Whilst the blog posting may be a reference to our current celebrities it is also a reference to the icy grasp of winter! That's 'ur lot folks - first green sandpiper on the 21st, followed by dunlin on the 23rd, greenshank on the 26th and common sandpiper on the 29th. Breeding seasons been and gone and they're heading back south - as I always say spring starts in December when the Tawny's start scrapping over territories. So on this cheery note a look at some of the summers highlights - barn owls successfully bred on the North Scrub - an initial 3 birds appeared as two when Robin Arundale of the Wolds Barn Owl Group arrived - but the eldest may have already jumped. Pictures by John Hesslewood of the nest box team:
Needing lots of voles - Bill Eggleton:
Tufty family on North Pond - John Coish:
Mayfly sp. by Bruce Pillinger:
And emergent damselfly nymphs around the reservoir walls by Roy and Lukas:
If only they paid more attention to the stencils!:
Bee orchid by Chris Bell - Nest box team man Terry Mahoney managed to get the count up to a probable all tome record of 199 around the O reservoir last week. What's so good about this year if you're an orchid is unknown:
Common Blue by Roy Vincent:
Along with ringlet:
At least one osprey was still hanging around last weekend - great shots here by Andy Marshall:
Roy Vincent:
And perhaps also for the future - cracking shot of a common crane coming in to land on Watton NR by Tony McLean - more details on his
blog:
Marsh harriers still good enough for us though - North Marsh pair doing well - Darren Smith:
And Bill Eggleton:
Roe deer on North Marsh by Tony Simpson:
And Roy Vincent:
And otter briefly - John Coish:
But the show stealers as ever... Kingfisher season 2014 is now in full swing! Tony Simpson:
Chris Bell:
John Coish:
Bill Eggleton:
Bruce Pillinger:
Alan Wrightson:
Roy Vincent:
And this big bird showed well at numerous birding sites on Saturday - Bill Eggleton:
News of a couple of events this weekend too:
It's national moth night this weekend and to celebrate Martin will be allowing onlookers to join him this Sunday Morning at 10am at the wildlife centre. Its a drop in event so no booking necessary - hopefully a muggy night will produce a trap full of impressive species. A fitting tribute to the milestone 550th species recorded at Tophill Low since 1993 last weekend in the form of poplar kitten - details on Martins
blog.
In the afternoon by popular demand too will be a botanical walk with Alan Marshall - our resident botanist and finder of hybrid St.John's wort and other such delights. Again drop in to join him at 2pm on Sunday 6th afternoon.
