It was another early start to do some ringing at the Obs this morning, which meant opening the nets before sunrise. The wind was NNW which meant we could open most of the nets as the pines help to shelter the nets from a northerly wind.  It was a steady morning with 22 birds processed in total – 14 new and 8 retraps. The retrap Reed Warbler was a returning adult from 2021. It was nice to see some juvenile Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler, and to be able to compare them to adult Whitethroat and Reed Warbler that we had caught.

Ringing totals (the number in brackets = retraps)

• Wren 1
• Chiffchaff 3
• Reed Warbler 1 (1)
• Whitethroat 3 (2)
• Robin 1 (1)
• Goldfinch 3
• Sedge Warbler 1
• Blue Tit 1 (1)
• Great Tit (1)
• Dunnock (2)

Adult Whitethroat, that has clearly been snacking on our Blackberries! (purple staining on the feathers)

Around the Obs, the Green Woodpecker was flying back and forth through the pines making a racket for most of the morning but didn’t end up finding its way into a net, again… The Great Spotted Woodpecker was also still around. There was one Spoonbill on the Broadwater. There was also at least one Whimbrel around.

Moths were steady again with Flounced Rustic, Tawny Wave and Heath Elder the highlight. The latter is definitely moth of the day being a new species for the reserve!

Shannon

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RAREBIRD ALERT

Norfolk WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER Snettisham RSPB still 9.50am on dropping tide then flew onto wash c52.8517,0.4440 Park at c52.8685,0.4526

Norfolk WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER Snettisham RSPB still 9.43am on dropping tide close to bank c52.8517,0.4440 Park at c52.8685,0.4526

Norfolk Common Crane ad Rawhall again 9am at Old Beetley at School Road Flash 52.7309,0.907

Norfolk WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER Snettisham RSPB again on incoming tide (+2.Little Stints Curlew Sand) c52.8517,0.4440 Park at c52.8685,0.4526

Norfolk Jack Snipe Cley NWT east of East Bank still on The Serpentine c52.9584,1.0665