Thursday 7th May 2020

Chaffinch numbers have been plummeting in recent years across the UK and has been lost as a breeding bird at Landguard. Four seen this morning are probably birds originating from way up north in Europe on their way back from whence they came.

A clear still morning with some haze up river led to a beautiful day. Things were quiet on the sea with a Whimbrel, Curlew and a noisy group 4 Sandwich Terns heading North and a Dunlin was in the old Aggregate Yard with a Ringed Plover. A Hobby came in off the sea, pursued by a group of Pied Wagtails. At least 10 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Whitethroats, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, a Reed Warbler, a Garden Warbler and a Spotted Flycatcher were in the Bushes. Vis-mig included 24 Swallows, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Sand Martins, 2 Yellowhammers and a Tree Pipit.

With the warm weather lots of Butterflies were on the wing, with Green Hairstreak, Small Coppers, Holly Blues, Large, Small and Green-veined Whites, Peacocks and Red Admirals all noted. The first Large Red Damselfly was on Butts pond with a Broad Bodied Chaser also present.

A Slow Worm was basking by one of the Batteries again and a Common Seal was seen offshore.

Finally who wouldn't want to see the first Poplar Hawk-moth of the year.

Ringing: 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Linnet, 1 Wood Pigeon, 1 Willow Warbler

Wednesday 6th May 2020

Always good to get 3 Whinchat on a spring morning with a supporting cast of 4 Wheatear, 2 Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff & Redstart plus the usual Whitethroats & Lesser's singing their little hearts out. 2 Whimbrel went out then north but nothing else noted on the move. Late news - Spot Fly appeared early afternoon.

Moth traps are producing very little not helped by cool overnight temperatures and easterly winds. Lychnis is now appearing which is a species we just get odd ones of throughout the season.

Ringing: 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Redstart, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Wheatear, 1 Wood Pigeon.

Tuesday 5th May 2020

A strong easterly wind this morning which seemed to be able to whip round corners.

Bird wise it was rather quiet, a Redstart was in the scrub between the Cottage and the Mine Station. The usual Whitethroats and Lesser Whitethroats were still singing from their territories and 2 Chiffchaffs were passing through. On the reserve there were still 5 Wheatears by the Tank Blocks and a White Wagtail with the Pieds. Vis-mig included 6 Goldfinches and 7 Swallows.

On the Sea a Sandwich Tern and 7 Whimbrel headed north and 46 Common Terns were feeding in the River Mouth.

Tachystola acroxantha is an adventive species from Australia that is common here.

Ringing: 1 Chiffchaff

Monday 4th May 2020

A male Slow Worm within the Fort

Landguard felt a bit like an island first thing this morning, with fog covering the sea to the east and the river to the west but with blue skies present above the Observatory.

Sadly it didn't do much to bring in the birds, with the usual Lesser Whitethroats and Whitethroats in place and only a few migrants. A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling over the noise of the Port behind the Fort,  2 Chiffchaffs and 2 Willow Warblers were in the bushes. Vis-mig included 14 Swallows, 6 Sand Martins and 6 Goldfinch.

On the Reserve a Whimbrel was on the Beach and 5 Wheatears were by the Tank Blocks. On the sea a Bonxie headed north and 14 Common Terns loitered by the river mouth.

A few more butterflies were on the wing with an Orange-tip and Holly Blue seen on the Reserve. A male Slow Worm was recorded within the Fort, a notable record as none were seen last year.

'Bird Poo' moths are always challenging for the faint hearted. This one is Epiblema scutulana, the larval are partial to the roots and stems of Thistles.

Ringing: 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Wheatear, 1 Willow Warbler

Sunday 3rd May 2020

Calm & overcast morning. Migrants include 11 Wheatear, 8 Whitethroat, 4 Lesser 'throat, 3 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff & Yellow Wag. Vis mig southbound 15 Black-headed Gull, 10 Crows, 9 Goldfinch, 7 Med Gull, 7 Swallow & Jackdaw with northbound 2 Barnacle Geese & 2 Jackdaw. Offshore barely worth a mention although a Kittiwake loitering was notable for the time of year.

Female Emperor Moth very occasional come to light with this one looking like it has already had a rough time so the males might have encountered her already.

Ringing : 3 Blackcap, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Linnet, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Wood Pigeon.

Saturday 2nd May 2020

Barnacle Geese passing the Observatory 

Westerly winds this morning with a few migrants in the bushes. There was a small increase in the Whitethroats with 8 present today, at least 4 Willow Warbler, 3 Blackcaps, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, a Sedge Warbler and Garden Warbler were also present. Vis-mig today included a Rook, 40 Goldfinch,  22 Swallows, 2 House Martins and 2 Jays and a Greenfinch.

A Little Ringed Plover was on the ground in the Aggregate Yard, 7 Wheatears were by the Tank Blocks and a Turnstone and 4 Sanderling on the Jetty at low water.

On the sea 2 Mallard, 4 Whimbrel headed north and a Curlew and 10 Barnacle Geese headed south.

Ringing: 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Wheatear, 1 Blackcap, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Wren

Friday 1st May 2020

Another day of showers interspaced with sunny periods but with an ever present south westerly wind.

Sadly lacking the excitement of yesterday, there were still some good birds to be found with a smart male Redstart, at least 9 Willow Warblers, 4 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Whitethroats and a Chiffchaff present in the bushes.  Vis-mig included 3 Swifts, 2 Siskins, a Swallow, a Sand Martin and a Yellow Wagtail.

On the Reserve 8 Wheatears were still around the Tank Blocks and a Sedge Warbler was singing at the northern end.

On the Sea, 7 Common Terns were fishing off the Jetty, 2 Fulmars, 7 Oystercathers, 2 Med Gulls and a Whimbrel headed south. 

At first light this morning 2 Muntjac were making their way off of the point and there were 2 Common Seals offshore.

Despite having a day with a reasonable count of Willow Warblers on site and ringing 6 birds, better than the whole of April with only 5 ringed, the numbers have continued to tumble and we've still only caught a single Whitethroat this year. As the graphs show this isn't a recent phenomenon and sadly its unlikely to be any different this year.

Ringing: 6 Willow Warbler, 1 Carrion Crow, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Redstart, 1 Robin.