They Fly

 Monday June 20

A regular in the summer garden, this Four-spotted Chaser chose to spend the night in an egg box.

 The best moth we have caught this weekend has been a macro sized micro. It had been  retained  overnight as it was a late catch from outside the MV trap, then kept for me to see and to identify. An Evergestis limbata, Dark-bordered Pearl.

Norfolk status
Rare migrant and suspected resident in a few counties, including Suffolk.

First recorded on the south coast of England in 1993.

New for Norfolk* in 2019 trapped at Haddiscoe 

Retained Specimen / Photograph will be Required.

Sunday 

We drove to Hickling for a late afternoon visit yesterday. Our first Norfolk Willow Warbler of the year sang from a tree near the Visitors Centre. Another sang and showed well near Whiteslea Lodge.They were everywhere in Scotland and  the Hebrides. Pam climbed the bank in order to look over Brendon's Marsh. The Glossy Ibis was missing, probably at Potter Heigham Marshes nearby.- as the bird flies. I refuse to say that a Reed Bunting sang, it called, as did a muted Cetti's Warbler. There was an obvious lack of odonata. We eventually found a Black-tailed Skimmer.It was distant, skittish, and kept landing amongst vegetation on the ground.

A candidate for worst photo of the year.

 

Moth trap opening here on Wednesday mornings is done as part of the Butterfly walk, but may be attended exclusively. We may go this week.

Bee-eater Update

Thursday June 16 

Earlier this week, I was contacted by the NENBC, stating that the RSPB had requested that I temporarily take down my previous Blog entry  The birds must remain  secret until after the BBC had boadcast. the news on Thursday's Springwatch. 

Firstly

I had been careful not to identify the location

My Blog has a handful of readers only, invited by me, it's a private one

The address is in Welsh so that random seekers of bird Blogs do not easily find it 

 Questions

How on earth diid the RSPB get to know of it. How did the NENBC know of it.

Did they know, or was their name being used to add power to the request

Hundreds of Norfolk birders knew about the nesting site

News

There are 7 birds on site, excavation holes and chambers well under way. A platform has been erected and the site monitored and guarded, with an entrance fee of £5 divided between the farmer and the RSPB.

I have returned the information to my prevoius entry. I wish everyone success with the venture, - and hope that the birds are successful too. 

It has been suggested that my blog address was gained from links attached to other Blogs. If you have a link on yours, please remove it. I am very happy to share with anyone who asks me first 

 

NENBC Newsletter

We are really pleased to be able to tell you that the Bee-eaters that were reported in the club area at the beginning of the June decided they liked it enough to stay around and they have since been exhibiting all the signs of breeding at a quarry at Trimingham. For obvious reasons, we have had to keep this under wraps whilst the RSPB assessed the situation and the likelihood of breeding, sorted out access arrangements with the landowner, the cordoning off of the immediate area, a car park, a watchpoint, an on-site base for RSPB monitoring and all with the safety and well-being of the Bee-eaters in mind. Along with local Trimingham birders, NENBC have been involved with monitoring the site to date but now that all the RSPB protections are in place, the site is up and running for visitors. The site will be open from dawn until dusk and there will be a car park charge of £5 for visitors. This income will be split between the RSPB to fund the operation and the accommodating landowner. Access to the car park and the viewing area is at the eastern end of Trimingham and the eastern end of the quarry only off Gimingham Road – there is an in and out system in place. There is no access or parking along Middle Street which is the usual entrance to the quarry. Please be respectful of residents and other users whilst visiting. The RSPB will have a presence on site 24/7 but are looking for volunteers to help staff a watchpoint in a similar fashion to the Cromer Peregrine Watchpoint from 20th June. If you are interested in taking part to support us and the RSPB in this, the please let us know as soon as you can on nenbc@aol.co.uk and we will be in touch in the next few days. Fingers all crossed for a successful summer!

 

Quarry Dwellers

 Sunday June 12

At the second time of asking - and with a lot of help from Pauline - we found our quarry. Both the place and our target birds. Reasonably local, four Bee-eaters have taken up temporary residence in a North East  Norfolk quarry.

