Landguard Bird Observatory (@landguardbo) Bsky - nopzon.com

Bluesky Explorer

Posts by Landguard Bird Observatory

Monday 20th April 2026 A pair of breeding plumage Mediterranean gull (Larus melanocephalus) in some nice golden hour light. A cold morning with a reasonably strong N wind. Of note 2 Woodlark flew south calling, small movements of Mediterranean gull north 3 and south 2. A Black redstart and 10 wheatear remain present near the tip of the peninsula, with the morning flock of 10 Shelduck also present. Hirundine migration slowing with only 2 Swallow seen flying south. 4 Mallard were also seen in flight, a somewhat uncommon sight for Landguard. Moth trapping: Pebble prominent is the most noteworthy moth, alongside 3 Shuttle-shaped dart and a Swallow prominent. A freshly emerged Pebble prominent (Notodonta ziczac) Bird Ringing: 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Song thrush, 1 Blackcap.

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Sunday 19th April 2026 Hard work as the weather pattern has brought cooler north-westerly conditions. 15 Wheatear is a decentish count with other migrants including 9 Swallow, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Sand Martin, Sedge Warbler & what is presumably yesterdays Black Red. Small Mottled Willow is a far from annual autumn migrant that we have not noted in the spring before. Ringing: 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Magpie, 1 Sedge Warbler.

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Saturday 18th April 2026 Red kite (Milvus milvus) - appearing to be in active wing moult, making it a juvenile from last year or a bird not breeding this year. A cloudy start to the day with a slight bit of drizzle in the air, produced a small dose of migrants, Including; a Black redstart, a White wagtail, 6 Lesser Whitethroat and the group of Wheatear have increased to 12 individuals. Early morning a pair of Raven where seen flying north over the port and a juvenile Red kite was observed flying south late morning directly over the ringing room. A hedgehog was spotted running under a building while opening nets - but the photo is not worth showing as it was still quite dark. Hirundine migration: A steady flow of Swallows over the reserve, with 10 south and 4 north (birds that have likely overshot) and our first sighting of House martins this spring, with 2 flying south. A Sand martin was also seen flying South. Sea watching produced 21 Black headed gull, 14 Mediterranean gull, 4 Barnacle geese, 2 Jackdaw and a Common gull heading south. An Oystercatcher only observed flying North. A freshly dead porpoise washed up on the shore, likely from being struck by a boat, makes a tasty breakfast for the local herring gull. Moth trapping: 4 moths present, with a Shuttle Shaped dart again, Angle shades, Swallow prominent and double striped pug. Our first Large red damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) of this spring, seen in our heligoland trap - our first damselfly to be recorded this spring. Bird Ringing: 7 Blackcap, 5 Willow warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Lesser whitethroat, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Common whitethroat, 1 Sedge warbler, 1 Robin.

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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.

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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).

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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, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Linnet, 1 Song thrush, 1 Willow warbler.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Wren.

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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. 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: 1 Chiffchaff.

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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. 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.

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Thursday 9th April 2026 Our earliest arriving Reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) by 2 days. 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.

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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.

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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. 12 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 gey iris seen in birds born last Spring. *Supporting other ageing criteria: such as rr4-5 showing distinct white markings*.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. White wagtail (Motacilla alba) dropped in late afternoon. The scientific breakdown quite satisfying, Motare to move - cilli is tail. Alba is white. Ringing: 5 Chiffchaff

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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. 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.

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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!

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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.

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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

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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.

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Monday 30th March 2026 Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) seen on the cottage 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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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 two 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.

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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.

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