Bodney and Little Cressingham 4 July 2025

 June and July are often said to be the quiet months of the year for birding, I say this depends upon what you are looking for.  With regard to migration, these two months may be considered quiet, however, July can be exciting with wader passage underway.  Songbirds are still feeding young in the nest or seeing to the needs of juvenile birds which have dispersed from the natal area.

Aside from birds, June and July is a great time for finding and watching insect species.  Butterfly species in our garden have been represented by Red Admirals, Peacocks, and Large White, but I have not seen Painted Lady yet.

We have had Hummingbird Hawk Moth visiting our buddleia, what a stunning species this is, the appearance, behaviour, and sound, all resembling a Hummingbird, and in fact, I wonder if those not familiar with this moth may indeed say they have seen a Hummingbird.

Hummingbird Hawk Moth in our garden 3 July.

4 July

This morning I was focussed on finding successful breeding evidence by our summer visitors, and I am pleased to say that I found Whitethroats, including juvenile birds, at three localities.  Having found these birds I actually spent much of this visit watching these wonderful migrant breeders.

I was watching habitats which comprised wide roadside verges with lines of young Scots Pines and ground covering scrub. Wide field margins of various wildflowers, weeds and grasses, would hold invertebrate prey.

Approaching a locality where Whitethroats were I could see some movement between cover followed by the distinctive "tschurrr" alarm of an adult Whitethroat, an alarm warning its young of my presence. I was lucky enough to see a number of juvenile Whitethroats including one showing well and allowing me to see a specific feature which ages the bird, most notably the dark eye which differs entirely from the adults eye which has an orange-brown iris and black pupil.   

Other species seen this morning showing evidence of successful breeding included Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, and Coal Tit. 

Whitethroat (juvenile) Little Cressingham 4 July 2025.  Note the dark eye.

A number of Butterfly species were seen including Peacock, Red Admiral, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, and Small Skipper.

Small Skipper at Bodney 4 July

Gatekeeper at Little Cressingham 4 July

Little Cressingham 28 June 2025.

 For a period of about an hour and a half on the morning of 28 June 2025, I decided upon visiting a short length of hedgerow near 'The Arms' which has long been known as a preferred habitat for Warbler species, most notably those of the Sylvia genus.

It was evident that Sylvia Warblers were present, although I could not locate Lesser Whitethroat on this occasion, however, it was good to report that Blackcap, Whitethroat, and Garden Warblers were those species representing this specific genus. 

From my arrival I could hear the alarm call of Whitethroat, a nasally "tschair" call along with a rapidly repeated "tet-tet-tet-tet-tet", these calls were accompanied by movement in some low ground covering bushes, mostly Hawthorn, the number of birds indicated successful breeding.  Further along the hedge was two more Whitethroat sites including one where the bird once again gave the "tschair" warning call, on this occasion an adult Whitethroat was seen very briefly carrying a caterpillar for feeding to its young.

Whitethroat (with food for its young) at Little Cressingham 28 June 2025

Two male Blackcaps were located in song, one of which gave an alarm call, a tongue-clicking "tack" , also, a pair of Garden Warblers were seen and heard in typical breeding habitat, the male was singing and the female alarm-called.

The only bird movement seen on this visit was a single overhead Lapwing heading south. 
  

Nightjars at Hockham, Norfolk 26 June 2025

On the evening of 26 June, myself, along with friends Darren Cowles, Sarah Lister, Bob Fleming, and Cathy and Nick Halfacre, visited a forest clearing to listen and watch Nightjars.  We arrived at our destination at 2020 and had just over an hour before sunset (2124) to watch for other birds and wildlife before the main event.  The evening was very warm following a hot day and the light was good.

With sufficient daylight remaining there was still plenty of opportunity to watch and listen to daytime species.  Upon our arrival Blackcap and Song Thrush were singing and within the clearing a Tree Pipit sang intermittently. A Whitethroat was seen in low ground covering scrub from where it gave alarm calls to warn its youngsters of our presence.  Several Yellowhammers were seen conspicuously sitting in treetops, at least two of these birds were males.  

Overflying birds included 3 Cranes silently passing over treetops and were silhouetted against the sky, a single Grey Heron over, and one Hobby seen passing overhead in a leisurely flight.  A single Cockchafer was seen.

