A very early start to get here before sunrise as the conditions looked promising for ringing. It was a chilly start and very overcast most of the day. We caught 22 birds in total before the easterly wind picked up. Of these, 13 birds were new including 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Robin, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 1 Cetti’s Warbler and 1 Reed Warbler (the first one caught of the year!). Our 9 retraps included 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Wren, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 1 Coal Tit and 1 Reed Warbler. The Reed Warbler was a returning adult from 2022, so hopefully back for it’s fourth successful breeding season.

Reed Warbler

There was a very vocal Cuckoo calling from the grazing marsh at first light. There were 14 Whimbrel in the field next to Thornham Harbour and 1 Ruff in the Thornham pools. There was also one Spoonbill on the reserve.

We had 14 individuals of 7 species in the moth traps this morning including 1 Powdered Quaker, 5 Hebrew Character, 4 Muslin, 1 Dark Sword Grass, Northern Drab, 1 Black-fronted Straw (C. atricapitana) and our first Flame Shoulder of the year! There were several Cinnabar moths on the paths and only 1 Speckled Wood and no other butterflies today.

Black-fronted Straw (C. atricapitana)

Shannon Clifford – Assistant Warden

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RARE BIRD ALERT

Norfolk Ring Ouzel Saxlingham c52.9153,1.0092

Norfolk 6.Ring Ouzels (4.males) Roydon Common NNR /Grimston Warren c52.7701,0.4872

Norfolk American Wigeon drk Salthouse still 11.11am on pools east of Iron Road 52.9557,1.0867. Park at 52.953,1.0842

Norfolk Turtle Dove Kelling Heath c52.9319,1.1216

Norfolk Black Redstart fem/1w.male Burnham Overy by boat house c52.9646,0.7445

Norfolk Ring Ouzel Hardley Street still at Hardley Staithe in stubble field beyond shooting ponds +Short-eared Owl c52.5625,1.5197

Norfolk American Wigeon drk Salthouse on pools east of Iron Road c52.9547,1.0812

Norfolk 5.Ring Ouzels (3.males) Roydon Common NNR still c52.7707,0.4864

Norfolk Glossy Ibis y’day Berney Marshes RSPB on pool from Weavers’ Way c52.5855,1.6367