Friday 17th April 2026

Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus) nesting near the cottage. 

A cloudy but pleasant morning with hazy sunshine at times and a strengthening SSW wind. A Brambling was seen calling within the compound early morning and departed to the south. A small increase to 8 Wheatear on the peninsula and 13 Swallow were observed passing through. A Reed warbler was also heard near the butts.  

Seawatching produced 31 Black-headed gull, 6 Mediterranean gull, 4 Barnacle Geese and a Whimbrel all south. Seen flying north; 9 Mediterranean gull, 3 Teal, and a Common Scoter       

A Holly blue butterfly was seen flying around the back of the ringing room, high up in the canopy, this being our first for spring. The holly blue is unique among butterflies in the British Isles for having a two-food-larvae-system, with this spring emergence having fed on Holly, while the summer emergence feed on Ivy flower buds.   

Our first Holly blue butterfly (Celastrina argiolus) of spring 2026.

Moth trapping: Angle shades, Common plume and Silver Y present only. Surprisingly low biodiversity considering a slightly warmer overcast night. 

 Bird Ringing: 5 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Linnet, 1 Long-tailed tit, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Willow warbler, 1 Woodpigeon.  

Ringing Recoveries

Blackcap ringed Iken, Suffolk 21st September 2024 retrapped 30 km away at LBO 4th April 2026 on spring passage.

Blackcap ringed Levington, Suffolk 20th August 2025 retrapped 9 km away at LBO 9th April 2026 could well be a bird bred on the Felixstowe peninsula coming back this spring.

Chiffchaff ringed Hilbre Island, Wirral, Merseyside 28th April 2025 retrapped 346 km away at LBO 13th April 2026 looks like it may well be a bird whose natal area is in Northern Britain that migrated up the west coast last spring & up the east coast this spring. It is our first Chiffchaff to or from Merseyside (or Cheshire if one uses proper county boundaries).

Thursday 16th April 2026

Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) feeding on the peninsular 

A fairly bright morning with a light SW, some ominous shower clouds towards the port at times. A small number of migrants were present, with a Siskin singing within the observatory fence, our first Hobby of the spring seen distantly heading north over the port. 3 Wheatear and 8 ring plover were present on the peninsula and 7 Swallow where seen migrating through. A Painted lady butterfly was also seen outside the ringing room.

Sea watching produced a Whimbrel, 13 Black headed gull, 2 Oystercatcher and 2 Shelduck, all south. Just 2 Gannet north.  

Moth trapping: 1 Moth present, a Swallow prominent, owing to another windy night.    

Bird ringing: 9 Blackcap, 2 Great tit, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Linnet, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Song thrush, 1 Willow warbler.  

   

Wednesday 15th April 2026

 

Looks like we might end up with a site record five pairs of Robin breeding this year.

Small handful of migrants including 6 Chiffchaff, 6 Wheatear, 3 Blackcap, 3 Swallow, 2 Mipit, 2 Willow Warbler, Whitethroat & Yellowhammer. Offshore movements almost non-existent. Despite the dull conditions a Painted Lady appeared late morning.

First Shuttle-shaped Dart of the year, which should soon become the commonest moth in the traps in the spring.

Ringing: 3 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Great Tit, 1 Linnet, 1 Yellowhammer.

Tuesday 14th April 2026

 

One of, hopefully, a pair of Skylarks (Alauda arvensis); the last recorded successful breeding was last century, so fingers crossed for this spring changing that!

 A completely cloudless morning with a gentle breeze from the South. You would have thought ideal conditions for migration, however few birds seen during sea watching; with 1 Sandwich tern, 4 Mediterranean gull and a Cormorant heading north. 5 Swallow, 3 Mediterranean gull and 3 Shelduck all heading south. 4 Wheatear remain present on the peninsula. Signs are looking good for the choice of nest site for two pairs of Ring plover.       

Moth trapping: Once again few moths with the temperature still dropping overnight on clear nights. 1 Angle shades and a Double-striped pug in a total of three traps. 

Angle shades (Phlogophora meticulosa), another dive into the scientific name reveals Phlogophora (Greek): Derived from phlogos (flame) and phora (to carry/bring), referring to the flame-like or fiery pink-and-brown markings on its wings.

Bird ringing: 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Pied Wagtail. 

