Wednesday March 9
Great Crested Grebe, Pochards and Tufted Ducks at Wroxham Broad on the way back from lunch at Salhouse with A .
Sunday March 13 - Buckenham Marshes
Two Peregrine, 15 Avocets, 2 Shoveller and... hundreds of Wigeon.
Monday March 14
Barton Broad. Time for a walk and, the chance of some early migrants, on a lovely, if cool, easterly wind day
As always, the end boardwalk platform was exposed to the wind, fortunately it wasn't too strong.At least seven pairs of Great Crested Grebes, all asleep. Dance damn you, dance. You're supposed to at this time of year. Two pairs of stll lingering Goldeneyes was the surprise, diving actively on the far shore. Several Egyptian Geese, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Buzzard 5 Cormorants, 50+ Black-headed Gulls, I Cetti's Warbler, I Reed Bunting and 4 Blue Tits helped while away the time whilst looking/ waiting for Little Gull, Common Tern, Chiffchaff, Sand Martin. No luck, still lovely though.
Tuesday March 15
We decided to check the moth trap before leaving for the usual mothing session at Natural Surroundings. The biggest catch for us this year, inland trappers are doing better. Thirteen macros of 4 species, Common Quaker, Clouded Drab, March Moth and Oak Beauty - a year first. The Oak Beauty is....a lovely moth.
We also had a large Micro, Diurnea fagella.
After our mothing session at NT, we drove to Holkham. Waw, immediate success. As we reached THE crossroads, Pam saw a large raptor appear briefly above the hedge. It was a Red Kite, obviously interested in the roadside Pheasant corpse. Pam parked on the verge so that I could attempt some photos in the misty murk. The bird managed a couple of its usual quick fly-in mouthfuls, as a rule they do not land to eat, before perching high above the road.
We decided to check the moth trap before leaving for the usual mothing session at Natural Surroundings. The biggest catch for us this year, inland trappers are doing better. Thirteen macros of 4 species, Common Quaker, Clouded Drab, March Moth and Oak Beauty - a year first. The Oak Beauty is....a lovely moth.
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| Oak Beauty + dropping! |
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| Male Oak Beauty head on |
We also had a large Micro, Diurnea fagella.
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| Diurnea fagella |
After our mothing session at NT, we drove to Holkham. Waw, immediate success. As we reached THE crossroads, Pam saw a large raptor appear briefly above the hedge. It was a Red Kite, obviously interested in the roadside Pheasant corpse. Pam parked on the verge so that I could attempt some photos in the misty murk. The bird managed a couple of its usual quick fly-in mouthfuls, as a rule they do not land to eat, before perching high above the road.
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| Under carriage down - not landed |
Must return on a sunny day - may never be as lucky again.
A passing car spooked it into flight and away into the woods nearer the house. No other sightings, we drove home via the bird food suppliers in Melton Constable.
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