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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

A Marbled White seen several times from West Hide at Weeting Heath NWT this morning #NorfolkButterflies

Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Local Silver-washed Fritillaries just starting to emerge. Garden Purple Hairstreaks once again duelling around Sycamore #norfolkbutterflies

Male Silver-washed Fritillary on thistle, near Stoke Ferry, Norfolk, 24/06/26

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

What appears to be a female Southern Migrant Hawker in the garden this lunchtime, Wretton, SW Norfolk? #ukdragonflies

Putative female Southern Migrant Hawker at rest, Wretton, Norfolk, 22/06/26

Putative Southern Migrant Hawker, Norfolk, 22/06/26

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Norfolk Hawker along Stoke Ferry cut-off channel this evening. Didn't sit for a photo, unfortunately; had to make do with pics of a couple of day-flying moths instead #teammoth #ukdragonflies

Scarlet Tiger moth resting on a leaf, Stoke Ferry cut-off channel, Norfolk, 07/06/26

Burnet Companion moth, Stoke Ferry cut-off channel, Norfolk, 07/06/26

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

A disappointing 92. Usually easily pass 100 around here in January.

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

Marooned in the low 90s, with a distinct lack of owls and some other local specialities still missing. Only added Woodcock and Cetti's Warbler in the last fortnight #FootIt

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

An afternoon checking out drains and dungheaps (no, I didn't walk to King's Lynn) for #FootIt. Didn't find any Green Sandpipers, but did add both partridges to my total, now on 89.

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

Back to work today. Still managed to boost the #FootIt total by 1 to 87, with overhead Pink-footed Geese heard at 5.45pm on my 10 metre commute from the office to the back door.

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

After a day off yesterday, making my debut for the NOA sponsored birdwatch around Holme and Titchwell, back to #FootIt today. Walk round my usual running route yielded 5 additions, total now 86. Best were 11 Corn Buntings in amongst 80+ Yellowhammers and a drake Goosander on the cut #NorfolkBirding

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

...Although from a January 1st patch perspective Great Crested Grebe and Coot are probably the most unusual

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

26 km walked for 81 spp. Most of the local specials went missing for the day, and I somehow managed to avoid both House Sparrow and Starling. Highlights were 16 Bewick's Swans, 2 Cattle Egrets, Marsh Tit, Peregrine, plenty of Redpolls #footit #NorfolkBirding

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

Ridiculously poor phone pic, proper camera is in for repairs, but it's a record shot of a surprise butterfly patch tick this morning, Clouded Yellow, along the bank of the cut-off channel in Wretton, Norfolk @norfolkbutterflies.bsky.social

A poor picture of a resting Clouded Yellow butterfly. Wretton, Norfolk 26/10/25.

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

A surprise on the Buddleia at NOA Holme this morning, with a Bedstraw Hawkmoth nectaring alongside 2 Hummingbird Hawkmoths, which it absolutely dwarved. New for me, and good to see one in action, rather than in a trap. #NorfolkMoths

A Bedstraw Hawkmoth feeding on Buddleia, Holme NOA, Norfolk, 15.8.25.

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

A very pleasant walk out on patch this evening. A migrant Redstart being just one of the indicators that autumn is here #NorfolkBirding #NorfolkWildlife

Swallows gathering on power lines on an August evening, Wretton, Norfolk 14/8/25.

A female-type Common Redstart pausing on migration through inland Norfolk, Wretton 14/8/25.

A scrawny-looking Red Fox heading out to hunt in dry grassland, Wretton, Norfolk, 14/8/25.

Jay feeding on early autumn windfalls, Wretton, Norfolk, 14/8/25.

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

A pair of Clouded Yellows in the dunes at Holme NWT this afternoon. As my rather naive 14 year old would say "Those butterflies are stuck together". #NorfolkButterflies

Copulating Clouded Yellow butterflies, Holme Dunes NWT, 8th August 2025

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

Not long back from #Latitude. One of the highlights was this secret set by Antony Szmierek after midnight on Saturday, announced 45 min beforehand, blending his own numbers with superb covers of Sugababes & New Order

Antony Szmierek at Latitude 2025, secret set on Saturday night

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

Stone-curlews outnumbering visitors by 9:1 today at NWT Weeting. 1 pair on eggs, 1 pair with chick and 4 troublemakers #NorfolkBirding

3 Stone-curlews having a territorial dispute at NWT Weeting Heath

Calling Stone-curlew, NWT Weeting Heath, 19.07.25

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

Limited dragonfly activity at Dersingham Bog this morning, but did come across this demale-type Black Darter. Surprised just how small it was, like a damselfly almost.