Monday 13th April 2026

 

Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopuson) on the beach early in the morning. A little delve into the scientific name; it derives from Greek and Latin, with numenius meaning a "new moon" (referring to the bill shape) and phaeopuson "dusky foot". 

An almost windless morning, with a very slight SW, starting cloudy then brightening up for a short while before becoming overcast. A Whimbrel was present along the shore line first thing, with a Collared dove and a Greater spotted woodpecker present in the compound later. 5 Wheatear remain on the peninsular.    

Sea watching produced the first 2 Sandwich tern of the spring heading north, with a Teal also heading north. Birds moving south included; 25 Black-headed gull, 6 Barnacle geese, 5 Swallow and 2 mediterranean gull. With 6 Cormorant heading out to sea.     

Moth trapping: Only 2 moths present, the first for spring V pug and an Angle shades moth. Interestingly, the larvae of the V pug prefer feeding on the flowers rather than the leaves of their food plants, including Elder, Bramble, Dog-rose, and Hemp-agrimony.  

First V pug (Chloroclystis v-ata) of the year

Bird ringing: 5 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldfinch, 1 House sparrow, 1 Linnet, 1 Wren.

Sunday 12th April 2026

 

Still the odd Mipit passing through.

A healthy arrival of at least 16 Wheatear on a windy morning plus the first Lesser Whitethroat of the spring. Other migrants include 10 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, Reed Bunting & White Wagtail. Southbound 14 Swallow, 4 Canadas & 2 Sand Martin with northbound 24 Barnacles & 2 Common Scoter.

Moth catches still pathetic with just two in total this morning including the first Agonopterix arenella of the year.

Ringing: 6 Blackcap, 3 Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Wren.

Saturday 11th April 2026

 

Silver Y (Autographa gamma) - about two weeks earlier than most years. A little look into the scientific name: gamma is Greek for the letter Y.

A windy overcast morning with wind blowing from the SE. Very few migrants passing through, with ringing saying it all, with mostly retrap Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs from yesterday. A Redpoll was seen early in the morning in the compound, and a Whimbrel on the beach, 5 Wheatear remain on the peninsula. 

An easterly wind can be promising for blowing migrants closer to the shore, however today few were seen, with 7 Black-headed gull, 5 Swallow, 2 Whimbrel and an Oystercatcher flying south. Just 2 Cormorant moving North.  

Evening sea watching, whilst keeping an eye on tent traps for Wheatear, produced 6 Black-headed gull, 3 Mediterranean gull and a Curlew all heading south.  

Moth trapping: 3 moths, in a total of 3 traps, somewhat not surprising with the strong winds overnight. One of them being our first Silver Y of spring. The Silver Y is probably the most common immigrant moth in the UK, numbers tend to build in autumn, as the breeding population from spring migrants is swelled by further migration.    

Bird Ringing: 3 Wheatear, 2 Linnet, 1 Chiffchaff. 

A male Wheatear. Great to be catching these large winged individuals, with all 5 Wheatear caught to date this spring having wing lengths above 102 mm, making them all likely to be of the Greenland subspecies, making their way back up from Africa - one of the longest transoceanic crossing of any passerine - sub species leucorhoa.  

Friday 10th April 2026

 

One of our resident pair of Common turnstone (Arenaria interpres)

A cold morning, with the wind initially coming from NW, however dropping steadily and then changing to ESE by late morning and now a SSW. A reasonable number of migrants present around the peninsular, with 8 Wheatear, a Whitethroat and a singing Willow warbler. A Buzzard was notably seen circling, with very few seen in this area.     

Fine viewing out to sea produced 93 Black-headed gull, 8 Common gull, 7 Swallow, 2 Mediterranean gull and a Common scoter flying south. 5 Swallow and a Common scoter flying north.  

Moth trapping: The Oak-tree pug takes the limelight, with it being first for spring, although very tatty... with more of the usual with Quakers, and a Swallow prominent again.  

Ringing: 6 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 3 Linnet, 1 Willow warbler, 1 Wheatear.

Thursday 9th April 2026

Our earliest recorded spring arrival Reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) by 2 days (2025), using our daily census records dating back to 1986. 

A calm morning produced some decent migrants, with today bringing our first; Reed warbler, Whimbrel and Yellow Wagtail of this spring. Other birds on site included 6 Wheatear and at least 2 Willow warbler singing.

