Tuesday 13th October 2026

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba). Pied Wagtails this month have reduced in numbers on the reserve, with just 3 seen today, compared to late summer when we had over 20 individuals some days.  

A cloudy morning with SW wind, late morning showers. Numerous thrushes passing through at dawn but later quiet in the compound. 1 Stonechat and an Oystercatcher on the reserve. 

Overhead migration: 14 Skylark, 3 Swallow and a Lapland bunting south.

Seawatching: 

South: 990 Brent Goose, 522 Wigeon, 42 Black-headed Gull, 34 Common Scoter, 31 Cormorant, 29 Common Gull, 29 Teal, 19 Pintail, 12 Shelduck, 5 Turnstone, 3 Dunlin, 2 Red-throated Diver, 2 Snipe, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Curlew, 1 Gadwall, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Knot, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Shoveler and a Tufted Duck.  

North: 3 Cormorant, 2 Red-throated Diver and a Gannet. 

Feeding offshore: 9 Greater Black-backed Gull, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Kittiwake, 

Moth trapping: 28 moth species between our 3 traps last night. Moth of the morning is the Grey Shoulder-knot, which comes out in the autumn, hibernates, then out again in the spring. It's only occasional here. 

Grey Shoulder-knot (Lithophane ornitopus).

Bird ringing: 8 Song Thrush, 2 Redwing, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Robin.

Monday 12th October 2026

Brent Geese (Branta bernicla) near and far. 7016 our final day count migrating south. 

A sunny morning, clouding over later with some evening drizzle. SSE wind throughout. 1 Brambling inside the compound and a Chiffchaff. The main event of today was the significant movement of Brent Geese, some 7016 over the course of the day until dusk - our 3 highest day count (1983 16,000 and 12,326 in 1989), picking up with 1500 piling through in 35 minutes just after 2pm!. 

Overhead migration: 34 Skylark, 17 Siskin, 14 Meadow Pipit, 5 Goldfinch, 1 Swallow and a Whimbrel south over the nature reserve. 40 Chaffinch in off the sea. 

Seawatching:

South: 7016 Brent Goose, 580 Wigeon, 79 Teal, 39 Common Scoter, 26 Pintail, 16 Cormorant, 8 Bar-tailed Godwit, 8 Shoveler, 7 Black-headed Gull, 5 Common Gull, 4 Dunlin, 4 Grey Plover, 3 Curlew, 3 Golden Plover, 3 Knot, 2 Gannet, 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Cory's Shearwater (15:02), 1 Goldeneye, 1 Mallard, 1 Sabine's Gull (13:45), 1 Shelduck and a Tufted Duck.    

North: 23 Gannet, 6 Common Scoter, 4 Red-throated Diver, 2 Cormorant, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Shelduck and a Sooty Shearwater (15:05).

Feeding offshore: 14 Great Black-backed Gull and 4 Mediterranean Gull.  

Moth trapping: 21 moth species present between our 3 traps. Moth of the morning falls to the Plumed Fan-foot, which first turned up here six years and now occurs in small numbers. 

Plumed Fan-foot (Pechipogo plumigeralis).

Bird ringing: 2 Blackbird, 2 Blackcap, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Redwing.  

Sunday 11th October 2026

 

Mediterranean Stick Insect Bacillus rossius was first noted here five years ago and, despite the fact we don't see them very often due to their nocturnal habits, they have undoubtedly colonised. Being parthenogenetic they can rapidly increase in numbers if conditions allow. A couple incarcerated when they were first found are now in plague proportions in their confined spacious terrarium.

Glorious sunny, if windy, morning allowed for some vis mig with southbound 236 Goldfinch, 136 Mipit, 119 Linnet, 27 Swallow, 15 Chaffinch, 12 Skylark, 6 Siskin, 4 Rook, 3 Woodlark, 2 Jackdaw, Heron, House Martin, Redwing & Rock Pipit. Offshore movements pathetic although a Bonxie going north are now very scarce in recent years. Onsite migrant include a couple of Chiffchaff, Blackcap plus a different Ring Ouzel to the one two days ago.

Ringing: 2 Blackcap, 2 Wood Pigeon, 1 Blackbird, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Chiffchaff.

