Green Hairstreak again

The Green Hairstreak was again in the garden today Sun 25th May, perched on its favourite Hebe bush this time with a slight nick out of leading edge of its left forewing.

Start of the summer doldrums?

On Saturday 24th May, 3 adults and 10 immatures Starlings seen outside the front of the house, 4 immatures and 2 adults fed on the from tlawn. No sooner has Springwatch been officially announced that it is broadcasting from RSPB Minsmere for the next 3 years, then you realise that the bulk of the spring migration is over and with mainly southerly (Not south- easterly winds as predicted) it was in retrospect not surprising that very little was seen today. Nothing seen around the Scores or the Netposts save for 2 adult Magpies soaking up the warm sun on the steps of the Lowestoft Registry office! Down at Ness Point, always worth a look for waders on southerly winds, no initial sign of the Sanderling but 8 Turnstone were on the rocks mostly asleep including 1 very smart summer plumaged individual. This bird was asleep for most of the time when it was sunny and it was only when it started to cloud up that it woke up (see header picture) As I was walking back I saw 5 Sanderling fly south over the sea, 1 summer plumaged individual seen amongst them.

Cuckoo calling

On Sunday 15th May, there were 2 Green Hairstreak garden on the Wisteria in particularly sunny weather. At Kessingland I watched a Cuckoo fly calling from the caravan park over to the sewage works marsh and I sneaked up to it when it was perched on a dead area of branch, only for it to fly just as I was focusing on it with the camera very frustrating! A Holly Blue butterfly was seen here too. The Cuckoo was seen flying south from the sewage works and very good views were seen in flight when it appeared to fly back towards the caravan park area.

Baby Starlings

On the night of Thursday 12th May a loud buzzing noise revealed a large Cockchafer trying to get into the house via the conservatory window, Good to see baby Starlings perched just over then fence with 2 adults, 3 juveniles were counted (could have been more)

Frog invasion of the house!!!

Very early this morning, I woke up with a headache and went downstairs for a cuppa I walked into the Lounge and had the very surreal experience of being confronted by an adult Frog spawled out over the carpet, it was OK but appearing slightly sluggish and I released it as it perked up and leapt into the Goldfish pond! Early this evening Jenny was about to start the cooking when one another adult Frog leapt out from either under the oven (No, very fresh cuisses de grenouille were not on the menu!!) or the fridge and Jenny again realised it into the pond. We are certain the cats didn't bring them in as we had kept then in since 8pm and can only assume the Frogs leapt in when the back door was open! In the evening I went to Gunton Meadow and saw the 10 Green- winged Orchids again taking pics the Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat and Song Thrush were again singing out of sight and also briefly saw an obliging Small Tortoiseshell. This evening at around 10.20 a very early Cockchafer was flying up to the conservatory windows when we had the light on.

Green- Winged Orchids

On Wednesday 14th I counted 10 Green- winged Orchids flowering in Gunton Meadow, 2 were slightly past the best but 8 were in flower although stunted growth with one nice plant in the middle. I also heard 2 Lesser Whitethroats "scolding" and a Whitethroat singing in addition to a Song Thrush singing too.

Spring migrants

Early morning, very early morning 5am on the North Denes and it was raining solidly, all I saw was 1 very bedraggled female Wheatear on the Denes and sea wall back near the car park. Driving home just before the garden centre by Stirrups Lane, a female Marsh Harrier flew low and east over the A12 at 5.40pm. In the evening 6pm isn I saw Rob Wil and we saw 2 fine Whinchats perched on the weeds on the Denes, looked like a male and female. There were also 2 female Wheatears on the Denes. Walking along Marine Parade, a juvenile Starling turned into 5 birds at least 3 were juveniles.