Four-spotted Chaser – Felbrigg Park
Despite a handful of visits to the western shelter-belt in the park over the past week or so I’ve still not managed to connect with Spotted Flycatcher. Yesterday, having again had no luck, I stopped-off at the lake on my way through to Cromer, for our shift at the Peregrine watch-point. There were plenty of dragonflies about but very little else. Having had the biggest number of Spring Lapwing since the area was re-modelled, up to five present on the water-meadows, they now seem to have finally abandoned any attempt to breed. Too much accumulated disturbance from grazing cattle, off-the-lease dogs and lost humans almost certainly being the reason. I did, however, see that the Egyptian Geese have six young chicks. This is very late for this species – suggesting a probable second brood? I also saw my first Painted Lady & Common Blue for the year, in the park. At the watch-point it was busy, with plenty of visitors and the adult Peregrines in near-constant attendance. At one point the female brought in a large Wood Pigeon, plucked it, and fed it to the chicks – right in front of the camera and the admiring crowd. Cley NWT today – but the weather forecast looks pretty grim.
There were several jack Pike along the dam wall – but this adult was about 18″ long
Aylmerton Nature Diary 