Another Quick Tick

 Monday November 13

Running short of bird food, we set off for Van Der in Melton Constable. Their food is very competitively priced and is of the quality and origin we look for. Friends who live nearby kindly get it for us usually, now and then Pam likes to see what they've got in the shop. It may have something to do with passing the Wild Bean cafe / M and S shop in Aylsham.

There have been Waxwings near the Wiveton Bell for the last few days. It was past 2 by the time we set off, after a morning of rain and chores. Maybe it was worth a detour via Wiveton. It was. As we drew up at the Bell's side entrance, we could see birds in the heavily berry-laden tree in the side entrance to the back garden.I lifted my bins, saw at least three Waxwings - fleetingly. The blustery wind caused the branches to wave madly.  Almost immediately, they flew away around the side of the building. We waited over 20 minutes, hoping they'd come back, before a lorry parked up a side lane decided it needed our space off the road  to turn into the road. No photo opportunities unfortunately. A few close photographer/birders were not appreciated.

Moth-ing has been slow recently, due to the cold nights and the season. Last night, the Actinic trap held 16 moths of nine species, none in the MV. That is the opposite of usual. Satellite, Red-line Quaker, Lesser Yellow Underwing, November Moth agg., and a Light Brown Apple amongst them.

We recently had an interesting by-catch insect.

Pine-cone Bug. Gastrodes gossipes


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