Another windy and overcast day at the Observatory, but not quite as blustery as it has been. I had a Barn Owl in the dunes this morning, unsure whether it’s been disturbed or hunting due to the recent rain/wind overnight. No sign of the Cattle Egret this morning, but each day for the past few days it appears with the cattle off the main entrance track when I drive home in the afternoon.

At Redwell, unfortunately I could only see one of the Lapwing chicks today, which was being well watched over by the parents. I’ll check again tomorrow, but I think one has likely been predated.

The moth traps were dramatically quieter today with 1 Cinnabar, 1 Brown-spot Grey, 3 Small Square Spot, 1 Flame Shoulder, 1 Treble Lines, 1 Small Elephant Hawk Moth and 1 White Ermine. White Ermine and Small Square Spot are some of our more common moths in recent days.

White Ermine, amazing feathered antennae! 

Small Square Spot

Very few butterflies around in the overcast cooler conditions with only Common Blue and Wall Brown about.

Shannon Clifford – Assistant Warden

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RARE BIRD ALERT

Norfolk Garganey drk Hickling Broad NWT still 1/3ml ESE of visitor centre at Brendan’s Marsh from viewing platform at 10.15am 52.7402,1.6006. Park at c52.7422,1.5949. Viewed from 52.7403,1.602

Norfolk Common Rosefinch 1s.male singing Weybourne at Weybourne Camp briefly then flew west c52.9495,1.1293