Saturday 10th October 2026

 A clear morning with strong W wind. Quiet within the compound for warblers, with 4 Chiffchaff and single Blackcap, however our first Redpoll of the autumn ringed. Out on the nature reserve: A Black Redstart, a Woodlark near the cottage and a Turnstone on the beach. 

Overhead migration: 67 Goldfinch, 64 Meadow Pipit, 37 Swallow, 14 Skylark, 7 House Martin, 2 Reed Bunting and a Rock Pipit all south. 

Seawatching: 

South: 5 Common Gull, 4 Black-headed Gull, 3 Shelduck, 2 Little Egret, 2 Wigeon, 1 Brent Goose, 1 Common Scoter and an Oystercatcher. 

North: 2 Gannet. 

Feeding offshore: 11 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Sandwich Tern.

Moth trapping: 16 species between our 3 traps. Satellite is a regular Autumnal visitor to the traps in low numbers. 

Satellite (Eupsilia transversa).

Bird ringing: 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Redpoll, 1 Wren. 

Friday 9th October 2026

Spot the Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus).

A threat of showers all morning but not realised with strong winds from the WSW. A juvenile male Barn Owl was caught in the Heligoland trap just at the start of twilight, having been seen out on the reserve last night. A Ring Ouzel was later discovered behind the kitchen (however remaining very skulky). 1 Swallow seen flying south. Out on the reserve 6 Ringed Plover and a Dunlin on the beach.   

Seawatching:   

South: 238 Brent Goose, 223 Wigeon, 31 Teal, 27 Common Scoter, 20 Dunlin, 20 Pintail, 9 Knot, 6 Shelduck, 6 Turnstone, 5 Cormorant, 5 Grey Plover, 4 Common Gull, 3 Gannet, 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Common Tern, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Sanderling and a Snipe. 

North: 5 Arctic Skua, 4 Red-throated Diver, 3 Common Scoter and a Cormorant north.  

Feeding offshore: 11 Greater Black-backed Gull and a Mediterranean Gull.  

Moth trapping: 17 moths between our 3 traps last night. Brindled Green pays a visit roughly two years out of three. 

Brindled Green (Dryobotodes eremita). 

Bird ringing: 11 Blackcap, 6 Song Thrush, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Barn Owl, 1 Blackbird, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Chaffinch.    

Thursday 8th October 2026

Black Stork (Ciconia nigra).

A bright but windy morning. 1 Reed Warbler seen within the compound. Our first Redwing of the autumn ringed. Early morning a Merlin was being chased by a Peregrine Falcon. Late morning a Black Stork (our second-ever recor) circled over the observatory flying from the north and eventually heading south. 2 Stonechats and a Common Snipe out on the reserve. A Rock Pipit feeding on the beach. 1 Buzzard overhead. 

Overhead migration included 24 Swallow, 23 Meadow Pipit, 5 Skylark, 5 Stock Dove, 2 Goldfinch and 1 Woodlark all south. 2 Skylark west. 

Seawatching: 

North: 3 Gannet and 1 Cormorant.

South: 12 Black-headed Gull, 7 Cormorant, 4 Common Gull, 3 Gannet, 2 Brent Goose, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Rock Pipit. 

West: 4 Cormorant. 

Feeding offshore: 3 Great Black-backed Gull and 2 Mediterranean Gull. 

Moth trapping: 13 Species between our 3 traps, owing to the cold and wet night. Moth of the morning falls to the Large Wainscot, which is a reedbed species that visits in the autumn. 

  

Large Wainscot (Rhizedra lutosa). 

Bird ringing: 2 Song Thrush, 1 Blackbird, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Great Tit, 1 Redwing. 

 

Wednesday 7th October 2026

Forecast rain held off for the morning. First Stonechat of the autumn with other migrants in very low numbers including 10 Chiffchaff, 6 Mipit, 4 Song Thrush, 3 Chaffinch, Blackcap, Brambling, Grey Wag, Lesser 'throat & Yellow-browed Warbler. Local visitations from 2 Jay & a Great Spotted Woodpecker had probably not come from far afield. A Sandwich Tern is getting close to the last of the year.

