Saturday 8th November 2025

A Merlin back on the scene again today as more and more people connect with our 2nd Pallas's Warbler this autumn. A Ringtail Hen Harrier heading South in the early hours enough to wake up even the sleepiest birder! Late morning a Dartford Warbler was found out on the reserve. Other migrants 30 Blackbird, 1 Brambling, 30 Chaffinch, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, 72 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinch, 29 Meadow Pipit, 5 Redpoll, 15 Redwing, 22 Siskin, 1 Skylark, 55 Starling and 233 Woodpigeon. 

Offshore 48 Brent Goose, 51 Black-headed Gull, 14 Common Gull, 1 Curlew, 1 Red-breasted Merganser and 4 Wigeon.

It must be warm given the appearance of some late butterflies - 3 Common Blue, 2 Clouded Yellow, 3 Red Admiral, 4 Small Copper, 1 Small White. 

Both male and female Common Blue recorded today. These are Landguard's latest ever.

Ringing: 9 Blackbird, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Meadow Pipit, 3 Redpoll, 1 Redwing, 2 Robin, 6 Song Thrush.
 

Friday 7th November 2025

Pallas's decided to pull the old disapearing act this afternoon.

A plethora of autumnal migrants passing through on this fine November morning. A Merlin spent a short while sitting on the beach before heading to Essex. The first Woodcock this year flushed from inside the observatory - considerably late this autumn. A steady stream of new Blackbirds appearing throughout the day alongside 12 Redwing, 15 Song Thrush and 3 Fieldfare. Other migrants 5 Blackcap, 1 Brambling, 14 Chaffinch, 2 Chiffchaff, 12 Goldcrest, 51 Goldfinch, 29 Meadow Pipit, 1 Redpoll, 15 Robin, 2 Rock Pipit, 30 Siskin, 28 Skylark, 92 Starling and 1 Woodlark. 

Pomarine Skua heading North the clear winner of today's sea watch. Plenty more on the big blue including 825 Brent Goose, 16 Common Gull, 126 Cormorant, 2 Curlew, 15 Dunlin, 1 Gannet, 10 Golden Plover, 2 Grey Plover, 4 Knot, 73 Pintail, 95 Lapwing, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Red-throated Diver, 68 Shelduck, 26 Shoveler, 201 Teal, 134 Wigeon. 

Gem is an immigrant that usually arrives very late in the season. As a sexually dimorphic moth one can tell this is a female by the maroon-brown colour and white spot on each wing. Males are lighter tawny-brown.

Ringing: 37 Blackbird, 3 Blackcap, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Chaffinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, 5 Goldcrest, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Meadow Pipit, 2 Redwing, 6 Robin, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Wren.

 

Thursday 6th November 2025

 

Red sky in morning... alas no rain today!

A calm, warm autumn day with plenty of birds deciding today is the day to move. 780+ Brent Goose South but with the mist nets so busy there's a good chance we missed a few! Flocks of Woodpigeon also passing over Southbound. A rather unexpected fall of Blackbird late morning coupled with wandering Long-tailed Tit flocks bumped up the ringing total. The Pallas's Warbler is still with us behind the kitchen. Migrants include 50 Blackbird, 1 Brambling, 6 Chaffinch, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Fieldfare, 65 Goldfinch, 20 Goldcrest, 17 Redpoll, 14 Redwing, 25 Robin, 1 Rock Pipit, 18 Siskin, 6 Song Thrush, 125 Starling, 1 Stonechat and 220 Woodpigeon.

Offshore 38 Black-headed Gull, 41 Cormorant, 1 Curlew, 45 Dunlin, 36 Knot, 1 Red-throated Diver, 43 Shelduck, 4 Turnstone and 47 Wigeon.

Still a few species for example Setaceous Hebrew Character lingering in the mild conditions.