Female/immature Black Darter, Dersingham Bog, Norfolk 9/7/25

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

Just jumped onboard the Scarlet Tiger Norfolk bandwagon in Wretton #NorfolkMoths

Hurried photo of a Scarlet Tiger moth resting on Leylandii, Wretton, Norfolk, 24/06/25

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Plenty of Purple Hairstreaks on Stoke Ferry common yesterday evening, a bit less camera shy than those in my garden

Male Purple Hairstreak on ground, photograph of underside of wings, Stoke Ferry common, Norfolk 20/06/25

Male Purple Hairstreak basking on Ash leaves, Stoke Ferry common, Norfolk 20/06/25

Male Purple Hairstreak, Stoke Ferry common, Norfolk 20/06/25

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

And now watching Purple Hairstreaks duelling around the top of a Sycamore, with a beer, in the garden in Wretton

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

A lone female Silver-washed Fritillary, constantly having to fend off the attention of the local Commas and Large Skippers at my regular site near Stoke Ferry this evening. First Ringlet and Small Skipper of the year too #NorfolkButterflies

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Hi Dave, this is the only other photo. Specimen may still be at Weeting NWT - I'll check with James tomorrow. NB. ObsIdentify app was fairly certain of ID as A.maculicollus

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

And they're back! Over 3 weeks since my last sightings from the hide @ NWT Weeting. Hopefully ready for another nesting attempt. Also nice to find a Snakefly #NorfolkBirding

A distant adult Stone-curlew in the heat haze at NWT Weeting Heath

A Snakefly sp. at NWT Weeting Heath, 31.05.25

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

Do you know happen to know what time it was found? There was one at Wissington Beet Factory just before half 10 this morning. Same bird?

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

At least 5 along the 'Wretton Road' down from Boughton village yesterday evening (12/5). This is an inexplicable local hot-spot for the species for me, first seen there this year on 20/4.

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

This one's probably from the hunting estate down the road. It's been touring the village gardens this week, apparently. I don't hold out much hope for it in the long term, having seen how it struggled with a chicken wire fence!

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Surprise addition to the garden list this morning. Just have to hope it becomes self-sustaining.

Male Reeve's Pheasant, Wretton, Norfolk 05/03/25

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

Big movement of Red-throated Divers off Holme this morning, with 80+ passing in an hour, including a group of 23. Otherwise, highlight of the day was 10 Snow Buntings among the strandline debris, at very close range #norfolkbirding

Snow Bunting on the beach at Holme Dunes NWT, Norfolk, 14.2.25

Snow Bunting on the beach at Holme Dunes NWT, 14.2.25

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

Headed out to check on an occasional gull roost in the hope of finally securing LBbG for the year list. Not a single gull came in. Had to make do with a few Whoopers and doubling my patch record count for Cranes, with 54 coming in. The seal was still in the cut-off channel #NorfolkBirding

Common Seal, Wretton cut-off channel, tens of miles from the sea, 18/01/25.

Part of a flock of Cranes, a total of 54 birds were counted, Wretton Fen, Norfolk, 18/01/25.

Whooper Swans loafing on a fenland flash, Wretton Fen, Norfolk 18/01/25.

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

Checked the field drains and channels near the house during the big freeze this weekend. Yesterday, with visibility no more than 20m due to fog, managed a Water Rail and 2 Snipe. This morning a Green Sandpiper, and a couple of photo opps along the cut-off channel #NorfolkBirding

A drake Goosander on the cut-off channel, Wretton, Norfolk, 12/01/2025.

A Great White Egret flying overhead in murky skies, Wretton, Norfolk, 12/01/2025.

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

Didn't feel motivated to do a big day now it's not Jan 1st, so a leisurely afternoon walk out concentrating on the local farmland spp., which now include Stonechat #NorfolkBirding

Male Stonechat perched on a dead Thistle on afternoon sunshine. One of 4 seen on a walk around fields near Wretton 02/01/2025.

"I'm pretty sure he can't see me"
A Little Owl peeks out from behind the stable wall, Wretton 02/01/2025.

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

No NYD local big day for the first time in over a decade, due to the weather, which also kept feeders quiet. Sedentary approach did yield 3 NY day list 'bogeys': Coal Tit, Jay and Sparrowhawk. Calmer conditions later on and wind in right direction meant Cranes could be heard from the house.

