Foulden Common and Thompson, Norfolk

An overcast start to the day with light drizzle and poor light. One or two brighter spells later but it remained cloudy all day with a high of 8 degrees celsius and a light NW wind.

1st Swallows (2) at Thompson
16+ Chiffchaffs

Foulden Common 0650-0830.  I visited this large, beautiful, and ancient common, with a view to seeing/hearing my first Willow Warbler of the year, however, none seen today.
My walk here took me over a good part of the common and well as visit to the periphery of a lovely, swampy fen habitat.


Barn Owl at Foulden Common 04/04/15

Although my target species was not found today, I was very pleased to gather a count of 10+ Chiffchaffs singing around the common, I was equally pleased to find at least 8 Song Thrushes in song, a species which in recent years has seen cause for concern.
A single male Blackcap was singing, although a second may have been present.
Foulden Common is an ancient site comprising a large area of grazing for sheep, however, there is scrub in abundance and patches of mature mixed woodland, also a largish area of damp, swampy, fen-like habitat gives this wonderful location a very varied habitat.
It was in the area of the fen where a single Snipe flew up and zig-zagged away.  Many more Snipe will be present in this suitable habitat.  A pair of Goldcrests were seen in scrub along the fen periphery and a Robin was seen with nesting material.  As would be expected in the fen area a pair of Reed Buntings were seen with a further male Reed Bunting in song.
Also seen and heard around Foulden Common this morning was single Common Buzzard, Wood Pigeons, a singing male Stock Dove, calling Green Woodpecker, Wren, Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, displaying male Greenfinch, Bullfinch (heard), Yellowhammer (4+ territories), Linnet, Jay, and Magpie.

The drive back to Watton produced another Barn Owl at Hollow Heath, Hilborough, and a single Kestrel at Threxton.

Thompson 1350-1500.  I parked at the church and walked the footpath to the Griston Road, then took the Drove Lane to Stow Bedon Road, and back to the church.
A walk along this route produced a further 6+ Chiffchaffs (bringing a total to 16+ from 2 sites), 5+ Nuthatches, and a pair of Egyptian Geese.
I was certain whilst walking along the path that I heard a Swallow, a brief watch soon produced a single Swallow passing left to right, when a second Swallow came into view over the church area.  These constitute my first Swallows for the year.