An early start for some ringing with good conditions, but it was a really quiet morning with only 7 birds caught. They were 2 Blue Tit, 2 Robin, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Long-tailed Tit and 1 Goldfinch. Nevertheless, it’s nice to see birds starting to show signs of breeding condition, including the two Robin which were both males and I think had probably been chasing each other and defending territories as they both ended up in the net in a similar spot!

As I was doing net rounds it was nice to hear a Crossbill flock moving about the pines and I had 8 flying all together, lovely! There were also a couple of Siskin in the pines.

There were higher numbers in the moth traps with 33 individuals of 7 species with 1 Early Reveller, 8 Clouded Drab, 15 Hebrew Character, 5 Small Quaker, 2 Common Quaker, 1 Dotted Border and 1 Red Chestnut.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RAREBIRD ALERT

Norfolk 7.Twite Cley NWT on fence just beyond gate at end of Arnold’s Marsh c52.9606,1.0651

Norfolk Caspian Gull 1w Lakenheath Fen RSPB at Hockwold Washes c52.4504,0.5245. Park at 52.4481,0.5287

Norfolk Common Crane ad Rawhall still at Old Beetley at School Road Flash at 9.05am 52.7307,0.9068: Viewed from 52.7296,0.9059

Norfolk BLACK-WINGED KITE ad 1/3ml north of Ludham Bridge still in tree NE of River Ant at 7.54am 52.7077,1.5047: Park at 52.6996,1.5109; Viewed from 52.7056,1.5055. Use car park off A1062 then walk north along footpath NR29 5NX