Sunday 18th March 2012

Another white-winged gull this morning in the shape of a 1st winter "Nelson's Gull". A significant proportion of the Glaucous Gulls in Iceland hybridise with Herring Gulls & this bird is presumably one of the offspring. At least three Yellow-legged Gulls were just inside the dock compound. Unfortunately someone in the Fort was playing with guns this morning which successfully ruined this mornings gull roost for observers & visitors alike. A Common Buzzard came over the river & inland over the docks late morning. Why Common Buzzard is such a scarce visitor to Landguard is a bit of a mystery especially when you consider that they can be seen daily less than 5 miles away. In the migrant department 73 Redwing (which dispersed inland soon after dawn), 10 Wheatears, 2 Jackdaws, 2 Skylarks, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Fieldfare, Firecrest, Reed Bunting plus a handful of new Blackies, Robin & Dunnock. Offshore apart from gulls 18 Golden Plover & a Red-breasted Merganser went south. A Dark Sword Grass was the only moth in 3 traps & an unexpected migrant for the time of year.

Saturday 17th March 2012

At least 8 Wheatears on the reserve with other migrants very thin on the ground with just singles of Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, new Blacky, Songy & Chaffy. The 3rd winter Glaucous Gull is still with us. Visibility deteriorated as the morning went on with the odd bit of drizzle now turned to a welcome dose of rain - welcome for the plants that is but less welcome for those whose day off it is.

Friday 16th March 2012

Today's highlights include the 3rd winter Glaucous Gull is still with us plus a Merlin flying in off the sea early on. Migrants in this morning included 11 Redwing, 4 Fieldfares, 3 Chiffs plus a couple of new Songies, Blackies, Chaffs & the first new Wren of the spring. Also on the move 35 Wigeon & a Curlew out to sea then north. Apart from the above an extremely predictable mid-March sort of morning although an adult Gannet following one of ships in as far as the river mouth is a bit on the odd side as they rarely follow the boats here. Finally the first Wheatears of the spring started to arrive fom late am onwards with 7 present by early pm.

March Litter Pick

Litter pick on the beaches this Saturday 17th March 0930hrs start. Further info on the events page of http://www.lbo.org.uk/

Thursday 15th March 2012

Yet another white winged gull has appeared in the form of a third-winter Glaucous Gull that has spent the entire morning just inside the dock compound in from the bus stop. Other migrants a bit thin on the ground this morning but included 80 Starlings, 3 Redwings & singles of Golden Plover, Jackdaw, Song Thrush & Reed Bunting.

Wednesday 14th March 2012

A small arrival of new Goldcrests, Robins, Redwings & singles of Chiffchaff, Fieldfare & Blacky. The Firecrest from a couple of days ago is still with us as is a 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull. Apart from these records it's a bit desperate with the mass of gulls feeding about 5 miles offshore not coming any closer for scrutiny. 2 Red-throated Divers & 2 Wigeon went north with 6 Common Scoter & an Oyk south. The first-winter Iceland Gull put in an appearance mid-day having followed a ship in from way out.

Tuesday 13th March 2012

First-winter Iceland Gull with us all morning is probably the same bird as yesterday that was incorrectly aged in the fog as a second-winter - oops ! A small arrival of new Blackies, Great Tits, Robins & singles of Dunnock & Goldcrest present on site this morning. Most of yesterdays Goldcrests plus the Firecrest are still with us but no sign of any Chiffchaffs. Flat calm morning with at least 30 Red-throated Divers in the distance offshore coming and going plus assorted seals, including mum + pup, on distant sandbars at low tide. The moth trap produced another Lead-coloured Drab.