As we've said mud has been the thing to look at this week; and has not disappointed so far. South Marsh West seems to be top dog at the moment, with a smattering on Watton.
We've just dropped the level again in South Marsh West so that means more mud there tomorrow and fresh water in the dykes of South Marsh East so look out. Don't forget Hempholme too as we had 10 greenshank up there this time last year. So the tallies are;
Greenshank 1 on 19th, 3 on the 20th, 1 on the 21st, 22nd, 3 on the 23rd, 1 on the 24th and 2 today:
Green sandpiper 3 on the 18th, 1 on the 19th, 4 on the 20th, 3 on the 21st, 22nd, 1 on the 23rd, 6 on the 24th (9 by nightfall):
Whimbrel 3 on the 17th, 1 on the 24th, 2 on the 25th,
Common Sandpiper 1 on the 17th, 3 on the 18th, 1 on the 22nd, 23rd, 3 on the 24th, 7 on the 25th:
Ruff 1 on the 20th, 21st, 2 on the 23rd, 24th (Tony McLean):
Dunlin 2 on the 20th, 1 on the 21st, 22nd, 2 on the 23rd, 1 on the 24th, 4 on the 25th:
Snipe 2 on the 22nd
Little ringed plover 1 on the 21st - today:
Ringed plover 1 on the 23rd
Lapwing 2 on the 23rd
Black tailed godwit 1 on the 23rd, 25th
Sanderling 20 over on the 23rd
Curlew 5 on the 25th
Black necked grebes again on the 23rd - today, scaup reported on D res today, juv garganey on South Marsh West on the 24th, a peak of 21 little gulls on the 24th. Osprey was last logged on the 17th when Darren Smith got these crackers - unfortunately the black inscription on the blue darvic ring is not quite legible as it flew over North Marsh:
Kingfishers are everywhere - most notably a second brood of summer on South Lagoon - thanks to Tony McLean for this one:
A few migrant passerines too - 5 yellow wags today, meadow pipit over. The migrant that has been pleasing most however has been the clouded yellow butterfly - a veritable influx with 4 logged today around the reserve.
Check out Martin's
page for more waders and all the latest moth catches - after writing the year off in June it now seems like a vintage one.
So what to look for this week? More mud and what it brings - stints, spotted redshank, wood sandpiper, jack snipe and maybe even a curlew sand are all on the cards if we continue an easterly air flow.
