The weekdays have seen some movement from wading birds with a whimbrel on Watton NR and two black tailed godwit pictured on South Marsh East. Two ruddy shelduck were at the northern end of D res on tuesday, along with a pair of black terns - first of the year at the northern tip of the site on thursday. 5 common terns have now returned to their breeding islands, with more expected. The cowslips have had an excellent year and are now starting to subside (pictured) but the first red campion and bluebells are starting to come through. Some mallard ducklings were on North Lagoon and the first moorhen chicks are out on the centre pond - above.
Todays various sightings include over 100 swifts and many house martins first thing, with several garden warblers arriving on site a little elusive as pictured and whilst living up to their scientific name sylvia borin at least delighted everyone with song. Many sedge and reed warblers were also about - as reflected in the ringing blog here. Moths of the trap were a rare for site least black arches pictured at a mere 9mm, compared to the first poplar hawkmoth also above. The first damselflies emerged today with evidence of 5 large reds near South Marsh West - see Martins new blog here. A straightforward yellow wagtail posed for camera, but another blue-headed type was on the approach road with a wheatear. Also to add to chew over was a tundrae type ringed plover on Watton NR.
