A pretty strong westerly today which unfortunately ruled out any ringing at the Observatory today, but a good chance to catch up on ringing data entry after doing a census in the morning. There were low numbers of waders on the beach directly opposite the Pines when I looked due to dog disturbance, which unfortunately is a daily issue at this time of year, with 16 Oystercatcher, 1 Whimbrel, 11 Curlew, 8 Bar-tailed Godwit. A seawatch in the morning was quiet with only small numbers of Sandwich Tern passing. However, in the afternoon, a seawatch recorded 1 Black Tern, 4 Arctic Tern and 4 Arctic Tern. There were still 12 Black-tailed Godwit on the car park pools along with 11 Avocet.

As predicted, it was pretty quiet in the moth traps this morning with 3 Turnip, 1 Drinker, 1 Pyrausta despicata, 2 White Point, 1 Dingy Footman, 1 Uncertain/Rustic agg., 2 Cloaked Minor, 1 Common Wainscot, 3 Setacous Hebrew Character, 3 Buff Footman, 1 Sharp Angled Peacock, 1 Ruby Tiger, 1 Large Yellow Underwing, 1 Tree-lichen Beauty, 2 Straw Underwing, 1 Archer’s Dart, 1 Rosy Footman, 1 Yellowtail, 1 Scarce Footman and a Gold Spot!

Tree-lichen Beauty close up! A really fresh individual.

Gold Spot! A really worn individual!

A few Common Darter and Migrant Hawker around the pond/Pines today. The Buddleia is still doing a good job at attracting butterflies with Red Admiral especially enjoying the flowers. A Hummingbird Hawk-moth visited the Buddleia in the afternoon.

Shannon Clifford – Assistant Warden

NORFOLK BIRDS NEWS FROM RARE BIRD ALERT

Norfolk White Stork (metal-ringed) Welney WWT still south of Summer Walk at 10.40am c52.5169,0.2701

Norfolk Continental Black-tailed Godwit (form limosa) ad.fem Cley Marshes NWT still on Pat’s Pool c52.9571,1.0565 Park at c52.9546,1.0567

Norfolk Wood Sand juv y’day Cley NWT on Pat’s Pool from Teal Hide c52.9572,1.0566. Park at c52.9544,1.0566. Viewed from 52.9577,1.0545