A much smaller group than usual to-day, two in Spain, two in Cornwall. one house-sitting in London and two looking after family. We drove to Natural Surroundings in rain and dry, the moth-ing session was all rather wet in heavy drizzle. Few enough of us to huddle on the balcony though. Enough moths for Richard and Andrew to ID and record. Of interest to us were and Yellow Belle, Pale Eggar and the Micros celypha rosaceana and epinotia tenerana.
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| Epinotia tenerana, Richard E's photo |
After the usual drink and chat in the cafe, we drove to Titchwell. Ages since we've walked here. It stayed dry for us to walk as far as the far seats on the freshmarsh. Nothing to hold us up as the north marsh pool was completely dry and studded with cows. We glimpsed two Red-crested Pochard as they flew in to the first pool on the right and immediately swam out of sight down a side creek. Cetti's called from a far clump and a Spoonbill flew in to join the two already asleep (of course) at the clubhouse end of the pool.
Hundreds of waders and eclipse ducks to sort through on the mud islands and pool shore. I counted over 60 Avocets then gave up counting the mass of Black-tailed Godwit, fewer Bar-tailed, many Ruff, three Redshank, a dozen Turnstone, 30+ Knot, Tufted Duck, Gadwall and Shoveller. The flock of 30ish Dunlin were never still for long, scooting about the marsh, stopping long enough for me to start scoping and then taking startled flight again. Only one 'scare' was genuine. A Peregrine flew through - even the larger waders rose for that. Eventually I identified two Little Stints and three juvenile Great Ringed Plovers amongst the flock of Dunlin.
We were both delighted to see an adult Yellow Wagtail on one of the islands, isolating itself from the Pied Wagtails which were dancing about.
Back to the car for a late lunch, before driving to Melton Constable to stock up with bird food. It rained for the rest of the day.
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