30th August
At Landguard this morning two Whinchats were present along with six Wheatears, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroats, c30 Willow Warblers and a Spotted Flycatcher. Southbound vis mig included three Grey Wagtails and two Yellow Wagtails.
A Marsh Sandpiper was reported from Levington Creek at 08.30hh before it flew off east towards the Marina.
An excellent count of c50 Willow Emeralds was made at Candlet Farm.
29th August
An early morning visit to Trimley Marshes with Paul Holmes and the rest of the Saturday crew (Justin, Will, Nant, Eddie and Dave) produced between us, one Little Egret, Hobby, the three summering Wigeon, four Greenshank, four Ruff, a Dunlin, singles of both Common and Green Sandpiper, seven Yellow Wagtails and a Wheatear. A look for Wasp Spiders at the estuary end of 'The Bund' produced at least 14 insects along with an excellent male Willow Emerald Damselfly, a couple of Long-winged Coneheads (one of which had been trapped by one of the Wasp Spiders) and a few Roesel's Bush Crickets. We then all went to Landguard where the highlights were a Whinchat, six Wheatears, Nightingale, a Lesser Whitethroat and reasonable numbers of Willow Warblers.
Following the discovery of the Willow Emerald Damselfly colony at Candlet Farm Paul and I decided that it would be a good idea to have a look at some likely spots nearby to see if we could find any-more of these smart insects. Im happy to say that we did. A further eight insects were found at the pond in 'The Wilderness Wood'.
Wilderness Wood Pond is located at TM297379 (the top circled area) and is an easy ten or so minute walk from Candlet Farm. When you walk into the wood there is a footpath that heads east. Follow this for about 70 yards to view the pond on your left. Excellent views were obtained of the Damselflies here with singles seen as well as a pair 'in tandem'.
Candlet Farm is circled below. Though we had 12 insects along the north south footpath Will Brame, who was there around mid day counted at least 40 individuals including some along the east-west footpath leading up to the site.
If you visit these sites please park sensibly as these are single track roads. Thank you.
28th August
Yesterday Mike James went on a walk around 'the wilderness' as the once little watched area has become to be known between north Felixstowe and Kingsfleet around Candlet Farm (Grid Ref TM 293367) and found a few Willow Emerald Damselflies. Today Paul Homes went to check them out and found a staggering 30+ insects feeding in rank vegatation along the north bound bridle-way around the above grid reference. What an excellent find by Mike. One can only speculate as to how many more of these insects there are in other suitable habitats near-by.
Didgy's by Mike James.
The only over news concerns a Otter which was seen on and off at Loompit Lake during the day (Will Brame). Also a juvenile Hobby was seen here.
25th August
Didgy's by Paul Holmes and Will Brame.
At Landguard today a aberrent plumaged Bunting was found (Paul Holmes) showing field charactoristics of an Ortolan Bunting. Also present here were four Wheatears and singles of both Spotted Flycatcher and Redstart.
24th August
Around Kingsfleet this morning a Whinchat and a Little Ringed Plover were seen whilst on the Golf Links two Wheatears and three Yellow Wagtails were present (Will Brame). A family party of five Spotted Flycatchers were noted in the wood near the entrance to Levington Marina (per BINs).
23rd August
Two and a half hours spent sea-watching from the point at Landguard produced one light phase adult Arctic Skua, four Arctic Terns, 23 Common Terns, four Sandwich Terns, 11 Common Scoter, four Grey Plover, 21 Dunlin, one adult Curlew Sandpiper (in Dunlin flock), two Knot, four Turnstone, one adult Sanderling (with the Turnstone), a Whimbrel, and five Curlew. Also noted was a 'blogging juvenile/first winter Mediterranean Gull. From the Obs four Greenshank flew over and a Pied Flycatcher and Garden Warbler were trapped. Three Wheatears were on the Reserve along with a Clouded Yellow.
At Trimley Marshes this morning highlights were four Buzzards, one Peregrine, three Green Sandpipers, one Common Sandpiper, seven Ruff, one Greenshank and two Yellow Wagtails (Ernie Lucking and Dave Langlois). An evening visit to Levington Creek produced 150+ Golden Plover, eight Grey Plover, 140+ Ringed Plover, 41 Dunlin, one Common Sandpiper and a Hobby. Of interest was the Hobby catching a Dunlin...a most unusual prey item for this species..!? (Will Brame).
22nd August
Very quiet on the 'passage' wader front at Trimley Marshes this morning with two Ruff and a Green Sandpiper being the sole representatives. Highlights included two Common Buzzards and the first summer Hobby as well as one Little Egret. Other birds of note included five Pintail on the reservoir. Passerines included the family party of Bullfinches along 'The Bund', Lesser Whitethroat, Spotted Flycatcher and a couple of Yellow Wagtails.
20th August
In the wood next to Levington Marina three Spotted Flycatchers were seen today. At Levington Creek 300+ Golden Plover were present along with five Grey Plover, 74 Ringed Plover, two Greenshanks, 52 Black-tailed Godwits and 20+ Dunlin (Will Brame). At Landguard two Pied Flycatchers were present (BINs/LBO web). Also single Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail and a Mediterranean Gull here today.
Family party of Spotted Flycatchers. Didgy by Will Brame.
19th August.
The sometimes elusive drake Red-crested Pochard was noted again on the reservoir at Trimley Marshes today along with a juv/first winter Yellow-legged Gull. Three Ruff were also noted (N,Odin).
18th August
Trimley Marshes thid morning produced highlights of 60+ Black-tailed Godwits, a Green Sandpiper, two Common Sandpipers, two Ruff, three Common Buzzards, three Yellow Wagtails and at least 20 Wasp Spiders (Justin Zantboer). At Felixstowe Ferry a noteworthy count of 13 Greenshanks was logged (Will Brame).
17th August
Highlights at Trimley this afternoon were; one Wood Sandpiper, one Green Sandpiper, two Common Sandpipers, Whimbrel and a Greenshank (Gerald Jobson).
16th August
Highlights at Trimley Marshes this morning included two Wood Sandpipers, three Green Sandpipers, seven Common Sandpipers, ten Ruff, and three Greenshank. Raptors noted were three Common Buzzards, two Marsh Harriers and singles of both Sparrowhawk and Hobby (Ernie Lucking and Dave Langois).
A couple of new colonies of Wasp Spiders have been found today, one at Peewit Hill (Will Brame) and another along the sea/river wall about 500 yards north from the first style by Felixstowe Ferry Salt Marsh (Andrew Curtis per Justin).
15th August
At Trimley Marshes this morning the Wood Sandpiper was still present along with one Green Sandpiper, seven Common Sandpipers, eight Ruff, a juvenile Little Ringed Plover and 40+ Black-tailed Godwits. Duck numbers are beginning to increase with c50 Teal and 30+ Shoveler present. A Grasshopper Warbler was seen near the Information Hut during the afternoon.One Marsh Harrier and the first summer Hobby were also noted (Justin Zantboer, Will Brame, Eddie Marsh et al). Continueing on with raptor records a Osprey flew south over south Felixstowe/Docks at 15.42hh (PO), and at Falkenham Marshes a juvenile Montagu's Harrier and juvenile Peregrine were seen (Will Brame).
14th August
A Wood Sandpiper was again present at Trimley Marshes around lunchtime along with, three Green Sandpipers, eight Common Sandpipers, four Ruff, two Greenshank, one juvenile Little Ringed Plover, 30+ Black-tailed Godwits and two Snipe (Justin Zantboer).
Late news for yesterday. A juvenile Yellow-legged Gull was seen from Brackenbury Cliffs (Will Brame).
13th August
Trimley Marshes at lunchtime produced two Wood Sandpiers, five Green Sandpipers, nine Common Sandpiers, four Ruff, two Greenshank, 32 Black-tailed Godwits, one Golden Plover, six Snipe, three Little Egrets and five Yellow Wagtails (Justin Zantboer and Mark Angliss).
At Loompit Lake four Little Egrets were present while further up-stream at Levington Creek c150 Golden Plover were noted along with one Greenshank and two Little Egrets. The Wheatear was also present between the Lagoon and Marina (Mark Angliss).
12th August
Levington Creek and the surrounding area continues to be good value with highlights being 32 Grey Plover, 100+ Golden Plover, 30+ Black-tailed Godwits and one Bar-tailed Godwit. A Wheatear and a Whinchat were also noted here (Will Brame).
An evening visit to Trimley Marshes produced one Wood Sandpiper, five Green Sandpipers, eight Common Sandpipers, six Ruff, one Grey Plover, one Greenshank, 23 Avocets and 37 Black-tailed Godwits (Ernie Lucking).
11th August
At Trimley Marshes this afternoon a Wood Sandpiper was present. Other waders of note included seven Ruff, c70 Black-tailed Godwits, five Green Sandpipers and three Common Sandpipers, The drake Red-crested Pochard was again present on the Reservoir (Nigel Odin)
10th August
At Levington Creek today Golden Plover numbers had increasd to a noteworthy 345+ birds. Other birds of note included 12 Grey Plover, 30+ Black-tailed Godwits, two of both Bar-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel, three Greenshank, five Turnstone, six Dunlin and two Little Egrets (Justin Zantboer).
9th August
Trimley Marshes this morning produced highlights of the male Red-crested Pochard on the reservoir, three Little Egrets, a Marsh Harrier, two Common Buzzards,, Peregrine, 28 Avocet, seven Ruff, 37 Black-tailed Godwits, one Whimbrel, four Green Sandpipers, nine Common Sandpipers, one Mediterranean Gull, a Cuckoo and two Yellow Wagtails (Ernie Lucking and Dave Langois).
8th August
At Landguard this morning the first Common Redstart of the autumn was seen along with a Wheatear, Lesser Whitethroat and c15 Willow Warblers. Other birds of note were a moulting second summer/third winter Mediterranean Gull, two Sandwich Terns, two Turnstones and a Yellow Wagtail. They were quiet a few Migrant Hawkers as well as a couple of Emperor Dragonflies and a few Common Darters. A few Roesel's Bush Crikets were also found along 'The Butts'. In the grounds of the Customs House down View Point Road an immature Pied Flycatcher was present at least early this morning.
Trimley Marshes this morning produced the male Red-crested Pochard, 40+ Teal, a juvenile Little Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, six Ruff, four Green Sandpipers, eight Common Sandpipers, two Dunlin, 80+ Black-tailed Godwits, four Snipe, 15+ Yellow Wagtails and the singing male Cetti's Warbler. Along 'The Bund' a family party of Bullfinches and a familly party of Treecreepers were noted along with good numbers of Warblers. A total of 16 Wasp Spiders were also found (Justin Zantboer et al)..
7th August
A few hours spent at Trimley Marshes around high tide today.Highlights were three Little Egrets, the male Red-crested Pochard, an adult male and juvenile Marsh Harrier, the first summer Hobby, a juv/immature female Peregrine, seven Mediterranean Gulls on the Orwell Island including two juvs that were both beginning to moult into first winter plumage and a Water Rail. Other birds of note included 42 Avocet, 126 Black-tailed Godwits, one Golden Plover, five Ruff, one Greenshank, four Green Sandpipers and seven Common Sandpipers. Six Yellow Wagtails were also present on the summer flood.
Insects of note included two to three Small Red-eyed Damselflies, Roesels Bush Crickets, Long and Short-winged Coneheads and a few Wasp Spiders.
News from else-where includes, from Landguard, the first Pied Flycatcher of the autumn as well as a fly over Wood Sandpiper this morning (LBO web/BINs).
6th August
At Levington Creek mid morning four Whimbrel were present along with four Bar-tailed Godwits, 24 Black-tailed Godwits, two Greenshank, 60+ Ringed Plover, 15 Turnstone, 50+ Golden Plover and eight Grey Plover (Will Brame).
Trimley Marshes at lunch time produced 30+ Oystercatchers, 64 Black-tailed Godwits, two juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, two Green Sandpipers, nine Common Sandpipers, four Ruff, one Greenshank and three Little Egrets (Justin Zantboer).
5th August
A few hours spent mostly insect bashing at Trimley Marshes. Two colonies of Wasp Spiders were found along 'The Bund' with the accumulated total being 14 insects. There could quiet possibly have been more but there was no need to go further into the areas as many could be seen from the track. Other recent colonists included Roesels Bush Crickets a couple of which are didgied (?) below. The insect on the left has a normal wing length whilst the right hand individual is what is known as a macropterous type which basically means 'longer winged than normal'. This form is thought to evolve when a population has become established or over populated enabling rapid range expansion when favourable weather conditions present themselves. Whether these insects are locally bred or are part of the insect 'invasion' we have witnessed this year is open to speculation but the fact that all appeared to have very worn wings would suggest that these insects came from else-where. There certainly has been a very noticable increase in numbers this year.
Other insects of note included at least one Small Red-eyed Damselfly and a Clouded Yellow. Birds of note included three Little Egrets, 28 (feral) Barnacle Geese, two juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, two Greenshank, six Ruff, one Whimbrel, five Green Sandpipers, eight Common Sandpipers, four Mediterranean Gulls, the first summer Hobby and five Yellow Wagtails.
News from elsewhere includes 44 Golden Plover, an excellent early autumn count of 26 Grey Plovers, four Greenshank, Whimbrel and a Little Egret at Levington Creek (Justin Zantboer). The first Wheatear of the autumn was noted at Landguard (LBO web).
4th August
At Trimley Marshes today around lunchtime a juvenile Little Ringed Plover was seen along with five Ruff, two Greenshank, three Geen Sandpipers and six Common Sandpipers. Also noted were 3+ Small Red-eyed Damselflies (Justin Zantboer). In recent days good numbers of Wasp Spiders have been found (Mick Wright).
Sea watching intermittently throughout the day from Undercliffe produced southbound movements of 17 Common Scoter, 21 Curlew, four Grey Plover, six Bar-tailed Godwits, seven Whimbrel, 63 Common Terns, nine Sandwich Terns, four Little Terns, one Black Tern and two Little Gulls. In addition a Arctic Skua flew north.
3rd August
At Levington Creek Golden Plover numbers conttinue to increase with 136 present around lunchtime. Other birds of note included six Grey Plover, five Black-tailed Godwits, a Whimbrel, one Greenshank and three Dunlin (Justin Zantboer).
2nd August
A Ruppell's Griffon Vulture was seen over Kingsfleet and Trimley must have given the observers a bit of a shock to say the least. Also a juvenile Montagu's Harrier was noted at Felixstowe Ferry which was watched flying towards the Water Tower at Trimley (Will Brame).
1st August
An excellent morning at Trimley Marshes. Birds noted were, two adult Black Terns, 30+ Avocets, a juvenile Little Ringed Plover, five Ringed Plovers, Grey Plover, two Greenshank, one Spotted Redshank, 11 Ruff, 40+ Black-tailed Godwits, five Green Sandpipers and eight Common Sandpipers. Also present were a Mediterranean Gull, at least three Yellow Wagtails and a Cetti's Warbler. Also of note was a female Willow Emerald along the path to the reservoir hide (Justin Zantboer and Eddie Marsh et al).
A couple of didgy's of the Willow Emerald by Eddie Marsh (left) and the finder Will Brame (right).. This species remains a very rare vagrant to our shores with only a handfull of records up to todays date. What a excellent find. The only other record for this species on the peninsula was one found by Will Brame near Loompit Lake on the 17th August 2007.
At Landguard this morning highlights were a couple of Fieldfares in off the sea along with a few Blackbirds and Redwings. Five Tree Sparrows were also present for half a hour or so before heading off high inland. Other birds of note included a northbound Gannet and a Swallow. Also of note during the day were 21 southbound Pink-footed Geese, four Red-throated Divers, Rock Pipit and the male Peregrine.
Five Firecrests were again present at Landguard today with four new birds ringed. Considering that four birds were also ringed yesterday this shows a considerable turn-over of birds over the past two days. Other grounded migrants included at least 30 Blackbirds, 15 Song Thrushes, four Redwings, a Common Whitethroat, two Blackcaps, a couple of Chiffchaffs and three Bramblings. Of note was a juvenile Gannet that flew up the River Orwell only to return an hour or so later flying low over the Observatory and heading out to sea again. Four Mediterranean Gulls were also 'blogging'. Passerine 'vis mig' included southbound movements of 13 Swallows and two Grey Wagtails whilst out to sea 16 Common Scoter flew south along with 80 Brent Geese and a few Wigeon.
Trimley Marshes at lunch time produced eight Ruff, one Greenshank, eight Avocet, 60+ Lapwing, 65 Wigeon, 850+ Teal and 35 Shoveler (Justin Zantboer).
