It was a cool day at the Obs with a brisk north easterly. Around the Obs I had a Whimbrel and Spoonbill flyover. I had 2 Hummingbird Hawk Moths hanging around for most of the day which kept landing on the bench/wall!

From the car park hides there were 3 Spoonbill, 2 Green Sandpiper (calling away noisily!) and one of the Water Rail chicks was still there feeding. As I was watching it for a while I noticed it seemed to be catching worms and then carrying each one over to a small pool of water in the muddy edge and washing it. I later googled it and apparently this is a known feeding strategy where they wash their warms to get the mud off before eating them! So cool. From NWT hide 3 I had a second Water Rail chick so I’m assuming this is a separate brood.

Hummingbird Hawk resting on the beach

There were a good diversity of moths again today with the highlights being 2 Rosy Minor and a Shore Knot-horn. The Bramble bushes are absolutely covered in Gatekeeper butterflies at the moment which has been lovely to see!

Shannon

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RAREBIRD ALERT

Norfolk Quail male singing North Point Pools near car park c52.9522,0.8776

Norfolk no further sign of Shorelark Weybourne Camp at east end by early a’noon c52.9491,1.1364

Norfolk Caspian Gull juv Cromer on beach at 12.27pm c52.9339,1.3014

Norfolk 1+Quail singing males Bayfield in fields off Wall’s Lane c52.9212,1.0631

Norfolk BLACK-WINGED KITE ad Sea Palling still SW of The Marrams viewed from double metal gate at 7.40am NR12 0AL c52.7959,1.5895 Viewed from c52.7949,1.5891

Norfolk Shorelark Weybourne Camp still on bare ground at east end at 7.55am +showing well c52.9491,1.1364