From midday onwards birds started to arrive in off the sea prior to the rain arriving (+ after it started) with at least 678 Chaffinch, 118 Redwing, 94 Song Thrush & a Jack Snipe in off. If one considers that they will be arriving on a broad front the numbers coming in along the coast will be far in excess of this point count.

We have been getting several moths out later in the year than expected. Synaphe punctalis today was last noted this year on 18th August with our latest ever ones previously in early September.

Ringing:  3 Song Thrush, 2 Great Tit, 1 Blue  Tit, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Chiffchaff.

Tuesday 6th October 2026

Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis). 

Overcast with no wind. Mix of warblers inside the compound with a small number Chiffchaff and a Blackcap, one Jay also on site. One continental Blackbird caught in the nets and a Yellow-browed Warbler remaining fairly reliability behind the kitchen. Out on the reserve 2 Shore Lark seen till mid day.  

Flying over the observatory: 8 Meadow Pipit, 5 Skylark and 4 Grey Wagtail all south. 4 Greenfinch north.  

Seawatching

South: 15 Wigeon, 10 Brent Goose, 10 Cormorant, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Knot, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kittiwake. 

North: 4 Cormorant, 1 Long-tailed Skua. 

Feeding offshore: 7 Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Scoter, 1 Mediterranean Gull.  

Moth trapping: 42 moth species present between the 3 moth traps. Moth of the morning is the Beautiful Marbled, a migrant that failed to appear last year. 

Beautiful Marbled (Eublemma purpurina). 

Bird ringing: 3 Blue Tit, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, 1 Dunnock, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Robin.   

Ringing Recoveries

Meadow Pipit ringed Rosedale East Low Barings, North Yorkshire 14th September 2026 trapped 309 km away at LBO on 5th October 2026 on it's way south for the winter. The North Yorks national park may well be it's natal area.

Blackcap ringed LBO 9th October 2023 trapped 55 km away at Livermere, Suffolk on 22nd September 2026 on autumn migration at both sites.

Amongst half a dozen LBO ringed birds that have been trapped at Trimley Marshes this year was one of note -

Long-tailed Tit ringed LBO 17th November 2019 trapped at Trimley Marshes 1st September 2026 which is a good age for this species that is not known for their longevity. Milder winter conditions is probably improving survival rates. 

Monday 5th October 2026

Yellow-browed Warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus) seen this afternoon inside the compound behind the kitchen. 

Starting clear but then swamped by a bank of fog until lifting and burning off late morning, a slight W wind. 22 Redwing and 4 Siskin seen flying over the compound, out on the reserve 2 Shore Lark remain. A Black Redstart was observed down viewpoint road mid morning. 3 Buzzards seen soaring high by 11am. Mid-day a Yellow-browed Warbler was heard and later seen in the compound behind the kitchen (16:30). 

22 Meadow Pipit, 10 Swallow and 7 Rook also South over the top of the observatory. 

Seawatching 

South: 95 Wigeon, 11 Teal, 7 Common Gull, 6 Pintail, 5 Brent Goose, 2 Cormorant, 2 Grey Plover, 2 Red-throated Diver, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Little Egret and a Knot.

North: 4 Common Scoter, 3 Brent Goose, 2 Heron and a Cormorant.

West: 3 Egyptian Geese.  

Feeding offshore: 8 Black-headed Gull and 6 Great Black-backed Gull.

Moth trapping: 29 moth species between our 3 traps this morning. Moth of the morning, very deservingly so, is the Merveille du Jour, which makes an appearance october most years

Merveille du Jour (Griposia aprilina).

Bird ringing: 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 2 Robin, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Sparrowhawk.  

Sunday 4th October 2026

 

Glorious sunny, calm autumnal day. A Barn Owl was quartering the Butts pre-dawn & not long after daylight 14 Little Egret went north. Also on the move southbound 16 Mipit, 8 Siskin, 6 Crows, 5 Spoonbill, Grey Wag, Jackdaw, Rock Pipit, Rook & Woodlark. Offshore movements negligible. On site at least 20 Mipit, 14 Chiffchaff, 8 Blackcap plus a Lesser 'throat showing characteristics of C.c.blythi. A Purp was on the point & the 2 Shorelark are still with us.