A few migrants were seen out to sea with 6 Mediterranean gull, 6 Meadow pipit, a Swallow, and the Whimbrel flying north. Flying south; 8 Oystercatcher, 3 Swallow, 2 Brent Geese, a Little egret, a Meadow pipit and a Jackdaw. Also notably the Blackbird ringed was recently fledged but well developed - quite early!  

Moth Trapping: Bloxworth Snout (Hypena obsitalis) was the most noteworthy, once migrating but recently building small populations on the southern coast, first for spring alongside the Diamondback moth and Light-brown apple moth... slowly getting a more diverse mix.   

Ringing: 15 Chiffchaff, 13 Blackcap, 1 Blackbird, 1 Robin, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Linnet, 1 Reed warbler, 1 Sparrowhawk.

Wednesday 8th April 2026

 

Starlings are investigating the nest boxes on the cottage.

Glorious clear calm sunny morning with a small handful of common migrants including 7 Blackcap, 7 Swallow,  5 Chiffchaff, 5 Wheatear, 2 Willow Warbler & Mipit plus visits from both Jackdaw & Stock Dove. Southbound 5 Barnacles & 4 Med Gull with offshore activity non-existent. 2 Turnstone & the singing Skylark still with us.

Ringing: 5 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Linnet, 1 Wheatear.

Tuesday 7th April 2026

 

A female Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe), the scientific name originates from Greek, meaning "vine" (oenoē) and "bloom" (anthos), referring to the birds' arrival in Greece in spring, coinciding with the blossoming of grapevines. 4 Wheatear have been seen today.

A clear morning with a brisk wind from ESE produced some more interesting migrants. A group of 12 Little gull where seen flying north with our first Common tern of the season flying shortly behind. A little later in the morning we ringed our earliest ever Whitethroat, beating the previous record by a day. Signs of nesting are starting to happen around the site, with a Linnet seen collecting nesting material.

Sea watching also produced 3 Avocets, 2 Curlews and 2 Black-headed gulls, all flying north. 3 Shelduck where seen flying south. 

Moth trapping: usual mix of Quakers joined by the Swallow prominent, the larvae feed on Poplar trees and the adult emerges from a chrysalis underground post winter.  

Swallow Prominent (Pheosia tremula).

Ringing: 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 1 Linnet, 1 Pied wagtail, 1 Whitethroat. 

Whitethroat (Curruca communis) - Todays nice adult male with a reddish orange iris compared to a more grey iris seen in birds born last Spring. *Supporting other ageing criteria: such as rr4-5 showing distinct white markings*.

Monday 6th April 2026

A pleasant bank holiday morning in the calm ambient conditions delivered a perfectly acceptable selection. A Sedge Warbler was our second earliest ever only beaten by one on 5th April 2003 with a Great Spotted Woodpecker flying through a scarce spring visitor. Other migrants include 15 Chiffchaff, 15 Wheatear, 12 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler, Firecrest plus a Rook flying south. 11 Oyks also went south with offshore passage almost non-existent. What is quite likely to be the Serin from a couple of days ago was whizzing around mid-morning.

Ringing: 10 Blackcap, 10 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, 1 Robin, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Wren.

Sunday 5th April 2026

Windy morning following overnight gale didn't prevent a half decent arrival of fairly predictable early April fare. At least 50 Chiffchaff is our largest ever spring "fall" for this species whose numbers are increasing over the years due to climatic amelioration. The supporting cast included 10 Willow Warbler, 6 Wheatear & 2 Blackcap making for an acceptable arrival. Offshore southbound 10 Black-heads, 2 Avocet, 2 Brent, 2 Rook, 2 Shelduck, Heron, Oyk & Turnstone.

Only two moths in the traps including this Double-striped Pug which is a very common species with multiple emergences that will be flying all year round before long.

Ringing: 34 Chiffchaff, 9 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap.

Saturday 4th April 2026

 

Serin singing his cotton socks off from 0610 to 0630 hrs was the first here since three different birds in 2022. The photos on the blog of those individuals are all clearly identifiable, whereas this mornings, in the early morning gloom takes a leap of faith on behalf of blog readers.

Other migrants include 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 2 new Songies, 2 Wheatear, Fieldfare, Goldcrest, Mipit, Redwing & Swallow.

Northern Drab is a saltmarsh specialist that is not recorded that often in Suffolk probably due to few moth traps set along the estuaries early in the season. It has been noted here in most years this century, but not last.