Ringing: 23 Blackbird, 1 Black Redstart, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 12 Goldcrest, 17 Long-tailed Tit, 6 Meadow Pipit, 9 Robin, 1 Redpoll, 1 Redwing, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Woodpigeon, 1 Wren.

Wednesday 5th November 2025

 

After October's Pallas's Warbler stayed a whole week without entering a mist net it was quite a shock to find another one on today's first net round. It has been showing intermittently behind the kitchen hanging out with the Goldcrests. Still the odd Firecrest cropping up around the site and another 3 Swallow South. Definitely some turdus movement noted over night. Migrants include 25 Blackbird, 9 Chaffinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Fieldfare, 12 Goldcrest, 203 Goldfinch, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 34 Meadow Pipit, 18 Redwing, 15 Siskin, 15 Song Thrush, 18 Stock Dove and 100 Woodpigeon. 3 Turnstone on the point.

Offshore 17 Brent Goose, 2 Common Scoter, 35 Cormorant, 13 Dunlin, 4 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Guillemot, 12 Knot, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Red-throated Diver, 3 Teal and 26 Wigeon.

Ringing: 8 Blackbird, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrest, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Pallas's Warbler, 1 Robin, 5 Song Thrush, 1 Woodpigeon.

Tuesday 4th November 2025

 Southerly winds taking the chill out the air as we are presented with more autumnal migrants. A 1st Winter Little Gull was seen slowly making its way out the river mouth along the beach. 4 late Swallows noted heading South throughout the morning and another Merlin for the year. A couple Firecrest are still loitering around the compound. Other migrants 25 Chaffinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Goldcrest, 150 Goldfinch, 28 Meadow Pipit, 3 Redpoll, 3 Redwing, 46 Siskin, 2 Sparrowhawk, 11 Stock Dove and 40 Woodpigeon.

Offshore 6 Brent Goose, 1 Redshank, 1 Ringed Plover and 12 Wigeon.

Firebug Pyrrhocoris apterus is a species slowly spreading North in the UK.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Woodpigeon.

Monday 3rd November 2025

 

Windy with inconveinient showers early morning. More moving offshore with southbound up to mid-day 261 Knot, 161 Dunlin, 73 Brent, 31 Common Scoter, 17 Wigeon, 11 Common Gull, 7 Black-headed Gull, 6 Grey Plover, 6 Shelduck, 5 Snipe, 4 Gannet, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Kittiwake, 3 Skylark, 3 Teal, 2 Curlew, 2 Ringo, 2 Tufted Duck, Arctic Tern, Goldeneye (1st of the autumn), Golden Plover & Sanderling with northbound 3 Red-throated Diver (+2 on the sea). 144 Starling came in off with a handful of other birds moved south prior to the rain including 18 Stock Dove 11 Goldfinch, 7 Chaffinch & 5 Mipit. On site 14 Redwing & 3 Fieldfare first thing, Firecrest & Woodlark.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush. 

Sunday 2nd November 2025

 

Still waiting for a big Brent push this autumn.

Annoying belt of rain for a couple of hours this morning stiffled activities. Southbound 167 Goldfinch, 132 Starling, 54 Brent, 43 Shelduck, 25 Mipit, 22 Siskin, 17 Redpoll, 14 Dunlin, 13 Black-headed Gull, 8 Common Gull, 7 Skylark, 5 Chaffinch, 3 Knot, 2 Gannet, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Sanderling, Crossbill, Red-throated Diver, Snow Bunting & Woodlark with northbound 3 Common Scoter & a Red-throat (+ 2 more fishing offshore). From mid/late morning to mid-day at least 1,220 Starling & 9 Chaffinch came in off the sea. On site very few grounded migrants but included 25 Mipit, 5 Stock Dove, 3 Goldcrest, 2 Med Gull, 2 Redwing, Chiffchaff, Firecrest & Woodlark. 

Turnip Moth has two emergences throughout the year & can still be around throughout November.

Ringing: 1 Chaffinch, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Wood Pigeon, 1 Wren.