Ho-ho!

A scene that would have appealed to W.M. Turner at Burgh Flats this evening, near where the river Waveney meets Yare.

I managed to locate a pair, and hear another, close to where I was staying in second week of Feb in SW France. Until one of them sang I had no inkling they were close at hand. Half decent binoculars view until they quickly disapleared. Unsure whether they were on wintering or on breeding grounds.

The 'paper', despite its length, adds little to the entry by Alfred Newton in A Dictionary of Birds (1893f.p 703) The existence of "P. crispus", as he termed the larger species, as a breeding species in the Fens "at no very distant period" seemed proved. The Norfolk Broads are of more recent origin.

Many thanks. On a par with the Ruddy Duck in the UK, evidently.

Herewith the article - nicely written. Sounds as if it's from a monthly newspaper for ex-pats.
It'll be interesting to see if there are further indications of wandering individuals.

Very interesting - many thanks. I'll check my back numbers of Birding World. It was a nicely written article but evidently by a non-birder for, primarily, non-birders. Population estimated at 5000 and there was a suggestion of deliberate introduction as well as escapes from captivity.

Have just received an interesting article from SW France about what appears to be a new, possibly 'invasive', addition to European avifauna - Lelothix lutea variously known as the Peking Nightingale or 'Lipstick Bird'.
Said to be four figure populations in N. Italy and nr. Pyrennees.

Few people could point to Bohemia on a map, and even fewer could explain that 'Bohemian' as applied to the Waxwing has much more to do with the species' lifestyle than with geography. If a geographical adjective is felt to be desirable, 'Scandinavian' would be preferable.

Congratulations!

The genus Gaura is absent from my British and European flower books (published 1974 to 2013) - has the plant been renamed, or is there another explanation?

I couldn't understand how the deaths of all those poor campers in USA early this month were simply dismissed as a 'once in a century' freak accident. In a democracy the mainstream media have a responsibility to ensure that voters are well informed, not simply made to feel good about themselves.

Two of the dozen or so still flowering Small-flowered Catchflies noted along Gorleston cliffs last eve - as well as several soaked in turquoise weed-killer, alas. I have never previously noted a pink one showing 'quinquevulnera' marks.

Red Bartsia and Marsh Mallow this evening at Minsmere on the Suffolk coast #WildflowerHour

Common Blue and Wall Butterfly at Lound Lakes ('Nuffolk') today. The latter, a male, showed signs of wear and could have emerged last month - four weeks earlier than the traditional emergence of this species' second brood.

The other positively ID'd spp. were Large and Small Whites, Small and Essex Skippers, Small Copper, Purple Hairstreaks, Meadow Browns, Ringlets and Gatekeepers (only males) - thus 14 spp., not 11.

An enjoyable spell of butterfly watching at Lound Lakes on the county boundary yielded at least 11 species inc. Peacock (3), Red Admiral (6: 4 fresh, 2 faded), Painted Lady (3 sightings of prob one recently emerged), Comma c.12 and Small Tortoiseshell (the attached and one other, battle scarred).

A Marbled White butterfly > E along Thames footpath just above Hampton Court bridge at 11 a.m. approx. I was able to follow it through binoculars as it headed across the river gaining height > NE. The nearest site for the species that I can think of is near Box Hill on the North Downs.

Norwich Castle and cattle market, circa 1860.
It's difficult, at times, not to be nostalgic (!)

White Admiral and Silver-washed Fritillary in N E Norfolk today. A male Gatekeeper at Thorpe-next-Haddiscoe was about 10 days earlier than usual.

On the S Wall of Breydon Water another Painted Lady this evening. At least 16 Mediterranean Gulls, very few waders, one Common Tern, excellent view of hunting Hobby and over N Wall a juv Peregrine 'seeing off' a male Marsh Harrier. Two Egyptian Geese on 'the Lumps' after 8pm were a surprise.

Perhaps on account of the dry spring, the flowers of some Pyramidal Orchids are scarcely larger than a thumbnail; a dozy Tree Bumblebee B. hypnorum, a recent colonist, allowed a close approach last evening.

I haven't ruled it out but it looks branched at base of plant - the ones I have seen in W Suffolk are very upright. Also local habitat is not dry, sandy heath.

This has got me foxed so confirmation or correction welcome #wildflowerhour - my best guess is a dwarf form of Common Cudweed: it is at home in the narrow gaps between cobblestones long with small Buck's-horn Plantains.

Cut-leaved Cranesbill and Tutsan near the Norfolk - Suffolk county boundary this evening #wildflowerhour

Two of three Painted Ladies encountered on Breydon S Wall near Humberstone Farm 1915hrs-2000hrs this evening. The fresher of the two chased off all winged intruders.

A rather striking Grey Squirrel enjoying a 'freebie' after hours at Minsmere RSPB - do we know if this 'morph' occurs in the wild in N. America?

A piece of Jet found on the North Denes, Great Yarmouth, perhaps washed down from NE England. One or two specks of quartz-like material, conspicuous in bright sunlight, can just be made out.

Painted Lady - not much bigger than a Wall butterfly, so presumed male, slightly worn - nr Breydon Water this afternoon.

@davidpappleton.bsky.social

You may have perceived that your namesake is the Norfolk recorder for lacewings, Snakeflies etc.(!) Botany angle: I was photographing Sweet Cicely (gone over now and whether wild or a throw-out I am unsure) at that grid ref when the Snakefly landed on me. Super locality