It was another hot and sunny day today at the Observatory, with a gentle NW wind in the morning turning stronger NE by the afternoon. I focused on ringing today and caught 25 birds, 19 individuals of 11 species were new, and 6 individuals of 3 species were recaptures. It was quiet for migrants, however a good mix of species and it won’t be long until it picks up with more birds moving. For new birds I caught 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Blue Tit, 1 Robin, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Dunnock and 1 Great Tit. The retraps were 3 Great Tit, 2 Blue Tit and 1 Dunnock.

Juvenile male Blackcap with a nearly completely moulted head (only a few juvenile brown crown feathers left!)

Otherwise, there was a Wheatear in the dunes, a Yellow Wagtail flew over and 61 Redshank were on the car park pools. On the sea there was 1 Eider, 59 Common Scoter, 4 Fulmar, 1 Manx Shearwater and 2 Gannet.

It was an exciting day for moths with a day flying Bedstraw Hawk Moth feeding at the Buddleia behind the Obs for at least 45 minutes! It was joined by a Hummingbird Hawk Moth. Amazing to see these two species together.

Bedstraw Hawk Moth!

In the moth traps we also had 1 Scarce Footman, 1 Chinese Character, 10 Nutmeg, 21 Vine’s Rustic, 11 Turnip, 2 Drinker, 4 Flounced Rustic, 43 Setaceous Hebrew Character, 1 Cloaked minor, 23 Common Wainscot, 13 Archer’s Dart, 1 A. tristella, 1 Rolled Grass-moth, 3 Large Yellow Underwing, 2 Yellowtail, 3 Rosy Footman, 5 Dingy Footman, 1 Light Brown Apple, 2 Lime Specked Pug, 4 White point, 1 Lesser BB Yellow Underwing, 2 Swallow Prominent, 1 Flame Shoulder, 1 Fern, 1 Southern Wainscot, 1 Scalloped Oak, 1 Rosy Wave, 1 Common Wave, 1 Small Square Spot, 1 Small Fan-footed Wave, 1 Common Masoner, 1 Shuttle Shaped Dart, 1 Straw Underwing, 1 Poplar Hawk, 2 Platytes alpinella, 1 Ringed China Mark and one day flying Silver-Y (feeding on the Buddleia).

There was a lovely Painted Lady butterfly on the Buddleia too – the Buddleia is proving to be an important food source to lots of different species at the moment!

Shannon Clifford – Assistant Warden

NORFOLK BIRDS NEWS FROM RARE BIRD ALERT

Norfolk 2+Wood Sands Buckenham Marshes RSPB still on pool NW of hide by fishermen’s car park 52.5942,1.465. Park at 52.5981,1.4698. Viewed from 52.5927,1.4668

Norfolk Caspian Gull juv Sheringham still on beach c52.9469,1.2070. Park at 52.9450,1.2067

Norfolk 6+Caspian Gulls y’day Titchwell RSPB in evng c52.9692,0.6068. Park at 52.9629,0.6064