Breckland Bonanza - Day 2

Sunday June 29th – Chettisham Meadow, Cambridgeshire

Sore head but after a late breakfast Chris departed and the rest of us headed off to Chettisham Meadow, an LNR that Mick Gillett had unearthed. The butterfly Marbled White was the target and we were not disappointed. Brilliant views in what appeared to be cracking, insect rich meadow. It would have been nice to have spent some more time here but we had to be off to the next port of call

Sunday June 29th – Ouse Washes (Welches Dam), Cambridgeshire

As we were in the area we decided to swing in. We added Tree Sparrow, Gadwall and Little Egret to the list but little else besides. The whole area has been submerged since the May Bank Holiday so little potential for waders or the like. Red Eyed Damselfly was a tick for us dragon and damselfly dudes.

Sunday June 29th – Eyebrook Reservoir, Leicestershire

Shelduck and Teal were new as was a fabulously plumaged Black Tailed Godwit. The weekend was over but we had a belter with all the Breckland stuff and some good insects to boot. Final tally was something in the region of 86 species. Thanks to Andy for driving me around for the weekend. Wonder what to do for my 50th………..

Breckland Bonanza - Day 1

The birthday weekend came and went in a flash but here are the condensed highlights.

Saturday June 28th - Lakenheath Fen, Suffolk

Immediately on arrival we had the bonus of examining the catch from the previous nights moth trap. Nothing major but nice to see Elephant, Small Elephant, Poplar, Eyed and Privet Hawk moth all together. We picked up a few birds as we started made our way to the plantation including Green Sandpiper, and Reed and Sedge Warblers. We had short bursts of Golden Oriole and just missed seeing a male that another group had seen. We then split up and I had (very) brief of one female. Andy, Rob and Dave went on ahead and had very good views of another male. Hobbies were very noticeable on the reserve and we probably encountered 4 or 5 different birds. Marsh Harrier were also seemingly common. Tiddy heard a brief burst of Bearded Tit but the star of the day came when Chris spotted a pair of Common Crane. Half the group managed to get onto them (thankfully me included) before they dropped into the fen out of sight. Garganey were apparently present on the river but they eluded us.

Saturday June 28th – Weeting Heath, Norfolk

It’s years since I’ve been here. East Hide was the first stop but no Stone Curlew. Plenty of Stoat though, Stock Doves, Linnet and a flyover group of Crossbills all added to the tally. West Hide however did provide us with a couple of SC’s but they were fairly distant and partly hidden. The visitor centre staff pointed us in the direction of a reliable Woodlark site just up the road and reliable it was, with the best ever views that I have had of this species including one recently fledged young bird. Tree Pipit were also present and a few of the group had a sighting of Roe Deer.
Saturday night was a top night, plenty of good food, beer and wine. Back to the pub we were staying in for Tiddy to give us lessons on how to play the didgeridoo until the small hours (please don’t ask why he brought a didg on a birding weekend but the locals were entertained).

Breckland or Bust

In less that 48 hours possibly the best UK birders on the scene currently are heading off to the Brecks. By a strange coincidence so are yours truly, Dave Wright, Andy Smith, Iain Tidmarsh, Rob Gill, Mick Gillett and Chris Hubbard........Its a combination of birds and booze as we celebrate my 40th. We're heading off to Lakenheath to have a shot at the Golden O's. Hopefully we'll manage a few other bits. Marsh Harrier, Bearded Tit and Bittern are all being seen daily plus hopefully a few Dragons and Damsels. Weeting is also on the cards for Stone Curlew, Woodlark etc...then we'll just try to mop up on whatever else we can for the remainder of the day. Firecrests are now breeding in good numbers in the Brecks and, as with everywhere at the mo, Crossbill is plentiful, especially around Santon Downham. Wicken Fen is a possible for Sunday but we're going to play it by ear and see what (if anything) turns up. In true Dave Gray style an account of this weekend will appear shortly (sorry Dave!!)