Cypress Pug inhabits various ornamental Cypress trees. Failed to get one last year, although it has been almost of annual occurrence in the past 20 years since it arrived in Suffolk in the early part of this century.

Ringing: 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Great Tit, 2 Blackcap, 2 Robin, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Dunnock.

Saturday 3rd October 2026

A sunny morning with a W wind. A nice mix of birds inside the compound with Blackcap, Chiffchaff, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Reed Bunting, another Brambling ringed. South overhead; 146 Swallow, 60 Meadow Pipit, 2 Redpoll, 1 Skylark, 1 Woodlark. A Blackbird was observed flying in off the sea then heading out again. 5 Jay and a Merlin also observed on site. Out on the reserve 1 Wheatear and 2 Shore Lark. A Turnstone and a Rock Pipit on the beach.   

Seawatching:

South: 238 Wigeon, 133 Teal, 53 Brent Goose, 24 Black-headed Gull, 23 Cormorant, 14 Pintail, 7 Lapwing, 3 Dunlin, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Sandwich Tern, 1 Little Egret, 1 Turnstone.

  Feeding offshore: 2 Mediterranean Gull.  

Moth trapping: 29 moth species between our 3 traps. Moth of the morning goes to the Red-green Carpet of the autumn plumb on cue (right on time). 

Red-green Carpet (Chloroclysta siterata). 

Bird ringing: 4 Meadow Pipit, 3 Blackcap, 3 Robin, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackbird, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Brambling, 1 Chaffinch, 1 House Sparrow, 1 Jay.  

Friday 2nd October 2026

Shorelark (Eremophila alpestris). 

A sunny morning, starting with a WSW turning into SSW by late morning. Quiet within the compound with around 10 Chiffchaff and 6 Blackcap, overhead; 94 Meadow Pipit and 25 Skylark south and a Redpoll. 1 Shorelark remains on the nature reserve. 2 Sanderling and a Rock Pipit on the beach. 

Seawatching:

South: 8 Common Gull, 8 Red-breasted Merganser, 7 Cormorant, 6 Black-headed Gull, 4 Wigeon, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Teal, 2 Oystercatcher, a Gannet and a Hobby. 

North: a Cormorant. 

Feeding offshore: 2 Mediterranean Gull. 

   

Moth trapping: Moth of the morning falls to the Box-tree moth, a moth that only first turned up here 8 years ago, became abundant but is having a poor year this year.  

Box-tree (Cydalima perspectalis).

Bird ringing: 7 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 4 Meadow Pipit, 2 Robin, 1 Great Tit, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Blue Tit.  

Thursday 1st October 2026

Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla).

A sunny and bright morning with a W wind. A mix of birds within the compound with a Ring Ouzel heard early morning and our first Goldcrest of the Autumn ringed. 58 Meadow Pipit south with 15 on. 17 Swallow and 2 Sand Martin south. A Siskin also south. 3 Wheatear on the reserve. A Short Eared Owl in and off the sea. 2 Rock Pipit south and one on the reserve. Just the single Shorelark today. 

Seawatching:  

South: 47 Wigeon, 7 Cormorant, 5 Teal, 4 Common Scoter, 2 Brent Goose, 2 Curlew, 2 Common Gull and a Mediterranean Gull 

South West: 2 Shelduck, 

Moth trapping: moth of the morning goes to the Thicket Knot-horn has become rarer here in recent years. This one is a late emerging individual. 

Thicket Knot-horn (Acrobasis suavella).

Bird ringing: 6 Robin, 5 Meadow Pipit, 4 Song Thrush, 1 Brambling, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Woodpigeon.   

September Ringing Totals

 

371 birds of 30 species is only half last September's ringing total. 2 Tree Sparrows were the first ones ringed here since 2019.

Blackcap	60
Chiffchaff	56
Robin	49
Blue Tit	46
Willow Warbler	37
Meadow Pipit	36
Great Tit	9
Great Spotted Woodpecker	7
Cetti's Warbler	6
Dunnock	6
Sedge Warber	6
Whitethroat	6
Goldfinch	5
Lesser Whitethroat	5
Song Thrush	5
Garden Warbler	4
Grey Wagtail	4
Reed Warbler	4
House Sparrow	3
Pied Flycatcher	3
Linnet	2
Redstart	2
Tree Sparrow	2
Wood Pigeon	2
Chaffinch	1
Jay	1
Sparrowhawk	1
Spotted Flycatcher	1
Starling	1
Swallow	1
Total	371

Wednesday 30th September 2026

 

Shorelark increased to at least two - these are our first September records with the previous earliest ever on 3rd October in several years.

