Wednesday 1st March 2017

The start of the ringing and migration season here at Landguard began slowly as was to be expected, with very little migration on show. A solitary Fieldfare was on site first thing, along with 2 Meadow Pipit and 1 Skylark heading north to their breeding sites, whilst offshore 8 Brent Geese went north along with 1 Red-throated Diver, and 1 Great crested Grebe and 3 Carrion Crows went south. On site 3 Ringed Plover, 9 Goldfinch and at least 1 Peregrine and Kestrel are lurking.

7 birds were ringed: 2 Goldfinch and 1 each of Chaffinch, Robin, Blackbird, Blue Tit and Wren.

February Ringing Total

3 birds ringed of 3 species - 1 House Sparrow, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Blackbird. This low total is indicative of having no significant cold snaps during the month and is not unique by any means.

Tuesday 28th February 2017

At least 3,000 seagulls offshore this morning but just a single Gannet with a Bonxie also putting in an appearance on a couple of occasions. 19 Barnacle Geese went south plus 13 north but very little else moving offshore.

Monday 27th February 2017

Rain on and off all morning. Flock of 34 Redwing on site is interesting in the fact that we have had this species on several occasions recently whereas passage didn't used to start until into the first week of March. A definite increase in gull numbers following shipping in from out to sea plus at least 20 Gannet & a Bonxie. Very little else moving with the highlight being a single Fulmar.

Sunday 26th February 2016

Just 473 Cormorants heading out to sea fishing this morning but with dawn getting earlier they have been going out on many days before anyone arrives on site.Offshore movements included southbound 32 Gannet, 5 Brent, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, Red-throated Diver & Eider with northbound 3 Red-throated Diver. Migrant passerines were 5 Siskin south plus a Fieldfare on site early on. 2 Purple Sands were along the riverbank on the rising tide.

A Satellite was today's moth which is a species that is occasionally in the traps in the late autumn.

Ringing: 1 House Sparrow

Saturday 25th February 2017

5 Scaup flying south is the first sighting of this species since we last saw any which is so many years ago I can't remember when ! Back in the day they used to get noted at least annually but not any more. Also on the move southbound 50 Red-throated Diver, 39 Brent, 4 Shelduck, 2 Knot, Red-breasted Merganser, Common Scoter & Avocet with northbound 30 Brent & 5 Red-throats plus up to 8 Gannet appearing offshore when shipping was coming in or out. The Avocet is also worth highlighting as the first record of the year so far.

Friday 24th February 2017

Storm Doris did her worst so plenty of tidying up to do as several lilacs, elders & brambles came down in the compound along with many smaller branches. Plenty of wind blown litter on site originating from the docks to clear up as well. 5 Grey Geese flew south a fair way offshore but eluded specific identification. Apart from that southbound 5 Red-throated Diver, 3 Brents with northbound 10 Red-throated Diver & 2 Brent.