Another very early start to make the most of the continuing ringable conditions however it was quiet even for Holme standards! We had a few new migrants including 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler and 1 Whitethroat. We also had a retrap Wren and Reed Warbler. The Reed Warbler was a returning adult that I originally ringed in July 2025.

It was generally quiet for bird news and birding around the Obs. First thing this morning there were 3 Common Tern over the Broadwater. The Cuckoo was again doing its round and a Spoonbill was feeding in front of the car park hide. The Tawny Owl has been periodically hooting at all times of the day. We had a nice Rook fly by and although a common bird elsewhere they are pretty infrequently seen in the recording area.

Quiet in the moth traps again with 1 Pine Beauty, 6 Muslin, 3 Shuttle Shaped Dart, 1 White Ermine, 1 Waved Umber and 1 Turnip. I also had a nice day flying micro called a Fen Snout whilst doing net rounds – these are a nationally scarce moth though we record them just about annually on the reserve.  The Toads have been busy and have laid some spawn in the Obs pond, and the Smooth Newt have been showing well recently and seem to be enjoying the warmer days!

I spotted some dragonfly exuvia around the pond in the past days but haven’t been lucky enough to catch one actually emerging, until today! A dragonfly exuvia is the empty, dried outer casing left behind on vegetation after a dragonfly nymph crawls out of the water and emerges as an adult. This afternoon I spotted this stunning Broad-bodied Chaser emerging and it was fascinating watching it slowly hardening its wings, so cool!!

Broad-bodied Chaser adult after having just emerged from its exuvia

Shannon

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RAREBIRD ALERT

Norfolk 2.Wood Sands Cley NWT still c52.9579,1.0688

Norfolk Pied Fly male Sheringham still 10.30am in hedge just west of Sheringham Cemetery 52.9407,1.1917

Norfolk Temminck’s Stint Hickling Broad NWT at 9.30am 52.7397,1.6013

Norfolk 2.Temminck’s Stints Cley NWT on Simmonds’s Scrape at 9.43am c52.9591,1.0553. Park at 52.9544,1.0566

Norfolk TAWNY PIPIT flew south over Waxham at 9.30am c52.7795,1.6188

Norfolk 13.Bee-eaters east of Lessingham still at Hempstead on wires south of Heath Road at 8.20am then flew off +no further sign by 9.22am 52.7969,1.5584

Norfolk Pied Fly male Sheringham still just west of Sheringham Cemetery at 8.40am 52.9407,1.1917

Norfolk Wood Sand Hickling Broad NWT at Brendan’s Marsh from viewing platform +2.drk.Garganey 3.Spotted Redshanks 52.7397,1.6013: Viewed from 52.7402,1.6014

Norfolk BLACK-WINGED KITE ad east of Lessingham still 8.38am at Hempstead Marshes viewed from Tin Yard Barn on Sea Palling road c52.7929,1.5766

Norfolk BLACK-WINGED KITE ad east of Lessingham still at Hempstead Marshes in flight at 8.29am c52.7929,1.5766

Norfolk 2+Bee-eaters east of Lessingham still 8.13am at Hempstead on wires south of Heath Road 52.7969,1.5584

Norfolk Hooded Crow just east of Kelling Water Meadows still in field at 7.48am 52.9506,1.1215

Norfolk 1+Bee-eater between Sea Palling +Eccles-on-Sea still at Castle Farm at 6am but no further sign by 7.03am 52.7976,1.5843