Ringing: 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Linnet, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Redwing.

Friday 3rd April 2026

A ringed, Ring plover (Charadrius hiaticula) most likely one of our own ringed as a chick.   

A bleek morning, with strong SSW wind with spells of drizzle, brought in a new female Wheatear alongside a male late morning, with both disappearing by lunch. 

Visibility remained good for sea watching with 10 Oystercatcher, 2 Black headed gulls and a Gannet seen flying north. 3 Gannet and 2 Greylag were seen flying south. 7 Common scoter were seen riding the waves.  

Moth trapping produced less than 5 individuals between the 3 traps... consisting of hebrews and quakers. Perhaps the moon reduced the draw of the traps!  

The full moon seen to the east last night, marking the easter weekend. 

Ringing: 5 Chiffchaff

 

Ringing Recoveries

Blackbird ringed Reddingbootpad, Vlieland, The Netherlands, 10th November 2022 retrapped 286 km away at LBO 15th November 2025 would be on autumn migration through both sites three years apart.

Lesser Redpoll ringed LBO 18th October 2025 was retrapped 306 km away at Nettlefield Wood, Cheshire on 21st March 2026. This bird would be on autumn migration & heading north in spring through Cheshire.

Thursday 2nd April 2026

 

Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) taken yesterday of a ringed bird, unfortunately our efforts to capture it were unsuccessful and the bird remained too distant to get a clear photo of the ring, it may have been one of the 14 ringed in April 2024, or could have been further afield..... frustrating!!!!! 

Today, remaining overcast, with few random spells of sunshine, the wind was once again northerly, with the sound of Fieldfare and Redwing moving through first light. 

Good visibility out to sea produced; a Marsh harrier, 18 Black-headed gull, 5 Cormorant, 3 Greylag and 2 Red throated divers, all flying south. Flying north where; 3 Common scoter, 3 Red-throated divers, 2 Brent Geese and a Shelduck. 

A new Wheatear was spotted - without a ring, on the peninsular and no sign of the Stonechat from yesterday, with it last being seen at dusk. 1 Firecrest was seen and a Common snipe was flushed twice within the observatory, however avoiding nets each time! A Fulmar was also spotted flying along the shore. 

Early thorn (Selenia dentaria) - First for spring this year. 

Moth trapping - Common quaker and Hebrew character present again, most notable was the Early thorn shown above, this moth has two emergences, in spring and late summer - with the later brood being paler. The moth larvae feed on a variety of deciduous trees.  

Ringing: 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, 1 Redwing 

Today's somewhat grey looking Redwing! (Turdus iliacus), perhaps one of the last ones until autumn to pass through, with none ringed here in April since 2022! 

 

Wednesday 1st April 2026

 

Pleasantly calm encouraged the spring arrival of 25 Chiffchaff, Black Red, Sand Martin (first of the season), Stonechat, Wheatear & Willow Warbler with departing winter visitors from the continent including single Brambling, Fieldfare, Robin & Songie. Overwintering Firecrest from last October still present. More wandering Long-tailed Tits turned up & a Skylark is still on the reserve.

Porpoise offshore, which are always easier to locate when its a calm sea.

Ringing: 16 Chiffchaff, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Blackcap, 1 Robin, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Willow Warbler.

March Ringing Totals 2026

Female adult Yellowhammer, 23/03/2026

This month concludes with 190 birds of 23 species, the highest number of birds ringed this month since March 2020 (211 birds), owing to a greater number of Chiffchaff moving through seemingly earlier. The most noteworthy bird of this month falls to the Yellowhammer, a scarce sight at this location, let alone to ring one!!! Also of note was our second to earliest ever Willow warbler - 24th (record 23rd March 2024).

  

Chiffchaff	69
Goldcrest	25
Long-tailed tit	9
Robin	9
Blackbird	8
Redwing	8
Chaffinch	7
Firecrest	7
Goldfinch	7
Linnet	6
Song thrush	6
Wren	6
Blue tit	5
Dunnock	4
Woodpigeon	4
Blackcap	3
Fieldfare	1
Great tit	1
House sparrow	1
Starling	1
Woodcock	1
Willow warbler	1
Yellowhammer	1

Tuesday 31st March 2026

 A misty and cloudy morning, but still, finally sounding like spring with multiple Chiffchaffs singing and we got our long overdue first Wheatear of Spring. The crafty bugger avoided the photographers, but hopefully that changes with my afternoon walk, and certainly will in the next few days!   

