Icklingham (Suffolk) & Hickling Broad (Norfolk) 24/06/21

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A fine morning becoming cloudier in the afternoon.

The European Roller was seen well in a sheep field at Icklingham, albeit rather distant most of the time.  Only my second Roller in the UK after the bird at East Budleigh (Devon) in June '89.

Hickling Broad NWT was recommended as the best place to see Swallowtail butterfly so was the next destination. On arrival at the reserve there was little sunshine and for 30 minutes no sign of the butterflies, although Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell and Painted Lady were active. However, as it got brighter so the Swallowtails appeared, up to three feeding on bramble flowers at close range.  They were very mobile and challenging to photograph, though good results were eventually obtained.

The site was buzzing with dragonflies, mainly Norfolk Hawkers which frustratingly never landed.

Birds at the reserve were no less impressive, especially on Brendon's Marsh where I was lucky to see a flyover Collared Pratincole.  Also present were 2 Black-winged Stilts, a Ruff, 2 Green Sandpipers, a Little-ringed Plover, and a group of Spoonbill in distant trees, possibly 4 birds.

Two Bitterns also flew over the reedbed.

European Roller



The Swallowtail site

Swallowtail







Painted Lady

Black-winged Stilts

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