Bodney 22 March 2025

A fantastic morning on the local patch this morning in the Bodney area with the highlights being provided by wader species.  Most of these observations were made on the training area where the habitats here replicate those on the upland moors of Britain.  A species more associated with upland moors, the Curlew, is a scarce but annual breeder in Breckland and this morning 2 Curlews were performing their beautiful, haunting song-flight.

Curlew at Bodney 

Also seen this morning was several Lapwings on traditional breeding grounds where the spectacular display flight, which included sudden twists, turns, and tumbling behaviour, was seen, this behaviour included the call which is wonderful to listen too.   

Lapwing displaying at Bodney 22 March 2025

At least 6 Snipe were seen on a wet meadow and a pair of Oystercatchers visited.  Two Little Egrets seen on a wet meadow where they were seen to stir up water and silt with their feet in their search for food.  In flight the Little Egrets were very distinctive in their all-white plumage, broad, rounded wings, and long trailing legs with yellow feet.

A distant Sparrowhawk was soaring high above woodland where it attracted the attention of a mobbing Crow, the Sparrowhawk gained height and eventually the Crow broke off from it mobbing behaviour.

Stonechat in breeding habitat.  A bird often associated with open windswept country

A pair of Stonechats were seen in suitable breeding habitat, the male occasionally came quite close and at one time perched on a tall weed where it was singing.  Stonechats breed at a number of sites on my local patch, habitat choices included wet meadows and marsh where isolated Bramble patches serve as nesting sites, and in dry areas such as forest clearings where scrub is used for breeding in. 

February 2025 - A summary of observations.

From a birding perspective February was dominated by the two week long (7th to 23rd February) Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust's Big Farmland Bird Count.  This is an annual count on the same dates every year and my count is conducted on a large Breckland farming estate, much of which lies within the army training area known as STANTA (Stanford Training Area) between Threxton, Little Cressingham, Great Cressingham, Bodney, and Hilborough.

The 1st day of February was work day, so I was therefore able to gather a few casual records whilst on my rounds.  At Cranworth was 2 Red Kites over the village and a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard.  At Hingham (Seamere Marsh) was 2 Cormorant, one Buzzard, and a male Kestrel.  Singing Mistle Thrushes were at Garvestone and Scoulton, and a singing Greenfinch was also heard at Garvestone.

On the 2nd, a late morning work break visit to Seamere Marsh produced one Sparrowhawk (female) soaring over the marsh, also present was Red Kite, Buzzard, one Kestrel, and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.  A pair of Ravens overflew the marsh and circled for a few minutes before heading off west.

On the marsh a male Reed Bunting was on a large patch of Bramble and Willow, probable nest site for this species.

Raven (seen at Hockham) An increasing species in Breckland

I used the morning of the 4th to conduct a recce for the forthcoming Game and Wildlife Conservation Trusts bird count.  I visited a mixture of habitats where I could maximise my species count, this comprised wet meadow, a large block of game cover of Brassica and traditional weeds and grasses within, farmland and hedgerows.  Notable highlights included Fieldfare, Chaffinches, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammers, a few Brambling, and a count of 40+ Linnets. 

And so onto the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trusts Big Farmland Bird Count between the 7th and 23rd February.  I have provided three posts of this count period, starting notes, a mid-count update, and the final day of counting, therefore I wish to provide some of my personal highlights. 

My first day of counting was on the 8th February and highlights included a calling Goshawk, Sparrowhawk, a Peregrine flying east along the Watton Brook valley at Little Cressingham, and a flock of around 100 Chaffinches visiting a large game strip.

The 9th produced a Merlin at Bodney, a scarce winter visitor to Breckland. Over the years I have seen a few Merlin on my local patch.  A pair of Stonechats were seen in suitable breeding habitat.

The 13th produced a juvenile female Goshawk at Great Cressingham, also in the same area a female Marsh Harrier passed through.  At least 3 Woodlarks seen displaying song-flight too.

