@rob-murray.bsky.social
I only post natural history sightings (mainly birds, dragonflies etc) in SE Norfolk and NE Suffolk
A considerable number of birds on Benacre Broad but too distant for just binos. Clouded Yellow on cliffs plus Yellow Wagtail and Little Gull on Covehithe Broad. Whimbrels flying south
August 20, 2026 at 1:11 PM
A considerable number of birds on Benacre Broad but too distant for just binos. Clouded Yellow on cliffs plus Yellow Wagtail and Little Gull on Covehithe Broad. Whimbrels flying south
A good start to the day! A Clouded Yellow in the garden
August 9, 2026 at 8:58 AM
A good start to the day! A Clouded Yellow in the garden
This young Pipistrelle dropped in and hid in a shoe. Apparently females are abandoning their youngsters due to dehydration and heat. It was thirsty and emaciated. I handed it over to a bat specialist who can rehabilitate it
July 10, 2026 at 8:27 AM
This young Pipistrelle dropped in and hid in a shoe. Apparently females are abandoning their youngsters due to dehydration and heat. It was thirsty and emaciated. I handed it over to a bat specialist who can rehabilitate it
A bumper day for dragonflies at Carlton Marshes with 18 species recorded! Red-veined Darter and Lesser Emperor included. The LE was circling the sluice ‘pool’ giving excellent views.
July 3, 2026 at 3:30 PM
A bumper day for dragonflies at Carlton Marshes with 18 species recorded! Red-veined Darter and Lesser Emperor included. The LE was circling the sluice ‘pool’ giving excellent views.
3 Lesser Emperors and 3 Red-veined Darters amongst 16 species seen at Carlton Marshes.
Honestly, it IS a Red-veined Darter 😂
Honestly, it IS a Red-veined Darter 😂
June 24, 2026 at 9:09 AM
3 Lesser Emperors and 3 Red-veined Darters amongst 16 species seen at Carlton Marshes.
Honestly, it IS a Red-veined Darter 😂
Honestly, it IS a Red-veined Darter 😂
Red-veined Darter and Lesser Emperor on Share Marsh Carlton today. Also first Ringlets. It is amazing that synchronous emergence occurs at sites miles apart
June 21, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Red-veined Darter and Lesser Emperor on Share Marsh Carlton today. Also first Ringlets. It is amazing that synchronous emergence occurs at sites miles apart
My first Southern Hawker of the year by Round Water at Carlton Marshes today. Also 2 Green Sandpipers on Peto’s marsh
June 19, 2026 at 3:28 PM
My first Southern Hawker of the year by Round Water at Carlton Marshes today. Also 2 Green Sandpipers on Peto’s marsh
This Small Red-eyed Damselfly seen today at Outney Meadows Bungay is not only my first for the year but also my earliest by a long way
June 17, 2026 at 3:28 PM
This Small Red-eyed Damselfly seen today at Outney Meadows Bungay is not only my first for the year but also my earliest by a long way
A Lesser Emperor was at Lound Lakes this afternoon. I watched a Moorhen snapping up beak fulls of teneral Common Darters and taking them back to the nest. Also a Reed Warbler seizing ovipositing Azure Damselflies. It’s a tough life being an Odonate!
June 15, 2026 at 4:49 PM
A Lesser Emperor was at Lound Lakes this afternoon. I watched a Moorhen snapping up beak fulls of teneral Common Darters and taking them back to the nest. Also a Reed Warbler seizing ovipositing Azure Damselflies. It’s a tough life being an Odonate!
Apparently, the Pied Hoverfly (Scaeva pyrastri) is a migrant - very common in some years but very scarce in others. A smart insect!
June 1, 2026 at 1:34 PM
Apparently, the Pied Hoverfly (Scaeva pyrastri) is a migrant - very common in some years but very scarce in others. A smart insect!
