Wildlife

James Lowen

Relocating to Minsmere, we found a few migrants, including Pied Flycatcher and Whinchat, in the sluice bushes. During the afternoon, we also saw Great Egret and Bittern, Clouded Yellow and Willow Emerald Damselfly. But the highlight was a staggering flock of 34 Glossy Ibis that came in off the sea and headed northwest, between Sizewell and Minsmere. Given that we had earlier giggled that the small-scale influx underway meant we might have a good chance of finding this species for ourselves, we were somewhat shocked. The birds later touched down on North Levels at Minsmere, before being seen at various localities north to Breydon Water, where they again rested. Then along Norfolk's north-east and north coasts the following day. For 24 hours they were a UK record flock, but that has since been smashed several times, with 92 the largest gathering thus far noted.

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13 September 2025 Matt or gloss?

A longstanding friend, Durwyn Liley, was up visiting last weekend. It was a family visit to show his daughter UEA as a possible university. But we took advantage to get Durs a UK tick, Zitting Cisticola. I hadn't been for the now-famous Walberswick breeders, despite their protracted stay, so was delighted to play chauffeur. After a reasonable wait, we saw two individuals well in flight. Despite the rare bird, it was invertebrates that really commandeered our attention. A nice coastal hoverfly (Large Spot-eye Eristalinus aeneus), Bronze Beetle Chrysolina banksi, and the larva of Star-wort (a salt marsh-dwelling moth) took the plaudits. The latter was particularly amusing in that we failed to find one in the field, then came across one in the boot of my car later in the day. Fortunately, we were able to return it to its Sea-aster habitat before returning home.