Holme Bird Observatory Sunday 5th July 2020

A very windy day with spells of sunshine. A single Black-tailed Godwit was on the grazing marsh and around the reserve 3 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, 4 Whitethroats, 2 Sedge and 2 Reed Warblers were counted. It was otherwise rather quiet with many birds staying out of the strong winds.

Common Darter, Azure and Blue-tailed Damselfly were noted on the reserve today and Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral and Meadow Brown were struggling to find sheltered spots. In the moth traps a Riband Wave, 3 Common Footmen, 2 Rustics, a Nutmeg, 4 Heart & Darts, a Light Arches, 2 Flames, an Uncertain, 2 Large Yellow Underwings, a Shoulder-striped Wainscot, a Bright-line Brown Eye and a Smoky Wainscot were counted.

                                                                     Light Arches


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Norfolk Wood Sand just east of Wells still at North Point Pools by track north of A149 +1/3ml east of steam railway entrance at 2.40pm. Keep to public rights of way +do not enter from railway stn TF.932.431
Norfolk 2.Spoonbills just east of Wells still at North Point Pools by track north of A149 +1/3ml east of steam railway entrance this a'noon. Keep to public rights of way +do not enter from railway stn TF.932.431
Norfolk Little Gull Weybourne flew west along shore at 9am
Norfolk Red-necked Phal still 1.22pm Cley NWT in NW corner of Pat's Pool from by visitor centre tho distant
Norfolk Wood Sand y'day Cley NWT on Pat's Pool mid a'noon +Spotted Redshank
Norfolk Red-necked Phal still late morning Cley NWT on Pat's Pool tho distant
Norfolk Red-necked Phal Cley NWT on Pat's Pool at 8.49am
Norfolk Osprey Hickling Broad NWT still 7.55am

Holme Bird Observatory Saturday 4th July 2020

A grey and windy day with light rain on and off, the highlights today were a Great White Egret over the grazing marsh mid morning, a Spoonbill on the Broadwater, 8 Black-tailed Godwits flying east, a Greenshank flying over calling, an adult Med Gull over the dunes, and 2 Stonechats along the east bank.

A Southern Hawker was flying in the shelter of the pines, and Small Heath, a Small Skipper sp, Red Admiral, Ringlet and Meadow Brown were around the reserve. In the moth traps a meagre offering included an Elephant Hawk Moth, 2 Cinnabars, a Flame Shoulder, Large Yellow Underwing, 5 Common Footmen, a Smoky Wainscot, a Scarce Footman, a Rustic and a Nutmeg.

Elephant Hawk Moth

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Norfolk Wood Sand just east of Wells still at North Point Pools by track north of A149 +1/3ml east of steam railway entrance this a'noon +5.Spoonbills. Keep to public rights of way +do not enter from railway stn TF.932.431
Norfolk 13.Spoonbills 1ml ESE of Potter Heigham at Potter Heigham Marshes early a'noon +Great White Egret still. Use car park at Lathams (£8.50 per day) +take track ENE 1ml NR29 5JE TG.436.195
Norfolk 35.Spoonbills 1ml ENE of Stiffkey just north of A149 at Stiffkey Fen at 12.15pm. Use A149 layby, walk east +take footpath north along west side of River Stiffkey TF.983.437
Norfolk 2.Cattle Egrets Burnham Overy Staithe from sea wall +2.Great White Egrets 6.Spoonbills
Norfolk Osprey Hickling Broad NWT at 9.17am
Norfolk 3+Cattle Egrets (2+juvs) recently Holkham NNR

Holme Bord Observatory Friday 3rd July 2020

A very blustery day with light showers. A Tawny Owl flew across from the corner of Broadwater to the pines during the morning.

A Blue-tailed Damselfly and a Common Darter were on the wing in the afternoon, and in the moth traps 3 Cinnabars, 14 Common Footmen, 3 Buff Ermines, 2 Ferns, a Currant Pug, 2 Short-cloaked Moths, a Burnished Brass, a Middle-barred Minor, Riband Wave, Mottled Rustic, Striped Wainscot, Kent Black Arches, 3 Flames, Fen Wainscot, Pine Hawk, Peppered Moth, Common Emerald, 2 Dwarf Cream Waves, a Flame Wainscot, 2 Uncertains, a Leopard Moth, a Rustic and a Turnip.

Below: Currant Pug, Flame Wainscot and Leopard Moth

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Norfolk 5.Spoonbills 1ml ESE of Potter Heigham still at Potter Heigham Marshes. Use car park at Lathams (£8.50 per day) +take track ENE 1ml NR29 5JE

Holme Bird Observatory Thursday 2nd July 2020

A cool and breezy day with light showers in the afternoon. A group of 7 Black-tailed Godwits flew east over the Obs and 3 Stonechats, a male and 2 juveniles, were seen around the reserves. A Treecreeper was at the west end of the pines mid morning.

In the moth traps 3 Cinnabars, 2 Buff Ermines, 20 Garden Grass Veneers, 3 Swallowtails, 2 Haworth's Pugs, a Privet Hawk Moth, a Heart & Dart, a Bordered White, 3 Common Footman, 2 Uncertain, 3 Flame, 2 Rustic, a Dark Arches, 2 Kent Black Arches, a Beautiful Hook-tip, a Ruby Tiger, a Brown Tail, 2 Small Magpies, 2 Lyme Grass, 4 Large Yellow Underwings, 2 Common Emeralds, 2 Pine Hawks, a Peppered Moth, a Sand Dart, 3 Shoulder-striped Wainscots, 2 Fen Wainscots, a Smoky Wainscot and a Mottled Rustic were caught.