Drizzly morning with a southerly wind. Southbound 201 Wigeon, 163 Brent, 92 Teal, 16 Pintail, 11 Common Scoter, 9 Dunlin, 8 Common Gull, Gannet, Oyk, Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Diver & Tufted Duck. An Arctic Skua offshore in the afternoon departed north. Passerines southbound were 31 Mipit, 24 Swallow, 2 Rock Pipit, Skylark & Yellow Wag. On site at least 20 Robin, 18 Mipit, 5 Songies, 3 Brambling, 3 Wheatear, Chiffchaff, Rock Pipit, Skylark, Snipe & Whinchat. 4 Common Sandpiper on the point was odd for us.

Hoary Footman first turned up in 2021 although we failed to get one last year. This one is, presumably, a migrant.

Ringing: 5 Robin, 1 Blue Tit, 1 House Sparrow.

Tuesday 29th September 2026

A misty morning with overnight rain and wind blowing from the east. Our first Siskin, Redpoll and Redwing of the autumn around the compound. A Snipe heard this morning and last night. A Redstart and Chaffinch ringed alongside 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers with the latter on one net round! A Rock Pipit on the beach. 4 Swallows south and 6 Meadow Pipit remaining on site. 

Shorelark spotted on the nature reserve opposite the observatory 18:00 - 18:30. 

Seawatching: 

South: 201 Wigeon, 72 Teal, 6 Shelduck, 5 Brent Goose, 4 Cormorant, 3 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Pochard, an Arctic Skua, a Common Gull, a Great Crested Grebe, a Little Egret and a Pintail. 

North: 3 Common Scoter, 2 Cormorant, 2 Gannet North, an Oystercatcher and a Red-throated Diver.

Feeding offshore: 22 Sandwich Tern, 4 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Black-headed Gull. 

Moth trapping: 36 moth species recorded in our 3 traps and around the compound today. Moth of the morning goes to to the several male Vapourer flying around by day presently.

Vapourer Moth (Orgyia antiqua).

Bird ringing: 5 Robin, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Brambling, 2 Linnet, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 House Sparrow, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Redstart.

Monday 28th September 2026

 An overcast morning with a slight NNW wind. Quiet within the compound with a small mix of warblers and 2 Chaffinch, on the reserve: a single Wheatear near the Butts and 2 Rock Pipit on the beach. 4 Meadow Pipit and a Great Spotted Woodpecker overhead south. 

Seawatching: South: 220 Teal, 12 Wigeon, 9 Cormorant, 8 Brent Goose, 7 Wigeon, 2 Red-throated Diver, 2 Pintail, 2 Shelduck, a Common Gull, a Common Tern and a Gannet. North: a Brent Goose. West: 7 Cormorant. Feeding offshore: 4 Mediterranean Gull.           

Moth trapping: 32 species between our 3 traps. moth of the morning falls to the Red-line Quaker, which is a scarce autumnal visitor here from areas with willows. 

Red-line Quaker (Leptologia lota).

Bird ringing: 3 Blackcap, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Great Tit, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Willow Warbler. 

Sunday 27th September 2026

 

Onshore wind. Southbound 438 Brent, 303 Wigeon, 220 Teal, 92 Black-heads, 27 Shelduck, 8 Common Gull, 6 Pintail, 3 Med Gull, Curlew, Dunlin, Gannet, Knot & Red-throated Diver with northbound 5 Sandwich Tern & 4 Common Scoter. Onshore counts again poor with Vis Mig southbound just 3 Mipit, 2 Grey Wag, single Kes & Swallow. Grounded migrants are truly pitiful for the time of the year with just 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Wheatear, 2 Blackcap & Lesser 'throat with visitations from single Buzzard & Jay. 

We do appreciate that whinging about the poor state of migration & low dailly tallies is now so routine it has become the "new normal". However it's being so cheerful that keeps us going - we are resilient & defiant enough that we ain't going to let the bastards grind us down !

