Quite a few birds were singing this morning as if the rain had woken them up. There must have been a lot of aerial plankton as 30+ Swifts, 10+ House Martin and 15+ Sand Martin were hunting over the reserve.

A lot of birds are looking after recently fledged chicks and the Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Goldfinches, Chiffchaffs and Robins are all busy feeding their young.

There was 1 Spoonbill, 1 Great White Egret, 1 Grey Heron and 2 Little Egret on Broadwater – basically a Heron fest (except for the Spoonbill which belongs to the group of Ibises).

The moth trap contained: 2 Turnip, 1 Buff Tip, 3 Cetaceous Hebrew Character, 2 Sand Dart, 2 Large Yellow Underwing, 4 White Ermine, 1 Flame and 1 Eudonia Pallida.

The butterflies weren’t active with just 1 Painted Lady seen.

My favourite sighting today was a mammal. I watched a Mole search for food on our NOA footpath by digging under the turf and moss. It was wonderful to watch it undisturbed from 3m away.

Bee

Norfolk Bird News from Rare Bird Alert

Norfolk Quail male singing on Sunday Tittleshall at Barton’s Lane in set-aside by crop field 52.7553,0.7974

Norfolk Honey Buzzard 1.25mls ESE of Fulmodeston again at Swanton Great Wood from Swanton Novers raptor watchpoint by Hindolveston Road at 12.42pm then flew NE c52.8390,0.9878 Viewed from c52.8323,0.9823

Norfolk Little Gull Potter Heigham Marshes. Use car park at Lathams (£8.50 per day) NR29 5JE c52.7177,1.6054 Park at c52.7112,1.5802

Norfolk Curlew Sand Hickling Broad NWT still at Brendan’s Marsh c52.7397,1.6013 Park at c52.7422,1.5948