On the 17th at Great Cressingham I located a male Reeve's Pheasant, a very large bird, also in the same area was another displaying Woodlark, a flock of 100+ Chaffinches and 40+ Yellowhammers visiting game strips.  Later in the day at Bodney a Kingfisher flew along Watton Brook.

The final day of counting on the 23rd February went out with a flourish of activity.  The day produced a couple of displaying Curlews (my first returning birds of the year), also, an impressive 4 Woodlarks, 25+ Skylarks, 50+ Redwings, a Raven, and an impressive count of 300+ Linnets.

Reeve's Pheasant seen during my GWCT Bird Count (An introduced resident)

Back to patch birding on the 26th with a visit to Hockham. I arrived about an hour prior to sunrise, it was a beautiful twilight and dawn, however, following a bright start to the day conditions did deteriorate.

A walk along a woodland track with just twilight for light, I could just make out the silhouetted shapes (and calls) of a least 4, possibly 5 Mandarins.  With improvement in light I visited a mixture of habitats including heath, woodland edge, and marsh.  I positioned myself with the low, bright sun behind me, with this a stunning Sparrowhawk drifted overhead.  Two Kingfishers were watched chasing each other over Pingos.  Two Woodcock were seen flying up from ground cover, a beautiful, enigmatic woodland wader species.

Later in the morning I saw and heard a large number of Crows all gathered in the crown of a tall Scots Pine, they were all facing the same way and straining their voices towards something, I scanned the nearby treetops and sitting in the crown of a tree was a large female Goshawk.  Crows, Pigeons, Ducks, Geese, Pheasants, and even other Birds of Prey, all show respect for this powerful hawk, especially given that they are all on the menu.   

On the 27th I visited Little Cressingham and my plan was to overview a large bare field and distant heathland.  This plan paid off with a very impressive and high count of 102+ Stock Dove together wandering the land, and occasionally put up if disturbed.  Also noted on this visit was large flock of 300+ Linnets, and to end the visit a Raven was watched flying over fields and woodland. 

GWCT (Big Farmland Bird Count) 23 February 2025 (The Final day of counting for 2025)

The day dawned bright with calm conditions, however, the promise of deteriorating conditions became evident as the morning wore on, the calm conditions saw an increase in wind to a light southerly with leaves flickering in the breeze, later moderate gusts and increasing high cloud foretell of how the day was to become.

Today was the final day of counting for the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trusts Big Farmland Bird Count for 2025, and it was to be a good one.  I chose my position with a variety of habitats in order to gather a good variety and count of bird species.  I overviewed a large recently turned field with a large game strip comprising brassicas and Linseed, field boundary hedgerows, broadleaved woodland, mature Scots Pine woodland, and distant heathland.

23 February 2025. My view for todays final Bird Count for the GWCT 2025

Some common bird species usually associated with this habitat were present in low numbers, or indeed absent.  Notably, Chaffinches, usually present in three figure counts at this location were seen in single figure counts or low double-figure counts only, but the most notable absentee was Brambling, with non seen during the count period, although prior to the count I did see single-figure counts only.  

The highlights for todays count was the following:

4 Woodlarks (Pair + 2 singing and displaying males)

1 Raven - watched flying west over the woodland in left of above picture (Calling)

Curlew - 2 singing males (my first returning birds of the year)

300+ Linnets - wandering the large field

The birds seemed to know this was my final day of counting for the GWCT, especially with my first record this year of displaying Curlews on the patch, also, the sky was occupied by many displaying Skylarks along with another highlight, the presence of 4 Woodlarks (pair + 2 singing males), sometimes directly above me.  These Woodlarks were visiting the field to feed, they will probably breed on a nearby heath or forest clearing.  

A single Raven was watched flying west over woodland and heathland until lost to view.  Calling was frequently heard.  I am so pleased to see Ravens quite regularly on the patch now.

Both Fieldfare and Redwings were present, this included 50+ Redwings high in distant woodland, despite the distance I could see the beautiful head pattern of this Thrush.

Common Thrush species were represented by two singing Mistle Thrushes, singing Song Thrush (a pair seen fly past me) and a number of Blackbirds, including 3 together high in trees in woodland.

