Flying Snake

This somewhat bizarre insect was hanging around on a window on Friday. After a bit of google based research it was revealed to be Atlantoraphidia maculicollis. First record for the lodge, and possibly for any RSPB reserve

'Rattling' BTO's cage?

Being the only person regularly walking around The Lodge at the moment (or at least seemingly so), Andy Schofield found another difficult reserve bird yesterday. It was a singing Lesser Whitethroat by the quarry entrance. Number 124.

I guess we should start looking at things other than birds now...

Box Bug (Gonocerus acuteangulatus)

No, not in a box, but feeds on it and traditionally known from Box Hill in Surrey but has been spreading its range recently. When I found this striking beastie at the lakes back on 20th April I didn't know what it was and had to wait until now before my book on Shieldbugs and Squashbugs (Evans & Edmondson) arrived. Identification was then fairly straightforward, but I was surprised and somewhat pleased to discover that it is a new species for Norfolk!

1-2-3

Today's Spotted Flycatcher brings us up to 123. Andy Schofield pulls another out the bag from his office window at the Gatehouse.

There's been a Little Gull regularly on Derek's over the last few days. Just need to be lucky from the Plateau this evening...

Great Argus

No, not the pheasant, but nice to see the first Brown Argus butterflies on the wing this lunchtime, as well as Common Blue and Small Copper. The Large Red Damselflies have now been joined by Common Blue Damsels, and a selection of new plants appearing included Goatsbeard, Tall Rocket {not Flixweed as initially recorded}, Hedge Mustard, Houndstongue, Meadow Foxtail and White Campion. Nothing new on the bird front, although a Common Sandpiper was heard, along with Cuckoo and Swift.

Hobby

Seconds after 4 Swifts shot over the reserve yesterday morning they were followed by the first Hobby of the year, in full attack mode! 124.

A Nightingale sang in...

...the Nunnery Lakes reserve! Well in the perimeter hedge but I was sitting firmly in the reserve listening to it this evening, thanks to a tip-off from Chas Holt who found it yesterday. That's the possible from a fortnight ago safely OTL, 123. A tricky one at The Lodge these days?