Probably told you before that Channel Islands Pug first turned up here five years ago & is now our commonest Pug moth. Living on Tamarisk this years flight period should be coming to an end soon, unless it decides to keep going in the mild conditions. Some very good positive news amongst all the "doom & gloom".

Ringing: 2 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Robin.

Saturday 26th September 2026

 

Common Gull (Larus canus).

Starting overcast but then turning sunny with a slight NW breeze. 2 Brambling over the observatory early morning. Lesser 'throat, Song Thrush, Skylark, Tree Pipit & Wheatear out on the reserve. Black Red on containers by the car park & 5 Buzzards soaring in the thermals over the Port late morning.

Seawatching: Earliest ever autumn Goldeneye with our only previous September record on the 30th, 2010. 

North: 7 Heron, 2 Arctic Skua,Common Scoter & Oystercatcher

South: 11 Wigeon, 8 Teal & 4 Shelduck.

Moth trapping: L-album Wainscot arrived in the year 2000 and has colonised and slowly spreading north in the UK. 

L-Album Wainscot (Mythimna l-album)

Bird ringing: 5 Blue Tit, 3 Goldfinch, 3 Meadow Pipit, 2 Great Tit, 1 Blackcap, 1 Dunnock, 1 Robin, 1 Starling.    

Friday 25th September 2026

Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros).  

A sunny morning with a light breeze from the south. Quiet within the compound, 3 Wheatear out on the reserve and a Black Redstart calling from the fort roof mid morning. A Grey Wagtail, 2 Jackdaw and 2 Rock Pipit over the reserve. A small number of Swallows with 8 south and 14 Meadow Pipit also south. A Jay briefly visited us again, imitated a Buzzard very well and then flew off. 

Seawatching: South: 78 Teal, 65 Wigeon, 16 Black-headed Gull, 13 Shelduck, 4 Cormorant, 1 Pintail, West: an Oystercatcher. Feeding offshore: 15 Sandwich Tern and a Common Tern. 

Moth trapping: 24 species between our 3 traps. Only the second Autumnal Rustic in the last ten years. It is declining species on the IUCN red list, classed as near threatened. 

Autumnal Rustic (Eugnorisma glareosa). 

Bird ringing: 6 Blue Tit, 1 Dunnock, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Song Thrush.

 

Thursday 24th September 2026

Jackdaw (Coloeus monedula).

A Sunny morning with little wind. Meadow Pipit migration reducing to 7 south and 4 feeding on site, 2 Rock Pipit and a Grey Wagtail also south. 3 Peregrine over the observatory. A Black Redstart heard on the fort and unusually, a Jackdaw perched on the motus tower at the observatory. A Jay being ringed is  also of note with few individuals passing through this area. 

Seawatching: South: 28 Teal, 13 Cormorant, 10 Spoonbill, 2 Common Tern, a Common Gull and a Grey Heron. 

North: 10 Common Scoter, 7 Common Tern, 2 Cormorant, an Arctic Skua, a Red-throated Diver, a Shearwater species and a Grey Heron. 

Feeding offshore: 5 Sandwich Tern and a Common Gull.  

Moth trapping: 27 Species between our 3 traps this morning. Moth of the morning goes to the Chequered Grass-moth, it has not had a good year so difficult to know why this late individual has come out.  

Chequered Grass-moth (Catoptria falsella).

Bird ringing: 9 Blue tit, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Meadow Pipit, 2 Tree Sparrow, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 House Sparrow, 1 Jay. 

Wednesday 23rd September 2026

 

The first site record of Fox was a one off sighting in 1994 & since 2001 they have colonised & are now ubiquitous across Felixstowe despite culling in the countryside nearby.

Garganey flying south was only the tenth site record & our first for ten years. Entertaining southerly movement including 502 Teal, 242 Wigeon, 64 Swallow, 35 Brent, 25 House Martin,18 Common Tern, 13 Shoveler, 12 Pintail, 7 Avocet, 6 Turnstone, 5 Common Gull, 5 Common Scoter, 5 Shelduck, 4 Red-throated Diver, 3 Gadwal, 3 Gannet, 2 Heron, 2 Knot, 2 Oyk, Arctic Skua & Sanderling with northbound Black Tern, Gannet & Red-throat + a Skylark in off. Measly numbers of grounded migrants with 10 Chiffchaff, 2 Wheatear, Songie & Whinchat best of a grim selection.

