Golden Wednesday!

A nice early start at Strumpshaw was uneventful in terms of birds, but provided good craique in the form of two of Norfolk's nicest naturalists! Norman (www.ngt-images.co.uk) takes fabulous landscape and wildlife photos and is a Strump regular. The second gentleman never offered his name and, to my shame, I failed to ask it! But he is extraordinarily knowledgeable, especially about wild flowers and insects...
I carried on my usual circuit to Buckenham, then up the hill and back round to Strump, picking up a few goodies on the way! Loads of butterflies, but still no Wall Brown! Anyone know where there are some?
I drove home via Zak's on Mousehold Heath: no sign of any hairstreaks (Purple or White Letter) so home in time to see our Golden Girls bring home the rowing bacon in style!

Every boy needs a Hobby!

The UK's tattiest Buzzard!

Cinnabar Moth caterpillar

Strumpshaw Harris Hawk

Here's the long-staying HH at Strump, receiving the attention
of a Marshie! They're around the same size....

Frustrating!

Why do raptors seem always to be just that little too far away....
I understand the new 'in' word for a group of raptors is a kettle: so here's a kettle I came across near Hemblington church. One was a Marsh Harrier, one was a Buzzard, but the third was a whopper with a white rump. These pics are the best I could manage: I'd say the birds were a mile and a half away!
Also saw an adult Turtle Dove on wires along Hemblington Hall Road... Wonder if it's one of ours dispersing?

Marsh Harrier, left: nearest, Buzzard, centre then, most distant, large unknown

A Honey of a day!

Having been told that the river bank betwen Buckenham & Cantley was '...a dead cert' for Wall Brown, I walked the circuit from Buckenham Station to Cantley Station and back through Hassingham. No Walls (predictably!) but lots of interest to make the 7.5 mile trudge enjoyable as well as therapeutic!

Another Stoat posed for the camera near the railway crossing: seems to be a good population of these in the Yare Valley

Of interest was a flock of seven Little Egrets by the wind pump: three Green Sands there, too.  Lots of butterflies and dragonflies: nothing new, but some good close-ups (IMHO!)

A Kestrel at Hassingham was definitely fighting above his weight: but he did see this Honey Buzzard off!
Always a delight to see such a rare raptor on the home patch!

Stoatally different to Thursday's!

Seven Egrets

Emerald Damselfly

Norfolk Hawker



Kes & Honey Buzzard

 

Turtles and Osprey!

A busy day getting ready for some forthcoming meteorite and space collectables shows..

I had to drive to Attleborough to pick up some frames: by the side of the south-bound sliproad was a lovely dark male Turtle Dove!

Then, at around midday, an Osprey flew north over the garden! So at least one has summered in the Yare Valley!

Finally: our Turtles are still coming to the feeders early morning and at dusk: here's a male at 8.15 tonight!

A day in the Sun!

With poor weather on the way just in time for 'you know what', Linda & I headed north for a relaxed day's walking / birding / insecting (Is there any such word?!)

First stop was Pensthorpe: I shan't be posting any pictures on Birdforum claiming they show wild birds (which has been done recently!) but I'm not apologizing for the photos of a young Crane and a male Bearded Tit: they are just nice birds, even though manacled!

The Demoiselle was unringed, so I'm assuming it's wild... and the juvenile Great Spot was definitely a good'un! We saw a Nuthatch in the woods, too.

On the way home we stopped briefly at Holt CP, where a twenty minute walk gave us excellent views of Broad-bodied Chaser and White Admiral.. and not such good views of a Silver-washed Fritillary!

You've got to laugh, haven't you? That's the SWF, 12 o'clock high!

Meerkat Manor! (AKA Strumpshaw Fen!)

Although I've already blogged today, I had to post this cute guy! One of a pair of Stoats I encountered this morning!

Look who's come for breakfast!

The Turtles are still around: their behaviour really does suggest a second brood...



05.30hrs!



Hawkers Welcome

I forgot to post photos of this obligingly 'posey' Southern Hawker: it was on buddleia at Minsmere.
Also: a few more of the Purple Emperors....

A dream come true!

Finally Linda, Martin & I connected with the majestic Purple Emperors at Theberton Woods!
We saw three females and two males, as well as Purple Hairstreaks, Silver-washed Fritillaries and White Admirals. Birds included Lesser Spot and LOADS of Spotted Flies (At least 12!)
Also interesting were dozens of Ant Lion 'pits' at Minsmere and four or so Dartfords on Dunwich Heath!
And, to cap the day, a Red Kite loafed across the road near Thurton

Ant Lion larva in its pit-trap!

That was fun!

Great time with the band!

My pride and joy: pre-CBS Strat!

Garden tick!

I've been busy playing / rehearsing with 'Serious Risk' (We have a gig today at Heathlands, Blofield Heath!)
So, long walks in the country have been off the agenda. Still: did glance from the office window to see this big guy catching wasps! I'll take a punt at Brown Hawker.

Prince Caspian!

Having watched this giant tern cruise past my kitchen window yesterday, it was good to jam in on it at Buckenham! Managed a few photos at 200yds range....
Back-up was a beautiful Barn Owl who'd just caught a rat for elevenses and a selection of raptors: Buzzard, Hobby, Marshie and Sprawk.
Also got a pic of a Gatekeeper: they've been scarce this Summer.