Tuesday 26th May 2026

Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola), an not so common visitor to the site this morning. 

Another glorious morning at Landguard, most notable bird was a Grey Plover that joined a flock of Sanderling on the beach early morning. A Greenfinch was caught, a now less regular visitor to the site, however this individual had Trichomonosis, so not ringed and released.  

General migration: Brent: 33 north and 14 East. 1 Oystercatcher West, 2 North, and 4 South. 2 Swallow South. 

 Moth trapping: Many moths emerging in the heat, with 78 Species recorded today. Todays photographed moth below, the Marbled Clover, feeds on wasteland plants as larvae and adult moths feed on flowers such as viper's bugloss (Echium vulgare).   

Marbled Clover (Heliothis viriplaca) is a nationally scarce species seen in most years since 2014 but only once prior to 2005.

Bird ringing: 1 House Sparrow, 1 Lesser Whitethroat and 1 Linnet. 

Monday 25th May 2026

 

Decidedly hot for May. Another 100 Brent went out then north, 10 Sanderling were on the beach & the first Little Tern of the year went past. On site 3 Chiffchaff & 2 Chaffinch (including a male singing briefly). Otherwise its baby bird time of the year.

Clouded-bordered Brindle puts in an appearance here about one year in three.

Ringing: 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldfinch, 1 House Sparrow, 1 Linnet, 1 Robin. 

Sunday 24th May 2026

 

Another 127 Brent headed out towards the far north. In the good old days they mostly left earlier in the spring & stopped at staging grounds on the way, but over the past 40 odd years or so many wait until the end of May before departing on the long flight to the high Arctic. Other migrants hard to come by included 2 Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler & Wheatear. An Avocet over the obs heading up river always worth a mention as we don't see many this close despite plenty of them in nearby locales. 5 Sanderling were on the beach & a single Barnacle flew south along the shore.

First Rosy Wave since 2012 although we have very few records at all prior to that. It's a Nationally Scarce species that lives on Sea-beet with this one looking a bit faded & tatty already.

Ringing: 4 Great Tit.

Saturday 23rd May 2026

 

Summer has definitely arrived with hot, sunny, sticky, humid conditions. 159 Brents departed out over the obs heading out to northern Russia. Few other migrants included 22 Swallow heading south, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Warbler & a Wheatear. Otherwise more baby birds appearing by the day.

More species coming out including Burnished Brass which is noted in most years with just the occasional absence.

Ringing: 3 Goldfinch, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Linnet, 1 Wood Pigeon.

Friday 22nd May 2026

A sunny morning with temperatures finally feeling like summer, highlight of the morning was the sighting of a male Western Subalpine Warbler, briefly in front of the observatory, but not seen again as of 14:15. Small number of other migrants in the compound; including Chiffchaff, Reed Warbler and a Garden Warbler ringed on monday this week. A Jackdaw briefly landed on our Motus tower, a somewhat unusual visitor to the point, although common in the town of Felixstowe.       

Sea-watching produced 4 Oystercatcher north, 3 south and 1 towards the port. 3 Black-headed Gull south. 

moth trapping: 53 species present across our 3 traps, with 15 species new for the year, many of them micros. 

Poplar Hawk-moth (Laothoe populi), our most common hawk moth. 

Bird ringing: 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Linnet, 1 Blackbird, 1 Robin, 1 Reed Warbler. 

 

Thursday 21st May 2026

              

Cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha) adds to the variety in the moth trap this morning, this species has got scarcer at this location over the years.  

A clear start to the day with an increasing southerly, brought a good number of late spring migrants including 4 Reed Warbler, 4 Spot Fly 3 Blackcap & 2 Chiffchaff in the compound and a new female Wheatear out on the reserve. 65 Brent headed east, 5 Sanderling on the beach & the usual Black Red was on the Fort.  

Sea-watching produced 5 Black-Headed Gull, Oystercatcher and a Little Egret south.

Overland migration limited to 5 Swallow & 4 House Martin south.   

Moth trapping: Getting milder so a few more micro's including several Notocelia cynosbatella.

Notocelia cynosbatella

Bird ringing: 5 Linnet, 4 Reed Warbler, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Great tit, 1 House Sparrow. 

Wednesday 20th May 2026

 

Handful of new migrants including 2 Blackcap, 2 Reed Warbler, Hobby, Spot Fly & Willow Warbler. On the move southbound 18 Swallow, 16 House Martin, 2 Sand Martin & a Swift + 8 House Martin in/north. Offshore heading south 6 Sanderling & 3 Grey Plover with northbound 16 Brent.

Figure of 80 lives on Poplars so we get a few each year. Warmer conditions trying to creep in so we should start to get more moths.

Ringing: 4 Starling (pulli), 2 Blackcap, 2 Great Tit, 2 Linnet, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler.