Challenging conditions for sea watching, with sporadic spells of fine drizzle, produced 5 Brent geese going north and a siting of a Red-throated Diver. A Firecrest was also observed flitting through the scrub. 

Powdered Quaker (Orthosia gracilis) first one this year following an absence of the past 2 years.

Other moths in the trap included 3 Hebrew character, 3 Common Quaker and 2 Small quaker.... pretty early in the season still!  

Ringing: 12 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Blackcap, 1 Linnet.

  

Monday 30th March 2026

Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) seen on the observatory motus aerial . Looks like this might have been one of the males ringed in the past few days. Carduelis translates to thistle or thistle eater... the birds favourite seed. 

Slow day all round with strong WNW wind by late morning, very few migrants around. The Black redstart was still present this morning but very mobile. A Marsh harrier was observed flying south, 4 Rooks, 2 Cormorant, 2 Common gull and a Reedbunting where also seen southbound. A Red-throated Diver, Buzzard and a Cormorant where seen flying North. 

Few moths in trapps once again due to strong overnight wind and rain.

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff.

Sunday 29th March 2026

Cold start for the arrival of British Summer Time. A Brambling calling in the half light early morning soon departed inland was the first of the year. Other migrants hard to come by with a new Chiffchaff probably it. Yesterday's Black Red still here. A Gadwal flying south was the only thing offshore worth mentioning.

Ringing:1 Chiffchaff.

Saturday 28th March 2026

Chilly, breezy morning with very few migrants to "upset the apple cart" included 2 Goldcrest, Black Red, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff plus the second Swallow of the spring. Southbound 89 Black-headed Gull, 8 Common Gull, 5 Med Gull, 2 Rook, 2 Shelduck & Little Egret. Singing Skylark still with us.

Ringing: 1 Goldfinch.

Friday 27th March 2026

 

Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) seen near the point of the peninsular. The breakdown of the scientific name; Arenaria meaning sand loving and interpres is messenger, interpreted as between land and sea due to the birds habits of flitting around the shore. 

An overcast start to the morning with few migrants present at the observatory, even with a strong SW breeze!, bar one singing Chiffchaff. With sea watching once again producing the most interesting sightings until rain settled in around 11am, also bringing a swift end to ringing for the day.    

Flying North - 19 Brent geese, 10 Gannet - maybe making their way up to Bempton Cliffs and 3 Red throated diver.

Flying South - 37 Common gull, 7 Red throated diver,  5 Shovelar, 2 Brent and 2 Barnacle geese, a Mediterranean gull and an Oystercatcher.

Moth trapping produced a handful of species including a Grey Shoulder- Knot.

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Linnet, 1 Woodpigeon

Thursday 26th March 2026

 A bright but blustery morning, with wind coming from the NW. Provided us with a somewhat notable visitor in the shape of a Reed bunting, the first this year, with one not seen since November 9th last year. A not so common visitor due to only a few sparse areas of reedbed on site.  

Sea watching produced some interesting movements with clear visibility, North movements included 75 Cormorants and 2 Common scoter. South going birds included 166 Black headed gulls, 18 Common gull, 3 Carrion Crow, 3 Red throated diver, 2 Oystercatchers and 2 Jackdaw. A Mute swan was seen flying up river - a less common visitor for this area. 1 adult and 2 first winter Mediterranean gulls where also spotted near the tip of the peninsular. 

A Black redstart was found towards the holiday park end of the peninsular and a Redpoll, 2 Siskin and a Fieldfare were seen around the observatory early morning, with a Chiffchaff heard calling in the early afternoon.   

No moths were found in any of our 3 moth traps, mainly due to some overnight showers and high wind. 

The fencing was also completed today to protect ground nesting birds & the sensitive shingle flora, many thanks to all involved and fingers crossed for some successful fledging this year!

Ringing: 2 Robin, 1 Goldfinch. 

Wednesday 25th March 2026

 Cold westerly gale not ideal. This didn't prevent a Swallow quickly flying through which equals our third earliest date with the first ever on the 14th March 2017. Starling numbers built up to 150 as they gather up before contemplating crossing the North Sea back to mainland Europe. Other spring migrants limited to 7 Chiffchaff, 5 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing single Fire & Goldcrest. Offshore southbound 16 Common Gull, 14 Black-headed Gull, 3 Common Scoter, Great Crested Grebe, Little Egret, Med Gull, Red-breasted Merganser & Red-throated Diver with the gulls mostly on their way back to the continent having wintered in Britain.

