North Coast

 Sunday July 14

Worth noting. It stayed dry all day.

Again, no species of any note seen, just the usual enjoyable day out looking. We spent some time inspecting the flowered hedgerows at Harpley Cottages old road and then, along the back road to Abbey Farm. Mellilot, Scabious, Ragwort, Poison Hemlock, Wild Carrot, Chicory, Vipers Bugloss and Mullein amongst those we named. Singles of Small White, Large White, Red Admiral and a brown one (!) the only butterflies on the expanse of flower. No insects either.

Pam did find a new Ichneumon Wasp for us in our utility room this morning. Very active.



 

Parasitic Wasp - Diphyus quadripunctorius
Family - Ichneumonidae

Diphyus quadripunctorius is a parasitic wasp with distinctive black and yellow markings on both the femora (thighs), and abdomen which has two yellow bands, the antennae are a uniform grey.  A sexually dimorphic species in that whilst the males are seen in this bright black and yellow colouration, the females retain the leg colouration but their abdomen is plain orangey brown with a hint of a single yellow band.  Their antennae, again grey, have a white band approximately half way along.

Found in woodland edges, grasslands and meadows during late spring and early summer their distribution and numbers are unknown in the UK.  Approximately 2–4cm (0.8–1.5in) long with a distinctive "waisted" outline seen in many parasitic wasps. www.brickfieldspark.org

 It was almost exactly high tide at Snettisham. Only a 5 metre one, so there was plenty of mud on show. The birds were distant. Only one Shelduck, the others must have gone to their dutch moulting grounds. A large group of preening terns and gulls huddled on the far flats. Sandwich and Common Terns, several of this year's blotchy young amongst the Back-headed Gulls, unidentifiable eclipse ducks , probably Teal, hunkered down in the creeks.

 


A new wooden sign has gone up. The main path through the reserve is part of the Norfolk Coastal Footpath. The many cyclists, dog walkers and strollers have every right to be present. Where does the RSPB and 'reserve' fit in?


 


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