Loddon, Norfolk, 8 June 2011

I called in at this site as I was passing to see if any 'chlorantha' Bee Orchids have emerged. Thankfully, after looking for while I was able to locate 2 plants of this scarce form of Bee Orchid. Only 2 plants though which is way down on the usual numbers here. Maybe indicative of the extremely warm and dry spring we've had. 


For my guided orchid/butterfly/dragonfly days out click here  

Bempton Cliffs, 3 June 2011

A very enjoyable but long day trip up to Bempton with James Emerson and Cathy Thomas from Norwich. Despite frustratingly slow traffic and road closures in Lincoln we eventually arrived on the Yorkshire coast at about 11.00. A Corn Bunting sang as we drove the lanes on last couple of miles to Bempton. As ever at this great site the seabirds are in your face as soon as you reach the clifftops, really easy birding!Cathy soon had her much wanted Puffins with several loafing about on the sea at the base of the cliffs and then a lovely closer one on a cliff ledge. All the usual Gannets, Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes and Fulmars were whizzing about and going about their daily business. The combination of sun and a dark sea made for some good photographic opportunities. A quick visit to the feeding station on the edge of the carpark revealed loads of Tree Sparrows with plenty of juveniles prompting the question 'why are they so common here and so scarce back in Norfolk?!'


A stop at Hornsey Mere on the way back proved to be a waste of time so cutting our losses we decided to head back into home territory and dropped in at Narborough Railway Line as we passed. No skippers to report here though, just some Common Blues, the 1st Meadow Brown of the year, a Common Lizard and a few Pyramidal Orchids just starting to poke their heads up.


Congratulations on your engagement guys, I had no idea!