A day of 'Two Halves'; Insect morning and an afternoon of birds......

The hot and dry weather continued into August, when a trip along the North Norfolk coast with Jason Nichols (2nd) began at Weybourne Cliffs before the temperature rose to an uncomfortable level for both humans and insects alike!

Sand Martins were flying around the cliffs and Sandwich Terns could be heard offshore, but initially, there didn’t appear to be too much in the way of the smaller fauna.  However, a few male Common Blues were on the cliff top and a Brown Argus and a Small Skipper were seen, before Hymenoptera species began to appear.

Ornate-tailed Digger Wasps Cerceris rybyensis were seen as were Philanthus triangulum aka Bee Wolf and on the small patches of Common Ragwort Colletes fodiens Hairy-saddled Colletes and Lacewings Chrysoperla carnea were found.

Several 11-spot Ladybirds were seen, as they were here in 2017 and visiting the Sow Thistles near the car park were more C. fodiens, Dasypoda hirtipes Pantaloon Bee, the striking swollen thighed Hoverfly Syritta pipiens and a Tachinid Fly Eriothrix rufomaculata and a male Banded Demoiselle flew over the reeds to the west of the car park.

At Cley, 7 Spoonbills were present along with Black-tailed Godwits, Avocets and Ruff.  8 Green and one each of Common and Wood Sandpiper, Common Snipe and 7 Little Ringed Plovers were all good to see and provided some photographic opportunities, from the ‘middle’ hides.  A female Banded Demoiselle was also an interesting sighting here.