A very windy day here at the Observatory and despite the sunny weather it felt pretty chilly standing in the wind. Too windy for ringing unfortunately. A Black Redstart made an appearance on the railings next to the obs whilst I was eating lunch and has been actively feeding and moving around between the Broadwater hide and in front of the obs (and is currently sitting on a post watching me type this as we speak!). A lovely bird to have around.

Otherwise, the 3 Cattle Egret were present this morning with the cows off the track and a Great White Egret gave great views flying along the Broadwater. Three Sand Martin flew over the grazing marsh in the afternoon and were visible later from the NWT car park hide. The Garganey were present again this morning with a male and drake reported from NWT car park hide, but were elusive in the afternoon.

In the moth traps today were only 14 individuals of 4 species, with 10 Hebrew Character, 2 Small Quaker, 1 Red-green Carpet and 1 Clouded Drab. Perhaps not surprising with the cold, clear night. There were two Cinnabar moths around earlier in the day and a Brimstone butterfly was around the pond. There was 10 Smooth Newt in the pond today.

Shannon Clifford

Assistant Warden

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RARE BIRD ALERT

Norfolk 2.Russian White-fronted Geese (both ads) Nar Valley Fisheries still on north shore with Greylag Geese c52.6923,0.4842

Norfolk 4+Shorelarks Holkham Bay still in roped-off area east of Holkham Gap c52.9765,0.8215. Park at c52.9665,0.8143

Norfolk Spotted Redshank Hickling Broad NWT still 1/3ml ESE of visitor centre at Brendan’s Marsh from mound 52.7393,1.5981. Park at c52.7422,1.5949

Norfolk 3.Garganey (2.drks) Hickling Broad NWT still 1/3ml ESE of visitor centre at Brendan’s Marsh from mound 52.7393,1.5981. Park at c52.7422,1.5949

Norfolk 2.Garganey (1.drk) Holme Dunes NWT still from 1st hide c52.9729,0.5501

Norfolk Garganey Welney WWT still +Russian White-fronted Goose still c52.5332,0.2814

Norfolk Water Pipit y’day Strumpshaw Fen RSPB still c52.6049,1.4501