Notes from the valley

Consumed by school at the moment, hence a gap between updates here. Now that the patch is more tricky to visit regularly, I appreciate it being there even more. Nothing scarce to report, just some general goings on that keep the broads ticking. The bat detector has proven a solid investment, and despite missing an outing with the Norfolk Barbastelle Study Group due to car problems, I have been amusing myself down at Surlingham now the nights are pulling in once more. I am getting to know good bat 'spots' and have enjoyed some close encounters these last 2 weeks as the young Bats join the adults on the wing. I have recorded Noctule, Brown Long-eared, Soprano and Common Pip so far, and last year Daubenten's were hunting the Yare and no doubt are doing the same this year. If anyone knows of any swarming sites in and around Norwich, do let me know; that would finish off the season nicely. Whilst the bird activity has been quiet, 5 returning Wigeon are a sure sign of the seaso...

A sortie to Cley on the 2nd had more on the menu than birds. Debs was keen to eat at Cookie's Crab Shop (albeit in neighbouring Salthouse) and we wanted to try out some new scopes at CleySpy with a view to a new year purchase. We of course had a leisurely stroll around the reserve, but first this: Fresh, tasty and well priced at £6.50. We sat out the front of the shack, watching the world (and some birds) drift by and my good friend and birding mentor Rob Lambert (2nd place in celebrity wild brain of Britain at Birdfair, so he says) turned up. We had a nice catch up. Anyway, the reserve was a little quiet but we did pick up a distant Curlew Sandpiper and 2 sleeping Spoonbill. Keen to prolong the day we dropped in at Stiffkey Fen. A Pectoral Sandpiper had been reported and showing from the sea wall. No luck there, but we did manage a glimpse of the bird, looking over the reed tops on the way back to the car. Great location but a terribly awkward view of the pool, and views from ...

On the night of the 22nd, I headed to the patch after some Bats. As the light faded, the lagoon filled up with wildfowl. Egyptian and Greylag Geese noisily announcing their arrival amongst the quieter Teal and Gadwall. Nothing quite like watching Geese Whiffling by moonlight. I picked up my first Bat around 8.50pm, a Pipistrelle sp. A further 9 individuals followed including Common and Soprano Pip, Brown Long-eared and best of all a Noctule. I was interested to observe both Soprano Pip and Long-eared hunting together around the same Oak tree, very different jizz to the pair, the long-eared being slower and more 'fluttery'. Walking back to the car I picked up one frequency I was unsure of, maybe a Natterers, and on referring to the sounds I had stored on my mobile this had to go down as one that got away. All great fun, if a little unnerving in the dark- but that is part of the buzz! A day in the Yare Valley on the 24th was superb, accompanied by my Uncle and cousin Ben . We...

Had to read this twice, still can't quite believe it. http://www.davis-bowring.co.uk/index.php/sporting/Moroccan-Shooting.html A British company offering trips to Morocco to shoot Turtle Doves. I am not a part of the anti-shooting brigade in England; in-fact, conservation and management for 'game' can be one and the same thing. But the above is totally inexcusable, and grim. Birdlife International have urged people to contact the company via email and lodge their opposition. But then, you don't need me to tell you that the Turtle Dove has been subject to massive declines, and is now globally threatened. These are our Doves, and we want them back next year.

Notice on the hide at Rush Hills- 'Hornet's nest. Do not enter and leave alone'. I of course entered; I had never seen a nest like this until today. Incredible honey-comb design and yet seemingly paper-thin. I didn't hang around, the drone of the insects enough to put me off and I moved in front of the hide. Wood Sandpiper 4+ Common Sandpiper 2 Ruff 16 Avocet 18 Redshank 1 Dunlin 2 Black-tailed Godwit 1 That may be the most Wood Sand I have recorded in one place. Happy days. Earlier in the morning, I visited Buckenham. The Wood Sand remains here, and new in was a Greenshank. Snipe numbers are up on yesterday, at least 30 were counted. A Lesser-black Backed Gull had a red ring on its left leg, and a silver on its right. No sign of the Hobby I encountered yesterday. Although early in the day, Hawkers were already on the wing as were a few Butterflies. Good to see a late emergance of Peacocks and now a few Small Tort. Thank Goodness. Walking back to the stati...

Busy month, and on composing this ere blog post I almost forgot a significant bird that got August off to a flyer- an adult Purple Heron at Sutton Gault in Cambridgeshire. A cracking adult it was, donning full war paint and regalia. Also a British lifer, don't see too many of those these days. This unlikely out of county twitch came about thanks to a kind invite from a friend to visit his thesis site in Berkshire, which is focussed around river restoration. He listed various inverts I cannot recall and explained the significance of the now resident Ranunculus on the river bed, whilst I watched Buzzards and Red Kites catch the thermals. Lovely stuff. I should preface this next section by saying I do not work for the Northumberland Tourist Board but what a fantastic county! I won't bore/grip folk with a day by day account here, but instead a few highlights: 1) The coast. Unspoilt, sandy beaches, amazing dune systems and muddy harbours. Eiders floated in the bays, and we were ...

Redgrave and Lopham Fen is moreorless halfway between my place in Norwich and my parent's home down in Suffolk. On route for a catch up and mothing session (more of that later) I stopped off for a walk around the home of the rare Fen Raft Spider. In the wind and the drizzle I saw very little, but the sightings board spoke of good birds including Hobbies, Breeding Barn Owls, Cuckoos and Bearded Tits. I completed the short red walk shown above, but the full walk is close to 7km. Throw in some winter Finches, Thrushes and Owls and I reckon this is definitely an under-watched site with potential. Great variety of habo ranging rom broad leaved woodland, carr woodland, Fen, marsh and meadow. Good trapping session in Suffolk resulted in the following: Orange Moth Poplar Hawk 2 Mother of Pearl c10 Riband Wave c10 Common Carpet Yellow Tail Brown Tail Dingy Footman Common Footman Dot Moth Common Wainscott Grey Dagger? Common Rustic Dark Arches Scalloped Oak Clouded...