At around 30 minutes following sunset, the strange mechanical sound of a churring Nightjar was heard intermittently, however, it wasn't too long before the fantastic song of this enigmatic species was heard almost continuously.  On one occasion a male Nightjar was seen very well as it flew around the top of a tall Birch in the clearing before alighting in the tree from where it began churring, the close proximity of the bird allowed us to fully appreciate this strange song as it was delivered in two distinct rising and falling pitches.  Having sung in the Birch for some time the Nightjar flew off emitting a strange whirring call along with the sound of a clear wing clap.  We were also lucky enough to see the silhouetted view of a second Nightjar passing by our group in a very silent, buoyant flight, and appearing very mysterious and fully befitting the folklore and legend which is associated with this stunning creature.   

I have often taken people out over the years to watch birds and often the experience has not lived up to what I hoped for, but on this visit to see Nightjars it was pleasing to see how excited our wonderful group was to see this enigmatic bird.

Kelling Heath 18 June 2025 (with Darren Cowles)

 At 0600 on the 18 June I picked up my very good friend, Darren Cowles, for a visit to the beautiful Kelling Heath on the North Norfolk Coast.  This was to be another hot day, the latest of a hot spell with further high temperatures expected in the days to come.  Our journey took us through a number of Norfolk towns and villages including Dereham, North Elmham, Guist, Briningham, Thornage, and Holt.  The beautiful village of Thornage sits in the River Glaven valley and a while to  the long descent to the valley followed by the climb towards Holt offers fantastic views of  the very rolling landscape and as I have said before in previous posts, Norfolk is certainly not flat as some outsiders claim.

We arrived at Kelling Heath at around 0700 when it was already warm.  It has been several years since I last visited this location and it took a while to get my bearings, if only I had researched maps beforehand because it was my intention to show Darren Dartford Warblers, for this species we need open heathland, however, I led Darren on a grand mystery tour of woodland habitat before reaching perfect Dartford Warbler country, we had a good ol' larf though. 

Kelling Heath 18 July 2025. Superb habitat for Stonechats, Linnets, and Woodlark, but no Dartford Warblers today.

Anyway, we set off following our first coffee of the morning through patches of heathland, Gorse scrub, and mixed woodland, and the first birds heard were Chiffchaffs and Garden Warbler, and in an area of Birch and scrub a Turtle Dove was singing.  As we walked along a path Darren saw some birds at distance on the path, these were Linnets, a common bird of heathland and Gorse. A Yellowhammer was heard singing in this area.  The heathland here also held a number of Stonechats, these included adults and juvenile birds in typical open country habitat where they chose raised perches to watch from.  We  also located a pair of Stonechats in typical breeding habitat, the male was alarm calling and the female was carrying food for young.

Stonechat (female). One of a pair in breeding habitat 

Stonechat (Male). This bird was alarm calling, he was paired with the above female.

As we walked through the heathland I was hoping to find Adders, we did not see any, but a young birder we met later did find one.  Darren did locate a Common Lizard which was nice.  Darren found some Common Blue butterflies, these stunning insects put on a great show.  Overhead, a couple of Buzzards were the only raptors seen at Kelling.

A stunning Common Blue Butterfly which Darren located on the heath.

With heat building Darren and myself headed back to the car for some refreshments, it was while we had this break that Darren had a wonderful display of Bees and other winged insects in a lovely Bramble patch.  Following our break we headed out to nearby heathland habitat to have a final search for Dartford Warblers, once again, no luck, however, some great birds were seen to make up for this including Linnets (one male with very bright crimson breast), more Stonechats watching from elevated perches, and finally, a pair of Woodlarks seen with one bird carrying food for young.  It was at this point that the young birder visiting from London approached me, I told him I was watching Woodlarks at which he became quite excited as he had never seen this species before, a very rewarding observation for both of us.

Woodlark on Kelling Heath (One of a pair seen)

Following a great visit to Kelling Heath, we set of at about 1145 and headed back home to Watton, whilst driving through Holt we heard parties of Swifts screaming above the town and between buildings, the epitome of an English summer day.

Finally, I wish to thank Darren for joining me this morning, it was a very rewarding day for both of us. Thank you Darren.

