And also HVWG:
As per the last posting – excavators are great for wildlife (garganey bottom of shot!):
Tony Simpson was also finally rewarded for his vigils from South Marsh West; the bittern finally making a re-emergence the other day:
The surrounding islands have been home to an ever expanding number of black-headed gulls – also attracting in a mediterranean gull on Saturday – pictures on Martin’s blog. Martin also had the drake scaup which was on Watton NR Saturday and yesterday. On gulls congratulations to regular contributor Tom Lowe who apparently found the thayer’s gull over at Elsham last week – a mega for the area. Dark-belled brent goose on Sunday was a nice bird for Tophill though – Steve Routledge has more info on his blog with pics of the thayer’s here.
The backdrop may be looking ever more green but the short eared owls still remain – two seen recently and this one at 9am this morning:
Hen Harrier sightings have disappeared since the 1st though – suggesting they have departed. No matter as the summer version is now showing – marsh harriers being seen again from north marsh (male) and this female that was upsetting all the gulls over the southern marshes at 10am:
Tony McLean has pictures of what must be the same bird on his blog too.
Also about were these two sparrowhawks; It was difficult to tell whether this was courtship or just a scrap but it bodes well for the coming season:
Willow warblers are now in abundance – a cacophony from South Scrub this morning:
And reed buntings also seem to be somewhat prevalent this year too:
Thanks to HVWG for this resplendent looking cormorant on Watton:
Other highlights have included house martins, sand martins and swallows all in small numbers now – a big influx after the rainstorm this afternoon apparently. Willow tit in the woods, little egret at Watton, little-ringed plover, red kite over Watton, cetti’s warbler on North Lagoon and common sandpiper on South Marsh West.
A swimming water vole under North Lagoon Hide today bodes well:
But unfortunately we have had another mink sighting today in the vicinity so hopefully we’ll get it before it gets the above…
Grass snake near South Marsh West:
A reminder too – Reserve open meeting on Sunday afternoon at 2:30pm.