Tuesday 19th May 2026

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) out on the beach. 

A bleak morning with strong S winds and rain, leading to ringing being abandoned. A male Wheatear was present on the peninsula following an absence of any Wheatear for 11 days. Multiple Chiffchaff singing in the compound.  

Sea-watching: 3 Oystercatcher, Gannet 3, 2 Common Gull, a Fulmar and a Kittiwake all south. 4 Common Gull, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Cormorant and a Great Black-backed Gull north. 

Moth trapping: 1 new moth species, the Beautiful Plume, alongside 17 species. One of which was the Treble-Bar, a fairly common moth across Britain, the larvae of this moth feeds on St John's-Wort, a common plant species here.  

Treble-Bar (Aplocera plagiata). 

Monday 18th May 2026

 

Male Linnet (Linaria cannabina) out on the reserve. 

A bright morning with a gentle SW wind slowly increasing. A Black Redstart still calling frequently from the fort. Two different families of Great Tit with young flying around the reserve. A Spotted Flycatcher was seen late evening in the compound.    

Sea-watching produced a Canada goose north only. 14 Swallow observed flying south overland. 

Moth trapping: 1 new species for this year, among a catch of 30 species, our first Small Elephant Hawk-moth of the season, typically a fairly common species here late summer.   

Small Elephant Hawk-moth (Deilephila porcellus)

Bird ringing: 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackbird, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Linnet, 1 Reed Warbler. 

Sunday 17th May 2026

 

Few new migrants in today with 3 Reed Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff & a Mipit plus southbound 25 Swallow & a House Martin. An independent young Wren may well be from a brood in the cottage garden seen a few days ago that are now wandering.

Coronet was first noted here in 2004 & has become annual from 2016 onwards. Formerly on Elms it has, apparently, shifted its foodplant to Privet.

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Wren

Saturday 16th May 2026

 

Three baby Great Tits first seen last Saturday are doing well still being fed by mum & Dad which they tend to do for the first couple of weeks out of the nest before they have to fend for themselves.

A slightly warmer morning with at least 6 Reed Warbler chuntering away. At least 22 Swallow, Sand Martin & a Yellow Wag flew south. A Cuckoo flew out of the Customs' House grounds over the caravan site. More baby Starling's are out & about which seems slightly earlier than recent years. Of interest a Whitethroat ringed last year at the end of June has returned.

Sea-watching almost non-existent with a Med Gull the only thing worth mentioning. 

Broad-bodied Chaser's are starting to emerge into the sunshine.

Oak-tree Pug is one of those pugs that can be confused with similar congerers.

Moth trapping: 24 Species present, with 3 new species for this spring, Cinnabar, Vines Rustic and Pale Mottled Willow. 

Bird ringing: 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 1 Dunnock, 1 Willow Warbler

Friday 15th May 2026

Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) seen near the point.  A little delve into the scientific name reveals Greek and Latin origins of the words: Haematopus - "blood-red footed" and ostralegus  - "oyster-gatherer". 

NW winds continue, however a small dose of migrants: 3 Reed Warbler and a small increase of Lesser Whitethroat. A Black Redstart continues to call from the roof of the fort. Our first 2 Juvenile Magpie were also spotted mobile around the reserve.  

Sea-watching produced: 6 Shelduck, 3 Black-headed gull, 2 Sandwich Tern and a Fulmar, all north. No south movement observed.

Moth trapping: 9 Species present across our 3 traps. No new species for this spring today. However our largest catch of Large Yellow Underwing, with 3 individuals, there will be more as we get into summer!. The Large Yellow Underwing is potentially the most abundant large moth in the UK.  

Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba)

Bird ringing: 3 Willow warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Lesser whitethroat, 1 Goldfinch.  

Thursday 14th May 2026

 

Greater black-backed Gull (Larus marinus), a few pairs nest nearby on the docks annually.

Another somewhat slow day, with wind WNW, 2 new arrival Reed warblers heard calling from within the compound. Out on the reserve the first juvenile Dunnock was spotted. A single Swift was seen heading north and a Turnstone in near-full breeding plumage was seen near the tip of the peninsula.   

Sea-watching produced; 5 Gannet and 3 Scoter north. 3 Black headed gulls, a Cormorant and a Shelduck south.  

Moth trapping: A small catch once again with only 7 species present. However new for this year, 2 examples of the migratory Dark Sword-grass. The larvae feed at night on or below the ground on herbaceous plants and their roots, due to this there is no evidence of them breeding in the UK.    

Dark Sword-grass (Agrotis ipsilon)

Bird ringing: 1 Reed warbler, 1 Willow warbler.  