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 30/12/2024

*Final visit of the year (I'll probably go out there again next year!)

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 30/12/2024

Finished the year with 137 bird spp on patch, pretty much average, with Arctic Tern the only new addition of the year. Generally a poor year for wader and passerine passage. Highlights included Spotted Flycatcher, Osprey, Black-necked Grebe and Hawfinch.

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 30/12/2024

Final visit to the patch this afternoon, and one last patch year tick, as a Woodcock crashed out of the hawthorns lining the path. Enjoyed Cranes and Whooper Swans in the late afternoon sunshine, before a spectacular sunset, with Common Seal a surprise patch mammal tick #NorfolkBirding

A group of Whooper Swans on a Fenland flash. Wretton 30/12/2024.

Four Cranes in flight in late winter afternoon sunshine. Wretton, 30/12/2024.

Pink sky at sunset over the fens, Wretton, 30/12/2024.

A terrible picture of the head of a young Common Seal, miles from the sea in the cut-off channel, at dusk, Wretton, 30/12/2024.

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

Got the photo for this year's Christmas card sorted #NorfolkBirding

1st calendar year Glaucous Gull, its head and breast stained from the dead seal it is feeding on; Old Hunstanton beach, Norfolk 12.12.24

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

Finally made the effort to add Starling to the photographic year list this morning...

A Starling feeding on the beach, with a Shore Lark in front of it. Holme Dunes NWT beach, 29.11.24

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

Nice day at Holme. This male Merlin made sure that there weren't any Snow Buntings or Shore Larks to be found at the E end of the beach. Also found out that a Jack Snipe is not phased by opening a can of drink, or eating a packed lunch.

Male Merlin perched on a rope fence, along the beach at NWT Holme Dunes.

A Jack Snipe feeding partially obscured by grass, NWT Holme Dunes.

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 08/11/2024

Really nice photo of a twig, along the dunes between Holme and Old Hunstanton yesterday. Shame about the bird photo bombing it though #uktwigs #ukbirding

Little Bunting, Hunstanton, Norfolk, 7th November 2024

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 03/11/2024

A quick viz-mig session from home this morning between 7 and 8 am added 2 species to the garden list, both of which were patch year ticks. Firstly, a Merlin (prob. a male) shot over, and then I joined the Hawfinch party, with a single bird picked up visually, confirmed by audio on Merlin #ukbirding

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 22/10/2024

Once it got up and started running around again, all fears of mis-ID proved unfounded! #NorfolkBirding

Juvenile Kentish Plover, Holme NWT beach 22/10/24

Kentish Plover and Ringed Plover, Holme NWT 22/10/24

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 22/10/2024

...not helped by it hunkering down in the sand, hiding its legs and squeezing the half-collar together. Ages before anyone came as it was in the far NE corner of the recording area, requiring a half-mile trudge along the sand. Relief when local birders arrived and still showing... #NorfolkBirding

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 22/10/2024

Day 2 of 5 at Holme. May have peaked. Casually scanning a flock of roosting Ringed Plovers with bins, noticed one with a broken breastband. Scope views confirmed a juvenile Kentish Plover. Put the news out and then panicked that I'd mis-ID'd a juv LRP or something... #NorfolkBirding

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 21/10/2024

Day 1 of 5 planned for meandering around the Holme recording area. Started with a flythrough Richard's Pipit, ended with a Jack Snipe feeding out in the open at dusk. Other highlights: Short-eared Owl, Spoonbills, Peregrine, Lesser Whitethroat and a late Wheatear #NorfolkBirding

Northern Wheatear, Holme, Norfolk 21/10/24

Heavy crop of a Jack Snipe, at dusk, Holme NOA Broadwater, 21/10/24.

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 07/09/2024

Plenty of time spent searching for our own birds too, but difficult to ignore the available 'goodies'

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 07/09/2024

Seemingly back and forth between the forestry and NOA all day at Holme. Finally got brief views of the Icterine Warbler: the Wryneck was eventually more cooperative.

Wryneck in the Forestry, Holme NWT, Saturday 7th September 2024

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Ben Rackstraw @benracks.bsky.social · 10/02/2024

A couple of record shots from the past 2 days... Merlin made it worth getting up on an otherwise washed out day helping out at Holme. Juvenile White-tailed Eagle, apparently wild-born G625, a surprise overhead while looking for woodland species along the Little Ouse #ukbirding

Juvenile White-tailed Eagle, over Thetford Power Station, 10/02/24

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