Five of us left in one car and we reached Cley at about 10.30 am. We made our way to Salthouse beach car park and spent the next three-quarters of an hour sitting below the dunes – out of the wind – doing a bit of sea watching. Gannets were going south in variable numbers. There were the usual gulls and a few waders passing by. A small flock of Common Scoter were seen off shore. It was hoped that there might be Shearwaters and Skuas moving through. The only skua species we saw was so far out we couldn’t identify it.

We decided we would head for Titchwell; at least we could sit in a hide out of the wind.

Alas – it was not to be. We were almost in Stiffkey when the car we were in broke down.

While we were waiting for the breakdown truck Marsh Harrier was seen.

We arrived back in Nottingham at about 3.00pm so a few of us decided to call at the Lagoons for a couple of hours. While there we added Red Admiral and Speckled Wood to our trip tally.

Total trip records (2009 in brackets)

Birds 168 (148) Mammals 12 (6) Butterflies 23 (15) Dragonflies 7 (3) Others 7 (1)

Whatever’s around – birds, mammals, insects.

If you would like to attend this trip, please contact Philip Burnham:

By Telephone: 01623 401 980 Mobile: 07765 369 590

By Post: 57 Tilford Road, Newstead Village, Nottingham, NG15 0BU

By Email: philip.burnham@netherfieldwildlife.org.uk

There will be a cricket and grasshopper walk today. If you would like to come meet at the footbridge where you enter the site by 14.30hrs. If the weather is poor it may be cancelled so check the website before you leave home.

Whatever’s around – Birds, Mammals, Insects

If you would like to attend this trip, please contact Philip Burnham:

By Telephone: 01623 401980 Mobile: 07765369590

By Post: 57 Tilford Road, Newstead Village, Nottingham, NG15 0BU

By Email: philip.burnham@netherfieldwildlife.org.uk

Small Tortoiseshell

A very warm and sunny day slightly spoilt by a strong south westerly breeze which kept the butterflies from flying. A group of seven of us set off along the Ouse Dyke where we encountered the usual selection of large, small and green-veined whites, speckled wood butterflies along with common darter, brown hawker and southern hawker dragonflies. We were even greeted by the call of the resident kingfisher as it speed off up the path.

On entering the site we soon found the first of our target species of common blue, which it became apparent are very abundant all around the site as there is plenty of birds-foot trefoil on the bank tops and sides. The next of our target species for the day was the small copper, only one of these was located at the top of a bank I know from previous visits to be one of the best places to find them. Unfortunately we weren’t so lucky with the small heath which failed to show at all, probably due to the wind whipping across the site.

Dropping down to the river bank to get some shelter from the wind we encountered our next target, brown argus. Or at least the back markers did, by the time the rest of us had backtracked it had disappeared into the long grass. However, we did all get to see this small butterfly later as altogether we encountered six in various parts of the lagoons.

The walk continued in the shelter of the hedge bordering the back of the gravel pits where plenty of common blue damselflies along with other butterflies and dragonflies were taking advantage of the windbreak offered by the hedge. Our return to the site found more brown argus on the central bund between the deep pit and the slurry lagoon, and also along the bottom pathe following the railway line.

By the end of the walk we had encountered ten butterfly species, including those mentioned above along with small tortoiseshell, brimstone, meadow brown and painted lady. Other highlights included two hobby, wheatear, whinchat and various warblers.

The monthly bird count is an important activity carried out by the group and we now have a data base going back more than a decade. We do, however, still need volunteers to help carry this out. If not enough people turn up we can’t do the count. So far this has only happened twice. If you would like to come along and help, join us at the end of Teal Close at 07.45 on the second Sunday of each month. Its a good way of brushing up your identification skills and getting to know the site as you would be teamed up with a regular.

The next count will be held on August 9th, meeting on Teal Close at 07.45.