April 24th 2012

Ring Ousel briefly at 7am down the Grandborough valley while 20 minutes later we were watching 34 Arctic Tern attempting to settle on what’s left of the island before numbers eventually dwindled to 13 by the time we left at 10am. A walk to the sewage farm produced 2 Whitethroat, 6 White Wagtail, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Wheatear, Meadow Pipit, 5 Teal, 3 Gadwall, Goldeneye and a second pair of Graylags have raised 2 young.

Wheatear, Cinnabar Moth and Grey Squirrel by Bob Hazel. The "tree rat" included as I did not realise they liked Snails. Napton on the Hill was quiet with only 8 Buzzard and a single Raven while the Just So café had a Peregrine overhead before another look at the Ring Ousel produced 2 Tree Sparrow. After an early evening meal in Brandon village we walked around Brandon Marsh managing a brief view of the Nightingale as it sang its heart out near the carlton hide and close views of Barn Owl over newlands and ryton meadows. Other sightings included 3 Shelduck, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Redshank, 2 Oystercatcher, Great-spotted Woodpecker and many Cetties calling. Noctule and Pipistrelle bat near the visitors centre. Nothing of note seen trawling around Lawford Heath. Richard