WHITLINGHAM: May update

11th May 2024

A case of what might have been, with Black Terns present at Colney GPs and both Black and Arctic Terns at Rockland, but not at Whitlingham. A flock of 21 terns did drop in, but after lots of scanning I concluded that they were all Common Terns. I heard Reed Warbler, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler but not Sedge Warbler or Whitethroat. One brood of Grey Herons had fledged, whilst there were more Cormorants on nests than on my April visit. A Muntjac ran across the field south of Whitlingham Lane, and I found a newly emerged Hairy Dragonfly.

WHITLINGHAM: February 2024 WeBS and early nesters

11th Feb 2024

The second WeBS count of the year. The site was still flooded in multiple places, less so than in January but the section of path near the pump house tested my wellies, a Christmas present having had my previous ones for over 20 years. Fortunately there was no leaks, and I walked slowly enough to not slop any water over the tops either. Duck numbers have started to drop, I didn't see any Shoveler at all on the Great Broad although there were a couple visible over the river on St Andrews Broad. There were 188 Tufted Duck and 17 Pochard, plus two Great White Egrets (one on the Little Broad, one on the Great Broad). My first singing Reed Bunting of the year was singing from the river edge, and I got good views of the redpoll flock near the gas works, eventally picking out a Mealy Redpoll amongst them.

I checked last years Grey Heron nests - one was occupied, one was empty and one had been taken over by an Egyptian Goose! In fact there might be two or even three Grey Heron nests close together, it was difficult to see if there were just three adults in close proximity of if they were all on nests.

Before leaving I checked out a bracket fungus growing on a cut wooden post near the visitor barn, that had first been reported to me before Christmas. I'm still not completely sure what it is, but Brownflesh Bracket has been suggested and seems like a reasonable bet.

WHITLINGHAM: New hide, fledged herons and another psyllid

21st May 2023

The most notable thing about May's Whitlingham WeBS count was getting to see the new hide. From a distance it looks very nice, blending in with the landscape. Unfortunately as an actual bird hide there are a few issues. The curved roof means that you cannot stand up near the edges of it, so you can only use it by sitting down. There is one moveable bench to allow you to do this - I really hope that this is treated respectfully and remains there, but the idea of having an unfixed bench on an urban nature reserve is not one I would have suggested.

In terms of birdlife, two sets of juvenile Grey Herons were visible (there were three nests this year, I'm not sure if young fledged from the third one), a Cuckoo was calling and I heard my first Reed and Garden Warblers of the year as both had been absent during my April visit.

I checked quite a few willows for psyllids, and was rewarded with my first Cacopsylla ambigua.

THORPE MARSH: A rainy spring visit

Early May 2022

My first visit to Thorpe Marshes of the spring was probably most notable for bumping into a handful of people I'd not seen for a while, notably Chris, Susan, Ann and Stuart. I was hoping that some showers would pass through and bring some hirundines, and this did indeed happen, bringing my first Sand Martins of the year. Unfortunately for me the rain then got harder and I got completely soaked. Before I crossed the bridge I noticed a Mottled Umber moth caterpillar and an aphid parasitised by a Praon-type wasp. The damp weather meant not many insects about on the marsh, but Dock leaves with Puccinia phragmitis clustercups on are always nice to see, and I spent a delightful few minutes only a few feet away from a Grey Heron.

BROADLAND: Barton to Sutton

14th September 2012

After work we went out on Neil's boat from Barton Turf, taking in Barton Broad and a random windmill before going for a drink at Sutton Staithe Hotel. Bird-wise we saw the normal broadland fare (Marsh Harrier, Kingfisher, Grey Heron), but it was great to be out on the water.