 

1 June 2025

 A later start for me on the 1st, however, this was to be a productive morning visiting a large forest clearing  near Hockham, Norfolk.  The habitat at the site visited is one of regeneration, a few years ago it was harvested of its Pine tree crop and has since been replanted with sapling Pines.  The habitat within the clearing is one of much Bramble and Birch scrub with isolated mature Birch trees within the clearing and as it stands at the current time this habitat should support the species seen today before the young Pines grow too large and those species seen will seek new suitable territories.  The growing Pine compartments will then see different bird species move in whilst those species requiring clearings to breed in will find new suitable sites within which to set up territories.  Pine compartments here in the Brecks are a rotational crop, therefore, the different stages of habitat growth will always be suitable for specialist species.

Forest clearing near Hockham Norfolk 1 June 2025. This site today held Blackcap, Garden Warblers, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, one Tree Pipit, and two Cuckoos.

The location visited today has for some years been the summer home for Nightjars and even though I visited in daylight hours I was hoping to find one of these enigmatic birds roosting on a tree branch, however, none seen on this visit.

Tree Pipit (male) in forest clearing.

Today was all about breeding successes and the first evidence of this was watching juvenile Blackcaps in a small Holly being fed by parent birds.  The clearing is currently well suited for Sylvia Warblers and this visit produced 4 Garden Warbler territories, at one site a pair of Garden Warblers were watched at woodland edge habitat with ground cover, one bird was seen leaving the site with a faecal sac (proof of breeding).  At least 4 singing Whitethroats located along with a single Willow Warbler.  One Tree Pipit was singing and performing it conspicuous song-flight over its territory, this bird often sang in the Holly just left of centre in the above picture.  Two Cuckoos were present, a calling male (unseen) and a female, which was seen moving between trees in the clearing and giving its distinctive bubbling call. 

The only raptor species seen on this visit was a beautiful hunting male Kestrel and two Buzzards.

  

A summary of local Birding in May 2025

May begins to see a slowing of migration as most summer visitors will now be on their breeding territories, however, arrivals and passage birds can still be seen, and indeed heard. Virtually all winter visitors have left our shores by May and will be breeding on their summer territories in Northern Europe, despite this, I occasionally see stragglers passing through in early May, most notably, I have seen a few late Fieldfares in the first week of May. One of our latest summer migrants to arrive back on its breeding territory here in Breckland is the enigmatic Nightjar, this curious bird generally arrives with us in the third week of May

The 1^st of May was the warmest day of the year to date with a high of 27° Celsius. On the 1^st of the month I was working in Wymondham and was making my way to Silfield when I was held up by major construction works and roadworks on the Station Road area, where in a small length of tall hedgerow a male Lesser Whitethroat was singing. If this particular bird had returned to the same locality where it left late last summer then how said for the bird to find completely different surroundings.

It is always exciting to find evidence of scarce birds being present at new localities on the local Breckland patch, and indeed this was the case on 3^rd May when I walking through Lower Stow Bedon and heard a singing Cetti’s Warbler in suitable breeding habitat alongside the Rocklands Road. A singing Reed Warbler was also present at the same site.

At Great Cressingham on the 4^th May a Marsh Harrier was seen at height drifting slowly north, this particular bird was probably a passage migrant.

A visit to a short section of the Pingo trail on the 8^th produced 6+ singing Garden Warblers, this species breeds on commons where there is ground covering scrub, regenerating Birch woods, and woodland edge with ground cover. Also on this date I located a pair of Cranes with a single chick.

Garden Warbler

On the 10^th, whilst driving along the Deopham Road outside Hingham a single Raven passed low over farmland and calling.

A late visit to Thompson Water on the 11^th produced two Cuckoo, a male which was calling, and a female directly above me in a Birch tree, she also called with wonderful bubbling call. Also seen was a single Hobby hunting flying insects, many singing Reed Warblers, and at least 3 singing Cetti’s Warblers.

On the 12^th at Ashill Common I had excellent views of a singing and displaying Turtle Dove, a rare sight these days. The areas of rich habitat here includes an ancient hedgerow, pockets of Birch woodland, and Gorse, these habitats produced at least 4 singing Whitethroats, one singing Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcaps, many Linnets (which can always be found where Gorse grows), and a female Sparrowhawk soaring above the common.

Turtle Dove at Ashill on 12th May

At Bodney on the 18^th a Little Egret was seen flying along the river valley and in a nearby meadow a pair of Oystercatchers were seen mating. Later, on the 18^th a Marsh Harrier flew over the Hingham road at Hackford.

