Chris Lansdell's Birding & Nature Diary: Dickleburgh Moor and a great find, 4 & 6 August 2024

A couple of very recent visits to my local patch which I'm very lucky to have just 5 minutes drive away.

On Sunday I found an absolute botanical mega in the form of Broadleaf Arrowhead (aka Duck-potato) growing in 2 adjacent ditches on the reserve. It would appear to be the first record in the whole of East Anglia so to say I am chuffed would be an under statement! As you can see below I made sure I documented it well with photographs. Other notable plants around the reserve include the now amazingly numerous for such a rarity Nodding Bur-marigold (form radiata), Amphibious Bistort, Gypsywort, Golden Dock, Pedunculate Club-rush, Corn Mint, Water Plantain, Frogbit, Water Chickweed, Celery-leaved Buttercup and Marsh Woundwort.

Last year Marsh Fleawort (extinct in the UK since 1899!) was introduced onto the reserve and despite having missed the flowering period I was delighted to see that it has set seed and seedlings are now present! It would be amazing if this plant could once again grace our marshes.

While on the subject of rarities - it was lovely to be shown a specimen of Orange-fruited Elm Lichen that Ben Potterton had. A species that has declined to almost nothing since Dutch Elm Disease killed so many of our native elms.

Migrant waders are starting to move through the reserve with 2 juv Little Ringed Plovers, 3+ Green Sandpipers, Greenshank and 8+ Snipe seen plus a peak count of 40 Little Egrets.

Insects seen on my 2 visits included Painted Lady, 2 new sawflies - Selandria serva and Eutomostethus ephippium plus Capsus ater.

Many thanks to the ever-hospitible Ben Potterton for arranging the guided walk on Tuesday and showing us some of his exciting cultivation specimens!