Carlton marshes today-Fen Raft Spider and 11 species of dragonflies including ovipositing Broad-bodied Chaser (scarce at Carlton)
May 26, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Carlton marshes today-Fen Raft Spider and 11 species of dragonflies including ovipositing Broad-bodied Chaser (scarce at Carlton)
Beccles marsh trail-only 7 species of odonates but that included 2 firsts for the season- Norfolk Hawker and Black-tailed Skimmer
May 24, 2026 at 11:47 AM
Beccles marsh trail-only 7 species of odonates but that included 2 firsts for the season- Norfolk Hawker and Black-tailed Skimmer
At midday a pair of Common Cranes was circling high over Peto’s Marsh. They descended westwards. Also seen: 13 Hobbies, 2 Common Terns,Bittern
May 18, 2026 at 2:34 PM
At midday a pair of Common Cranes was circling high over Peto’s Marsh. They descended westwards. Also seen: 13 Hobbies, 2 Common Terns,Bittern
The dragonfly season is getting underway with 9 species seen at Carlton Marshes today including Scarce Chaser and Four-spotted Chaser, Red-eyed Damselfly
May 8, 2026 at 4:17 PM
The dragonfly season is getting underway with 9 species seen at Carlton Marshes today including Scarce Chaser and Four-spotted Chaser, Red-eyed Damselfly
Benacre Broad -3 Little Terns, 5 Greenshanks, 7 Whimbrels,12 Avocets. 2 Wheatears at the sluice
April 30, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Benacre Broad -3 Little Terns, 5 Greenshanks, 7 Whimbrels,12 Avocets. 2 Wheatears at the sluice
We are being watched!
April 21, 2026 at 4:03 PM
We are being watched!
At Carlton the Garganey are still on Peto’s. There is a Little Ringed Plover from North Hide on the islet. A Bittern was stalking about too.
March 26, 2026 at 4:13 PM
At Carlton the Garganey are still on Peto’s. There is a Little Ringed Plover from North Hide on the islet. A Bittern was stalking about too.
Peto’s Marsh this morning-drake Garganey,Little Ringed Plover,2 Ruff, 16 Golden Plover,summer plumaged Water Pipit. Along Spratts Water Lane a Blackcap was seen singing and a Dabchick trilling from the golf course pool
March 24, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Peto’s Marsh this morning-drake Garganey,Little Ringed Plover,2 Ruff, 16 Golden Plover,summer plumaged Water Pipit. Along Spratts Water Lane a Blackcap was seen singing and a Dabchick trilling from the golf course pool
Two surprises at Hen Reed Beds this morning were a singing Woodlark and a Common Crane. I’ve not seen either there before
March 19, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Two surprises at Hen Reed Beds this morning were a singing Woodlark and a Common Crane. I’ve not seen either there before
About 1970 John Gooders wrote that the 4 pits at Benacre were a place not to be missed in winter having divers, grebes, Goldeneye and Scoter. This is all that remains today - barely enough space for a pond skater!
March 12, 2026 at 4:21 PM
About 1970 John Gooders wrote that the 4 pits at Benacre were a place not to be missed in winter having divers, grebes, Goldeneye and Scoter. This is all that remains today - barely enough space for a pond skater!
There is a singing male Dartford Warbler in the first patch of gorse/bramble just south of Kessingland sluice
March 3, 2026 at 1:58 PM
There is a singing male Dartford Warbler in the first patch of gorse/bramble just south of Kessingland sluice
Just seen my first Brimstone of the year at Denes Oval Lowestoft
February 24, 2026 at 12:22 PM
Just seen my first Brimstone of the year at Denes Oval Lowestoft
These fabulous Yellow Brain fungi were seen on Dunwich Heath today
January 16, 2026 at 5:37 PM
These fabulous Yellow Brain fungi were seen on Dunwich Heath today
Well that’s brightened up a dull morning! A Firecrest is in my garden picking over ivy heads right by the lounge window
January 13, 2026 at 9:27 AM
Well that’s brightened up a dull morning! A Firecrest is in my garden picking over ivy heads right by the lounge window
Reposted
January 6, 2026 at 8:03 AM