Barred Sallow wanders down here in the autumn from areas with Beech & Maple.

Ringing: 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Robin, 1 Song Thrush.

Tuesday 22nd September 2026

Sanderling (Calidris alba). 

An overcast morning with little wind, clearing by late morning. Our first Song Thrush of the autumn ringed and an influx of on site Blue Tits. In the moat of the fort, 3 Black Redstarts. 16 Pied Wagtail on the grass in front of the observatory. 2 Sanderling along the beach and an Oystercatcher. Hirundine movement dropping to just 6 Swallow south. Meadow Pipit visible migration dropping to just 5 South and 6 feeding on site. 

Seawatching: South: 116 Teal, 15 Cormorant, 14 Black-headed Gull, 11 Sandwich Tern, 11 Wigeon, 8 Shelduck and a Red-throated Diver.  

 South West: 8 Grey Heron. 

West: 1 Gadwall. 

Feeding offshore: 10 Great Black-backed Gull, 9 Common Tern, 7 Mediterranean Gull, 5 Sandwich Tern, 1 Juvenile Yellow-legged Gull. 

Moth trapping: 45 moth species between our 3 traps. Moth of the morning is the Brick, it lives here in low numbers on the poplars. 

Brick (Sunira circellaris). 

Bird ringing: 9 Blue Tit, 6 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Great Tit, 1 House Sparrow, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Woodpigeon. 
 

Monday 21st September 2026

Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus).

A sunny morning with wind dropping significantly to a light NW. A Chaffinch, Reed Bunting and Great Spotted Woodpecker within the compound and a Skylark overhead. Out on the reserve 2 Wheatear and 2 Whimbrel. 2 Mute Swan at the entrance to the port. Hirundine movement: 250 Swallow, 116 House Martin and 17 Sand Martin all south. 

Seawatching: South: a Cormorant and an Oystercatcher.

North: 4 Gannet, 4 Cormorant and a Common Scoter. 

East: a Cormorant.

Feeding offshore: 5 Mediterranean Gull, 5 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Tern.

Moth trapping: 52 species between our 3 traps recorded this morning. Moth of the morning falls to the Beaded Chestnut is a declining autumnal species now on the IUCN Red list as Near Threatened.  

Beaded Chestnut (Agrochola lychnidis). 

Bird ringing: 9 Meadow Pipit, 4 Blue Tit, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Great Tit, 2 Robin, 1 Goldfinch.      

Sunday 20th September 2026

 

Ivy Bee arrived in the UK in 2001 & has spread north fairly quickly.

Despite the wind a few bits n' bobs of note including a Merlin hunting a passerine offshore, 2 Cattle Egret south & our first Chaffinch since mid-June. The supporting cast included southbound 263 Swallow, 190 Mipit, 9 House Martin, 2 Grey Wag & Sand Martin with offshore southbound 14 Med Gull, 10 Shelduck, 7 Black-headed Gull, 3 Greylag Goose, 3 Teal, 2 Red-throated Diver & Oyk with northbound 4 Common Scoter, 2 Oyk & Red-throat plus a Marsh Harrier in off. On site 6 Chiffchaff, 4 Wheatear, 2 Blackcap, 2 Lesser 'throat, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler & Whitethroat. 2 Black Red were around Darrell's Battery. A Wall Brown butterfly was again by the Butts pond & at least 10 Clouded Yellow were noted.

Black Rustic is an autumnal species was first noted in 1993 & has since colonised.

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Robin.

Saturday 19th September 2026

A cloudy and breezy morning with only a small amount of visible migration including 32 Swallow and 3 Meadow Pipit south. Quiet within the compound with mainly Blackcap and Chiffchaff. Out on the reserve a single Wheatear. 

Seawatching: 

South: 8 Sandwich Tern, 7 Great Black-backed Gull, a Brent Goose, a Marsh Harrier, a Shelduck and a Whimbrel. 

North: 1 Great Black-backed Gull

Feeding offshore: 11 Sandwich Tern and a Common Tern. 

