Much of the bird movements have settled out over the last week with no migrant activity. A red kite over Hempholme on Saturday has probably been the highlight. Otherwise up to 12 little gulls have been present daily on South Marsh East.
However what should be quiet mid-summer was far from it with terrible weather on Saturday. The gulls and terns came up with an interesting strategy of looking directly at the rain so as to shed it more effectively:
Much work had to be undertaken to secure the water levels given the avocet is only nesting an inch above the water line. Luckily it could be saved - along with these gull chicks taken by HVWG:
Black headed gull over the marsh:
Unfortunately the great crested grebes appear to be a casualty of the water levels on Watton NR - and are now to be found displaying on South Marsh West - photo by Dave Ruffles:
Despite the weather there are a few bee orchids in flower around O res now in the vicinity of East Pond (please tread carefully if looking) - HVWG:
Dave Ruffles did manage to find some insect life - a common blue:
And a large skipper:
We even managed a new moth species for site on Saturday - well done Richard Sears for spotting it - details on Martin's blog
here. There have been a few grass snakes showing well in the colder weather- Andy Marshall:
And HVWG:
There were a few fledglings about today - goldcrests in south scrub, sedge warblers and a water rail squealing on North Marsh shows promise. Dave Ware has some more pics on his
blog. These mistle thrushes were in the works compound - HVWG:
And a moorhen family tucking into the Environment Agency grass seed HVWG:
Lesser whitethroat in South Scrub by HVWG:
With a few new nests potentially on the go there is still a place for the cuckoos - Andy Marshall:
And finally this young woodmouse was delighting many in the car park this afternoon - photo by Erich Hediger:
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