Today was very hot (reaching 26 degrees!). A very early start before sunrise this morning to make the most of the conditions for ringing before it became too windy – though despite the wind picking up as the morning went on, we managed to have the nets open until 11am. We had a reasonable catch of 21 birds, most new birds, numbers boosted by the juvenile birds starting to fledge. We had 17 new birds of 10 species including 2 Wren, 5 Chiffchaff (4 juveniles), 3 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Robin, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Lesser Whitethroat (adult), 1 Dunnock and 1 Great Tit. Only 3 birds were adults. For recaptures, we had 2 Goldfinch and 1 Long-tailed Tit. So, a lovely mix of species and lovely to see some juvenile Chiffchaff, which are very very fluffy when they fledge!

There was a Green Sandpiper and Little Gull reported on the Broad Water in the afternoon.

Moth traps were busier today with 35 of 24 species, with highlights being 1 Orange Pine Tortrix, 1 Shaded Pug and 1 Marsh Pearl.

One of my favourites, the Orange Pine Tortrix!

Other moths in the traps included 4 Cinnabar, 1 Buff Tip, 1 Eyed Hawk, 3 Mottled Rustic, 1 Buff Ermine, 3 Middle Barred Minor, 1 Agapeta hamana, 1 White Ermine, 1 Corn Borer, 1 Straw Dot, 1 Argyrethia sp., 1 Common Swift, 1 Large Pale Masoner, 1 Common Pug, 4 Bordered White, 1 Poplar Grey, 1 Banded Hedge Grey, 1 Heart and Club, 1 Riband Wave, 1 Twin-barred Knot Horn and 2 Pallid Grey.

Butterflies on the wing today included Speckled Wood, Small white, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell and Meadow Brown, the latter being most numerous today. There was also a Painted Lady hanging around the Heligoland Trap feeding on the Bramble flowers.

There was lots of Azure Damselflies around the pond, and a few Four Spotted Chasers around. Common Toad and Common Frog were out today, and we were lucky enough to see a Natterjack Toad on one of the paths!

There was also hundreds (if not thousands..) of Sawfly swarming today on the reserve!

Shannon Clifford – Assistant Warden

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RARE BIRD ALERT

Norfolk Marsh Warbler singing 1ml east of Cley still 11.24am 200yds west of Walsey Hills car park +just west of North Foreland Wood north of Skirts Path 52.955,1.0623: Viewed from 52.9549,1.0623

Norfolk Green-winged Teal drk Welney WWT from Nelson-Lyle Hide at 11.04am c52.5312,0.2813

Norfolk Marsh Warbler singing 1ml east of Cley still 9.22am 200yds west of Walsey Hills car park +just west of North Foreland Wood north of Skirts Path 52.955,1.0623: Viewed from 52.9549,1.0623

Norfolk Marsh Warbler singing 1ml east of Cley still 200yds west of Walsey Hills car park +just west of North Foreland Wood north of Skirts Path at 5.18am 52.955,1.0623: Viewed from 52.9549,1.0623