A local farmer has mown an area of a meadow to allow parking, a distance away from their favoured area. Good to hear of a tolerant and co-operative farmer.  We parked in the field and waited for the birds to show on the telegraph wires below. Three of them obligingly did so, allowing me acceptable scope views. They even called. Such an evovcative sound. I hear it as PRRR PRRR, lovely memories of Mediterranean biding trips.

Unedited view taken with a 400mm lens

 

 Much edited 

 

One of the four birders at the bottom of the field, viewing the quarry through a gap in the hedge, returned to her car just as the three, then four birds flew onto the wires. Pam went to check that she had seen the birds,returning with some news.  Springwatch cameramen were here this morning filming, the results will probably be shown on Thursday evening. In the meantime, NENBC and the RSPB are co-operating to set up a 24 hour watch on the quarry. If and when that happens, I guess that the site will be made public.

Not only did P check that we knew about the birds, sending us good instructions, s

he also phoned to check that we had found the site. Thank you, it was very much appreciated

.

 

Emperor Update

 Wednesday June 8

The Emperor Moth caterpillars we brought home from Scotland - they hatched out in an egg tray plastic bag, are thriving. Pam is still changing their food twice a day, they are eating machines. Hawthorn and Birch form the bulk of their diet. We think that they may be in their final instar before pupating. They are in a zipped breeding cage made of fine netting.

I counted 39 of them on the surface.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I counted

We've trapped some nice moths during the last few days, despite the rain. Lime Hawk-moth is always anticipated. We only trap one or two a year.

Bird's-wing

 

 Tortrix Viridana. Green Oak Tortrix

These micro moths appear in numbers during June and July. In very variable shades of green, many had to be rescued from the water lying at the bottom of the trap. A paint brush to cling onto, and then a few hours drying out on an egg box, and even the most desperate seem to survive. We had 19.

 

 

 

Celebration Day

Saturday June 4 

We have been celebrating June 4 since 1967. Leaving a 10 month old Sara with her dad, back in the tent at Williams's Farm, Ogwen Valley, North Wales, Pam and I encouraged, cajoled, and led, eight teenaged girls into climbing Eryri (Mount Snowdon). There are several known paths of differing lengths and levels of difficulty. We set off on the PYG track thought to be named after the Pen Y Gwryg Hotel, noted for being Edmund Hilary and his group's training base before they successfully climbed Everest for the first time. The ceiling of the bar is lined with the wooden panels on which they all wrote their names. When I visited with North London Climbing Club, this is where we had our Saturday night meal - and used the washrooms.

There are other interpretations of the origin of the Pyg track's name, my favourite is that it passes over Bwlch Y Moch which is Pig's Pass in welsh. Anyway, at that time, the tracks were not clearly marked and I believe that we did parts of at least three of them. Miners track part of the way and the Llanberis railway track at the top. 

Three quarters of the way up, two girls decided that they'd had enough, downed their rucksacks and sat on a rock. We decided that Pam should continue with the other six so that they were not disappointed - not the best climbing etiquette, splitting groups. In our defence, we were on a clearly marked track by now. We still shouldn't have done it. 

Eventually, and very slowly, with much encouragement from me, the three of us advanced upwards, sitting frequently. When we reached the cafe, we got a cheer from the others - and tucked into the sandwich and drink an optimistic Pam had bought for us.

The view from the top was glorious, our knee, and other joint- jolting, descent of four miles, fuelled by the euphoria of success. We probably did more than an eight miles round trip, but the longest is only just over 9 miles.

We usually go out birding and have a nice meal. To-day we went to Weeting, Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Stone Curlew Reserve. We had intended going before Scotland as the birds are easier to see when one is on the nest and the other on guard duty. The grass is shorter too. My Rollator did not like the hidden roots and fir cones on the path to West Hide, often coming to a sudden halt which jarred my wrists and arms. Larger wheels with pneumatic tyres required, even though I have a designated cross country machine.

We saw two Stone Curlews, a juvenile allowed some laughable photos in distant tall grass. 

 

Together with two others, we searched for the Spotted Flycatcher, failing to see or hear any in the strong wind lashing the treetops. 

