Earlier in the week, Thursday, I visited Surlingham Church Marsh and was lucky enough to equal my site record count for Green Sandpipers- 3 individuals. I noted that one of the three did not have a clear cut border between breast streaking and white underparts; infact, a white streak went straight up to the throat. My excellent 'Shorebirds of the Northern Hemisphere' by R.Chandler informs me that this is usual on juvenile birds. More ammo for the future article in The Norfolk Bird Report!
Today, no Waders and not too much else. Standard fair for the time of year I suppose. 2 broods of Reed Warblers were briefly watched, as was a female Blackcap. A Sedge Warbler was showing well in a Buddleia bush, picking away at the unsuspecting insects. One juvenile Shelduck remains on the lagoon.
The first Gatekeepers of the year were out, along with plenty of Small Whites, Comma and Red Admiral. I also saw the moth pictured below; I do not recognise it, so I assume it might be a day-flying micro. Could someone ID please?
Cantley Sugar Beet factory was a new site for me, and there have been some decent Wader counts from there of late. Recent rarities include Baird's and Marsh Sandpiper. I had a feeling the rain would mean I had missed the best of the birds and I was proven right. Muddy edges that might have been there were not exposed. Juvenile Shelduck and Shovelor did not mind. The highlight were 2 Common Sandpipers, flying low over the large pit, calling.
Access here is straightforward. If you are without a car, then you can follow the public footpath that follows the river, leading down to the pits. I would assume if you require access to the dirt tracks that circumnavigate the pits, you would need a pass. Presumably most don't bother, since the signing in book in reception had not been used since early in the month, and Wader counts have been coming out of Cantley as recent as earlier this week. If you have a car, pull up at reception and sign in, picking up your security pass. Staff friendly and helpful. A site worth visiting- as long as the water levels are just right!
Today, no Waders and not too much else. Standard fair for the time of year I suppose. 2 broods of Reed Warblers were briefly watched, as was a female Blackcap. A Sedge Warbler was showing well in a Buddleia bush, picking away at the unsuspecting insects. One juvenile Shelduck remains on the lagoon.
The first Gatekeepers of the year were out, along with plenty of Small Whites, Comma and Red Admiral. I also saw the moth pictured below; I do not recognise it, so I assume it might be a day-flying micro. Could someone ID please?
Cantley Sugar Beet factory was a new site for me, and there have been some decent Wader counts from there of late. Recent rarities include Baird's and Marsh Sandpiper. I had a feeling the rain would mean I had missed the best of the birds and I was proven right. Muddy edges that might have been there were not exposed. Juvenile Shelduck and Shovelor did not mind. The highlight were 2 Common Sandpipers, flying low over the large pit, calling.
Access here is straightforward. If you are without a car, then you can follow the public footpath that follows the river, leading down to the pits. I would assume if you require access to the dirt tracks that circumnavigate the pits, you would need a pass. Presumably most don't bother, since the signing in book in reception had not been used since early in the month, and Wader counts have been coming out of Cantley as recent as earlier this week. If you have a car, pull up at reception and sign in, picking up your security pass. Staff friendly and helpful. A site worth visiting- as long as the water levels are just right!
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