The Bricklayers Arms

Off topic but Great Spotted Woodpecker can be seen and heard from the garden with some regularity......My local now has a web site. If you're ever in the area call in for a pint. Top village boozer. http://www.bricklayersarms.net/index.htm

The Big 40

Only a week or so to go before I reach the point of no return. I have to say that I am actually looking forward to it a great deal. Not really the turning 40 bit, but a natural history packed weekend taking in the Brecks, Wicken Fen and whatever else we muster. Throw in pub accommodation near Wicken and a Thai restaurant in Ely then it should be a belter........

Read any good books lately?

Nearly there.......After a few hiccups it appears that publication is now set for August. Not sure about authorative reference care and ID manual though? Bit of a mouthful!!

Icterine Warbler

The recent run of county firsts continues with an Icterine being trapped at Stanford Reservoir over the weekend. Obviously in Northants but the bird was observed on the VC55 side. I know the east coast, in particular Spurn, has seen a good number of Icky's of late but still a fabulous record. Look out for Crossbill as well at the moment. A few local records but seem to be scattered all over the UK at present. Coming to a pine tree near you..................

Glyphipterix simpliciella

At last a couple of these at Bosworth Park over the weekend. I also thought that I spotted the Ranger in his 4x4 who bore an uncanny resemblance to one Andy Hickinbotham who I knew many many years ago from my LYBWC days. Was that you? Does anyone know if Andy is involved in this kinda thing? I have a vague memory of him working at Bradgate but perhaps my mind is playing tricks........

Lack of updates

Have had the week from hell working away at an agricultural trade show in Lincolnshire. Which means I hardly saw the kids, missed Skev's 40th knees up and contracted probably the worst case of sunburn I have ever had. One small positive were a few Corn Buntings on the land that we were on. Every cloud and all that......National Moth Night was largely uneventful for me but I did have the first Gold Spot of the year and a newbie in the form of Figure of Eighty. Hopefully a restfull weekend is in store with a bit of mothing. Was hoping to get to Cossington tonight with Dave for the trapping session but that ain't gonna happen after the week I've had.

National Moth Night

Or if the last few years have been anything to go by National Non Moth Night in my trap..............Now in something like its tenth year, 2008 has, for the first time, a micro as one of the target species, Anania funebris. Other targets are Bordered Gothic and Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth. Another NMN first is that they are targeting a habitat, Orchards. In all seriousness it is a good event if for nothing other than publicity. Give it a try on Saturday, you're bound to have more luck than me...............

http://www.nationalmothnight.info/index.php

Anthophila fabriciana

At long last Anthophila fabriciana showed itself today. However it chose to ignore the acres of nettles and was found on a daisy................

Wednesday Night

Nice to catch up with everyone yesterday for a natter and a couple of pints of Adnams. I rate The Griffin at Swithland as one of the nicest pubs in the county. Top night. On the way home we managed a few Woodcock at Ulverscroft and everyone witnessed my stunning aerial acrobatics with a net as I caught Green Carpet, Brown Silver Lines and Clouded Border.

Ethmia pyrausta

What a belting record from over the border. This rare micro has been rediscovered in Scotland near Loch Morie. It was first discovered in 1853 and there have been four records since, including 2 moths together in the Cairngorms in 1996. A very enigmatic moth and an incredible find. Well done to all involved...................

Purple Cloud

Suffolk has pulled in its first county record of this cracking moth. A singleton was recorded at light at Westleton on May 30th. Quite a common moth on the continent having two generations but only 20 odd records for the UK. Belter...............

Banded Demoiselle

A fab male this lunchtime along the Soar, worth shouting about as it is one of the few of these fabulous insects that I can actually ID.

Trap Result 30/05/08

Not a bad night. 20 odd different species including my first Small Square Spot and Rustic Shoulder Knot. Dusky Brocade was only the second here. Other highlights were double figures of Clouded Bordered Brindle and only ever male Pale Tussock, always females here. All good until I bumped into Graham Finch at Morrisons on Sunday morning and my word did he have a productive night at Cloud Wood...................