There was a really brisk westerly at the Obs today, meaning at times it felt pretty cold when it clouded over in the afternoon.

It was generally quiet for bird sightings today, however what has been very noticeable over the last week or so is the tit flock building in number around the Obs with Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit and Great Tit, with at least 4 Chiffchaff and a single Common Whitethroat having joined them! A Sparrowhawk went through the pines in the morning causing a lot of alarm calling in the flock. There was a very vocal Lesser Whitethroat on the main Obs path this morning. I finally saw the Green Woodpecker this afternoon which was on the main path down to the staff car park. There was at least 15 Sand Martin passing west, with small groups staying to forage over the pines/Broadwater. An Otter sighting was reported on the Broadwater early afternoon though there were no further sightings later on.

There have been a few Ruddy Darter about recently, along with Migrant Hawker. There was Gatekeeper, Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Large White and Wall butterflies all around the pond and enjoying the flowering Water Mint! Highlights from moths today included Mint Moth, Iron Prominent and Pebble Prominent! There was 3 Hummingbird Hawk Moth together feeding on the Buddleia.

Iron Prominent 

Shannon

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RAREBIRD ALERT

Norfolk BLACK STORK Winterton North Dunes still 1.18pm high over north end then turned northwest towards Horsey 52.7279,1.6861

Norfolk BLACK STORK Winterton North Dunes again high over north end drifting south towards village at 1.09pm c52.7279,1.6859

Norfolk WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER ad Snettisham RSPB again 52.8571,0.4451: Park at c52.8685,0.4526

Norfolk 2.Glossy Ibises Kelling Water Meadow still at pool c52.9499,1.1163: Viewed from 52.95,1.1159

Norfolk 2.Quails (both males) singing y’day Sea Palling south of The Marrams viewed from double metal gate. NR12 0AL 52.7975,1.5871 Viewed from c52.7949,1.5891