Pied Flycatcher & Swallowtail

Lade - warm, dry, sunny, n 2 - se 3 - The moth trap was notable for 85 Silver Ys and precious little else this morning. Flogged around the local patch where up to 12 broods of Tufted Ducks on south pit along with many common wildfowl and their young, plus the long staying Red Crested Pochard and newly arrived Black-necked Grebe and 2 Garganeys. Juv Reed Warblers and Whitethroats were everywhere and several migrant Willow Warblers were singing from the willow-swamp.

                                Black-necked Grebe, Lade

St Mary-in-the-Marsh  - A call from Marshman, who`d found a Pied Flycatcher in his garden, necessitated a change of plan this afternoon and it wasn`t long before my 200th species for the Marsh year list was accrued. Not an easy bird to see, but eventually it obliged after several flight views through cover. A good find of what has become a scarce passage migrant.
Burrowes - Spent an hour looking for a Swallowtail butterfly which was seen earlier near Dennis`s hide by SB, but without success. This magnificent resident butterfly is only found in the Norfolk fenlands, although this specimen probably originated from the continental race which is slightly paler than our native race. SB had the presence of mind to quickly take a snap of this beauty with his smart phone as it settled on a teasel head for us all to enjoy and be thoroughly gripped off! Well done Steve, a mega find of the insect world.

    Swallowtail, Dungeness RSPB (Steve Broyd)    

Once again there were plenty of other migrant butterflies across the peninsula today, including more Clouded Yellows on the bird reserve, where also three Black-necked Grebes and a Great White Egret reported.
Dungeness - Finished off with a brief seawatch but nothing much was happening apart for a few passing terns, Gannets and one flock of 25 Common Scoters. At least six porpoises and a seal were feeding just offshore.