After reports of stone curlews perishing due to the harsh spring in the Brecks, it was a worrying start to the season at
NWT Weeting Heath. Some three weeks later than expected, after a lot of watching and waiting, the stone curlews eventually arrived on 9 April. After a very busy couple of weeks on the heath the first eggs were laid on 24 April. From then the season went from strength to strength. Two territories were held well within view of our West Hide, with many visitors reporting the best views that they have ever had. We’ve had four breeding pairs of stone curlews on Weeting Heath this year, which between them fledged five chicks.
Alongside some fantastic views of stone curlews, our woodland walk has been increasingly popular with visitors. The walk leads visitors into the forestry bordering Weeting and Hockwold heaths and has provided visitors with excellent views of tree pipits, hobbies, clouded yellow butterflies and even fleeting glimpses of goshawks high over the forest.
Back on the reserve itself I have been running a regular moth trap, culminating in our ‘fantastic nightfall flyers’ family event at the end of August. Over 200 species of moth have been attracted to the light trap, with my personal highlights including the Red Data Book species tawny wave (
Scopula rubiginata), the nationally scarce goat moth (
Cossus cossus) and one amazing trap of 34 small elephant hawkmoths (
Deilephila porcellus).