The large field shown above held a large wandering flock of 300+ Linnets moving to and fro over the land and dropping to the ground to feed. Often, I could see this large wandering flock of Linnets with Skylarks singing above along with the beautiful sweet song of Woodlark.

The only raptors seen today was a single Kestrel in a Hawthorn within heathland habitat, a single Red Kite over woodland, and a single Buzzard.

GWCT Big Farmland Bird Count 7th to 23rd February 2025 (An Update)

I am currently in the second and final week of this years bird count for the GWCT (Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust).  I am writing this just to update you on my findings thus far.

Raptor species have been well represented by good numbers of Buzzards (I wouldn't have written that 30+ years ago), also Kestrels have featured regularly and Sparrowhawks have been seen on a couple of occasions.  A female Marsh Harrier was seen passing through the area.  Goshawks have been seen twice including a close encounter with a large juvenile female bird, and scarcer still, I have recorded both Peregrine and Merlin within the count period.

Fieldfare - several flocks seen on the count including some heading east.

What has been particularly noticeable is the variable distributions of common species, some sites for example have seen low numbers of Chaffinches in areas of game cover where I would expect to see them, however, reasonable numbers have been seen at other areas where feeding attracts birds with the highest count of Chaffinches being 100+, somewhat down in previous years.  To date within the count period I have not seen a single Brambling (although I have seen a few prior to the start of the count).  Linnets have shown quite well with the highest count being on the 18th with 300+ wandering over a large field and feeding.  A small Alder wood in the Wissey valley held 40+ Siskins (I have seen flocks of 100-200+ birds).

Fieldfares have been present on most days with the highest count numbering 80+ birds.  Today, the 18th, I noticed an easterly movement of Fieldfares, this tells me these birds are moving towards the coast in readiness for their passage to Northern Europe. Lesser numbers of Redwings have also been seen.

One of most eagerly awaited for songsters is the Woodlark, so far during the count period I have seen 4 displaying male birds, yesterdays bird was a particularly enjoyable encounter because I laid back in the grass (just a bit wet) and watched a Woodlark displaying directly overhead, such a magical experience.  Breckland is one of the UK strongholds for Woodlarks, watching their fluttering display and broad-winged and short-tailed appearance, their flight is likened to that of a bat.

Reeve's Pheasant (Male) A brute of a bird.

A number of bird species seen so far on my count are non-natives which are now considered naturalised residents.  The commonest of these of course is the Pheasant along with Red-legged Partridges, however, one bird I have seen on the count is a male Reeve's Pheasant, my area of Breckland is one of the UK's strongholds for this introduced species.  Reeve's Pheasants are much large than the more familiar Pheasant, it is very large, bulky, strong looking, and has been known to be aggressive towards humans.  The Reeve's Pheasant appears in the 2008 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records for having the longest natural tail feather of any bird at almost 8 feet long.

Egyptian Geese is another non-native, these are quite common in Breckland, and despite coming from the hot continent of Africa, the species has adapted to our cold winters, their hardiness is seen in February when their young appear, despite any frost and snow.  Egyptian Geese nest in holes in large trees. 

  

Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust - Annual Count (A great start)

I am very fortunate and grateful to the Bowes estate near Watton to be allowed to pursue my passion in very typical Breckland landscapes and habitat.  I am especially grateful to the estates owner, Kevin Bowes, who invited me onto his land some years ago.  The land covers a large area from Saham, Threxton, Little Cressingham, Great Cressingham, Bodney, and Hilborough.  Much of this land lies with Stanford Army Training Area (STANTA).

Every year in February for a two week period the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust holds a nationwide Bird count, these counts are put to great use in assessing the health of farmland birds populations and to act upon areas of concern.

This years count began, as with every year, on 7th February, however, my first counts of the year began the weekend of the 8th and 9th February.

I was rather disappointed in that Finch and Bunting numbers were down, I put this down to the especially cold easterly wind, hopefully, an improvement in their numbers will be seen as the count progresses.

The following is a list of species seen the weekend of the 8th and 9th February.

