Bit of a quiet one at the Obs today – there was a blustery southerly meaning ringing was a no go so we focussed on birding then catching up on some admin bits in the afternoon, just as the rain arrived! Ringing did however manage to go ahead at Walsey Hills, with it being a much more sheltered site, with 32 individuals processed including 27 new birds and 5 retraps including 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Wren, 2 Goldfinch, 11 Blackcap, 2 Chaffinch, 3 Blue Tit, 3 Dunnock, 2 Great Tit and 1 Whitethroat.

Around the core Observatory recording area, there was a single Snipe over the dunes, 400 Knot were on the beach and 1 Great White Egret flew over the grazing marsh. The Pink-footed Geese were the stars of the day with at least 300+ on the grazing marsh, coming and going all doing providing a nice soundtrack to the day and a reminder that autumn is definitely here despite the very mild temperatures!

It was another successful Wednesday moth morning with some very nice autumnal moths. Highlights included a Satellite, a Brick, the melanic form of Box Tree moth, 1 Feathered Ranunculus and 1 very fresh Delicate. Some of our regular moth-ers also brought in some very nice moths from their gardens including Vestal, Autumnal Rustic, Olive Tree Pearl, Pearly Underwing, so it’s a great chance to see different species. We will be running our moth mornings through until the end of October (and hopefully longer into November, weather depending!).

Shannon

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RAREBIRD ALERT

Norfolk American Wigeon ecl.drk Cley NWT still 2.43pm at Pope’s Pool viewed from by pines at top of Walsey Hills c52.9579,1.0688 NR25 7SA

Norfolk Lapland Bunting Salthouse still 2.14pm at Iron Road by bridge c52.9560,1.0817

Norfolk Black Guillemot juv Cley still 2.15pm just east of coastguards on sea by pink buoy c52.9663,1.0485

Norfolk BLACK-WINGED KITE ad Sea Palling still SW of The Marrams viewed from double metal gates at 1.30pm tho distant NR12 0AL 52.7911,1.5839: Park at 52.7894,1.6013; Viewed from 52.795,1.5892

Norfolk American Wigeon ecl.drk Cley NWT still 1.25pm at Pope’s Pool viewed from by pines at top of Walsey Hills c52.9579,1.0688 NR25 7SA

Norfolk Black Guillemot juv Cley still on sea off beach carpark at midday tho distant c52.9663,1.0485

Norfolk American Wigeon ecl.drk Cley NWT still 11.35am at Pope’s Pool c52.9579,1.0688 NR25 7SA

Norfolk American Wigeon ecl.drk Cley NWT east of north end of East Bank at Arnold’s Marsh at 11.08am c52.9603,1.0674

Norfolk Lapland Bunting Salthouse still 10am at Iron Road by path just south of gates c52.9560,1.0817

Norfolk Lapland Bunting Salthouse still 8.45am at Iron Road south of bridge c52.9560,1.0817