It was a lovely, sunny morning although too windy for bird ringing, so I spent the early hours recording birds around the observatory. The first bird I came across as I got out of my car was a charming male Bullfinch which was calling from a tree at the reserve entrance. I was watching him for about five minutes before he flew off – not to be seen again. Other reported sightings include: 2 Ring Ouzels, 8 Wheatear and 1 Yellow Wagtail in the Dunes and 5 Whimbrel at Thornham.

The moth trap was empty except for 1 Hebrew Character and a large Caddisfly (Stenophylax permistus). I did a bit of research and found out that it is a fairly common species with 2 generations, one in April-May and a second in July-August.  It is a species whose larvae can be found in small, temporary waterbodies, such as drainage ditches, woodland streams. marshes, as well as in brackish waters, either in slow-flowing or standing water. The larva lives in a straight case made of butted leaf fragments.

Bee

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RAREBIRD ALERT

Norfolk Ring Ouzel male Cawston Heath still at east end at 8.30am c52.7678,1.2075: Viewed from 52.7657,1.2054. Park at c52.7662,1.2098

Norfolk Common Crane ad Rawhall still at Old Beetley at School Road Flash at 10.30am 52.731,0.9071: Viewed from 52.7295,0.9063

Norfolk Iceland Gull juv flew NW past Waxham again 9.25am c52.7795,1.6188

Norfolk 3.Ring Ouzels y’day Holme Dunes NWT still c52.9744,0.5465 PE36 6LQ