Below; Fen Wainscot, Ruby Tiger and Small Magpie

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Norfolk 28.Spoonbills 1ml ENE of Stiffkey just north of A149 at Stiffkey Fen at midday +Great White Egret still. Use A149 layby, walk east +take footpath north along west side of River Stiffkey TF.983.437
Norfolk 7.Spoonbills Heacham South Beach +2.Turtle Doves still
Norfolk 3.Balearic S'waters Cley NWT flew east past beach at 12.40pm
Norfolk Little Gull ad Cley flew west past beach
Norfolk Wood Sand on Tuesday 1ml ESE of Potter Heigham still at Potter Heigham Marshes +Great White Egret 7.Spoonbills. Use car park at Lathams (£8.50 per day) +take track ENE 1ml NR29 5JE TG.436.195
Norfolk 6.Spoonbills (5.imms) y'day Cley NWT
Norfolk Hooded Crow on Tuesday Hemsby in evng

Holme Bird Observatory Wednesday 1st July 2020

Bird sightings today included a Spoonbill and two Greenshanks on the Broadwater, a reeling Grasshopper Warbler near the NOA carpark and a Cuckoo in and around the pines.
The spells of sunshine during the day brought an increase in Butterfly activity, with Red Admirals particularly noticeable and a  Humming Bird Hawk-moth was feeding on the Viper's Bugloss near the Observatory building.
A noticeable increase in the number of moths in the traps today, which included Pine Hawk-moth, Dark/Grey Dagger, Dog's Tooth, Barred Yellow, Common Emerald and Lychnis.

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Norfolk 28+Spoonbills 1ml ENE of Stiffkey just north of A149 at Stiffkey Fen +Great White Egret. Use A149 layby, walk east +take footpath north along west side of River Stiffkey TF.983.437
Norfolk Osprey Rockland Broad again 10.55am

Cuckoo in the pines this afternoon.

 

Lychnis

Dark/Grey Dagger

Barred Yellow

Holme Bird Observatory Tuesday 30th June 2020

A breezy start to the day meant birds were largely keeping their heads down out the wind. The exception was a small party of swifts, around twenty birds accompanied by three Sand Martins, which fed over the pines for a while. A walk to the more sheltered side of the site behind the Obs revealed a Treecreeper in the pines.

Record shot of the Treecreeper

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Norfolk 2.Common Cranes Welney WWT
Norfolk 2.Spotted Redshanks Snettisham RSPB at South Pit at 11.30am
Norfolk Turtle Dove Cley NWT flew over Snipe's Marsh

Holme Bird Observatory Monday 29th June 2020

Another unseasonal and blustery day with many birds keeping their heads down! A Common Sandpiper was on the edge of the Broadwater, and 2 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats, 3 Sedge Warblers and 2 Reed Warblers were counted, while a juvenile Stonechat was near the Observatory, and 3 Crossbills flew west over the village at 8.45am.

A female Common Darter managing to settle in the strong winds.

Moths were down on previous days but even so 2 Middle-barred Minors, 2 Shoulder-striped Wainscots, 2 Sand Darts, 3 Large Yellow Underwings, a Yellow Tail, Shore Wainscot, Uncertain, Bright-line Brown-eye, 3 Mottled Rustics, a Nutmeg, Buff Ermine, Clay and Common Rustic were in the traps.

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Norfolk 6,551.Swifts flew south over California 4.25-7.25am
Norfolk Wood Sand Hickling Broad NWT
Norfolk no further sign of Alpine Swift Winterton by mid morning
Norfolk ALPINE SWIFT still Winterton over The Holway at 5.49am

Holme Bird Observatory Sunday 28th June 2020

A blustery day with squally showers. A morning seawatch produced 2 Fulmars west, 6 Gannets with 2 close inshore, 3 Little Terns east and 125 Sandwich Terns recorded. A summer plumage Golden Plover was on the grazing marsh south of the river Hun, 3 Sand Martins flew over the dunes, and a male Cetti's Warbler was singing near the west end of the reserve.

A few butterflies were struggling in the high winds with a Small Heath, 10 Meadow Browns, 4 Red Admirals and 6 Large Whites were counted. In the moth traps a Pine Hawk, 6 Middle-barred Minors, 2 Heart & Clubs, 2 Shore Wainscots, 3 Flames, 5 Sand Darts, a Bordered White, a Rustic, and Uncertain, 6 Shoulder-striped Wainscots, a Small Dusty Wave, 3 Striped Wainscots, 5 Lyme Grass, 2 Elephant Hawks, a Spectacle, 3 Buff Ermines, 9 Large Yellow Underwings, 2 Heart & Darts, a Riband Wave, a Yellow Tail, a Swallowtail, a Peppered Moth, a Barred Straw, 2 Smoky Wainscots, 2 Grey Dagger agg, 2 Common Rustics, 2 Silver Ys, a Clay and a Marbled Minor sp.

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Norfolk Little Gull ad flew west past Cley NWT 9am-11am
Norfolk Wood Sand Buckenham Marshes RSPB on pool from track from car park at midday
Norfolk ALPINE SWIFT flew over Hemsby this a'noon
Norfolk ALPINE SWIFT flew south over Winterton-on-Sea at cmidday

Holme Bird Observatory Saturday 27th June 2020

A stormy day with regular rain showers, there are now three Wigeon on the Broadwater, and 2 Grey Herons flew east long the east bank towards Thornham. Two Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 4 Whitethroats, 2 Sedge and 4 Reed Warblers were noted.

