Despite the blustery conditions, warblers were still well represented today with Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Common Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat all singing. For the latter, we recorded 3 singing Lesser Whitethroat today in the recording area, one of which was still in the scrub next to the NOA car park. There’s a single White Wagtail still around.

There was still one female Ring Ouzel in the horse paddock from Broadwater Road. It was very elusive and seen only briefly before hopping into the Willow scrub. There was also 3 Mistle Thrush in the paddock which was nice to see.

Mistle Thrush

We had great views of Weasel today on the reserve, it was very curious and stared at us for a few minutes before disappearing and reappearing under a plastic box!

Weasel

It was quiet in the moth traps again today, not helped by the windy conditions. There was 5 Muslin, 1 Hebrew Character, 1 Red Chestnut and 1 Northern Drab. This is only the second Northern Drab of the year, with the first on the 16^th April. These are a locally distributed moth in Norfolk, mainly along the coast. It was quiet also for butterflies, but it was generally quite a chilly day in the wind, with only 2 Speckled Wood and 1 Large White.

Northern Drab – well camouflaged on the pine!

Shannon Clifford – Assistant Warden

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RARE BIRD ALERT

Norfolk 3.Ring Ouzels Cawston Heath still 2.43pm at west end c52.7692,1.1980

Norfolk 3.Ring Ouzels Eastgate at 2.43pm 52.7678,1.1989: Viewed from 52.7678,1.1998

Norfolk 1+Garganey Welney WWT still 52.5332,0.2814

Norfolk Ring Ouzel Waxham c52.7684,1.6390

Norfolk 2.Garganey (1.drk) Hickling Broad NWT still at east end of Brendan’s Marsh mid morning 52.739,1.6063. Viewed from 52.7387,1.6077. Park at c52.7422,1.5949

Norfolk 2.Ring Ouzels (both males) Cawston Heath still 10.45am 52.7665,1.2009

Norfolk Ring Ouzel Horsey on pill box 52.7564,1.6555

Norfolk 2.Ring Ouzels Salthouse still mid morning in field NW of Salthouse Heath 52.9426,1.0792

Norfolk 2.Ring Ouzels Beeston Bump c52.9435,1.2244

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

Norfolk 3.Ring Ouzels Weybourne at west end of Weybourne Camp near weather station c52.9517,1.1207

Norfolk 2.Ring Ouzels Salthouse still at west end of Salthouse Heath c52.9403,1.0772

Norfolk Ring Ouzel y’day flew south over Hunstanton Cliffs in morning c52.9498,0.4933

Norfolk Velvet Scoter drk y’day flew west past Sheringham at 9.08am 52.9459,1.2069

Norfolk 2.Ring Ouzels (both males) Cawston Heath still at west end c52.7692,1.1980