Friday, 25 March 2016

The first migration count kicks season off to a good (if late) start

Thursday 24 March 2016

Counting period: 05:50 - 09:20
Count type: coastal vismig (landbased birds only)
Weather: wind SW2, cloud-cover 8/8
Observers: Andy Brown, Gary Hibberd and Robert Smith

	S	N		S	N		S	N
Cormorant	1	-	Redwing	834	-	Chaffinch	3	-
Red Kite	1	-	Great Tit	14	-	Greenfinch	16	-
Lapwing	2	-	Magpie	9	-	Goldfinch	57	-
Woodpigeon	67	-	Jackdaw	5	-	Siskin	181	-
Collared Dove	5	-	Rook	14	-	Linnet	44	-
Meadow Pipit	200	-	Starling	22	-	redpoll sp.	1	-
alba wagtail sp.	46	-	Tree Sparrow	9	-

Totals: 1531 individuals, 20 species, 3:30 hours

Bold = Remarkable observation (scarce or rare species or large number)

Comments: The first day of suitable SW winds.

Wednesday, 23 March 2016

Three more species recently added to the patch list

Yellow-legged Mining Bee Andrena flavipes, Ringstead Downs, 20th March 2016

The dung beetle Aphodius conspercatus, Holme NWT, 21st March 2016

The leafhopper Eupteryx florida, Peddar's Way, 21st March 2016

Tuesday, 22 March 2016

Four mid-March beasties

Shoulder Stripe, Holme NOA, 21st March 2016

Earthstar, Geastrum coronatum, Holme NOA, 21st March 2016

Common Flower Bug, Anthocoris nemorum, Peddar's Way, 21st March 2016

Ichneumon stramentor, Holme NOA, 2st March 2016

Tuesday, 15 March 2016

Off patch: Fungi twitch Titchwell

Just passing Titchwell but had been informed by Robert Smith of scarlet elf cap sp along path from car park to visitor centre. Very easy to find on the right hand side as you head west to centre. RS informed me that it's one of two similar species and can only be identified by looking at spores. Who cares which one it is just enjoy it for its striking colour in what still feels like winter.

Monday, 14 March 2016

Off patch: The Brecks

Just back in from an absolute superb day down in The Brecks with Steve and Andy. Highlights included two Otters, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, three Woodlark, Crossbill, four Hololepta plana (pictured), two Goshawks and 100+ plants of Yellow Star-of-Bethlehem (pictured).

Sunday, 13 March 2016

Yew Gall

A Yew gall found by Adrian and caused by the fly Taxomyia taxi (Diptera- Cecidomyiidae), Holme NWT, 12th March 2016

Hints of Spring

Plenty of bird-song today and a few plants noted in flower for the first time included Ground Ivy and the small dandelion which grows in the dunes. A queen Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris was in the forestry and flies were numerous in sheltered areas, including the first Yellow Dung Flies and Eristalis pertinax hoverflies. The Marsh Harriers revelled in the light easterly breeze and displayed for much of the day.

Early Virgin's-bower Clematis cirrhosa, Broadwater Road, Holme, 16th January 2016 (but still out today !)