Tank update

Our nano reef tank is still flourishing: discs and polyps seem to do best, although weekly 20% water changes are essential. I love the way most of the inhabitants fluoresce under actinic light...

Around All Saints Church

Linda and I were unlocking the church today when we found three owl pellets below the tower. They were quite small - perhaps 30mm x 15mm - so were presumably coughed up by a Little Owl.

Opposite the Church was a remarkably successful pair of Red-legged Partridges with ten chicks jumping around in the stubble: on the way home we stopped to photograph two well-grown leverets.

Insects!

Both during my walk around Minsmere yesterday and later in the garden I came across some fascinating inverts, from a Ruby-tailed Wasp and a Bee Wolf to yet another Hummingbird Hawkmoth and a couple of Painted Ladies on the buddleia.

Black Stork: the video!

Black Stork at Boyton - bird of the year!

Unfortunately Norman was feeling under the weather, so just Brian and I made the 90 minute drive down to Boyton, parking in the RSPB 'car park', before slogging two miles along the sea wall. A small gallery of early starters marked the spot: some great craic with a group from Hertford while we waited for the bird to wake up. Once it did we enjoyed fabulous views at around twenty yards range as this great rarity (a juvenile) fed along a narrow dyke.

We stopped off at Minsmere on the way home, enjoying lunch and a couple more miles slog: 'highlights' were a couple of distant Spotshanks and a Grayling in the dunes...

Double-header!

Another fun gig, this time at Burgh Hall, Yarmouth - jammed in between the Belgian Grand Prix and the Euros Final (Well done, Lionesses!)

Synergy at the Prince Regent

As always, a terrific, warm welcome from a good crowd at the Prince Regent in Gt Yarmouth, despite the most unsummer-like weather. SYNERGISTAS Angela and Sophia took the photos: thanks so much, ladies!

Butterfly Bonanza at Hemblington Church

Today Sue, Peter and I carried out the monthly wildlife survey at Hemblington Church: as expected, birdlife was a bit thin on the ground, although we saw a few extras just outside the survey area. A great surprise was two new butterfly species for All Saints: Purple Hairstreak and Wall Brown.

Suffolk Sound Radio

This morning Jules (my host!) asked me to talk about gulls - a particular interest of hers! You can listen to the chat on the SS website, but here are the main points!

Another Hummer!

I was pleased to be able to show a Hummingbird Hawkmoth to friend Sue - she is particularly fond of the species, so I was glad this individual hung around long enough for me to go and fetch her!