Highlights of the week bird wise have been up to two 1st summer little gulls still around South Marsh East and the red crested pochard still present. Best birds were probably two ruddy shelduck present on Watton NR on Sunday am which flew off SW. This pair of of birds has been reported moving south via Blacktoft and Notts so maybe the 'genuine article' as opposed to ferals. Unfortunately our spotted flycatchers did not return to their exposed nest after the heavy rain. Hopefully they will find a new spot in the reserve. Marsh harrier is still being seen regularly around site and peregrine falcon gave outstanding views over South Scrub on Saturday. This grey heron is often hunting outside North Marsh at present and reportedly caught a bird or vole on Friday (taken through glass).
Great spotted woodpecker has been on the feeders again here but with no young yet.
Most of the attention is on insects at present - a taster includes this fine broad bodied chaser on the new D woods pond
And this four spotted chaser posing too
This hoverfly volucella bombylans was demonstrating its bee mimic abilities.
This fine froghopper Cercopis vulnerata was at the southern site
And this common green capsid was on my arm at the centre.
These ichneumon flys Rhyssa persuasoria were present parasitising presumably horntail larvae under the decaying timber of the D woodlands using their long ovipositor. Martin Hodges got chance to return for some better images here.
Who can resist some more grass snakes...
Finally thanks to visitor Alan Walkington who sounds to have enjoyed his visit and sent us these shots of our terns and a roe deer - thanks again.
