Linacre Insects - 3rd June 2022

 The sun came out on Friday afternoon, so I popped down to Linacre in the hope of seeing some insects.

The first ones I saw were Common Blue, Azure and Blue-tailed Damselflies. 

Common Blue Damselfly

Butterflies seen were: Small Copper (1), Meadow Brown (1), Common Blue (1), Comma (1), Green-veined White (1), Holly Blue (1), Large White (3) and Brimstone (1 male). 1 Nemophora degeerella was also seen.

Hoverflies were far and few between, but one Helophilus pendulus and 1 Volucella bombylans were seen.

Helophilus pendulus (and friend!)

Birds seen were: Mallard (83; 52 adults and 31 ducklings), Moorhen (18; 5 adults and 13 young), Coot (20; 6 adults and 9 young), Tufted Duck (17 adults), Mandarin Duck (29; 13 adults and16 ducklings), Grey Wagtail (3), Great-crested Grebe (7; 4 adults and 3 juveniles), Little Grebe (1 adult), Herring Gull (1 adult) and Lesser Black-backed Gull (9; 6 adults and 3 younger birds (not this year's juveniles). 

Norfolk - May 2022

 Jayne and I had a few days in Norfolk last week and managed to visit a few sites to add several birds and insects to this year's Year List.

The first addition was Garden Warbler (152), which was singing in the garden of our accommodation. The next were Great White Egret (153)  and Bearded Tit (154) that were found at RSPB Strumpshaw Fen. The last species was Swift (155), which was added back home, before we went away.

Whilst at Strumpshaw, we also added a few new damsel and dragonfly species: Banded Demoiselle, Red-eyed Damselfly, Scarce Chaser, Hairy Dragonfly and Norfolk Hawker. Several Common Lizards were also seen here, as were a couple of Painted Lady butterflies.

Scarce Chaser

Hairy Dragonfly

Unfortunately, we didn't manage to see Swallowtail butterflies at Strumpshaw this year, as the rain began. We did, however, drive across to Horsey Windpump, and, as we got there, the sun came out and we got fantastic views of one in the garden, along with another 2 or 3 in the nearby fields and path. Norfolk Hawkers were also seen here.

Swallowtail

The last few species seen were added in the dunes at Heacham, where we saw a Common Blue Butterfly and a new moth, a Marbled Clover.

Marbled Clover

Starling Nest 2022

 Starlings have nested in the nestbox on the side of our house since 2014 ( 50 chicks fledged so far). This year they had a slow start, with the first egg laid on 12th April (1st April last year).In total, 5 eggs were laid in this clutch, and all five hatched successfully on 29th April. The parents did a great job in feeding them all (with some help from the mealworms we provided!) and, after being ringed, all five birds fledged (four on 20th May, and the fifth bird on 21st May).

The nestbox is now empty, but, a second brood could still be laid, so I'll keep my ears and eyes open to see what the rest of the year brings. As always, this nest, and its contents have been recorded for the BTO's Nest Record Scheme.

21st May 2022 - First Dragons and Damsels

 Jayne and I had a walk around Seymour Ponds yesterday, and saw our first Damsel and Dragonflies of the year.

The first species seen was Blue-tailed Damselfly, followed closely by Large Red and Azure Damselflies. Several Four-spotted Chasers were also seen flying around.

Four-spotted Chaser

In addition to the damselflies, we also saw a few butterfly species: Orange Tip, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Small Heath and one of my favourites, Brown Argus.

Brown Argus (underwing)

Brown Argus (upperwing)

Linacre Nestboxes - 21st May 2022

 Since my last post about the nestboxes, there have been a couple of extra visits, and the first chicks have been ringed. 

To date, 12 broods of chicks have been ringed (6 Great Tits and 6 Blue Tits). In addition, a singing Pied Flycatcher was found on 14th May, but unfortunately, no nest has been found. Two of the owl boxes have had Mandarin eggs laid in them, but no adults have been ringed.

Other breeding news includes several broods of Mallard, and 1 brood each of Moorhen, Coot and Mandarin Duck.

Year List Update - 2nd May 2022

 Over the weekend, Jayne and I have had a couple of trips out and about, and have recorded a few new species for the Year List.

Our first trip, on Sunday, was a walk around Padley Gorge and Longshaw Estate, were we recorded Snipe (139), Redstart (140), Cuckoo (141) and Pied Flycatcher (142).

The second trip (Monday 2nd) was to RSPB Frampton Marsh, were we added the following birds: Sedge Warbler (143), Reed Warbler (144), Black-tailed Godwit (145), Ruff (146), Avocet (147), Spotted Redshank (2 breeding plumaged birds - 148), Little Gull (1 1stwinter/1st summer bird - 149), Common Tern (150) and Yellow Wagtail (151).

Spotted Redshank

Yellow Wagtail

Linacre Nestboxes April 2022

 I've had a couple of visits to check the nestboxes down at Linacre just recently. The season has begun well, with a total of 36 nests present. 34 of these are Tit nests, with both Blue and Great Tits on eggs. The other two nests were 1 Mandarin Duck (20+ eggs) and 1 Wren nest. Unfortunately, no Pied Flycatchers have been heard, or found this year.

The nests will all be monitored for the BTO's Nest Record Scheme, and all chicks will be ringed.