Monday 5th January 2026

 

Light dusting of snow at dawn. 192 Cormorant went out fishing. Only sign of any cold weather movements were southbound 30 Lapwing & 14 Teal plus a Golden Plover along the beach. 3 Sanderling were on the riverbank & a Firecrest was along the front.

Sunday 4th January 2026

 

Sharpest frost of the winter so far, glorious sunshine & an unpleasant wind chill. Meadow Pipit the mornings highlight! Turnstone along the riverbank but nowt else to report.

Saturday 3rd January 2026

 

Sunny & frosty with a wicked wind chill. Total of 74 Lapwing headed south but no sign of any other cold weather movement. 3 Snow Bunting on the back beach.

Friday 2nd January 2026

 

Moon about to collide with the Shotley peninsula early this morning.

232 Cormorant went out fishing early doors. Southbound 8 Shelduck, 2 Lapwing, Little Egret & Marsh Harrier will be heading south for warmer climes. Good to see one of the local adult Peregrine sitting out of the wind on the nearest dock crane. 4 Snow Bunting along the back beach were the first for a while.

LBO MEMBERSHIP 2026

Thank you to existing members for the support you gave to Landguard Bird Observatory over the last 12 months. It is through your continued membership and donations that the Observatory is able to continue the important work it does.

Membership for 2026 is now due. Members should have received an email reminding them - if not we may have an incorrect email on file & if this is you please email the membership secretary on landguardbomembership@gmail.com so details can be updated.

Please can I ask you to continue to support the important work and renew your membership at your earliest convenience. The preferred payment method is by BACS transfer as the banks charge us a fee for each cheque processed.

New members who wish to support the observatory and its work are always welcome with further details on www.lbo.org.uk

All the best to blog readers for 2026.

Thursday 1st January 2026

Cold start to the new year with an unpleasant wind chill. On the move southbound 2 Marsh Harrier who have decided it's getting colder & maybe wise to move to milder climes. Apart from these southbound 8 Red-throated Diver, 4 Shelduck, 2 Common Scoter & 2 Mallard with northbound 11 Brent & 11 Red-throats.