Ken T
@velociraptor500
Birdwatching, walking, photography and reading.
Harebells in local field, they are also available in white! Long-tailed Tit after feeding and a Red Admiral butterfly not looking its best.
Marsh Tit captured in the tub pond this morning. They are a scarce breeding resident in north Norfolk but their numbers continue to decline. The bird (brown back with a black cap) can first be seen on the far left of the video and moves across to settle on one of the branches.
Red Soldier Beetle on top of a Teasel flower and scaling a grass seed head before staring out at the local scenery, in this case more grass.
The Pheasant chicks have made an appearance in the garden, kept in check by the female. The eggshells remain partially hidden on the wild patch. The 10 chicks are keeping relatively close to the female, who is keeping a watchful eye open for predators.
One of the many flowers on a Spear Thistle. Juvenile Long-tailed Tit seen in the woods. Teasel with its crown of flowers. 16 Gatekeeper butterflies in the garden early this morning.
Like to see Small Copper butterflies and fortunately did not have too far to go to see this one - garden. Two other butterflies seen today: Comma sitting on a Teasel flower and a Red Admiral on the Buddleia. The solar pond pump seems to be working well.
Spotted Woodpecker visiting the peanut feeder in the garden whilst this second one preferred to sample the suet.
Found this moth sitting on top of a wild carrot flower a couple of days. Used Obsidentify and it identified it as a Choreutis nemorana but could not find this in Field Guides that I have. Any help? @norwichbirder.bsky.social
Crocosmia really brightens the garden and the bees like it too. Meadowsweet growing in a roadside dyke. Setting sun from a couple of nights ago.
Installed a new tub pond in garden at the weekend as the bird drinking bowls were drying out too fast in hot weather. Filled it from a water butt, added a few plants and waited but not for long. The birds love it - this is from the wildlife camera today.
Flowers on a straggling rose bush. Hummingbird Hawkmoth sampling the Lavender flowers. Ragwort just starting to flower, this one has not played host to the Cinnabar caterpillars. Speckled Bush Cricket sitting on a Wild Carrot, its incredibly long antennae are just visible.
Female Pheasant in the garden early this morning, currently, incubating 10 eggs in the wild patch, the second pheasant this year to have a nest in the garden. Spotted a Wood Pigeon sunbathing, they do it to soften their natural preening oils, making them easier to spread.
Seen on a local beach the Little Tern, with its yellow bill is the UK's smallest tern. In flight the they are fast and agile, hovering briefly before diving for food. The juveniles are difficult to see on sandy beaches with their cryptic plumage. Fortunate enough to see 20+.
A few more from the beach - Moon Jellyfish washed up on shore as were these Sea Gooseberries. Ringed Plover, picking over the debris washed in by the tide. Meanwhile, a second was more easily seen on the beach sand.
Shells and seaweed on the tideline - Common Limpet, Razor Clam, Slipper Limpet and seaweed washing up in the foam as the tide ebbs and flows.
Therefore, I was wondering if this was actually a hybrid Marsh Orchid. Anyone know?
Peregrine asleep on a ledge at Cromer Parish Church (St Peter and St Paul) a few days ago.
Clouds looking quite stormy but they just drift across without a drop of rain.
Teasel and Bristly Oxtongue growing next to each other in the garden, both with sharp spines on their leaves and stems. Cinnabar caterpillars have appeared on the Ragwort, which has also sprung up this year. To finish, a brightly coloured Mesembryanthemum in full bloom.
Meadow Brown Pic 1: Settled on a Rudbeckia flower, with the flower's colour reflected on its wings, making them appear more orange than they really are. Pic 2: Light passing through the wings makes them appear almost semi-translucent. Pic 3: Feeding on bramble flowers.
Cromer Pier is 125 years old and as well as a café and bar, it has a famous end of the pier theatre & RNLI lifeboat station. Views of the pier from the East, South and West, showing the lifeboat station and theatre. The sea was sparkling this morning in the July sunshine.
Ladies in the Garden - Ladies Bedstraw, love the bright colour and can be found in small clumps around the garden. Seven Spot Ladybird present throughout the year but hibernates during the winter months. The subtle colours of the hind wing of the Painted Lady butterfly.
Meadow Cranesbill in flower and attracting lots of bees, meanwhile the Hogweed flower is attracting lots of Hoverflies.
Fringed Water Lily flowering in the new tub pond in the garden. The lily attracted a passing hoverfly.
Gatekeeper butterflies have emerged and appeared in the garden early this morning.