A relatively quiet day at the obs today, with time for planning for the AGM tomorrow and meetings to discuss all things membership. We did get some nets open in the afternoon and caught 27 birds, including 5 Stonechat, 8 Linnet, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler and 1 Whitethroat. The Whitethroat was a bird we had ringed recently but had put on a lot of fat and 2g in weight, so nearly ready to go!

One of the young Stonechat we caught today. This is a young male, which we can tell from the wear in the wing, nice fresh black replaced feathers vs brown worn feathers

There were still a few lingering Arctic Skuas on the sea, and a Hobby was hunting the grazing marsh this afternoon. A few migrants were about including Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap and 5 each of Reed and Sedge Warbler.

This evening we attempted a last minute Swallow roost but unfortunately it was unsuccessful, catching only a new Cetti’s Warbler! The Hobby came shooting past not long before sunset scaring the Swallows off. We did however have fantastic views of 5 Barn Owl and 1 Short-eared Owl, which were foraging over the grazing marsh which was lovely to watch as the sun set. We also had 6 Greenshank all together on the Broadwater.

The moths were a bit quieter today with 38 Beet Moth, 3 Flounced Rustic, 21 Large Yellow Underwing, 20 Square Spot Rustic, Saltmarsh Plume, 1 Delicate, 1 Silver-Y, 1 Lesser Yellow Underwing, 1 Chevron Grass-moth, 1 Pale Mottled Willow and the moth highlight of the day, an L-album Wainscot, only the 3^rd record for us with the first being 7^th October last year and we had a 2nd record on the 23^rd June this year.

L-album Wainscot

Shannon

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RAREBIRD ALERT

Norfolk 2.Garganey flew west past Cromer this morning c52.9333,1.3011

Norfolk BLACK-WINGED KITE ad Sea Palling still 4.47pm SW of The Marrams in hawthorn viewed from double metal gates NR12 0AL 52.7914,1.5854: Park at 52.7894,1.6013; Viewed from 52.7949,1.5893

Norfolk Spotted Crake Titchwell RSPB still 1.59pm at freshmarsh from Island Hide 52.9679,0.6046. Viewed from 52.9673,0.6048. Park at c52.9629,0.6063

Norfolk BLACK-WINGED KITE ad Sea Palling still 1.30pm SW of The Marrams in hawthorn viewed from double metal gates NR12 0AL 52.7914,1.5854: Park at 52.7894,1.6013; Viewed from 52.7949,1.5893

Norfolk Spotted Redshank Welney WWT from main observatory at 11.33am c52.5312,0.2813

Norfolk 2.Spotted Crakes Titchwell RSPB still 10.47am at freshmarsh from Island Hide c52.9684,0.6069 Viewed from c52.9673,0.6048 Park at c52.9629,0.6063

Norfolk Wood Sand Setchey still at Setch Road Clay Pits c52.7055,0.4332

Norfolk BLACK-WINGED KITE ad Sea Palling still SW of The Marrams in hawthorn viewed from double metal gates at 8.24am NR12 0AL 52.7888,1.585. Viewed from 52.7948,1.5892. Park at c52.7892,1.6016

Norfolk 2.Spotted Crakes Titchwell RSPB still at freshmarsh from Island Hide at 8.15am c52.9684,0.6069 Viewed from c52.9673,0.6048 Park at c52.9629,0.6063