Hickling

 Monday April 12

We had a couple of free hours in the afternoon, where should we go.  The Ring Ouzel at West Rudham was a little distant, with no guarantee of sighting from the car. We'd been to Barton Broad on Saturday, parking in the disabled car park. I didn't get very far before my back seized up and we returned to the car. Very disappointing. We had a Blackcap in the car park, Jay, Blue Tit, Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Robin and Wren. The tumbling leaf became a Peacock Butterfly. A lovely male Brimstone flitting about, never stopping.

We opted to try Hickling. It's a lovely reserve ,but not very accessible. Driving around the car parks produced another Blackcap and more of the ubiquitous Chiffchaffs.

The drive down to Whiteslea Lodge was very quiet. Half an hour in the car parking area produced a close singing Sedge Warbler, a very loud but invisible Willow Warbler, and a Whitethroat. All common migrants but a joyful first tick of the year.We once had a Whitethroat in the garden. We were sick of it by August.

Moth variety is starting to increase. 

We added Frosted Green, Chocolate-tip, Powdered Quaker, and Brindled Pug this morning (Tuesday). Yesterday's highlight was a lovely Purple Thorn.


 

Acleris hastiana


 

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