Wednesday 13th May 2026

 

Windy with showers making birding difficult although a slight relief from the tedium with the first couple of Willow Warbler for over a week. Chiffchaffs are still battling through despite the adverse conditions with other migrants including a Yellow Wag but little else. Offshore northbound 12 Barwit, 4 Sandwich Tern, 2 Gannet & a Fulmar with southbound 15 Oyks & a Shelduck. Turnstone near the point should be departing for the far north soon.

White-point was first noted here in 1996 & has since colonised over the past 30 years with this year's first showing up this morning.

Ringing: 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat.

Tuesday 12th May 2026

A Juvenile Starling (Sturnus vulgaris), which must have ventured from the town as the ones on the cottage have only hatched in the last 2 days. This one appears to be quite recently fledged, so quite surprising to be on its own. 

W winds today, producing a new Reed Warbler only migration-wise within the compound. The Black Redstart was calling once again from the fort and a visit from a Chaffinch. 4 Swallow south over the reserve.

Plenty of butterflies on the wing around the site with: Green Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Peacock, Red Admiral, Common Blue, Small Copper, Brown Argus, Small and Green-veined Whites.     

Seawatching produced 4 Gannet and a Cormorant north. An Oystercatcher only south.

Moth trapping: 6 Species present following another cold night. Today's pick of the small catch is the Heart and Dart moth, this is a common moth right across the country and can be found in most garden moth traps. The larvae feed on variety of herbaceous plants. 

Heart and Dart moth (Agrotis exclamationis). A little delve into the scientific name reveals Agrotis is relating to farming/rustic association of the moth and exclamationis refers to the exclamation like "dart" on the wing. 

Bird ringing: no new birds. 

Monday 11th May 2026

 

House sparrow (Passer domesticus) enjoying some somewhat brief early morning sun. 

Waking up to a brisk NW wind is not the most promising conditions for any remaining migration on the east coast at this time of the year. 2 Swift and 2 Swallow were seen flying north and 3 Swallow south. Perhaps today's highlight being the news of our first fledged Goldfinch chick of spring this year out on the reserve. A small number of Lesser whitethroats dotted around Landguard peninsula.  

Seawatching produced small movements of 7 Black-headed gull and 6 Oystercatcher south. 5 Cormorant north. A Common gull and Mediterranean gull were seen feeding on the waves. 

Moth trapping: 5 Species present across our 3 traps, 31 moths in total, owing to a cold somewhat windy night. Today's pick of the bunch is the Treble lines moth, our second for this spring, this moth is abundant across England and Wales with some populations also in northern Ireland. However that said this moth still remains an infrequent visitor to our traps.  

Treble lines (Charanyca trigrammica)

Bird ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff. 

Sunday 10th May 2026

 

Just the one Red-leg remains singing his heart out.

Cold with a northerly wind. Offshore the first Spring Pomarine Skua for six years flew north although little else moving with 5 Kitts & 3 Gannet as good as it got in several hours observation. On site 2 Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff & an elusive male Pied Fly although birding not at all pleasant in the cold wind.

The first Suffolk record of Toadflax Brocade was here in 2001 since when it has colonised urban areas where it's foodplant occurs. This is the first one here for three years despite it now living & thriving in Felixstowe.

Ringing: 2 Linnet, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Reed Warbler.

Saturday 9th May 2026

Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita), 6 present on site today, with 3 new and 3 hanging around that were ringed here recently. 

Strengthening N winds again preventing anything too unusual today migration wise, the young male Black redstart continues to sing from the fort and a Buzzard headed south. Lesser whitethroat and Whitethroat remain around 3 individuals of each. The forts Great tit nest fledged over the course of this morning, 3 were ringed, a typical brood size for habitat fringe sites compared to the more average 7 - 9 sometimes produced in optimal habitats.       

Sea watching produced: 11 Oystercatcher, 7 Gannet, 5 Shelduck,  4 Black-headed gull, 3 Common scoter 2 Fulmar, 2 Whimbrel and a Cormorant north. No passage south. 

Moth trapping: 2 new species present: Thistle Root-borer (Epiblema scutulana) and Setaceous Hebrew Character, in all 21 species present. We had a nice example of the Yellow belle so this is todays focus. 

The First Yellow Belles are starting to appear, which can be found during the day as well as coming to light, with one being seen on net round disappearing into the Nettles.

Yellow Belle (Aspitates ochrearia)

Bird ringing: 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Great tit  (all Juvenile), 1 House sparrow, 1 Linnet (Juvenile). 

1st Great tit (Parus major) fledged this year, part of a brood of 3, young last year fledged on 25th May, so 16 days earlier this year. This bird has only recently fledged perhaps this morning or yesterday, decision to photograph was only chosen as this individual was very calm and was then taken back to the area in which it entered the net. 