Moth trapping: 18 moth species between our 3 moth traps. Lunar underwing has started coming out in recent days. 

Lunar Underwing (Anchoscelis lunosa). 

Bird ringing: 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 1 Robin.  

Friday 18th September 2026

 Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra), seen near the cottage. 

A sunny but blustery morning with wind from the west. A Redstart was seen on the roof of the fort as well as 2 Black Redstarts in the moat late afternoon. A Whinchat near the cottage mid morning. Hirundine movement: 109 Swallow and 6 Sand Martin.

Seawatching produced: South: 5 Cormorant and 4 Teal. North: 1 Red-throated Diver and a Gannet. Feeding offshore: 35 Sandwich Tern and 2 Common Tern. 

Moth trapping: 23 Species recorded between our 3 traps - low species count due to the high winds overnight.   

However another Wall Brown was spotted today, potentially two...  the Wall is a declining species in Suffolk that has been noted here for the past five autumns in low numbers.

Wall Brown (Lasiommata megera), sighted today near the pond near the butts and on wednesday in the moat of the fort. 

Bird ringing: 11 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 2 Blue Tit. 

  

Thursday 17th September 2026

An overcast morning with rain starting mid morning. Inside the compound a small mix of warblers including Lesser Whitethroat. Out on the reserve 2 Jackdaw, a Kestrel and a Snipe that was flushed. 13 Meadow Pipit south over the reserve. Hirundine movement: 34 Swallow, 6 House Martin and a Sand Martin south. 2 Knot out on the beach.   

Seawatching produced: South: 94 Wigeon, 42 Teal, 9 Pintail, 5 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 4 Scoter, 3 Grey Plover, 3 Sanderling, 2 Snipe, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Hobby and 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Shoveler, 

West: a Merlin. 

North: Arctic Skua and a Gannet. 

Moth Trapping: 27 moth species between our 3 traps. Moth of the morning is the Dusky Lemon Sallow, an IUCN Red List species, classified as Near Threatened. It turns up most years wandering from areas with Wych elms. 

Dusky Lemon Sallow (Cirrhia gilvago).

Bird ringing: 8 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 2 Robin, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Meadow Pipit. 

Wednesday 16th September 2026

 

First site record of Queen of Spain Fritillary which is a rare immigrant to our shores.

Quieter morning with southbound 170 Swallow, 72 Mipit, Grey Wag & Sand Martin. Offshore southbound first 8 Brent of the autumn, 7 Wigeon, 6 Teal, Marsh Harrier (+ another one in off) & the first Red-throated Diver of the autumn with northbound an Arctic Skua. On site 8 Chiffchaff, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Spot Fly, Lesser 'throat & Reed Warbler. Also a Wall Brown in the moat (13:00). 

The Delicate is a fairly regular immigrant species that maybe established at times in recent years.

Ringing: 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler.

Tuesday 15th September 2026

Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe).

An overcast morning with stronger winds from the SW. A few warblers moving through the compound with 3 Garden Warblers ringed. Out on the reserve: 7 Wheatear, a Black Redstart and a Whinchat at noon. Also of note is our first Black Tern, first since August 2023.  

Hirundine migration picking up once again to 2,950 Swallow counted moving through up to mid day, with 64 House Martin and 12 Sand Martin mixed in, all moving south. 

A Hobby flew south along the beach and a Peregrine and Kestrel were seen in flight.

Seawatching:

South: 26 Teal, 13 Wigeon, 9 Cormorant, 6 Oystercatcher, 3 Dunlin, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Pintail, 2 Turnstone, a Black-headed Gull, a Common Scoter, a Greenshank, a Grey Plover and a Shelduck. 

North: a Black Tern and a Gannet.  

Feeding offshore: 13 Sandwich Tern and an Oystercatcher.  

Moth trapping: 41 Species recorded last night between our 3 traps, with 262 Large Yellow Underwing now filling our traps, a slight decrease from yesterday's 319. Moth of the morning, however is the Feathered Brindle, a nationally scarce species that does well on vegetated shingle areas on the coast. 

Feathered Brindle (Aporophyla australis). 

Bird ringing: 7 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Garden Warbler, 3 Robin, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Dunnock.