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Raptor's steal the headlines in May

Red Kites continue to make their push eastwards, and the bird below was photographed (badly) today on Claxton Marshes, coming out of an aerial duel with a Marsh Harrier and continuing to search for food. Another, perhaps the same, was seen on the 13th in the same location. On the 16th I observed one passing the window, from the couch!

Huge excitement ensued on the 3rd. when a juvenile White-tailed Eagle made landfall at Buckenham that evening. This individual, assuming it is one and the same, has been touring Norfolk and Suffolk for a few weeks now and this was a rare opportunity to add it to the 'seen from patch' patch list. In brisk chilly weather, I parked at the Beauchamp Arms and walked east to a small hut presumably used for monitoring sailing or fishing competitions. This gave me an elevated view over Buckenham Marshes, and the Eagle was easily picked out on a gate post. Needless to say this was a giant of a bird, and the Oystercatchers were very brave indeed to want to harass it. I watched as the bird left for roost around half 7, trailed across the marsh by the local Waders, Geese spooked by the predator making a racket. Quite a scene so close to home. Avocet on the pools were also NFY.

The Swifts arrived back en mass over the 5th and 6th, and already seem to be getting on with nest building in the local houses. An evening walk to Rockland on the 6th was still wooly hat weather, but Common Sandpiper and Garden Warbler (3 territories now) were welcome year ticks. A Cuckoo was heard, and these would remain in short supply until later in the month.

The annual dawn chorus walk with SYWG at Church Marsh was a little disappointing this year in terms of species, but the attendees received good renditions of a variety of songs, including Grasshopper Warbler, and I was most pleased to see Nuthatch in the wet carr woodland. A week later, and although the wildfowl and waders survey was equally dull, I was thrilled to see a pair of Marsh Harrier prospecting on site. 

The first Hobby was recorded on the 13th, and and another bird was seen at dusk over the Beauchamp arms on Friday night. 

Mothing is slowly improving, and I have had a few first over the last few weeks: May Highflyer, Rustic Shoulder Knot, Least Black Arches and Cloud Bordered Brindle. None especially rare, but I didn't trap a lot this time last year so I am still getting to grips with even the common Spring species. Eyed and Poplar Hawk Moth have graced the trap, and this morning I awoke to a decent haul finally, (at second count) 13 species of 25 Moths.

Debs, Rose and I had a walk at Strumpshaw this afternoon in the hope of catching up with an early Swallowtail. No luck there, but Damsels were out and about- Azure, Variable and Blue-tailed. I also came across a couple of Hairy Dragonflies on my village run this morning. 

A year all about Raptors so far, with an over-wintering Hen Harrier, the arrival of the Kites and a patch addition in the shape of a Sea Eagle. Still time for a May mega to see out the month, and with half term a week away I am hopeful of adding to the list.



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