Greylag Goose

Mute Swan 2

Egyptian Goose 6+

Mallard

Teal 40+

Red-legged Partridge

Pheasant

Little Grebe 1

Grey Heron 1

Little Egret 1

Cormorant 1

Sparrowhawk 1

Goshawk 1

Buzzard

Moorhen 2

Lapwing 250+

Black-headed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Stock Dove (Best single count of 12)

Wood Pigeon

Collared Dove

Great Spotted Woodpecker 1

Kestrel

Merlin 1

Peregrine 1

Jay 

Magpie

Jackdaw 

Rook (highest single count of 300+)

Carrion Crow

Coal Tit

Blue Tit

Great Tit

Skylark

Long-tailed Tit 2

Wren

Starling (Highest count of 300+)

Blackbird (Included my first singing male of the year)

Fieldfare (Best single count of 80+)

Redwing (Best single count of 20+)

Song Thrush

Mistle Thrush (5 singing males at one location)

Robin

Stonechat (Pair)

Dunnock

Pied Wagtail

Chaffinch (Best single count of 90+)

Linnet

Goldfinch

Yellowhammer

Reed Bunting 3

8 February (Highlights)

My first habitat visited for this years count was a large game strip comprising Maize and Brassicas, a type of habitat which is a good place to begin as such habitats attract Finches and Buntings.  It was here I gathered a count of 90+ Chaffinches, but only a few Linnets.

A walk through Pine woodland produced a very close and calling Goshawk high in trees, but could I locate it visually.

Nearby farmland held 100+ Rooks, 80+ Fieldfare, 300+ Starlings, and about 20 Redwings.

A short visit to the Watton Brook valley produced a few Teal and Little Grebe, the highlight was a Peregrine flying east in a leisurely flight, I watched this bird until lost to sight.

9 February (Highlights)

I was particularly impressed by the numbers of singing Mistle Thrushes at one site, these large Thrushes always sing from the highest point in a tree, they are rightly called 'Stormcock' because they often sing in foul weather.

About 40 Teal were on wet meadows at Hilborough, also, I watched a Little Egret using its feet to stir up silt to look for invertebrate food.

The highlight of the day occurred at Bodney.  I was closing a gate having entered land when I looked up when high overhead a Merlin was being shadowed by a tight flock of small and noisy passerine species, the Merlin then plummeted at speed towards the ground, these are high speed chase predators, I suspect once prey was located the Merlin would begin the chase hugging the ground.  The Merlin is the smallest European Falcon being similar in size to a Blackbird.

A short, but productive visit to Seamere, Hingham 2 February 2025

The morning started with a moderate frost with icy patches.  The day was bright with full sunlight.  I was working in the Hingham area this morning, I therefore decided for my work break to overlook Seamere Marsh in an attempt to collect a good species count and my results were as follows:

Pheasant

2 Stock Dove (including a singing bird)

300+ Wood Pigeons

2 Cormorant

1 Sparrowhawk (female)

1 Red Kite

3 Buzzard

1 Great Spotted Woodpecker

1 Kestrel (male)

2 Rook

2 Carrion Crow

2 Raven

4 Blue Tit

3 Blackbird

2 Robin

4 Dunnock

1 Reed Bunting (male)

Highlights

Upon my arrival a single Red Kite drifted low over the marsh watching the ground below for food.  Close to was Blackbird, 4 Blue Tits, and 4 Dunnocks together in a broken hedge of Hawthorn and Ivy.

A female Sparrowhawk drifted overhead and then began circling over the fen.  3 Buzzards and a male Kestrel seen

A check of the habitat within the marsh revealed a single Reed Bunting (male) on an isolated patch of Bramble and Willow.  This was my first observation of this species in typical breeding habitat at this site which would indicate the bird is holding territory for breeding later in the spring.

My clear highlight for the morning was an approaching pair of Ravens, their size and general appearance readily identifying this, the largest of all Crows.  The Ravens passed over the marsh then began circling for several minutes before heading off high west.  The circling behaviour appeared to show one bird shadowing the other, it was during this behaviour I could clearly see the diamond-shaped tail, also, the heavy bill was noted.  Calling heard.     

