Breckland Birder

Breckland Birder
Red Deer in Breckland, Norfolk Photo by Paul Newport

Saturday 10 May 2014

Thompson Water (late afternoon)

Despite some warm sunshine the afternoon was quite wild at times with a strong south-westerly wind and localised, heavy showers.  At least the wind pushed the showers through quickly.
Arriving at Thompson Water, the most evident species seen was large numbers of Swifts skimming low over the water and surface weed for insect prey.  When brighter conditions moved through the Swifts gained height, presumably to follow insects which rose up in slightly warmer settled conditions.  Although Swifts formed the majority, there was smaller numbers of Sand Martins and House Martins hunting insects low over the water.
Also seen over the water was a pair of Common Terns, also, a couple of Hobbies were hunting insects over the peripheral woodland, reeds, and the water.  A Common Buzzard put in an appearance.
In the dense waterside scrub and reeds at least 2 Garden Warblers sang along with a couple of Cetti's Warblers, Reed Warblers, and Chiffchaff.
The walk back along Thompson Grove produced Blackcaps, another singing Garden Warbler, and a single singing Willow Warbler in typical scrubby habitat.

No comments:

Post a Comment