14th-20th November 2011

Monday 14th - had to go to some NBN-related meetings in Peterborough. Passed Lakenheath at dawn, seeing at least four Marsh Harriers rising from a roost. Later, about 1000 swans were visible around the Ouse Washes from the train, and as usual they were mostly too distant to identify to species; some in flight were definitely Whoopers though (and given the late arrival of Bewick's this year, perhaps most were Whoopers).

Tuesday 15th - Nunnery Lakes at lunchtime, given that Dawn had seen 3 White-fronted Geese over the reserve on Sunday, and Nick had eight over first thing today, I wandered down with some hope but low expectations. However, I struck lucky, with a fine flock of 10 flying east overhead against a clear blue sky, my 151st species for the Nunnery. No photo unfortunately, as I was trying to contact John on the phone. Three Wigeon were also new in, whilst a Common Darter was a sign of the continuing mild weather.

Wednesday 16th - another lunchtime walk at the lakes, but nothing of note except for the latest hybrid goose (Ross's x something?)

Thursday 17th - a Crossbill heard from the office window, but nothing down the lakes.

Friday 18th - London all day.

Saturday 19th - did the Whitlingham WeBS a little later in the day than I usually do, which may have been the cause of the highlight: three Yellow-legged Gulls with about 100 Lessers that had clearly dropped in for a bath from the pig fields. Little else of note though, except for some Hedgerow Cranesbill (I think) in flower, which to my limited botanical knowledge seems rather exceptional. In the afternoon, we went for our second try at counting roosting Hen Harriers at Sutton Fen. No luck again, but at least six, probably more, Marsh Harriers, and a Peregrine again.

Sunday 20th - foggy all day. Could have gone off to look for the long-staying Hume's Warblers in Lowestoft, but failed to muster the enthusiasm. A Nuthatch in the garden was the highlight.

Hybrid goose (probably involving a Ross's Goose), Nunnery Lakes.

Perhaps Hedgerow Cranesbill at Whitlingham? Whatever it is, it's flowering rather late.

7th-13th October 2011

Another quiet week. On Thursday 10th, Tony Leech came down to the Nunnery for a lunchtime foray, which produced a surprising amount of species - full list to appear yet but I recall the Weeping Widow and the Whitye Knight. A Red Admiral was still flying also, as well as Tree Bumblebee. Finally got down to the Nunnery Lakes Friday lunchtime where no winter geese but a record count of 4 Little Egrets. Nice to see some Fly Agarics out now by D lake too. Grabbed some oak leaves and that evening confirmed three more leaf-miners for the Nunnery year list - Ectoedemia quinquella, subbimaculella and heringi.

On Saturday, the boys and I managed a couple of hours at Buckenham in the afternoon, where both Water Pipit (flying over calling) and Short-eared Owl (hunting over Claxton Marsh) were belated year-ticks. Also the usual flock of Barnacles numbered 22, accompanied as ever by the assumed hybrid Barnacle x Snow. Walk round Tasburgh on Sunday morning produced an even later Red Admiral, whilst 300 Golden Plovers were a surprise find along Leafy Oak Lane on an afternoon bike ride.

Fly Agaric, Nunnery Lakes

31st Oct - 6th Nov

This week almost disappeared without a single thing to jot down. Work busy and didn't manage to get out for a single lunchtime walk all week. Saturday back at the Nunnery meeting the BTO Regional Network, which also didn't get me out (although one of the local Tawny Owls was hooting towards the end of proceedings). 

Finally, on Sunday I had no work. The kids were orienteering with the scouts, so Trudy and I walked through some bog-standard Norfolk countryside around Pulham Market. Just 31 species on this walk, with the most notable being a surprise flock of six Pink-feet low overhead, not a usual area for this species. Also there had clearly been  an arrival of Fieldfares and Redwings during the week, with several parties of both seen. Back home and got the moth-trap on Sunday evening, being rewarded with the first December Moth of the year; they always appear around now, despite the name.