On the 21^st at Little Cressingham a single Little Egret flew close by and settled in the river valley, also here I saw evidence of successful breeding by Stonechats with an adult and juvenile bird seen.

A visit to Thompson late evening and early night on the 22^nd was intended as a search for the very enigmatic Woodcock, specifically, I wanted to see the flight display of the male bird known as ‘roding’ which occurs following sunset over wooded areas. I parked by the church in Thompson following sunset and with a beautiful orange hue in the western sky, I began my watch. With light declining a male Tawny Owl began calling, this was followed by a distant calling male Cuckoo. At some 30 minutes after sunset time was right for Woodcock to display and with just a short time to wait a male Woodcock was seen performing its display (roding) over woodland, this display sees the bird flying in more or less straight lines whilst giving a grunting call “kor-kor-kor...tizzick”. This display behaviour is performed in order to attract a mate and defend its territory from other male birds. It is said that the female Woodcock emits a call on the ground which attracts the male bird down, I have never heard this particular call from the female. Finally, on this pleasant evening I heard a Little Owl call.

On the evening of the 25^th I visited a forest clearing near Hockham specifically to see or hear that most enigmatic of our summer migrants, the Nightjar. As light faded fast the highly distinct “churring” of a male Nightjar was heard within the clearing, this incredible song varies in pitch and can last for 10 minutes or more with each session of song. Nightjars can be seen against a moonlit sky as they fly over the clearing gathering up insects, especially moths, for food. The bill of this bird is small, however, as it makes sweeps over its territory the bill opens to a very wide gape as it catches moths.

On the morning of the 27^th I visited the beautiful village of Great Hockham for a wander around, I was so pleased to see so many Swifts, including screaming parties flying between buildings, a sight and sound which is the epitome of an English summers day. Also noted was at least 10+ Greenfinches, again, their beautiful wheezing song a reflection of a warm day in summer in an English village.

April 2025 - A summary of observations.

April is the month when most summer visitors arrive in Britain to breed, yes, some are early arrivals reaching us from mid-March, and indeed, migration continues into May, but most arrive in April. There is a greater urgency for migrants to reach their breeding grounds in spring as birds need to secure their territories in order to breed, whereas late summer/autumn migration is a more protracted affair.

April also sees the departure of our winter visitors with the most obvious birds being Thrushes, most wintering birds would have left our shores in March but flocks of Fieldfares and Redwings can still be seen moving through in good sized flocks. I have seen Fieldfares on my patch as late as the first week in May.

Selected Diary entries for April 2025

1st April

An early morning visit to Thompson Water was intended as an arrivals day.  Thompson Water held up to 4 singing Cetti's Warblers with one seen which knew how to evade being seen as all views was of the bird within tangled vegetation habitat.  A pair of Mandarins and a single Little Egret overflew.  My first Swallow of the year arrived over the water as I was preparing to leave.

On nearby heathland, a single singing Willow Warbler (first of year) was heard in typical breeding habitat comprising regenerating Birch scrub.

6 April

Wretham Heath (0655-1100). Visited Langmere and Ringmere. Water levels in Langmere remained very high. Wildfowl present were Greylag Geese, Egyptian Geese (Pair with 2 goslings), Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard, Teal, and Tufted Duck. A single Snipe was seen on the shore of Langmere where probing to feed.

Many species were disturbed and put up when a Goshawk passed by. Although unseen, a Raven was heard calling.

A pair of Woodlarks seen in a large clearing from the path leading to Ringmere, one bird was seen high in a Larch where singing.

A search along the Hereward Way for Snakes produced a single female Adder and two Grass Snakes in trackside heather.

At the wardens house a pair of House Martins were present, also in the area was a three-figure count of Rooks.

10 April

At Bodney Slip two singing Blackcaps and singing Chiffchaff present. A Grey Heron passed over.

Evidence of early morning passage of winter Thrushes seen with 21+ Fieldfare flying east, also 6 Redwings high east before dropping into woodland.

Two Mistle Thrushes in song, one of these distant in largest willow by Watton Brook. An occupied Carrion Crow nest was in a large willow.

Close by along the roadside was a pair of Stonechats in suitable breeding habitat along with a pair of Dunnocks.

