Thursday 15th July 2021

Redshank

 Sunny first thing but the brisk northerly breeze brought complete cloud cover by lunchtime; there were 8 Sandwich Terns and 7 Mediterranean Gulls offshore first thing, a Grey Wagtail was trapped in the Heligoland trap, single Whimbrel and Redshank were present and a Little Egret flew south.

The day was more notable though for the fine array of Odonata in the area which comprised 2 Emerald Damselfly on the Butts Pond (only previously noted in 2008), quite a few Azure and Blue-tailed Damselfly scattered through the bushes, a couple each of Ruddy and Common Darter, at least 6 Emperors, 5+ Southern Hawkers, two Black-tailed Skimmers, two Broad-bodied Chasers and two Four-spot Chasers.

Butterflies also featured heavily through the day, almost highlighted by probable Large Tortoiseshell seen briefly in the compound but it unfortunately couldn't be confirmed; the day list comprised Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Meadow Brown, Green-veined White, Small White, Large White, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Small Copper, Brown Argus and Small Heath.

Ringing: Linnet 2, Dunnock 2, House Sparrow 1, Grey Wagtail 1

Emerald Damselfly

Star-wort is a nationally scarce species on saltmarsh and is noted here only occasionally

Wednesday 14th July 2021

This juv Peregrine originating from we know not where has paid several visits recently.

On the move 115 Swift north. Offshore very quiet but included southbound 5 Dunlin, Oyk & Sandwich Tern with northbound 3 Common Scoter & Oyk. 

Large Skipper on the Butts following the species absence for a couple of years. Presumably a very small colony may still persist.

Citron Plume first noted in 2017 and has now colonised.

Ringing: 1 Blackbird, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Wren.

Tuesday 13th July 2021

Common Myna

 Overcast first thing with a light northerly breeze but soon enough it was a fine, warm day; there was some evidence of early adult dispersal away from breeding grounds with single Willow Warbler, Reed Warbler and Robin finding their way into the nets - slightly unusually starting to wander just as they are starting primary moult (not the Reed Warbler though as he will wait until he gets to Africa), you would think they would keep their heads down whilst moulting.

It was quieter offshore as birds just comprised 11 Common Terns, a Gannet, 6 Mediterranean Gulls and 5 Sandwich Terns whilst a Great-spotted Woodpecker and a Lapwing were also dispersing into the area.

The day's dubious highlight though was a Common Myna which flew south, landed on the mine station for a while before heading off high north again - classic passage migrant behaviour! (unfortunately spoiled an hour later when it reappeared...).   One of the world's most invasive species having conquered most of Australia and South Africa amongst others from its Asian homeland.

Ringing: Linnet 1, Willow Warbler 1, Blackbird 1, Dunnock 1, Song Thrush 1, Reed Warbler 1, Wren 1, Robin 1

True Lover's Knot lives on Heather and consequently is very scarce with us, only noted in seven previous years

Monday 12th July 2021

Sanderling

Super flat calm first thing but that meant that the light drizzle had nothing to push it away so it lingered through a large part of the morning greatly limiting what was seen and done.   Birds offshore comprised 35 Black-headed Gulls, a Common Gull, 6 Common Scoter, 3 Gannets, 4 Sandwich Terns and 2 Teal whilst elsewhere were 3 Sanderling, a Lapwing, a Sparrowhawk which caught a Song Thrush and a Peregrine which caught a Linnet.

Ringing: Blackbird 1

Small Ranunculus is a Red Data Book species, living here on Prickly Lettuce

Sunday 11th July 2021

Essex Skipper - all the skipper's have been few & far between so far this summer.

Another 347 Black-headed Gull south this morning as they abandon their breeding grounds. Also heading south2 Curlew, Common Gull, Common Scoter & Oyk with northbound 3 Swallow, 2 Common Tern & 2 Oyk. Grounded migrants non-existent.

Yet another Norfolk Hawker in this bumper year for them with more this summer than the previous grand total of records.

The Lackey - sightings have picked up the last couple of summers from a very low peak.

Ringing: 2 Linnet, 2 Starling, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Robin.

Saturday 10th July 2021

Woodpigeon and chick enjoying the limited early morning sunshine

 Almost flat calm first thing with cloud gradually building through the morning but with none of the forecasts agreeing if and when the rain would arrive (it eventually did around 1100) we opened limited nets in anticipation!   All of the day's interest was again offshore with a steady southerly passage of birds dominated by a good total of 1,462 Black-headed Gulls along with 11 Common Gulls, 16 Mediterranean Gulls, 7 Sandwich Terns, 8 Common Terns, 6 Common Scoter, 14 Curlew, a Heron, 35 Oystercatchers, a Sanderling, 4 Teal and 6 Whimbrel.

Other little bits included a Cuckoo, a Grey Wagtail and 19 Swifts south.

Ringing: Linnet 4, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Dunnock 1, House Sparrow 2

Classic Lesser Common Rustic 'plumage'

Friday 9th July 2021

No Blue-tailed Damselflies were seen in the drought of 2020, so its good that they are now back on The Butts pond.

 A gorgeous first few hours of the day calm, clear and warm before a little onshore breeze sprang up producing a bit more cloud and a slight cooling effect - still nice though!   Today's offshore southerly movement comprised 322 Black-headed Gulls, 8 Mediterranean Gulls, 9 Common Gulls, 8 Common Terns, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 23 Curlew, 2 Dunlin, 6 Oystercatchers, a Gadwall, 4 Shoveler and 12 Teal.

Other birds through the day included a Chaffinch, 3 Chiffchaffs (all re-traps), 2 Great-spotted Woodpeckers, 24 Sand Martins south, 5 Swallows south and 5 Swifts.

Ringing: Black Redstart 1, Dunnock 1, Blackbird 2, Starling 4, House Sparrow 10, Goldfinch 4, Linnet 2

Noted here for the first time in 2020, the nationally scarce Hollyhock Seed Moth is here again this year