It's September

 Wednesday September 1

Maybe the sun will shine again, not to-day. Still a good day, we were out birding. As high tide was not until mid afternoon, we opened the moth traps before going. Large in number, 54 Setaceous Hebrew Characters, 34 Large yellow Underwings (bat fodder) with fewer species.The best were Coronet and a micro, Metalampra italica.

 

First recorded in the UK in 2003 in Devon, the species had not previously been recorded outside Italy. Subsequently recorded in several southern counties and is assumed to be breeding in southern Britain and likely Norfolk.

New for Norfolk in 2014 when two adult moths were trapped. Provisionally recorded at RSPB Titchwell VC28 (29/07/14) and a confirmed female recorded at Bawdeswell VC27 (D. Appleton, 01/08/14 gen. det. J. Clifton) . Norfolk Moths website

Last time we visited Sculthorpe Mill, the car park was fenced off, and the building covered in scaffolding. A new sign near the entrance encouraged us to explore. Back to normal, with the addition of many green metal tables and chairs overlooking the water.

A splash of colour in a distant field turned out to be sunflowers. We are yet to find out the name of the glaucous leaved, white flowered, crop in the adjoining plot.

 

 

No Swifts in the usual villages, a few Swallows and House Martins remain. Our House Martins are feeding a second brood, which is good news.

Should we try Valley Farm Lane? No sign of any Tree Sparrows during the last two visits, nor to-day either. They do disperse, which is part of the population problem. If they stayed where they are well fed, they'd be more successful. That is the theory mooted by the owner of Vane Farm in Lincolnshire, organic grower, seller, and feeder of bird seed. It makes sense to me.

Our drive up the lane was hampered by dozens of Red-legged Partridges scurrying along in front of us. Newly released, they have little fear of vehicles and humans. A few of these remaining.

 Barry, our farm worker friend, was busy chatting to someone on the way up. He hailed us with the usual beaming smile and kind words as we returned. I asked him how many Partridges had been released. Thousands, he replied, turning his mouth down, 'I think it's cruel', he went on to say. I totally agree. Killing for fun.

He soon offered us some carrots and potatoes, brought home from his wife's organic farm, where she works. They are the cast offs, knobbly or crooked carrots for example, which are not saleable. They look fine to me. Maybe the potatoes are on the gigantic side!

 

He'd newly returned from delivering some to the Old People's Home. I guess we fitted into that category.

Snettisham never lets us down. Large numbers, and a good variety, of waders, are almost guaranteed for us car bound birders. It was forecast to be a pretty low high tide, we knew that the mud would not be covered nor the waders provide the great spectacle of tide influenced smoke flights. We spent a couple of hours enjoying sorting through the feeding and loafing waders. Knot and Oystercatchers the majority, good numbers of Black-tailed Godwits, Redshank and Dunlin, a few Ringed Plovers and Curlew, Grey Plover and Spotted Redshank. A lone Little Stint looked dwarfed in comparison with the Dunlin.

Not many Heron species to-day, this Little Egret, the other side of the last pool, did not stay long.

 

 

A large flock of Common and Sandwich Terns formed their own enclave. I gave up counting them as they, for no apparent reason, rose as one into the sky, circled and settled again. That also made looking for other species difficult. I did  succeed in identifying a few moulting adult Mediterranean Gulls.. I was hoping for Little Tern, they are usually here.

A quick look at North Point Pools from the car park added Ruff and a Snipe to the day list. I wish that Snettisham was nearer home, but the spectacle is worth the journey.