It was a beautiful frosty morning first thing with fog lingering on the grazing marsh. A very early start to make the most of the decent conditions for ringing, with no wind! However, this didn’t last long and the easterly wind very quickly picked up after sunrise.

However, we managed to catch some good things before the wind and sun became an issue. We caught 25 birds, 16 of which were new birds. We caught 7 new Chiffchaff and our first Blackcap, Sedge and Willow Warbler of the year! Finally, the migrants are starting to appear. We also had some more Swallow and Sand Martin through east in the morning.

The Barn Owl was showing well hunting over the grazing marsh this morning and the Tawny Owl in the Pines were being very vocal in the afternoon. There were two Redpoll and a Siskin in the Pines too. A Whimbrel was calling this morning.

We had a Clouded Drab and a lovely Water Carpet (below) in the moth traps today which was a first for me. There was a Peacock and Brimstone butterfly around the Observatory. A Common Lizard was seen scuttling across the east bank path.

Shannon Clifford,

Assistant Warden

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RARE BIRD ALERT

Norfolk Green-winged Teal drk Welney WWT still from Lyle Hide 52.5332,0.2814

Norfolk Ring Ouzel male Weybourne still at Weybourne Camp at west end c52.9503,1.1223

Norfolk Sandwich Tern Whitlingham Ctry Park still at Great Broad c52.6228,1.3366

Norfolk 4.Garganey Welney WWT from Main Observatory +3.Spoonbills 5.Spotted Redshanks 52.5278,0.2775

Norfolk Caspian Gull Thetford at Nunnery Lakes c52.3958,0.7473

Norfolk Black Redstart fem/1w.male Reepham in horse paddock east of Wood Dalling Road at 8.40am c52.7704,1.1179

Norfolk Hooded Crow Kelling north of A149 at Kelling Water Meadow flew east along beach at 8.39am c52.9525,1.1183

Norfolk Long-eared Owl y’day N.of Aylsham at Erpingham at Thwaite Common from Weavers’ Way between The Street +Thwaite Common Rd in evng +showing well (present 27+days) c52.8440,1.2600. Keep to f’path. Park at 52.8412,1.2570. Access via 52.8418,1.2591