Bird & Mammal Report

The Norfolk Bird and Mammal Report for 2006 includes a surprising statistic. Although the Norfolk List has now reached a remarkable 420 species, ringing records for the year were the lowest for some time - "because the birds were just not there". Allan Hale reports that 39,301 birds of 120 species were ringed in the county but that was the lowest number for seven years and fewest species for nearly 20 years.

The usual meticulously compiled systematic list has an additional feature of great help to the non-specialist birder - a simple index of groups of species.

The report includes a paper by Mark Cocker, this year's president of the Society, on the rook/jackdaw roost at Buckenham Carrs and other papers on gulls, common terns, "stone-runners" (the Norfolk name for the ringed plover), an interesting pied flycatcher, and a first for Norfolk - a rose-breasted grosbeak.

A major feature of the report is an updated Norfolk List, plus an updated county rarity list.

The Norfolk Mammal Report is celebrating the fact that it was 50 years ago that the report was added to the already established Norfolk Bird Report. As well as a systematic list, which continues a trend for a steady rise in the number of records each year, the report includes an extensive paper by Julie Curl on an archaeological perspective of the birds and mammals of Norfolk.

Copies of the report (£10, including postage; cheques payable to Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society) can be obtained from David Paull, 8 Lindford Drive, Eaton, Norwich NR4 6LT. David can also supply copies of back issues for most years since the mid-1960s. Call him on 01603 457270 to discuss prices and what is available. If you would be interested in joining our mailing list of "regulars" who are sent the report, post-free, in the week of publication, please get in touch with David.