Ringing: 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest.

RINGING RECOVERIES

Lesser Redpoll ringed Hockai, Liege, Belgium 28th January 2024 was retrapped 363 km away at LBO 22nd October 2025 is probably a bird from Northern Britain that was wintering in Belgium then caught on migration heading towards the continent the following year.

Blackbird ringed LBO 27th October 2023 was retrapped 20 km away at Witnesham 4th March 2026. This would have been on autumn passage here although difficult to know whether it has settled in Suffolk or is a wintering bird from the continent heading back out this spring.

Tuesday 24th March 2026

A cloudy morning with strengthening SW wind produced our 2nd earliest ever ringed Willow warbler. The record still stands with the 23rd March 2024. Last year our first was 18 days later. 

Species like the Willow warbler can pass through undetected without ringing as these individuals are not signing, as these birds won't be holding territories on site, with their beautiful song being the easiest identification to tell them apart from the somewhat similar Chiffchaff. 

Less mist at sea provided some sea watching, with a Red-throated diver seen flying south, other birds moving south included a Heron .... uncommon for this site, 3 Brent geese, 2 Cormorant and an Oystercatcher. North movements included 5 Greylag geese and 5 Brent.   

Early morning there were multiple Redwing and Fieldfare passing through with other migrants on site including 15 Chiffchaff, 5 Siskin, 4 Firecrest and interestingly another sighting of a Yellowhammer.    

Common Plume (Emmelina monodactyla) Which has likely just emerged from hibernation. 

 

Ringing: 11 Chiffchaff, 4 Firecrest, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Redwing, 2 Wren, 1 Blackcap, 1 Robin, 1 Willow warbler.

SEASONAL FENCING - CHANGE OF DATE

CHANGE OF DATE FROM WEDNESDAY TO THURSDAY THIS WEEK

It is now planned to erect the temporary fencing to help protect ground nesting birds & the sensitive shingle flora on Thursday 26th March 0930 hrs start. Please meet at the old seawatch hide and wear sensible footwear, gardening type gloves & clothing for the task in hand. Many hands make light work so the more people who can turn up the better.

Monday 23rd March 2026

 

Blossom Underwing, (Orthosia miniosa), found in one of our light traps this morning, this being the fourth record for Landguard (A scarce species for Suffolk) and is most likely a migrant. 

A hazy day with a slight SSE wind, producing our first small influx of Chiffchaff this spring. The mist lingered preventing any good sea watching. A Black redstart was seen flying around the fence line of the fort and a white wagtail was seen on the peninsular. Lingering migrants included Siskin, Goldcrest and a Redwing. 

A Yellowhammer was drawn to our nets, an uncommon visitor for the site and was a treat to ring, with the previous individual ringed in 2020, and only 5 ringed since the millennium. Between 1983 to 2000.... 17 years... 161 Yellowhammer where ringed at this observatory, highlighting the quite dramatic decline of this species in this area.      

Ringing: 12 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldcrest, 2 Dunnock, 2 Robin (both continental), 2 Song thrush, 1 Blue tit, 1 Firecrest, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Wood Pigeon.    

SEASONAL FENCING LANDGUARD NATURE RESERVE

It is planned to erect temporary fencing to help protect ground nesting birds & the sensitive shingle flora on Wednesday 25th March 0930 hrs start. Please meet at the old seawatch hide and wear sensible footwear, gardening type gloves & clothing for the task in hand. Many hands make light work so the more people who can turn up the better.

Sunday 22nd March 2026

 

Almost a migrant free zone until late morning when 4 Fieldfare showed up plus 2 Redwing early afternoon. 3 Curlew flew north, 2 Mipit & a Chaffinch on the reserve.

Ringing: 1 House Sparrow, 1 Redwing.

Saturday 21st March 2026

 

Shelduck, (Tadorna tadorna) on the peninsular, the scientific name originating from Celtic and French roots for "pied waterfowl".

A surprisingly clear morning producing a frost, with a bank of fog looming near the port. Few migrants, with a Siskin and Redwing present. Northbound where 4 Brent geese and 2 Gannet. Rare for this site a Red kite was seen heading south. A Grey wagtail was also seen which is the fist for spring.  

