A breezy but clear and warm day at the Observatory, with plenty to see and lots of singing Warblers. The Whimbrel flock are still about, and a Wood Sandpiper was reported on the pools between Thornham and the Obs.

I’ve been checking nest boxes on the reserves in the past couple of days with the conditions being too windy for ringing. We’ve had a few Great and Blue Tits on nest, either incubating or with very young chicks so I will keep an eye on them in the coming week and ring the broods when they’re old enough. Today’s task was to check the owl tube. After much faffing about trying to figure out which of the four ladders was tall enough (one was too short, one was tall enough but a bit wobbly, but third time lucky!), I eventually made it up the tree. Unfortunately, both are occupied by Grey Squirrels this year.

Got there eventually!

I went and done some work at our other reserve, Hempton Marsh, in the afternoon – it’s all go at this time of year! Hempton is looking very green and lush at the moment, and a lovely place to visit. We had singing Goldcrest and Chiffchaff, quite a few Orange Tip and Speckled Wood and my first Four-spotted Chaser of the year.

The moth traps were quieter than expected with other moth trappers in the area having more success. We had 3 Cinnabar, 4 Muslin, 1 White Ermine, 4 Treble Lines, 1 Small Elephant Hawk, 2 Vine’s Rustic, 1 Flame Shoulder, 1 Large Yellow Underwing and 1 late Red Chestnut. We also had a good variety of butterflies on the wing with Common Blue, Small Heath, Large White, Brimstone, Wall Brown, Brown Argus and Green Hairstreak.

Small Elephant Hawk Moth

Shannon Clifford – Assistant Warden

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RARE BIRD ALERT

Norfolk RED-FOOTED FALCON ad. male Hickling Broad NWT still 4.04pm by Observation Hut c52.7359,1.5919. Park at 52.7422,1.5949

Norfolk 2. Velvet Scoters Weybourne still on sea off Weybourne Camp this morning c52.9517,1.1301. Park at 52.9485,1.1398

Norfolk 2. Temminck’s Stints Titchwell RSPB c52.9680,0.6068

Norfolk Wood Sand Hockwold Washes still at 11.14am + drk. Garganey still c52.4504,0.5245. Park at 52.4481,0.5287

Norfolk RED-FOOTED FALCON ad. male Hickling Broad NWT still 12.55pm over Observation Hut c52.7360,1.5919

Norfolk Garganey drk Hickling Broad NWT 1/3ml still ESE of visitor centre at Brendan’s Marsh from mound at 11.48am c52.7393,1.5981. Viewed from c52.7388,1.5972. Park at c52.7422,1.5949

Norfolk 2 Wood Sands Cley NWT again on Pat’s Pool at 12.38pm c52.9581,1.0545. Park at c52.9544,1.0567. Viewed from c52.9581,1.0548

Norfolk Wood Sand Cley NWT still on Pat’s Pool from Bishop Hide at midday c52.9566,1.0576 Viewed from c52.9561,1.0582. Park at c52.9544,1.0567

Norfolk Wood Sand between Thornham + Holme from sea bank on large pool c52.9679,0.5711

Norfolk RED-FOOTED FALCON ad. male Hickling Broad NWT again c100yds north of Secker’s Hide at 12.05pm 52.7402,1.5909. Park at 52.7422,1.5949

Norfolk probable male Red-footed Falcon Hickling Broad NWT still 1/3ml ESE of visitor centre around Brendan’s Marsh mid morning c52.7393,1.5981. Viewed from c52.7388,1.5972. Park at c52.7422,1.5949

Norfolk Common Crane drifted west over Horsford at 11am c52.6958,1.2450

Norfolk 8 Wood Sands Buckenham Marshes RSPB still on windpump pool at 8.50am + Bar-tailed Godwit still 52.5880,1.4748. Park at 52.5981,1.4698

Norfolk large lark sp (possible Calandra Lark or Bimaculated Lark) Winterton Dunes NNR at north end of North Dunes flew south over Bramble Gap at 8am c52.7346,1. 6830

Norfolk Wood Sand Hockwold Washes c52.4504,0.5245. 52.4481, 0.5278

Norfolk 2. Glossy Ibis y’day Burgh Castle: 1 in marsh, 1 on estuary. C52.5983, 1.6738