Friday 8th May 2026

 

 

Greylag goose (Anser anser), near the tip of the peninsula first thing this morning. 

A sunny morning with a slight ENE wind. Once again opening nets to the sound of the Black redstart 1st year male, calling out from the walls of the fort, and continuing throughout the morning. A single Wheatear remains on the peninsula and a Whimbrel seen on the beach. Potentially a pair of swallow hanging around the observatory - maybe thinking about nesting?. Excitingly we also ringed our first fledgling Linnet. 

Sea watching slowing with: 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Sanderling, a Cormorant and a Shelduck north. No passage south observed. 

Overland migration included below 10 Swallow, and 3 Jackdaw south. A Peregrine was also observed flying east.     

Moth trapping: 21 species caught last night, with three new species for this year: Sandy carpet, Garden Pebble and the Vine moth, today’s focus species.    

The Vine is a nationally scarce species with landguard being its Suffolk stronghold, the larvae most likely living on the Ivy berries at this site. 

Vine moth (Eupoecilia ambiguella)

Bird ringing: 2 Linnet, 1 Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, 1 Goldfinch 

Thursday 7th May 2026

 

Linnet (Linaria cannabina), a little delve into the scientific name: Linaria is latin for Flax, one of the birds favorite seeds (Linseed), Flax is also used to make linen!, cannabina also means hemp which is another of the birds favourite seeds.    

A bright morning with a very slight N wind. Few migrants within the compound, with Linnets making most of the noise this morning. A Yellow wagtail and two Wheatear remaining near the tip of the peninsula.

Sea watching produced a Buzzard, 3 Gannet and 5 Cormorant north. 8 Oystercatchers towards the port (W).    

Overland migration included 9 Swallow south and 3 north, joined by one Sand martin also heading north.    

Plenty of Painted lady butterflies flying around and our 1st Hairy dragonfly sighting of the spring. 

Moth trapping: 9 species present across the 3 traps, slight reduction in species - owing to the damp and cold night last night. On first inspection of the trap a Cream-spot tiger was on the ground next to the first trap and inside the trap was a nice fresh example of a Buff ermine. The larvae of this moth feeds on herbaceous plants , the adult moth is present on the site in small numbers, occurring mostly annually since recording began in 1991.

Buff Ermine (Spilosoma lutea)

Bird ringing: 1 Lesser whitethroat. 

 

Wednesday 6th May 2026

 

Northerlies has resulted in a bit of a migration hiatus. Apart from what lives here just 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 2 Wheatear & a Mipit. 9 Swallow went north. Offshore still dismal with a couple of hours purgatory producing just 2 Common Scoter & 2 Gannet.

Low overnight temperatures not good for moths with this Lychnis the first of the year amongst a paltry selection which produced the second Small Mottled Willow of the spring but little else.

Ringing: 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Robin.

Tuesday 5th May 2026

 

Spot the Purple sandpiper (Calidris maritima), very well camouflaged. 

A sunny morning with slight wind from the NE, produced a relatively quiet morning. Highlights included a Purple sandpiper hanging around the Jetty and unusual birds for the site: Jay and Mute swan. 

Just 3 Wheatear present near the tip of the peninsula, alongside a Yellow wagtail.     

Very little visible migration with just Swallows; 1 north, 31 south and a House martin also south.                                                         

Moth trapping: A little bit quieter than the previous night, owing to a clear night, with just 14 species recorded.  Phtheochroa rugosana is todays focus, this micro can be common here and the larvae feed on White bryony.

Phtheochroa rugosana

Bird ringing: 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Robin, 1 Spotted flycatcher, 1 Whitethroat. 

Monday 4th May 2026

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus)

A damp foggy morning following overnight rain. A slight breeze from the N turning more NE late morning. 2 Crossbill were seen calling close to the observatory late morning. A female Firecrest was extracted from a net, this individual had a nice pollen horn showing it had wintered in Southern Europe, formed of pollen from Eucalyptus and citrus plants. Outside of the compound a Reed warbler was calling on "Icky ridge" near the the car park. 5 Wheatear and a Yellow wagtail present around the tip of the peninsula and 7 Sanderling on the shoreline.    

Sea watching produced: 4 Greylag geese and an Oystercatcher north, 3 Barnacle geese and one Fulmar south. 

Overland: 21 Swallow and a Hobby north. A Yellowhammer and 62 Swallow south.

Moth trapping: 40 Species present this morning, with today's focus being the Waved umber moth, which has been annual for the past 10 years, with records infrequent prior. The larvae feed on privet and lilac so it will do well here.   

Waved  Umber (Menophra abruptaria) 

Bird ringing: 6 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap 2 Lesser whitethroat, 2 Willow warbler, 1 Firecrest. 

 Pollen horn on a female Firecrest (Regulus ignicapillus)