Ravens (Photo from archives).  A simply wonderful species to have in Norfolk....and that call 💓

   

January 2025 - A summary

The first day of the new year opened stormy with a very strong SW wind, however, the wind did moderate as the day progressed.  There was spells of rain, some very heavy, and full cloud cover.

I visited East Wretham Heath as I knew water levels were very high on the two large meres, I decided on this location in order to maximise my species count for the new year.  Although very windy it was initially dry, but the rain did come, and did it come.

As I approached the hide at Langmere I noticed movement ahead of me on the ground, it was the caterpillar of the Fox Moth.  Water levels at Langmere was very high, this in turn had attracted high numbers of Gull species, notably, an estimated 800+ Black-headed Gulls and 150+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls, an extraordinary sight and sound.  Also present was 40+ Teal, 17+ Shoveler, 14+ Tufted Duck, 10 Shelduck, Gadwall, and 7 Mute Swans.   104+ Coot were present at Langmere along with 2 Little Grebes.

I then made my way to Ringmere, a beautiful perfectly rounded mere which is looked down upon from the screen within a lovely bank of hedgerow thickets and bracken.  It was here where I was caught in a very heavy downpour with no shelter (but I kept telling myself you have to suffer for your pleasures).    I expected less bird numbers on Ringmere but I did gather 25+ Gadwall, Teal, a male Pochard, 26+ Coot (bringing the cumulative total for Wretham today to 130+ birds), and 2 Mute Swans.

Walking back over open heathland, the rain had stopped but the wind pushed me along apace.  I expected to see Stonechats on the heath and indeed I did, a male and female typically perched on the tallest weeds and grasses despite the wind.

The 2nd was a productive morning with the highlight being an overflying Hawfinch at Little Cressingham.  This is a scarce species in the Brecks but what a great record.

The 5th was a cold day with early light snowfall which later turned to rain and milder.  This was a work day and when I have time between calls I like to stop in a new area to survey the area.  I stopped on the Woodrising Road at Woodrising where I could see lots of Thrushes on a nearby field.  Having parked up I began counting using my clicker counter and counted 300+ Fieldfare, it was clear that there was more birds present in the rolls and dips on the field.

Later in the day in the early evening darkness I could hear Pink-footed Geese passing over Watton.  I alerted the local community through a popular social media site and am pleased to report other friends heard these beautiful Geese passing over.

Fieldfare - Several flocks of this winter Thrush seen including 3 figure numbers.

I was working during the evening of the 8th in the Colton, Cranworth, and Scoulton areas, I used the evening to listen for Tawny Owls and located two calling males, saw one in a tree at Scoulton, and once home heard both male and female Tawny Owls calling.

A Barn Owl was also seen alongside the Woodrising Road at Woodrising, this bird was hunting from posts along a field edge. 

A short work break during the morning of the 9th saw me visit Seamere Marsh at Hingham.  Two drumming Great Spotted Woodpeckers were heard and a single Red Kite was over the marsh.  A flock of 300+ Rooks were seen. 

The 12th was a particularly cold morning with a temperature of minus -6 degrees Celsius, despite the cold the severe hoar frost provided an incredibly beautiful scene.  I visited a site near The Arms at Little Cressingham where I had superb views of typical Breckland landscape of farmland, game strips, distant heath, Pine and mixed woodland habitats.  This morning I saw my first Goshawk of the year flying leisurely over open country, a magnificent site.  A possible hard weather movement of 24 Lapwings seen flying west.  A check of a woodland edge saw 4 Song Thrushes together in Ivy all consuming berries.

Little Cressingham 12 January 2025 (A beautiful hoar frost)

On the 14th I visited the lovely old churchyard at Great Hockham which is set in parkland and woodland habitat.  Here I recorded several Blue Tits, Great Tit, 2 Carrion Crows, 2 Nuthatches and at least 2 Treecreepers.

