It was windless today, so Eddie and I made it to the Obs by 5:15 to open the nets. It seemed, however, that we were the only ones willing to get up early, as we caught very few birds until around 8am.

Then, a mixed-species flock descended on the nets, including Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Treecreeper. This lovely medley of birds was rounded off at 10am by a Green Woodpecker, making for a rather memorable morning.

In total we ringed: 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Robin, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Coal Tit, 7 Blue Tit, 2 Blackcap, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Green Woodpecker. Retraps were: 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Great Tit, 1 Robin.

Other good birds today were: 1 Tawny Owl, 1 Golden Plover, 14 Whimbrel, 10 Curlew, 2 Greenshank, 1 Knot, 10 Dunlin, 4 Little Grebe, 4 Spoonbill, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Yellow Wagtail and 1 Kingfisher.

Today’s moths were:

Bee

Norfolk Bird News from Rare Bird Alert

Norfolk Wood Sand Cantley beet factory c52.5692,1.5281. Sign in at security NR13 3SH then follow footpath SE along River Yare. Stay on permitted path, no other access

Norfolk BLACK-WINGED KITE ad Sea Palling still SW of The Marrams viewed from double metal gates NR12 0AL c52.7922,1.5842 Viewed from c52.7949,1.5891

Norfolk Curlew Sand Snettisham RSPB on The Wash opposite chalets at 10.12am c52.8603,0.4450 Park at c52.8685,0.4526

Norfolk Jack Snipe Cley NWT still at Pat’s Pool from Bishop’s Hide at 10.03am 52.9567,1.0567: Viewed from 52.9561,1.0582 Park at c52.9544,1.0567