The nice meal? A home made Chilli con Carne washed down with a glass of robust Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon. I had Creme Caramel, Pam a Salted Caramel version of the same.

No Snettisham?

 Wednesday June 1

 Indeed, we gave Snettisham a miss.

Wishing to visit as many habitats as possible, we started by going to Selbrigg. The feeding positions were all occupied by Grey Squirrels. The resident pair of Mute Swans shepherded a flotilla of week old cygnets, always a delight. Pam's photograph.

We  have heard Song Thrush since we've been home, one sang throughout our time at Natural Surroundings on Tuesday. This one, at Sculthorpe Mill, also showed briefly behind some twigs. 

 

At last, two Tree Sparrows in our usual place, maybe they haven't totally deserted after all.

 We probably saw fifteen Buzzards to-day. Five of them in the air together, low over the back lane leading to Abbey Farm. One took off from the lane verge, maybe guarding some food, the others joined it from surrounding trees. As did two Red Kites.

Owing to it being half term, with the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations starting tomorrow, we curtailed our visits. Lunch was at Holme's first parking area hoping for warblers. Sedge and Cetti's Warblers obliged. We'd heard Blackcap and Whitethroat earlier. Our first Reed Warbler's more guttural song, reminiscent of that of a Great Reed Warbler, was also heard from some undergrowth.

Holkham Marsh was bathed in warm sunshine. Pam's photograph of the herd of Belted Galloways shows the western end reaching to the dunes and the sea.

 

At least three Spoonbills and a Great White Egret eventually showed, flying into and from their nests.  Cormorants huddled low in their large round bowls. Only Greylag and Egyptian and a Canada Goose plus Shelducks galore, Lapwings, Avocets and one Shoveller, on the marsh. 

The last coastal stop, before turning inland, was Wells North Point Pools. We had it to ourselves, the first time ever. Gadwall, Teal and several Redshanks were new for the list. As were the over a hundred motley coloured Black-tailed Godwits resting on the shores of the eastern pool. 

A most enjoyable birding day, enough birds to keep us happy, with a few mammals to add interest. Muntjac, Brown Hare, Rabbits and Grey Squirrels.

A Privilege

 Sunday May 29

Pam burst into the living room saying ' Look under the fat balls'. I quickly wheeled my chair backwards so that I could see the area through the sun lounge windows. 

A fox cub was digging into the lawn, beneath the fat ball feeders. What a privilege to share twenty minutes with a wild animal behaving naturally. Endearingly fluffy, in its rusty red coat. In our garden too. I once caught an adult on a trail cam, but that was at night, and many years ago.

All the photos were taken with my Canon bridge camera, through the double glazed kitchen window.

 

 

Norfolk Birding

Friday May 27

 

Having had 30 injections in my left eye over the last five years or so, it is now a year since the last one. Do retinal bleeds suddenly stop? To my surprise - and relief - no injection needed again to-day. We went birding. A shortened version of our long day out on the north coast.

We were at Harpley Cottages before we had seen double figures, where are all the birds? Some will have been hiding from to-day's blustery wind. We did find a hare sheltering at the edge of a wildflower strip.

 

Harpley Cottages have their usual complement of House Martins, scarce elsewhere. We found a roadside puddle between Abbey Farm and Flitcham, where both Swallows and House Martins were coming down to collect mud. Unfortunately, our parking spot meant that I was shooting into the sun, they're record shots only (that is an excuse for  poor photos).

The hoped for Norfolk passerine ticks were non existent, no bird song, probably out too late for that. Holkham gateway added a Great White Egret, Wells North Pools a preening Spoonbill and Redshank (!).

 

It was then that we decide to drive home inland, via the chicken sheds at Cockthorpe. A Little Owl was tucked in tight under the hangover eaves of one of the sheds.

Moths Last Night

We had an interesting catch last night. Still struggling with recalling names after the dearth of moths in Scotland, it's improving every session. Four different Hawk-moths was a highlight. The Small Elephant Hawk-moth only our second ever, the first was in 2021.