A successful moth trapping produced 2 Smoky Wainscots, 2 Barred Straws, 2 Swallowtails, 10 Middle-barred Minors, 2 Heart & Clubs, 2 Clay, 2 Bordered Whites, 3 Diamond-backs, 4 Sand Darts, 3 Flames, 6 Shoulder-striped Wainscots, an Uncertain, Shore Wainscot, Figure of 80, Yellow Tail, 2 Silver Ys, 2 Grey Dagger agg, a Peppered Moth, Elephant Hawk Moth, 4 Lyme Grass, a Pine Hawk, Fen Wainscot, 2 Marbled Minor sp, Buff Ermine, Mottled Rustic, 2 Striped Wainscots, Double Square-spot, a Riband Wave, 3 Large Yellow Underwings, 1 Heart & Dart, Common Rustic, Shore Wainscot, Uncertain, Small Dusty Wave, Light Arches, and a European Corn Borer.

Below: Figure of 80, Light Arches and European Corn Borer

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Norfolk Spotted Redshank Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Norfolk 5+Little Gulls Cley NWT flew west past beach car park. Spotted Redshank still on Pat's Pool

Holme Bird Observatory Friday 26th June 2020

A very humid and warm day with rain mid morning, and warm winds in the afternoon. A drake Wigeon was near the Broadwater and 12 Black-tailed Godwits were on the grazing marsh. A Common Tern drifted over high west, and a Cetti's Warbler was calling near the Firs. A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling briefly in the dunes and a male Yellowhammer was singing on the edge of the village.

A Humming-bird Hawk Moth was on the wing at the west end of the reserve, and in the moth traps 5 Cinnabar, 11 Common Footmen, 3 Riband Waves, 2 Bordered Whites, a Sharp-angled Peacock, 5 Dwarf Cream Waves, a Privet Hawk, a Flame, 2 Common Swifts, 3 Buff Ermine, a Kent Black Arches, 3 Haworth's Pugs, a Latticed Heath, Mottled Rustic, 4 Lyme Grass, 3 Pine Hawk, 6 Sand Darts, 3 Shoulder-striped Wainscots, 2 Dark Arches, 6 Middle-barred Minors, 2 Rustics, 3 Uncertains, 3 Shore Wainscots, 3 Diamond-backs, a Brown Rustic, a Beautiful Hook-tip, a Lime-speck Pug, Smoky Wainscot, 3 Large Yellow Underwings, an Obscure Wainscot, a Peach Blossom, Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, the Clay, Barred Straw, Heart & Club, Double Square-spot, and Shaded Pug!

A Banded Demoiselle drifted up Kirkgate in the village and two Black-tailed Skimmers were noted.

The Obscure Wainscot was the moth of the day, even if it didn't look it...

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Norfolk Caspian Gull 1s flew east past Weybourne Camp this morning
Norfolk Spotted Redshank Cley NWT on Pat's Pool +Spoonbill flew west
Norfolk Roseate Tern ad till 11.35am Snettisham RSPB on mud opposite Rotary Hide then flew into The Wash (+Turtle Dove 4.Spotted Redshanks)
Norfolk Wood Sand just east of Wells still at North Point Pools by track north of A149 +1/3ml east of steam railway entrance. Keep to public rights of way +do not enter from railway stn TF.932.431
Norfolk Roseate Tern ad Snettisham RSPB on mud opposite Rotary Hide at 10.35am (+ad.Little Gull)
Norfolk Great White Egret Hickling Broad NWT still +Wood Sand 4.Spotted Redshanks Knot 2.Common Cranes
Norfolk 2.Little Gulls (ad +1s) Cley NWT on Simmonds' Scrape

Holme Bird ObservatoryThursday 25th June 2020

A single adult Spoonbill was on the Broadwater early morning, along with two rather smart breeding plumaged Spotted Redshanks. A Tawny Owl was a surprise, flushed from the trapping area first thing, who immediately flew back into the Pines.
The moth trap produced 57 species, a big increase from yesterday with the catch including two Swallowtail moths, a Red-necked Footman, Kent Black Arches, Lime Spec Pug, White-line Dart, Beautiful Hook-tip and some smart micro moths, namely Pearl Grass-veneer and White-foot Bell.
Butterflies were also active in the sunshine with pride of place going to an approachable Comma, pictured below.

Comma

Distant Spotted Redshanks on the Broadwater

Red-necked Footman

White-foot Bell (Epilema foenella)

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Norfolk Great White Egret Dickleburgh Moor at 3pm
Norfolk 22.Spoonbills 1ml ENE of Stiffkey still just north of A149 at Stiffkey Fen at 10.54am. Use A149 layby, walk east +take footpath north along west side of River Stiffkey TF.983.437
Norfolk Turtle Dove male singing Snettisham RSPB still in car park at 7.30am
Norfolk RED-FOOTED FALCON fem St.Olaves flew over garden towards Ashby mid morning
Norfolk 5.probable Balearic S'waters flew east past Sheringham at 9am
Norfolk 3.Wood Sands reported y'day Welney WWT

Holme Bird Observatory Wednesday 24th June 2020

As forecast a rather warm day here at the coast, with a slight breeze offering a degree of relief.
Bird wise things were rather quiet, with the most noteworthy sightings being a Red Kite over the obs and at least two vocal Mediterranean Gulls around the Broadwater.
The moth trap was surprising quiet too, producing only nineteen species, the most colourful the Barred Yellow pictured below.

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Norfolk Wood Sand Welney WWT
Norfolk Wood Sand y'day Cley NWT still on Simmonds' Scrape +Spotted Redshank
Norfolk 4.Spoonbills Snettisham at Ken Hill Marsh at 6.30am then flew south

Holme Bird Observatory Tuesday 23rd June 2020

A beautiful sunny day with temperatures rising to 26 degrees. There was little new to report in the balmy conditions, with a Spoonbill still near the Broadwater, two Med Gulls around the dunes, a Grasshopper Warbler reeling early morning and a Cuckoo still calling on the Golf Course.

