It was a really hot day again at the Obs with a gentle easterly. In NWT Hide 1 the Swallow chicks in the nest are getting really big now and all on the verge of fledging, and one actually fledged whilst I was sitting in there. There were 36 Black-headed Gull (including some juveniles) on the car park islands along with good number of Lapwing. I could hear some Bearded Tit pinging away in the reeds but they were keeping well hidden today. There was a Natterjack Toad-let on the path to the hides in the afternoon. Over the grazing marsh some waders have been moving with 12 Curlew and 13 Redshank.

Swallow chicks, almost ready to go!

Another fantastic morning for moths (will include a complete list below) with notably a real boom in Beet Moth with 84 recorded. We had a good selection of Knot-horn which are fast becoming some of my favourite micros to catch with Sand-hill Knot-horn, Shore Knot-horn and a Hawthorn Knot-horn. We also had 2 White-cloaked Tortrix which are uncommon and their food plant is Poplar. They show a pinky suffusion (which can be lost in worn individuals) and straight edged basal patch – and I caught one of each, a nice fresh pink toned one and a more worn one that lacked this! Whilst doing some recording for the bird log I came across a Six-belted Clearwing in NWT Hide 1 of all places! They are local and since the use of pheromone lures have been more widely recorded but it’s really special to come across one when you aren’t expecting it. There was a Hummingbird Hawk Moth around the pond in the morning.

White Cloaked Tortrix

Six-belted Clearwing

Butterflies wise there are so many Gatekeeper around the reserve at the moment, all loving the flowering Bramble. I counted at least 100 on my walk around the recording area. I also seen smaller numbers of Common Blue, Peacock and Meadow Brown.

Chinese Water Deer mother & fawn – photo by Eric Yeomans

Bee spent the day across at Walsey taking over some new poles for ringing and doing some strimming.

Shannon

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RAREBIRD ALERT

Norfolk Quail singing male Hemsby still c52.6970,1.6914

Norfolk no sign of Squacco Heron north of A149 at Kelling Water Meadows by 8.42am c52.9490,1.1168 Park at c52.9422,1.1146

Norfolk Glossy Ibis Salthouse on pool east of Iron Road at 7.50am c52.9547,1.0812. Park at 52.9534,1.0806