The 16th Was a fantastic day.  I have a good friend who has a farm at Stow Bedon, I park there and then walk along the Pingo trail through Breckles Heath, Cranberry Rough, and Hockham Fen.  I returned back to the farm to enjoy a coffee and a chat with my friend and to watch the fantastic array of birdlife from her kitchen window. 

Much of the land near the farm has been acquired by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust with the aim of restoring heathland.  A rare breed of cattle known as the 'British White' are used to graze the land to keep invasive species under control.  Heathland is a very rare habitat worldwide with Britain holding 20% of this vital and threatened habitat.

My walk this morning initially took me through mature broadleaved woodland, this soon opened onto Breckles Heath, here I saw a single Stonechat (female) in a Hawthorn and close by a single Goldcrest foraged silently in a Hawthorn.

Between the start of my walk and Hockham Fen I counted 6 drumming Great Spotted Woodpeckers, at least 4 Marsh Tits, 30+ Redwings, 3 Nuthatches, 3 Treecreepers, 4 Bullfinches, and at least 6 Siskins feeding high in Alders.  A single Water Rail was calling is swampy habitat.

At the end of my walk I visited my good friend for a coffee and chat.  Her remarkable garden held 50+ House Sparrows, Chaffinches, Greenfinch, Dunnock, 2 Marsh Tits, a Nuthatch, and 2 Stock Doves. 

A short visit to Merton on the 17th eventually saw an erratic and disorganised departure of Wood Pigeons, this immediately indicated to me a raptor was approaching, moments later a Peregrine passed through at speed. 

A return to Seamere Marsh at Hingham on the 18th produced Grey Heron, one Marsh Harrier (female) and a single Kingfisher in a small willow in the middle of the marsh.  6 Roe Deer were seen.

A short break from work on the 19th I decided to visit the wide open expanses of the former WW2 airfield at Deopham, a site where I have recorded Merlin on a couple of occasions.  This morning I counted in excess of 400+ Fieldfare feeding on the land, also present was 100+ Starlings and an impressive 250+ Linnets.

A visit on the 20th to swamp habitat near Great Hockham held 4 Marsh Harriers (all females), also 5 Cranes flew over and a couple of Great Spotted Woodpeckers were drumming. A Water Rail called in thick, rank vegetation and a pair of Stonechats typically seen on taller weeds from where they can watch the ground for invertebrate prey.

On the 21st I visited The Arms area at Little Cressingham to oversee a game strip comprising weeds, Linseed, and brassicas.  This has not been a good year for Bramblings and all I could see on this visit was 3 birds with 50+ Chaffinches and 35+ Yellowhammer.  With all the bird activity seen here, it was inevitable a raptor would be attracted, and during my visit a male Goshawk approached low over open country and over woodland where it turned and dove into woodland, but it departed without prey.  

A very rewarding visit to Bodney on the 25th produced one Great White Egret and 3 Little Egrets.  The Little Egrets were seen particularly well, a stunning white Egret with a black dagger-like bill, black legs and yellow feet.

My highlight of this visit was watching a pair of Ravens passing over and calling.  To think that just a few short years ago Ravens were very rare in Norfolk, a very welcome bird.

Raven - photographed at Hockham.  An increasing species

On the morning of the 30th I visited Didlington to overview heath, farmland, Hawthorn, and Pine forest.  The highlights here included 50+ Fieldfare feeding upon heath and grassland. Raptors were well represented by Buzzard, 2 Red Kites, a hunting Kestrel, and a male Goshawk which was watched overflying open country and then entering woodland where it appeared to gather speed. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming.  3 Skylarks were present.

I then moved onto Bodney to overview flooded land in the Wissey valley.  Birds seen on the flood included 42+ Teal, 21+ Gadwall, 5 Shelduck, 10 Egyptian Geese, Greylag and Canada Geese.  In a roadside thicket a pair of Great Tits were seen, this included a singing male.  On a nearby heath a singing Mistle Thrush was high in a Scots Pine.  A female Sparrowhawk flew from Pine forest and off over the heath. 

Sparrowhawk - A common raptor in Breckland