Small Elephant Hawk-moth

Elephant Hawk-moth

Privet Hawk-moth

Previously shown, the fourth was Poplar Hawk-moth.

Dark Swordgrass

Lobster Moth

Knotgrass

 

 

 

Poplar Kitten

 

 

.

 

 

Back Home

 Wednesday May 25

The holiday seems like a distant memory. We have been so busy this week, mainly catching up with medical appointments deferred by our time away. Chiropodist yesterday, xray at Cromer hospital today, Eye Clinic on Friday. Some enjoyable moth-ing in between. Our minds were boggled by our own traps on Monday morning. Instead of being led gently into the season with a gradual build up, we had over 20 species to identify, largely a dredging up of identity from this time last year.

 

Garden Carpet

May Highflyer

Eyed Hawk-moth

Yesterday at Natural Surroundings beat that into a cocked hat, with 67 species. The sheer size and variety of planting and habitat in the trapping area, produces a rich variety of species.

The Emperor moth caterpillars we brought back from North Uist are flourishing, twice their size already. Pam gives them fresh food twice daily - and cleans up their droppings. They started off on willow leaves and are now eating Hawthorn, we have plenty of that.This is a moth found country-wide, so bringing them home for release here is acceptable. There are about 80 of them.

 

In 4-5 weeks time, they should change to a green colour before pupating on their food plant. We shall then need to keep them through the winter for emergence next year.all good fun, and increasing the moth population. Unprotected, many of the caterpillars would be eaten by birds or predated by wasps.

Highlands and Islands

 Wednesday April 20

My Blog until May 21 will be on this address :

 

https://highlandsandislands22.blogspot.com

Easter Weekend

 Saturday April 16

Bank Holiday weekends are when we usually prefer to stay at home, eschewing the crowds.  As we are going away on Thursday, and the rest of this week is full of 'appointments', we decided to brave the roads. It wasn't until the Fakenham roundabout that we encountered the first heavy traffic, until then, it was much lighter than usual.

Negative for the Ring Ouzel we saw at Bodham on Friday afternoon, after a Cromer xray visit for Pam  We'd have liked better views. We showed the bird's distant location to Janice, Steve and friend, drove up the road to turn round, before settling in a layby. No sooner had I got the scope set up than a passing vehicle hooted loudly at the others, scattering the Ouzel, Yellow Wagtails and Skylarks into the distance. They did not return. I understand Janice's decision to make a gesture at the departing vehicle. 

We braved the Holme  road for the first time this year - and maybe last year too. The first section past the houses is appalling, the reserve's gritted track much better. The best thing here was two reeling Sedge Warblers, announcing their territory. Pam saw a hirundine, but not well enough for a positive identity.

Three Konic ponies grazed behind their electric fence.

New for us were a small herd of English White heifers, looking roundly in calf, their black noses and ears diagnostic.

Pam spotted some fungus sprouting out of the top of some old straw bales used to block field entries. It looks past it. We are yet to identify it.

 

This Wood Pigeon will not be sitting comfortably if this is how he lines the meagre nest platform.

 

In the warm sunshine, to-day was remarkable for both the number and variety of butterflies that we saw. Orange-tip, Small Tortoiseshell. Green-veined White, Peacock and Holly Blue in good numbers everywhere.

Moths have not been remarkable of late, a small trickle of new for the year species continue to arrive. Here are a few of them.

Lesser Swallow Prominent

Lunar Marbled Brown

Oak Nycteoline

Muslin

Probably the best has been a micro which Pam took in for Richard and the group to identify. It's not in the Sterling and Parsons book, but is in the newest Manley photo guide. New for Richard, always a pleasure to add to his list. And ours.

Eriocrania unimaculella

 

Hiatus

Wednesday April 13 

 Due to various health problems - labarynthitis, which caused extreme vertigo - and an adverse reaction to my fourth Covid jab, I have neither been out birding, nor written a Blog.

Pam was busy watching the small garden pond earlier this week.  All these photographs are hers. Leaning over the pond would probably have produced an almighty splash from me, as I fell in headlong.

We have no frogs for the second year running, plenty of Toads though. These are all toadlets and the Newts are Common.