Ringing: 2 Redwing, 1 Blue tit, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Linnet, 1 Song thrush. 

Friday 20th March 2026

 

Deer Vomit Fungus (Fusicolla merismoides) - perhaps a first record for Landguard.

Starting misty and murky with a gentle NE breeze again, however feeling more northerly than easterly! With Redwings filtering high above first light. Once the fog cleared a group of 10 siskin where seen going south with 2 later seen heading north. The White Wagtail is still present around the tip of the peninsula.

 Pine Beauty (Panolis flammea), an occasional occurrence for Landguard, drifting down from a clump of Pine trees off-site.

Ringing: 2 Goldfinch, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Linnet

Thursday 19th March 2026

Left Linnet, Right Skylark

Sunny with a gentle NE breeze, producing a steady day, with a Curlew flying north. The Black Redstart remaining present near the sea watching hide and joined by a White Wagtail. Other movements north included a Greylag Goose and a Grey Heron. A Chiffchaff and 2 Siskin also drifting through the site. It also looks promising for a pair of Skylark breeding on the nature reserve this year!  

Two Porpoise where also observed port side of the peninsula. 

The Herald moth hibernates in the buildings, coming into traps very occasionally. 

Ringing: 1 Blue Tit, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Starling, 1 Woodpigeon.

Wednesday 18th March 2026

 

Springstar Ipheion uniflorum is native to Argentina & Uruguay & this may be the first site record. Not sure of the beastie on it so if anyone out there knows please drop us an email.

With the winds changing to South Easterly greater prospects of migration were somewhat realised with a Black Redstart arriving. Other migrants include 6 Chiffchaffs, Fieldfare & Goldcrest.

Male Diurnea fagella is a classic mid-March flyer, the females are almost flightless.

Ringing: 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest.

Tuesday 17th March 2026

 

Another slow day for migrants, 1 Redwing, 2 Chiffchaff, with the highlight being 4 Pintail flying south — an unusual sight for this time of year here.

Other southbound movement included 11 Brent Geese, 3 Red-throated Divers and a Gannet. A raft of 25 scoter remains present offshore. 2 Turnstone present at shoreline. 

Ringing: 2 Chiffchaff

Monday 16th March 2026

 

Hard work with few migrants included 4 Meadow Pipit, 2 Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Siskin plus a Firecrest that has over wintered here. Southbound 17 Black-headed Gull, 6 Red-throated Diver, 5 Brent, 5 Common Gull, 2 Common Scoter & Shelduck with northbound 39 Red-throats plus a raft of 25 Common Scoter on the sea.

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Great Tit.

Sunday 15th March 2026

 

Time to check out a suitable Des Res for this year.

First Blackcap this spring with other migrants including 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Chaffinch, 3 Goldcrest, 3 Mipit & Woodcock. Southbound 28 Red-throated Diver, 9 Wood Pigeon, 7 Common Gull, 2 Gannet, 2 Oyk, 2 Knot, Heron & Rook with northbound 54 Red-throats. First Comma butterfly of the year was seen.

Ringing: 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Woodcock, 1 Wood Pigeon.

Saturday 14th March 2026

Chilly morning. 472 Cormorant went north a fair way out. Very few migrants included single Redwing, Skylark, new Blacky & the first White Wagtail of the spring. 4 Rook flew south.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Redwing.

Friday 13th March 2026

Overnight gale subsided but very little to report. On site 2 Goldcrest, 2 Stock Dove, Chiffchaff & Skylark plus 3 Chaffinch flying south. Offshore southbound 13 Dunlin, 6 Brent & a Shelduck with northbound 3 Gannet.

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Wren.

Thursday 12th March 2026

Windy, increasing as day progressed. Amongst very few migrants noted were 2 Skylark, Firecrest, Goldcrest & Jackdaw. Offshore also poor although a Gannet was following a ship with 4 more heading north.

Ringing: 1 Firecrest, 1 Wren.

Wednesday 11th March 2026

 

Drizzly start followed by increasing wind. Lot less here this morning with migrants including 5 Goldcrest, 3 Chaffinch, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Skylark, 2 Jackdaw, 2 Redwing, 2 Siskin, Fieldfare & Marsh Harrier. Male Stonechat still present. Offshore movements negligible. New wandering Long-tailed Tits continue to turn up.

Ringing: 2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Chiffchaff.