2 pairs of Linnets seen and a pair of Starlings on wires. 

12 and 13 April Northamptonshire)

A couple of days spent in the Nene Valley in Northamptonshire produced evidence of passage migrants and recently arrived summer visitors.  Areas visited included Stanwick Lakes and undulating footpaths through farmland near Little Addington.

On the 12 April near the village of Ringstead I walked a small section of the Nene Way, here, Blackcaps were numerous as were Chiffchaffs and Cetti's Warblers.  One singing Willow Warbler located.  A single Little Egret flew over.

The evening of the 12 April I walked the rolling farmland near Little Addington, I wanted to check a large strip of land used for game cover, having arrived at the site it was clear the land had been recently turned and I immediately considered Wheatear as a possibility.  Walking along the strip using a hedgerow for cover, I intermittently checked the turned land, I then saw a flash of white flying low over the land, checking the bird, this was a 1st summer Northern Wheatear. This stunning Wheatear typically had an upright, alert carriage, and ran over the land when chasing probable food items.

An early morning visit along the Nene Way and Stanwick Lakes was of interest with two early singing Whitethroats along the Nene valley.  A number of Cetti's Warblers were heard with one seen singing in the open in a Hawthorn.  A Sedge Warbler and Willow Warbler were singing in suitable breeding habitat.

The return walk along Nene Way ascending from the River Nene produced a stunning 1st summer Northern Wheatear in typical open country habitat.

1st summer Northern Wheatear along the Nene Way near Little Addington 13 April 2025

14 April Titchwell Marsh

An excellent morning at Titchwell with my good friend Andy Egan.  Highlights included two Little Ringed Plovers, one Common Sandpiper, one booming Bittern, displaying Marsh Harrier, and Sandwich Terns fishing offshore.  Several Mediterranean Gulls over the car park area.  At Choseley a single Sand Martin flew west.

One of two Little Ringed Plovers seen on the Freshwater Marsh at Titchwell on the 14th

16 April

A walk along the Peddars Way at Great Cressingham produced a couple of singing Whitethroats along with one singing Lesser Whitethroat (My first of the year).

18 April

A visit to Hockham was to be productive, firstly, 3 singing Garden Warblers was quite an early date for this Sylvia species, also present within fen-like habitat held at least 6 Water Rails and within a forest clearing a Tree Pipit was watched for some time singing from isolated treetop song-posts as well as displaying its conspicuous song-flight.  Also present in the clearing was singing Willow Warbler, a male Stonechat and Marsh Tit.

Singing and displaying Tree Pipit at Hockham 18 April 2025

19 April

At a local site near Hockham the obvious highlight was finding a singing Redstart, a very scarce breeding bird in the Brecks.

20 April

A pair of Stonechats seen at a known breeding site at Bodney and closer to Watton a single Raven was watched for some time circling low over a field, sometimes alighting on the same spot in a field where probable food was present. The Raven was often mobbed by Carrion Crows, it was possible to appreciate the size difference between the species. 

Raven at Threxton 20 April 2025 

21 April

An interesting movement of at least 2 Mediterranean Gulls passing over Watton (from garden)

25 April

At Little Cressingham a Stonechat was food carrying, indicating successful breeding and a single Raven was watched flying low and North and calling as it went. 

26 April

Two Swifts seen over Watton (from garden) were my first records of this species this year.  The last week of April is a typical arrival date for this species which is one of the later arriving summer migrants. 

28 April

Another productive day in the local Brecks.  Firstly, a visit to Thompson Water held 10+ Reed Warblers (although much inaccessible areas will hold more), Sedge Warblers, a Garden Warbler, 3 singing Cetti's Warblers, and two calling male Cuckoos.

A nearby area of heath and common held 6+ singing Willow Warblers, 3 Garden Warblers, Chiffchaff and Blackcaps.

At another site in Thompson a 'reeling' Grasshopper Warbler was present in prime breeding habitat, a good local record. 

Over Watton 4 Swifts seen overhead.

29 April

My first Hobby  of the year was seen over Watton early morning, and a site less than a mile from home held 2 singing and displaying Snipe, one Lesser Whitethroat, four Whitethroats, Stonechat, and several Reed Buntings in good breeding habitat.

One of two singing Snipe near Watton 30 April