A Painted Lady was near the Observatory on the Viper's Bugloss, with 3 Small Heaths along the bank and 2 Azure Damelflies, 3 Blue-tailed Damselflies and 4 Large Red Damselflies around the pond.

The moth trap was rather quiet today with 2 Cinnabar, 2 Swallowtails, 4 Sand Darts, 2 Silver Ys, a Barred Yellow, 4 Middle-barred Minor, a White Ermine, Dwarf Cream Wave, Diamond-back, Spectacle, Common Wainscot, Small Blood-vein, Lesser Yellow Underwing, Mottled Rustic, Buff Tip, and Setaceous Hebrew Character the best that the day had to offer.

A backlit Swallowtail, which was only prepared to be photographed on the window!

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Norfolk 2.Spoonbills Snettisham RSPB still 8.45am
Norfolk Wood Sand just east of Wells still at North Point Pools by track north of A149 +1/3ml east of steam railway entrance at 7.59am. Keep to public rights of way +do not enter from railway stn TF.932.431
Norfolk 4.Spoonbills y'day 1ml ESE of Potter Heigham still at Potter Heigham Marshes in evng. Use car park at Lathams (£8.50 per day) +take track ENE 1ml NR29 5JE TG.436.195
Norfolk 23.Spoonbills 1ml ENE of Stiffkey still just north of A149 at Stiffkey Fen 6.26am. Use A149 layby, walk east +take footpath north along west side of River Stiffkey

Holme Bird Observatory Monday 22nd June 2020

A pleasant but breezy day with plenty of sunshine, the drake Wigeon was still beside the Broadwater today and a single Spoonbill was at the far west end. Two Med Gulls were flying over calling and a Cuckoo was still about, with 25 Swifts, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Whitethroats, a Grasshopper Warbler, 5 Sedge Warblers a Reed Warbler, 2 Bullfinches and in the pines at the Obs 6 Crossbills came down to drink at the Dell, but didn't hang around.

A Black-tailed Skimmer and a Blue-tailed Damselfly were on the wing near the pond, and Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Red Admiral and Painted Lady were also noted, if windswept!

Moths included Small Blood-vein, Buff Tip, 9 Cinnabar, 7 Bordered White, 4 Diamond-back, a Common Footman, 2 Common Swift, a Snout, Pine Hawk, Privet Hawk, 2 Large Yellow Underwing, 2 Rosy Wave, a Poplar Hawk, Shore Wainscot, Mottled Rustic, 2 Sand Darts, a Common Rustic, Striped Wainscot and Double Square-spot.

Below: Shore Wainscot and Double Square-spot

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Norfolk Little Gull Cley flew east past beach car park at 12.45pm
Norfolk Wood Sand just east of Wells still at North Point Pools by track north of A149 +1/3ml east of steam railway entrance. Keep to public rights of way +do not enter from railway stn TF.932.431
Norfolk 25.Spoonbills 1ml ENE of Stiffkey just north of A149 at Stiffkey Fen at 11.30am. Use A149 layby, walk east +take footpath north along west side of River Stiffkey TF.983.437
Norfolk Turtle Dove Kelling Heath

Holme Bird Observatory Sunday 21st June 2020

A wet and windy start with sunny spells developing later on. Highlights today included a passage of 650 Starlings west, 60+ Swifts and a drake Wigeon still around the Broadwater. Two Sandwich Terns and a Little Tern passed offshore with 3 Med Gulls also noted, a Turtle Dove was heard near the paddocks, a Barn Owl was hunting at the east end of the village, and in the dunes a male Lesser Whitethroat was still singing and 4+ Stonechats were noted.

Butterflies emerged during the day with 2 Painted Ladies, 6 Meadow Browns and 2 Red Admirals counted. A female Black-tailed Skimmer was near the bus-stop hide and in the moth traps 3 Cinnabars, 1 Buff Ermine, Eyed, Privet and Pine Hawk Moths, 3 Middle-barred Minors, a Silver Y, a Sand Dart, Buff Tip, Barred Straw, Bordered White, 4 Common Swifts, 2 Large Yellow Underwings, Clay, Mottled Beauty, Brown Rustic, Mottled Rustic and Spectacle were in the moth traps.

Eyed Hawk Moth:

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Norfolk Turtle Dove Snettisham RSPB still in car park mid a'noon
Norfolk 7+Little Gulls Cley off beach car park
Norfolk Wood Sand just east of Wells still at North Point Pools by track north of A149 +1/3ml east of steam railway entrance. Keep to public rights of way +do not enter from railway stn TF.932.431
Norfolk 4.Spoonbills Snettisham RSPB on pits late morning
Norfolk 3.Wood Sands Cley NWT
Norfolk 5.Little Gulls Cley NWT +Spoonbill Spotted Redshank
Norfolk Spoonbill Breydon Water at east end

Holme Bird Observatory Saturday 20th June 2020

A day of sunny spells and an moderate southerly breeze. A drake Wigeon was still around the Broadwater and at least 26 Lapwings were on the grazing marshes. Two Med Gulls flew overhead and a Cuckoo was calling near Thornham Harbour. Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Whitethroats, 4 Sedge and 2 Reed Warblers were singing.

Moths were rather lacklustre today with a Silver Y, Common Footman, Riband Wave, Small Dusty Wave, Marbled Minor agg, 2 Mottled Rustics, 4 Barred Straws, a Common Swift, Smoky Wainscot, Common Emerald, 4 Cinnabar, White Ermine, Flame, Heart & Dart, Large Yellow Underwing, Brimstone, Sand Dart and Bordered White caught in the traps.

A few more butterflies today with a Painted Lady, 4 Small Heath, 5 Meadow Brown and 2 Red Admiral seen. At least 4 Large Red Damselflies were around the pond.

