turned up five years ago but is now a regular.

Ringing: 2 Blackcap, 3 Blue Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Dunnock, 3 Goldcrest, 1 Meadow Pipit, 4 Robin, 1 Song Thrush.

Friday 26th September 2025

 

One of 3 Arctic Skua this morning.

A male Brambling decided to spend the day in the compound with us favoring the bushes near Darell's Battery. Brent Geese really starting to move now alongside a reasonable list of other waterfowl as follows; 267 Brent Goose, 10 Common Scoter, 1 Pintail, 1 Shoveler, 105 Teal, 72 Wigeon. Our 4th Merlin this autumn moved south along the tideline and a bit of Arctic Skua action never fails to disappoint - one bird spent quite some time flying in the river. Other migrants 6 Chiffchaff, 10 Goldcrest, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 9 Meadow Pipit, 1 Reed Warbler, 18 Robin, 8 Song Thrush, 6 Swallow and 2 Wheatear.

First Brick of the autumn.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 3 Blackcap, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Brambling, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Dunnock, 9 Goldcrest, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 House Sparrow, 1 Reed Warbler, 10 Robin, 5 Song Thrush.

Thursday 25th September 2025

 

One lone Wheatear today.

A calmer morning than expected but soon enough Landguard was back to its windy old self. At least 8 Song Thrush around the observatory and a little flock of newly arrived Goldcrest flitting in the bushes. Willow Emerald numbers seem to be building whilst quite a few new Blue Tit have been scoping out the area too. Other migrants 1 Brambling, 4 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldfinch, 3 Grey Wagtail, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 12 Meadow Pipit, 7 Swallow. 

Offshore 4 Common Scoter, 1 Gannet, 7 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Red-throated Diver, 3 Sandwich Tern, 29 Teal and 14 Wigeon.

Satin Wave is normally done and dusted by now with this one our first since late August.

Ringing: 2 Blue Tit, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Robin, 4 Song Thrush.

BABBINGTON' BIRD OF SUFFOLK

Landguard Bird Observatory has been donated a fine copy of the ‘Catalogue of THE BIRDS OF SUFFOLK’ by CHURCHILL BABINGTON (1884-1886). This original author's presentation copy was given to a H. Parker & despite being nearly 140 years old it remains in very good condition. In an effort to raise funds for LBO, we are pleased to offer the book - an antiquarian masterpiece of its time. The book has a reserve price of £100.00. The highest bid/offer of a donation to LBO that is in excess of £100 and is received no later than 30th September 2025 shall become the proud owner & custodian of this book. Please email offers (in confidentiality) marked Babington to landguardbo@yahoo.co.uk

Wednesday 24th September 2025

 

Willow Emerald have turned up yesterday & today despite having seen none all year so far.

Brisk north-easterly quickly picked up throughout the morning. Southbound 108 Wigeon, 54 Black-heads, 48 Teal, 32 Brent, 2 Sandwich Tern, Common Scoter, Curlew & Red-throated Diver with northbound 13 Common Scoter. Birding hard work in the increasing wind with records including 12 Mipit, 9 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 2 Black Red, Lesser 'throat, Swallow, Wheatear & Whitethroat.

Now on the IUCN Red List as 'near threatened', this is our first Dusky-lemon Sallow for three years.

Ringing: 2 Blue Tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Great Tit, 1 House Sparrow, 1 Meadow Pipit.

Tuesday 23rd September 2025

 

Mipit numbers have dropped off, but will the coming North Easterlies bring more?

Northerlies have brought with them the first Brambling while the return of some Brent Geese concludes we are now deep in to Autumn. A little fall of Chiffchaff around at first light and 32 Cormorant flying up river are likely returning to their Wintering grounds. Other migrants 2 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 12 Robin, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Swallow and 1 Willow Warbler. 

Offshore 1 Avocet, 20 Brent Goose, 3 Common Scoter, 2 Gannet, 3 Med Gull, 4 Pintail, 1 Red-throated Diver, 11 Sandwich Tern, 4 Shelduck, 36 Teal and 7 Wigeon.

Brindled Green is an autumnal species noted in most recent autumns.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, 4 Blue tit, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 House Sparrow, 6 Meadow Pipit, 1 Robin, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Willow Warbler.

Monday 22nd September 2025

 

This furtive and strangely quiet Pheasant gets recorded about every other day over the past fortnight.

Migrants include 20 Mipit, 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 2 Lesser 'throat, 2 Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sedge Warbler, Wheatear, Yellow Wag & the first 2 Redpoll of the autumn. Southbound 40 Mipit (+ 44 in off), 20 Teal, 18 Black-heads, 14 Wigeon, 3 Common Gull, 2 Heron, 2 Rook, Curlew & House Martin with northbound 5 Gannet & 2 Brent. At least 3 Black Red still with us.

First Black Rustic of the autumn which is a colonist from 1993 onwards.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler.

Sunday 21st September 2025

 

Change in the weather curtailed the vis mig to much lower numbers this morning with southbound 72 Swallow, 38 Mipit, 31 House Martin, 2 Rook & Swift. On site 70 Mipit, 25 Chiffchaff, 10 Blackcap, 8 Yellow Wag, 6 Wheatear, 5 Whitethroat, 3 Lesser 'throat, 3 Black Red, 3 Spot Fly, 3 Willow Warbler & 2 Chaffinch.

Very few moths this morning so here's a Great Green Bush-cricket from yesterday on the Butts.

Ringing: 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap.