The busiest day ringing of the Spring so far this year at the obs with 52 birds processed! We caught 9 new Chiffchaff, as well as some new Blackbird and Robin suggesting some birds are on the move. A few of the Chiffchaff had ‘pollen horns’ which are feathers that have become encrusted with pollen. Previous research has shown this is often Eucalyptus pollen in Phylloscopus warblers from feeding in North Africa, Spain and Portugal. We also caught a few new Goldfinch and Linnet which are frequenting the bushes around the nets. Other ringing highlights include Cetti’s Warbler and Goldcrest.

The drake Garganey was still on the Broadwater today and a Cattle Egret was with the cattle off the track again this morning.

The moth traps were a bit busier this morning with 29 individuals of 11 species, with 1 March Moth, 2 Common Quaker, 1 Clouded Drab, 15 Hebrew Character, 2 Shoulder Stripe, 1 Dotted Border, 1 Early Grey, 1 Dotted Chestnut, 2 Small Quaker, 1 Diurnea fagella and 1 Pine Beauty which was new for the year. Despite the increase in temperature and sunny spells there were no butterflies today.

Shannon Clifford

Assistant Warden

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RARE BIRD ALERT

Norfolk Garganey drk Cantley Marshes RSPB at 11.45am 52.5729,1.5009

Norfolk Black Redstart Cley NWT at north end of East Bank by Richardson’s Lookout 52.9605,1.0650

Norfolk 9.Lesser White-fronted Geese (from Swedish reintroduction scheme) Cley NWT still early a’noon on north bank of Simmonds’ Scrape c52.9601,1.0542. Viewed from c52.9580,1.0544. Park at 52.9544,1.0564

Norfolk Black Redstart Thornham still on roof of village hall c52.9584,0.5721

Norfolk Black Redstart fem/1w.male Welney WWT on bridge to Main Observatory +Russian White-fronted Goose male.Hen Harrier Spoonbill 52.5278,0.2775

Norfolk Garganey drk Welney WWT still 52.5341,0.2821

Norfolk Garganey drk Holme Dunes NWT still from 1st hide c52.9746,0.5400

Norfolk Hawfinch Morston c52.9577,0.9855

Norfolk Black Redstart Cockley Cley by raptor viewpoint layby c52.6034,0.6871

Norfolk 2.Long-tailed Ducks (ad.drk +1w.drk) Weybourne still on sea off Weybourne Camp c52.9495,1.1293

Norfolk Black Redstart male Bacton at Rainbow’s End Chalet Park on bench by track to beach at 9am 52.8510,1.4837

Norfolk 9.Lesser White-fronted Geese (from Swedish reintroduction scheme) Cley NWT still at North Scrape c52.9609,1.0574

Norfolk 4+Hawfinches Aylsham still at Palmer’s Lane c52.7928,1.2519

Norfolk Black Redstart male Winterton at north end of North Dunes by concrete blocks 52.7364,1.6797. Park at 52.7179,1.6982

Norfolk Glossy Ibis ad just east of Stiffkey still on flood south of A149. Park in A149 layby +walk west c52.9538,0.9440. Viewed from c52.9544,0.9471. Park at c52.9547,0.9510

Norfolk 7.Lesser White-fronted Geese (1.colour-ringed; from Swedish reintroduction scheme) ENE of Stiffkey still south of A149 c52.9527,0.9540. Viewed from c52.9537,0.9539. Park at c52.9547,0.9512. Accessed via c52.9545,0.9515

Norfolk 2.Black Redstarts (1.male) Hunstanton at south beach by chalets c52.9336,0.4810

Norfolk 2.Garganey Hickling Broad NWT still c1/3ml ESE of visitor centre at Brendan’s Marsh from platform c52.7386,1.6051. Park at c52.7422,1.5949

Norfolk 8.Shorelarks Holkham Bay still in roped-off area east of Holkham Gap c52.9759,0.8214. Park at c52.9665,0.8143

Norfolk 2.Black Redstarts Morston still on boats by Morston Quay car park c52.9574,0.9858

Norfolk Black Redstart male Hunstanton at south beach by chalets c52.9336,0.4810

Norfolk Ring Ouzel Cromer on golf course c200yds east of lighthouse c52.9242,1.3200