Emperor caterpillars have been eating themselves silly and most have begun to spin their cocoons. A last photo is below before they disappear for the next 9 months!

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Norfolk Osprey Rockland Broad till 1pm then flew towards Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
Norfolk Osprey Rockland Broad at 12.56pm
Norfolk Garganey Welney WWT still +Great White Egret still
Norfolk 2.RED-FOOTED FALCONS (ad.fem +1s.fem) Wells flew inland 11.55am-12.03pm
Norfolk Turtle Dove Snettisham RSPB still
Norfolk Wood Sand just east of Wells still at North Point Pools by track north of A149 +1/3ml east of steam railway entrance early morning. Keep to public rights of way +do not enter from railway stn TF.932.431
Norfolk Stone Curlew Winterton Dunes then flew north
Norfolk SAVI'S WARBLER singing still 2mls ESE of Norwich just south of Thorpe St.Andrew +north of River Yare at Thorpe Marshes NWT east of cattle pens by path left of railway bridge at 5am +showing tho distant

Holme Bird Observatory Friday 19th June 2020

A day of showers and strong winds, a surprising sighting of 35 Teal and a drake Wigeon near the Broadwater early in the afternoon, with 2 Med Gulls flying over calling and 10+ Swifts feeding near the Observatory. It was otherwise rather quiet, apart from the Black-headed Gulls!

An excellent night for moths with plenty of species. These included Willow Beauty, 6 Silver Ys, 5 Cinnabars, 27 Diamond-backs, Marbled Minor sp, Small Dusty Wave, Brown Rustic, 3 Lyme Grass, Large Yellow Underwing, 2 Sand Darts, 4 Ferns, 2 Common Footman, 2 Barred Yellow, 2 Sharp-angled Peacock, a Water Veneer, Painted Neb, Bordered White, 2 Middle-barred Minor, Pine Hawk Moth, 2 Dwarf Cream Wave, 1 Small Elephant Hawk, a Peppered Moth, the Rustic, Marbled Brown, 3 Barred Straw, a Buff Tip, a Common Swift, Shoulder-striped Wainscot, Privet Hawk, Flame, Dog's Tooth, Heart & Club, Beautiful Hook-tip, Poplar Hawk, Heart & Dart, and Marbled White-spot.

Below: Marbled White-spot, Beautiful Hook-tip and Barred Yellow

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Norfolk 2.Spotted Redshanks Cley NWT on Simmonds' Scrape. Spoonbill flew west. Also 7.Little Gulls
Norfolk Garganey Welney WWT still +Great White Egret still
Norfolk Spotted Redshank just E.of Wells at North Point Pools by track north of A149 +1/3ml east of steam railway entrance +2.Spoonbills +Great White Egret briefly. Keep to public rights of way +do not enter from railway stn TF.932.431
Norfolk 3.Spoonbills y'day flew west over Blakeney Freshmarsh in a'noon
Norfolk Caspian Gull 3s Cley on beach +6.Little Gulls (2s +5.1s) 85.Med Gulls
Norfolk SAVI'S WARBLER singing still 2mls ESE of Norwich just south of Thorpe St.Andrew +north of River Yare at Thorpe Marshes NWT east of cattle pens by path left of railway bridge

Holme Bird Observatory Thursday 18th June 2020

A relentlessly wet day with a strong southerly breeze, there was not a lot to report today but a Spoonbill was on the Broadwater and a Cuckoo was flying west over the reserve mid morning. Otherwise things were dominated by the noisy nearby colony of Black-headed Gulls!

Moths were fairly numerous with a Silver Y, 8 Cinnabars, 5 Bordered Whites, an Uncertain, 3 Barred Straw, 2 Common Swifts, a Dwarf Cream Wave, Brown Rustic, Flame, Grey Dagger ag., 2 Diamond-backs, a Dark Arches, Sharp-angled Peacock, Marbled Minor ag., Fern, 2 Sand Dart, 2 Common Footman, a Shoulder-striped Wainscot, Heart & Dart, Small Elephant Hawk, Treble Brown-Spot, Willow Beauty, and a Grey Pine Carpet.

Below: Grey Pine Carpet and Grey Dagger/Dark Dagger ag.

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Norfolk 2.Caspian Gulls (3s +2s) Cley beach +4.1s.Little Gulls then flew north
Norfolk Wood Sand just east of Wells at North Point Pools by track north of A149 +1/3ml east of steam railway entrance. Keep to public rights of way +do not enter from railway stn TF.932.431
Norfolk Garganey Welney WWT still +Great White Egret still
Norfolk again no sign of Savi's Warbler 2mls ESE of Norwich just south of Thorpe St.Andrew +north of River Yare at Thorpe Marshes NWT east of cattle pens by path left of railway bridge TG.268.083
Norfolk House Finch male on Sunday North Walsham on feeder in garden

Holme Bird Observatory Wednesday 17th June 2020

Spoonbills, an adult and two juveniles, were again on the Broadwater today and the Starling flock increased to around 500 birds, though numerous searches through them during the day revealed nothing different in amongst them! A  Water Vole was  a nice surprise, watched for several minutes along the River Hun early morning.

More interesting moths in the traps included a Coxcomb Prominent, Barred Straw, Privet Hawkmoth and a rather smart Puss moth.

