Anything New?

 Tuesday February 13

Sam had already arrived when we left this morning. She was busy cleaning the kitchen as we drove away. We were not intending to go far as we plan a day out tomorrow. Stopping at Ormesby Broad in the parking area provided, brought an armada of Mallard, quacking loudly, tails wagging, out of the water and onto the grass. No food from us. The noise gradually subsided and they slowly trudged back into the Broad.

Ten minutes scoping only found plenty of Coot, a few Tufted Duck, two female Pochard, a few Cormorants and gulls. I'd hoped for a view of Smew.

Turning right at the Hindu Temple, we drove to Halvergate Marshes. Towards the end of the long and undulating straight, four Cattle Egrets rested, hunched well apart in the reeds. They were not there on the return journey, no photos today. Two Kestrels, two Marsh Harriers, a Buzzard and a flying view of our bogey bird, Snipe, were the only birds seen today. I like it out here. Even though Yarmouth is in distant view, it still has a sense of isolation and freedom about it. There are four Windmills in view too, three of them still complete with sails. A flock of small birds flying busily about, landed in a tree so that we could attempt an ID. They were all Meadow Pipits. Not a typical behaviour.

A more diligent birder pointed out that the Stalham/Sea Palling swans are resting in a pool in a potato field - which explains their lingering presence. I had been puzzled as to what they were finding to eat.

Moths

Winter moths are few in number and quantity. Neither are they the most colourful. But, all are very welcome as harbingers of the year to come. We didn't start trapping until mid January, not every night either. Only when conditions allowed i.e. not too much wind and sub zero temperatures. Fortunately, they don't seem to mind the rain - we've had more than enough of that.

So far, we have trapped twelve species of Macro and one Micro. 


Chestnut

Clouded Drab

Common Quaker

Dark Chestnut

Dotted Border

Hebrew Character


Oak Beauty

Pale Brindled Beauty

Satellite

Probably a worn Small Quaker

Spring Usher

Any mistaken identifications are mine, do point them out!

The only Micro was an Agonopterix Heracliana , I don't have a photo - yet.


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