LBO Home Page

Saturday 27th May 2017


Orange Footman only occurs here very occasionally and has not been recorded for the last three years.
There was a clear sky overnight and strong southeasterly wind during the start of the morning, topped with a thunder storm to finish the morning. No grounded migrants noted today but a family party of freshly fledged Goldfinch are the first juvenile Goldfinch seen on the reserve for this year.
Passage over the reserve going South 1 Siskin, 6 Swallow, 6 Swift and 1 North. Offshore going North 1 Avocet.

6 birds ringed: 4 Magpie, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Linnet

Friday 26th May 2017


With warmer conditions plenty of Common Blue butterflies are now on the wing.
A glorious day in late May and the main passage of migrants has slowed down, this morning 71 Brent geese going North being the only movement noted, other  newly arrived migrants on the reserve over recent days have now moved on. The Starling flock has increased as juvenile birds fledge to join the communal foraging and the Magpies are busy collecting food to take back to the nest.


Todays feature moth is Iron Prominent that puts an appearance in here occasionally.

1 bird ringed: 1 Woodpigeon

Thursday 25th May 2017


The 3 pairs of resident Song Thrush have all unfortunately failed during their first nesting attempt this spring, they have now started their second clutch.
A Serin was seen briefly just before 9 o'clock this morning, it came in high and settled out of sight in the brambles it was not relocated from there, a Reed Warbler was the only other migrant seen on the reserve during the morning. Passage over the reserve was a Yellow Wagtail going North, 1 Swallow also going North and 1 going South. Offshore 18 Barnacle Geese went North.


Todays pretty moth is a Burnished Brass.

5 birds ringed: 1 Blackbird, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Linnet, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Robin

Wednesday 24th May 2017


Landguard can actually look like a nature reserve at times when nobody is about, however the clear blue sky and warm calm day is an indication towards the low passage seen today. On the receding tide the number of Terns present had greatly reduced with 4 Common Tern and 2 Little Tern seen this morning, 1 Fulmar going south being the only passage noted offshore, over the beach 6 Swallow went South, 1 Blackcap and 1 Chiffchaff were the only new migrants seen on the reserve.


The warmer weather does bring more moths though and Caloptilia robustella is a good looker in the micro department.

4 birds ringed: 1 Blackcap, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Swallow

Tuesday 23rd May 2017


This male Linnet was looking smart in the sun this morning. 
Some passage offshore early this morning going North, a skein of 50 Brent Geese and during the morning over the reserve going South, 16 Swallow and 3 House Martin. A single Chiffchaff was a new arrival on the reserve, off the point 14 Common Tern and 5 Little Tern were feeding.


Moth variety continuing to increase with our first Poplar Hawk-moth for this year coming out.

4 birds ringed: 1 chiffchaff, 1 Blackbird,1 Greenfinch, 1 Linnet

Monday 22nd May 2017


Off the beach during high tide this morning a count of 22 Common Tern and 5 Little Tern with these 2 pictured stopping off for a moment, 4 Sanderling were also on the beach.
Noted on the reserve are the first fledged juvenile Linnet for this year and the Starling flock also continues to increase with freshly fledged juveniles.
Passage over the reserve with 32 Swallow South and offshore 2 Bar-tailed Godwit also going South.


White Point was formerly a migrant species but has been classed as resident now for many years.

2 birds ringed: 1 Great Tit, 1 Linnet

Sunday 21st May 2017


Down to 2 Wheatear and single Blackcap & Spot Fly in the grounded migrant department as spring passage for many common species is grinding to a halt. Offshore northbound 52 Brent, 3 Barnacles, 2 Little Egret and 1 Whimbrel, southbound 14 Black-headed Gull, 9 Shelduck, 4 Barnacles, 2 Oyk & 2 Sanderling plus 2 Avocet heading in land. Also heading south 62 Swallow, 4 House Martin & 2 Goldfinch.

4 birds ringed: Blackbird, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Spotted Flycatcher.