August 19th 2011

Not surprisingly the waders were spread out over the reservoir this morning and difficult to count with at least male and female Ruff, 15 Ringed Plover, 5 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 4 Common Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank and a summer plumage Golden Plover which landed in the picnic area briefly.
Warblers were also well represented with 15 Whitethroat, 5 Lesser Whitethroats, 7 Chiffchaff, 2 Garden Warblers, 20+ Willow Warbler and 5 Blackcap while other sightings included 5 adult, 2 3rd year, 2nd year and first year Yellow-legged Gull, 5 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Sparrowhawk, 50 Sand Martin, Reed Bunting, Hobby, 19 Buzzard, Great-spotted Woodpecker and 2 Green Woodpecker.
As water levels continue to drop 2 sailing boats grounded on the new island and a new to the location fishermen came to a shuddering halt that nearly tipped him out when his boat grounded as it left the pontoon.
The stunning weather continued in to the afternoon so I spent the time searching the ridge between Shuckburgh and Napton with Turtle Dove, 2 Corn Bunting, 6 Raven, 14 Buzzards, Hobby, 2 Sparrowhawk and a trickle of Swallow, House and Sand Martins heading south. Obvious migrants after yesterday’s rain included 17 Yellow Wagtails in one field and 2 juvenile Wheatears while a tantalizing brief view of a pipit could have been tree. Many Chiffchaff and Whitethroats present though mobile.
Butterflies seen today were Common Blue, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Green-Veined White, Brown Argus, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Small White, and Large White