Puss Moth

Water Vole

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Norfolk 6.Spoonbills 1ml ESE of Potter Heigham at Potter Heigham Marshes. Use car park at Lathams (£8.50 per day) +take track ENE 1ml NR29 5JE TG.436.195
Norfolk 7.Spoonbills Snettisham at Ken Hill Marsh this morning
Norfolk Garganey Welney WWT still
Norfolk SAVI'S WARBLER singing still 9.10am 2mls ESE of Norwich just south of Thorpe St.Andrew +north of River Yare at Thorpe Marshes NWT east of cattle pens by path left of railway bridge +showing well TG.268.083
Norfolk Black Redstart male y'day Norwich at All Saints Green at Heart Foundation shop at 4pm tho mobile
Norfolk no sign of Marsh Warbler 1ml east of Cley +south of A149 at Walsey Hills NOA near Snipe's Marsh in reeds viewed from midway along track
Norfolk SAVI'S WARBLER singing still 2mls ESE of Norwich just south of Thorpe St.Andrew +north of River Yare at Thorpe Marshes NWT east of cattle pens by path left of railway bridge at 6.24am +showing well TG.268.083

Holme Bird Observatory Tuesday 16th June 2020

A largely misty day, with the sun finally breaking through around 3 o'clock. The Spoonbills were again on the Broadwater, five birds today, and at least three Crossbills were in the pines near the Obs building. At least three vocal Cuckoos were seen and heard and a Grasshopper Warbler was again heard reeling nearby.

The moth trap was quieter than past days, but did contain three rather smart Privet Hawkmoths and a Peppered Moth.

Peppered Moth

Three for the price of one ! Privet Hawkmoths

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Norfolk 3.Spoonbills 1ml ESE of Potter Heigham still at Potter Heigham Marshes. Use car park at Lathams (£8.50 per day) +take track ENE 1ml NR29 5JE TG.436.195
Norfolk Marsh Warbler singing still this a'noon 1ml east of Cley +south of A149 at Walsey Hills NOA near Snipe's Marsh in reeds viewed from midway along track +showing well
Norfolk Marsh Warbler singing still 11.18am 1ml east of Cley +south of A149 at Walsey Hills NOA near Snipe's Marsh +showing well
Norfolk SAVI'S WARBLER singing still 10.54am 2mls ESE of Norwich just south of Thorpe St.Andrew +north of River Yare at Thorpe Marshes NWT east of cattle pens by path left of railway bridge +showing well TG.268.083
Norfolk Marsh Warbler singing still 1ml east of Cley +south of A149 at Walsey Hills NOA near Snipe's Marsh at 8.01am
Norfolk SAVI'S WARBLER singing still 2mls ESE of Norwich just south of Thorpe St.Andrew +north of River Yare at Thorpe Marshes NWT east of cattle pens by path left of railway bridge at 6.40am +showing TG.268.083

Holme Bird Observatory Monday 15th June 2020

A Grasshopper Warbler was heard reeling early morning and the six Spoonbills were again present on the Broadwater. A hunting Barn Owl was seen and a calling Whimbrel flew over heading west in the company of two Curlews. A small flock of six vocal Crossbills appeared in the pines by the observatory late morning before flying off south.

The moth trap produced thirty species including a fresh looking  Wormwood Pug and Dark Arches.

Dark Arches

Wormwood Pug

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Norfolk 3+Spoonbills 1ml ESE of Potter Heigham still at Potter Heigham Marshes +1+Garganey still. Use car park at Lathams (£8.50 per day) +take track ENE 1ml NR29 5JE TG.436.195
Norfolk CASPIAN TERN still mid a'noon 1ml ESE of Potter Heigham at Potter Heigham Marshes. Use car park at Lathams (£8.50 per day) +take track ENE 1ml NR29 5JE TG.438.193
Norfolk 2.Spoonbills Snettisham Coastal Park
Norfolk 3+Turtle Doves New Buckenham Common early morning
Norfolk Turtle Dove Salthouse at 10.05am
Norfolk no further sign of reported Icterine Warbler 1.5mls south of Thetford at Nunnery Lakes NR
Norfolk Marsh Warbler singing still 10.15am 1ml east of Cley +south of A149 at Walsey Hills NOA near Snipe's Marsh
Norfolk Icterine Warbler singing reported 1.5mls south of Thetford at Nunnery Lakes NR in an area with no general access briefly 7.45am
Norfolk CASPIAN TERN still 1ml ESE of Potter Heigham at Potter Heigham Marshes. Use car park at Lathams (£8.50 per day) +take track ENE 1ml NR29 5JE TG.438.193
Norfolk SAVI'S WARBLER singing still 2mls ESE of Norwich just south of Thorpe St.Andrew +north of River Yare at Thorpe Marshes NWT east of cattle pens by path left of railway bridge at 7.45am +showing well TG.268.083
Norfolk Corncrake male singing y'day Welney WWT still in evng from Welney Wash Road
Norfolk Marsh Warbler singing still 1ml east of Cley +south of A149 at Walsey Hills NOA near Snipe's Marsh at 6.15am

Holme Bird Observatory Sunday 14th June 2020

A very misty start but brighter later. Four Cetti's Warblers were heard in the recording area and 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 7 Whitethroats, 4 Sedge and 5 Reed Warblers were counted.

The moth traps were the highlight today with 24 Cinnabars, a Sharp-angled Peacock, Mottled and Willow Beauty, 12 Diamond-backs, 7 Bordered Whites, an Angle Shades, Lime-speck Pug, 2 Common Footmen, 5 Heart & Dart, 6 Common Swift, a Sand Dart, Breckland Plume, 5 Flame, a Silver Y, Small Elephant Hawk, Middle-barred Minor, Striped Wainscot, Buff Ermine, Burnished Brass, 7 Mottled Rustic, 2 Brown Rustic, Common Wainscot, a White Satin Moth, Small Waved Umber, Lyme Grass, 2 Uncertain, Large Yellow Underwing, 1 White Ermine, Heart & Club, Snout, Lime-speck Pug, Small Dusty Wave Freyer's and Haworth's Pugs.

Below: White Satin Moth and Burnished Brass

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Norfolk Osprey flew east over Hickling Broad at 12.58pm
Norfolk CASPIAN TERN still 10.40am 1ml ESE of Potter Heigham at Potter Heigham Marshes. Use car park at Lathams (£8.50 per day) +take track ENE 1ml NR29 5JE TG.438.193
Norfolk Marsh Warbler singing still mid morning 1ml east of Cley +south of A149 at Walsey Hills NOA in reeds near Snipe's Marsh
Norfolk Curlew Sand again 10.22am Cley NWT on Arnold's Marsh
Norfolk Curlew Sand Cley NWT on Arnold's Marsh c10am-c10.10am then flew off
Norfolk CASPIAN TERN still 1ml ESE of Potter Heigham at Potter Heigham Marshes. Use car park at Lathams (£8.50 per day) +take track ENE 1ml NR29 5JE TG.438.193
Norfolk Marsh Warbler singing still 7.40am 1ml east of Cley +south of A149 at Walsey Hills NOA in reeds near Snipe's Marsh +showing well
Norfolk 2.Spoonbills (ad +1w) Heacham South Marsh still flew north at 6.10am
Norfolk Rose-coloured Starling y'day Roughton still at Orchard Close at 4pm NR11 8SR
Norfolk Marsh Warbler singing still 1ml east of Cley +south of A149 at Walsey Hills NOA in reeds near Snipe's Marsh at 4.20am
Norfolk SAVI'S WARBLER singing still 2mls ESE of Norwich just south of Thorpe St.Andrew +north of River Yare at Thorpe Marshes NWT east of cattle pens by path left of railway bridge +showing tho elusive

Holme Bird Observatory Saturday 13th June 2020

On the sea today 3 Fulmars, an adult Gannet and 203 Sandwich Terns were the highlights, while around the Broadwater 6 Spoonbills were still present. A Sand Martin flew east through the dunes and 8 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, 4 Whitethroats, 6 Sedge and 5 Reed Warblers were counted. A female Black Redstart was on the east bank briefly and a male Stonechat was also there chasing her away!

Two Red Admirals and two Small Heaths were counted during the day, with a pair of Azure Damselflies seen in the morning. A Drinker moth caterpillar was rescued off the road in the village.

In the moth traps 5 Cinnabars, 13 Bordered Whites, an Angle Shades, 13 Diamond-backs, a Flame, a Fern, Short-cloaked Moth, 2 Marbled Minor sp, a Striped Wainscot, White Point, Sand Dart, Silver Y, Heart & Dart, 3 Mottled Rustics, Brown Rustic, Uncertain, Common Swift, Privet Hawk, Swallow Prominent, White Ermine, Poplar Hawk, Iron Prominent, Light Emerald, Heart & Club, Shoulder-striped Wainscot, Large Yellow Underwing and Elephant Hawk Moth were all caught.

Privet Hawk Moth

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Norfolk Osprey Hickling Broad NWT this morning
Norfolk Marsh Warbler singing still early a'noon 1ml east of Cley +south of A149 at Walsey Hills NOA near Snipe's Marsh. Restricted viewing from path
Norfolk Spoonbill just east of Wells still at North Point Pools by track north of A149 +1/3ml east of steam railway entrance at 2.36pm. Keep to public rights of way +do not enter from railway stn TF.932.431
Norfolk 2.Spoonbills Cley NWT
Norfolk CASPIAN TERN still 3pm 1ml ESE of Potter Heigham at Potter Heigham Marshes. Use car park at Lathams (£8.50 per day) +take track ENE 1ml NR29 5JE TG.438.193
Norfolk Corncrake male singing Welney WWT still at Summer Walk +Garganey Great White Egret
Norfolk SAVI'S WARBLER singing still early a'noon 2mls ESE of Norwich just south of Thorpe St.Andrew +north of River Yare at Thorpe Marshes NWT east of cattle pens by path left of railway bridge +showing on +off TG.268.083
Norfolk Turtle Dove Snettisham RSPB
Norfolk CASPIAN TERN 1ml ESE of Potter Heigham at Potter Heigham Marshes late morning. Use car park at Lathams (£8.50 per day) +take track ENE 1ml NR29 5JE TG.438.193
Norfolk SAVI'S WARBLER singing still c11.15am 2mls ESE of Norwich just south of Thorpe St.Andrew +north of River Yare at Thorpe Marshes NWT east of cattle pens by path left of railway bridge TG.268.083
Norfolk Marsh Warbler singing still late morning 1ml east of Cley +south of A149 at Walsey Hills NOA near Snipe's Marsh +showing on +off. Restricted viewing from path
Norfolk Little Gull 1s Hickling Broad NWT +5.Spoonbills 2.Spotted Redshanks
Norfolk 5.Garganey (3.drks) 1ml ESE of Potter Heigham at Potter Heigham Marshes +4.Spoonbills. Use car park at Lathams (£8.50 per day) +take track ENE 1ml NR29 5JE TG.436.195

Holme Bird Observatory Friday 12th June 2020

A foggy day with the south side of the Broadwater often obscured! Swifts and House Martins continued to hawk insects over the pines and an adult Med Gull flew low over the dunes mid afternoon. Five Curlew and a Bar-tailed Godwit drifted over the marshes heading seaward.

In the moth traps a Fern, 4 Cinnabars, 2 Bordered Whites, a Lesser Yellow Underwing, a Silver Y, 2 Heart & Darts, a Common Swift, Uncertain, an Elephant Hawk Moth, Mottled Rustic and Large Yellow Underwing were caught.

Elephant Hawk Moth


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Norfolk Corncrake male singing Welney WWT at Summer Walk
Norfolk Rose-coloured Starling ad.male just NE of Norwich still 1.03pm in Sprowston at Linacre Avenue in elder viewed from behind old shop
Norfolk Great White Egret Wells flew east over coast path at 11.17am
Norfolk Spoonbill just east of Wells at North Point Pools by track north of A149 +1/3ml east of steam railway entrance at 10.44am. Keep to public rights of way +do not enter from railway stn TF.932.431
Norfolk reported probable Greenish Warbler Caister by beach is a Willow Warbler [reidentified from photographs]
Norfolk Rose-coloured Starling ad.male just NE of Norwich still 10.19am in Sprowston at Linacre Avenue in elder viewed from behind old shop
Norfolk probable Greenish Warbler Caister by beach 1/4ml north of 2nd Avenue car park in 2nd pile of boulders mid morning +showing well TG.522.142
Norfolk Rose-coloured Starling ad.male just NE of Norwich still in Sprowston at Linacre Avenue at 9.10am tho mobile

Holme Bird Observatory Thursday 11th June 2020

A warm but damp day with rain starting in the afternoon. At least 5 Spoonbills were still around the Broadwater, flying off west in the afternoon. A Red Kite drifted over the village and 15 Golden Plover were seen over the grazing marsh. Three Common Terns were also seen over the Broadwater and a large mixed group of 40 Swifts, 20 House Martins and 2+ Swallows were feeding near the Firs while a Cetti's Warbler was calling near the west end of the reserve.

Moths included 4 Bordered Whites, a Sharp-angled Peacock, 4 Cinnabars, an Uncertain, a Silver Y, 2 Large Yellow Underwings, a Common Swift, a Pine Hawk Moth, Heart & Dart, Straw Dot, Mottled Rustic, Vine's Rustic, Heart & Club and Dog's Tooth (pictured).

Emperor Caterpillars are getting huge!

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Norfolk Rose-coloured Starling ad.male just NE of Norwich still 2.31pm in Sprowston in back garden of 6.Linacre Avenue
Norfolk 13.Spoonbills 1ml ENE of Stiffkey just north of A149 at Stiffkey Fen at 1.40pm. Use A149 layby, walk east +take footpath north along west side of River Stiffkey TF.983.437
Norfolk Spoonbill Warham Greens on saltings at Warham Pit
Norfolk Great White Egret just east of Wells at North Point Pools by track north of A149 +1/3ml east of steam railway entrance mid morning then flew east. Keep to public rights of way +do not enter from railway stn TF.932.431
Norfolk Spoonbill flew east past Weybourne Camp
Norfolk Rose-coloured Starling ad.male just NE of Norwich still 11.46am in Sprowston behind 6.Linacre Avenue
Norfolk 6.Spoonbills 1ml ESE of Potter Heigham still at Potter Heigham Marshes at 11.31am. Use car park at Lathams (£8.50 per day) +take track ENE 1ml NR29 5JE TG.436.195
Norfolk 2.Spoonbills y'day Blakeney Harbour still
Norfolk Rose-coloured Starling ad.male just NE of Norwich still 9.17am in Sprowston in garden of 17.Blithemeadow Drive NR7 8PX
Norfolk Rose-coloured Starling ad.male just NE of Norwich still 7.40am in Sprowston at Linacre Avenue in gardens towards Blithemeadow Drive viewed from behind car park of old shop
Norfolk 6.Spoonbills y'day 1ml ESE of Potter Heigham at Potter Heigham Marshes. Use car park at Lathams (£8.50 per day) +take track ENE 1ml NR29 5JE TG.436.195
Norfolk Rose-coloured Starling just NE of Norwich still in Sprowston at Linacre Avenue flew over old shop at 6.10am

Holme Bird Observatory Wednesday 10th June 2020

A calling flock of fifteen Crossbill were noted flying west early morning, with at least another one heard calling from the pines adjacent to the Observatory late morning. A Wheatear was noted in the dunes, and six Spoonbills were again on the Broadwater which included several begging juvenile birds.

The moth trap held seventeen species of moth, which included several fresh Heart and Darts and a Buff Ermine.

Adult Spoonbill being harassed by a begging juvenile

Buff Ermine

Heart and Dart

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Norfolk 3.Turtle Doves Kelling Quags at 2.29pm then flew east
Norfolk BLYTH'S REED WARBLER singing Cley still 1.30pm by road 200yds east of Wiveton stone bridge +showing
Norfolk 3.Spoonbills y'day 1ml ESE of Potter Heigham at Potter Heigham Marshes +8.Common Cranes flew over. Use car park at Lathams (£8.50 per day) +take track ENE 1ml NR29 5JE TG.436.195
Norfolk Rose-coloured Starling West Runton at Water Lane on chimney at 7.50am but no further sign by late morning
Norfolk no sign of Rose-coloured Starling Cley at NE end +just south of A149 Coast Road at Sea Lawn NR25 7RZ
Norfolk no news on Rose-coloured Starling Cley
Norfolk no news on Rose-coloured Starling just north of North Walsham at Swafield
Norfolk Rose-coloured Starling reported West Runton
Norfolk 2.Spoonbills Hickling Broad NWT on Brendan's Marsh at 8.30am
Norfolk BLYTH'S REED WARBLER singing Cley by road just east of Wiveton stone bridge
Norfolk 2.Spoonbills y'day 1ml ESE of Potter Heigham still at Potter Heigham Marshes. Use car park at Lathams (£8.50 per day) +take track ENE 1ml NR29 5JE TG.436.195
Norfolk no sign of Caspian Tern 1ml ESE of Potter Heigham at Potter Heigham Marshes viewed from river bank. Use car park at Lathams (£8.50 per day) +take track ENE 1ml NR29 5JE TG.438.193
Norfolk no sign of Blyth's Reed Warbler 1ml NE of North Walsham at Pigneys Wood by canal 5am-6.30am. Walk 300yds NW along canal footpath from car park +showing on +off TG.296.315